DECISION ON MEASURES IN FAVOUR OF LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES


Ministers,

      Recognizing the plight of the least-developed countries and the need 
to ensure their effective participation in the world trading system, and to 
take further measures to improve their trading opportunities;
      
      Recognizing the specific needs of the least-developed countries in the 
area of market access where continued preferential access remains an 
essential means for improving their trading opportunities;

      Reaffirming their commitment to implement fully the provisions 
concerning the least-developed countries contained in paragraphs 2(d), 6 and 
8 of the Decision of the CONTRACTING PARTIES of 28 November 1979 on 
Differential and More Favourable Treatment, Reciprocity and Fuller 
Participation of Developing Countries;

      Having regard to the commitment of the participants as set out in 
Section B (vii) of Part I of the Punta del Este Declaration;

1.    Decide that, if not already provided for in the instruments negotiated 
in the course of the Uruguay Round, notwithstanding their acceptance of 
these instruments, the least-developed countries, and for so long as they 
remain in that category, while complying with the general rules set out in 
the aforesaid instruments, will only be required to undertake commitments 
and concessions to the extent consistent with their individual development, 
financial and trade needs, or their administrative and institutional 
capabilities.  The least-developed countries shall be given additional time 
of one year from the date of the Special Ministerial Session concluding the 
Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations to submit their schedules 
as required in Article XI of the Agreement Establishing the Multilateral 
Trade Organization.


2.    Agree that:

      (i)  Expeditious implementation of all special and differential 
           measures taken in favour of least-developed countries including 
           those taken within the context of the Uruguay Round shall be 
           ensured through, inter alia, regular reviews. 

      (ii) To the extent possible, MFN concessions on tariff and non-tariff 
           measures agreed in the Uruguay Round on products of export 
           interest to the least-developed countries may be implemented 
           autonomously, in advance and without staging.  Consideration 
           shall be given to further improve GSP and other schemes for 
           products of particular export interest to least-developed 
           countries.


      (iii)The rules set out in the various agreements and instruments and 
           the transitional provisions in the Uruguay Round should be 
           applied in a flexible and supportive manner for the 
           least-developed countries.  To this effect, sympathetic 
           consideration shall be given to specific and motivated concerns 
           raised by the least-developed countries in the appropriate 
           Committees and Councils.

      (iv) In the application of import relief measures and other measures 
           referred to in Article XXXVII:3(c) of GATT 1947 (and the 
           corresponding Article of GATT 1994), special consideration shall 
           be given to the export interests of least-developed countries.

      (v)  Least-developed countries shall be accorded substantially 
           increased technical assistance in the development, strengthening 
           and diversification of their production and export bases 
           including those of services, as well as in trade promotion, to 
           enable them to maximize the benefits from liberalized access to 
           markets.

      Agree to keep under review the specific needs of the least-developed 
countries and to continue to seek the adoption of positive measures which 
facilitate the expansion of trading opportunities in favour of these 
countries.
