RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/IT/M/6
29 May 1998
(98-2238)
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade
in Information Technology Products
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 27 MARCH 1998
Chairman:  Mr. M. Harvey (New Zealand)
Agenda of the Meeting  Page
1. Review of the status of implementation of the Ministerial Declaration
on Trade in Information Technol ogy Products (G/IT/1/Rev.4).................................... 1
2. Future work programme  of the Co mmittee .................................................................. 2
2.1 Divergences in classifying information technology products
(G/IT/2, G/IT/2/Corr.1 and G/IT/2/Add.1)...................................................... 2
2.2 Review of product coverage ............................................................................ 2
2.3 Consultations on non- tariff ba rriers ................................................................. 2
3. New partic ipants ........................................................................................................... 3
4. Other business ............................................................................................................ 3
_________________
Introduction
The Chairman  said that the proposed agenda for this meeting was circulated in
WTO/AIR/803 on 16 March 1998.  He asked if there were any other matters to be raised under "Other
Business".  Hearing no requests, he stated that he would take up the date of the next meeting under"Other Business".  With that addition, the agenda was adopted.
1. Review of the status of implementation of the Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information
Technology Products (G/IT/1/Rev.4)
1.1 The Chairman drew participants' attention to document G/IT/1/Rev.4 which updated the
status of implementation.  He noted that with respect to this document Switzerland should be added to
the last sentence of paragraph 4 as Switzerland had provided authorization to put its schedule on the
internet.  Additionally, Turkey had notified that it had completed the domestic proceduralrequirements relating to the implementation of the ITA and should therefore be added to footnote 3.
1.2 The delegate of Switzerland stated that the internal procedural requirements had been
finalized for the ITA and with respect to implementation, the first and second reductions had occurred
accordingly.G/IT/M/6
Page 2
1.3 The delegate of Estonia stated that Estonia's schedule of commitments would be amended to
take into account the 9-digit HS codes, and that the new schedule would be distributed to all
participants.
2. Future work programme of the Committee
2.1 Divergences in classifying information technology products (G/IT/2, G/IT/2/Corr.1 and
G/IT/2/Add.1)
2.1.1 The Chairman recalled that a meeting had ta ken place earlier in the week to specifically
discuss the issue of classification divergences.  After starting in a formal mode the Committee had
decided to move to an informal mode and had discussed classification issues specifically relating to
semiconductor manufacturing and testing equipment.   There was a useful exchange of information
and comments on the classification divergences of these products.  Delegations agreed that they
would, as a next step, check and clarify the situation with their capitals and report back at a future
meeting on this issue.
2.1.2 The delegate of Malaysia stated that Malaysian customs experts had examined some of the
divergences in classification and had suggested changes in the classification of some products.  This
information would be conveyed accordingly.
2.2 Review of product coverage
2.2.1 The Chairman recalled that the Annex to th e Implementation of the Ministerial Declaration
provided that beginning 1 January 1998 and no later than 31 March 1998, participants shall consult in
order to clarify information and exchange views on the documentation submitted.  Additionally, no
later than 30 June 1998, the Committee shall meet to decide whether to revise Attachment A or B to
the Annex to the Ministerial Declaration.
He further pointed out that there had been 14 individual submissions by participants pursuant
to this review.  Also, as agreed at the last meeting, the Secretariat had circulated a consolidated list of
all the proposals in G/IT/SPEC/15.  While noting that much of the work and negotiations with respect
to the review had been occurring in bilateral and plurilateral meetings during the course of the week,
he asked if any delegation wished to share any information with the Committee on this process, in
particular with respect to specific product areas, procedural aspects, or any other matter.
2.2.2 The delegate of Canada proposed a plan for a number of informal meetings to be held during
the week of the 20th of April.  He proposed to have a technical discussion of the various proposals,
such as Attachment A, Section 1 products, Attachment B products, and printed circuit boards/printed
wiring boards.  He furthermore proposed that the Secretariat prepare informal documents for these
meetings.  The delegate of Singapore, speaking on behalf of ASEAN, and the delegate of Japan
supported the proposal.
2.2.3 The Chairman noted that there was agreement  to proceed with the proposal made by Canada.
2.3 Consultations on non-tariff barriers
2.3.1 The Chairman recalled there were a number of proposals put forth at previous meetings with
respect to non-tariff barriers.  These concerned standards-related matters and import licensing
practices, specifically as they related to IT products.
He mentioned also that it was agreed that the survey on standards-related matters, contained
in document G/IT/4 of 19 February 1998, would go-ahead.  He recalled that the deadline for replies
was 15 April 1998.  As of today, the Secretariat had received one response to the survey.G/IT/M/6
Page 3
2.3.2 The delegate of the United States circulated a non-paper on the background of the standards
mentioned in the survey.
3. New Participants
3.1 The Chairman noted that the schedules of Latvia and Panama were before the Committee.
With respect to the Schedule of Latvia, he recalled that at the last meeting clarification was sought on
the headnote contained in the schedule, with respect to implementation.  As he understood,
participants had no problems with the concessions contained in Latvia's proposed ITA schedule, but
concerns were raised on the procedural aspects with respect to implementation and especially with
implementation on an autonomous basis.  For domestic procedural reasons, Latvia would implement
the ITA commitments at the time of the implementation of its other accession commitments.
Therefore, he suggested the Committee await notification from the delegation of Latvia on when
implementation will take affect.
He then turned to the Schedule of Panama and recalled that the Secretariat had performed an
electronic verification of the revised schedule of Panama and that the resulting discrepancies were
conveyed to the delegation of Panama.  At present, a few discrepancies still existed and the delegation
of Panama was clarifying the matter.  As soon as this issue was resolved and the verification done, the
schedule would be circulated to participants.
3.2 The Committee took note of the schedules of Latvia and Panama.4. Other Business
4.1 The Chairman proposed that the next meeting of the Committee be held on 23 April 1998.
__________