./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SCM/Q3/COL/2
22 February 2002
(02-0916)
Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing MeasuresOriginal:  English
SUBSIDIES
Requests Pursuant to Article 27.4 of the Agreement
on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
Questions Posed by Switzerland
The following communication, dated 21 February 2002, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Switzerland.
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Switzerland submits the following comments and questions seeking clarification of certain
aspects of the requests under review.  These comments and questions do not necessarily prejudice its
final position on these requests.  We thank all delegations mentioned below for their efforts in
complying with the procedures set out either in Ar t. 27.4 SCM or in § 10.6 of the Ministerial Decision
on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns [W T/MIN(01)/17] and for having put forward their
requests in a timely manner.
Colombia (G/SCM/N/74/COL)
We thank Colombia for its detailed explanation in this document.  As a preliminary remark,
Switzerland would like to state that it looks favourably at Colombia’s request of applying the
procedures set forth in G/SCM/39 for the programmes listed (SIEX and ZF).  However, and in order
to have a better idea of the nature of the progra mmes, Switzerland would like  to know when the data
for both programmes will be available for the year 2001?
Regarding the free zone regime (ZF), Switzerland notes that there was a steady increase of the
volume of this programme when contemplating the figures from 1998 to 2000 (in G/SCM/N/71/COL,
p.5).  Have there been any modifications (i.e. the “favourability”) of the programme during thisperiod?  Is it correct that the subsidy is granted to national as well as to foreign legal entities and the
same application procedures apply to both, national and foreign companies?
Regarding Colombia’s request of extending the transition period – pursuant to Article 27.4
SCM- for the MCT programme Switzerland would like to have more information of why this export
subsidy is necessary for Colombia’s economic, financial, and development needs.  Any additional
information will be welcome, specifically:
• Can exporters benefiting also be foreign entities?
• What happens after the three-year period of implementation?  Can an exporter apply again to
the same programme after the five years consecutive period mentioned in your notification?G/SCM/Q3/COL/2
Page 2
• Which export destinations are meant to profit from this programme; are there any lists of
reference?
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