* Reproduced from World Trade Organization Documents G/L/159, April 2, 1997, G/L/160, April 2, 1997, and WT/MIN(96)/16, December 13, 1996.

[The WTO Singapore Ministerial Declaration, adopted December 13, 1996 and assessing the implementation by Members of commitments under the WTO Agreements and decisions, appears at 36 I.L.M. 218 (1997).

[For additional information contact the World Trade Organization, Legal Affairs Division, Centre William Rappard, 154 rue de Lausanne, 1211 Geneva 21, Switzerland (tel.: 41 22 739 52 52; fax: 41 22 739 57 88).]

1 On behalf of the customs union Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

2 Participants took note that Panama and Poland submitted documents after 1 March 1997 that could not be reviewed by 26 March 1997 and that others may submit documents on or before 1 April 1997. Participants agreed to meet again during the week of 14 April 1997 to complete the review process with respect to these documents. It was understood that, upon approval of these documents, the procedures set forth in the Annex to the Declaration would apply as if the documents had been approved at the meeting of 26 March 1997, and the States or separate customs territories referred to above would thenceforth be considered to be “participants” for purposes of the further implementation of the Declaration.

3 WT/MIN(96)/16, 13 December 1996 (attached).

4 The WTO Secretariat shall maintain a set of the informal documents exchanged by participants in consultations that led to the decisions taken at that meeting. These documents shall be made available to participants for consultation upon request.

5 Subject to the completion of domestic procedural requirements.

6 The text of paragraph 3 is as follows: “Participants shall meet periodically under the auspices of the Council on Trade in Goods to review the product coverage specified in the Attachments, with a view to agreeing, by consensus, whether in the light of technological developments, experience in applying the tariff concessions, or changes to the HS nomenclature, the Attachments should be modified to incorporate additional products, and to consult on non-tariff barriers to trade in information technology products. Such consultations shall be without prejudice to rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement.“

7 The text of paragraph 5 is as follows: “Participants shall meet as often as necessary and no later than 30 September 1997 to consider any divergence among them in classifying information technology products, beginning with the products specified in Attachment B. Participants agree on the common objective of achieving, where appropriate, a common classification for these products within existing HS nomenclature, giving consideration to interpretations and rulings of the Customs Co-operation Council (also known as the World Customs Organization or “WCO“). In any instance in which a divergence in classification remains, participants will consider whether a joint suggestion could be made to the WCO with regard to updating existing HS nomenclature or resolving divergence in interpretation of the HS nomenclature.“

8 Available for consultation by participants and WTO Members in the WTO Secretariat (Market Access Division).

1 On behalf of the customs union Switzerland and Liechtenstein.