PAKISTAN’S STATEMENT ON THE MEXICAN TPR

We join other delegations in extending very warm welcome to Ms. Beatriz Leycegui, Vice Minister and Head of Mexican delegation, Ambassador Fernando de Mateo and other high level delegates from Mexico.

I would like to express my appreciation for the high quality documentation by the Secretariat and a frank report from the Mexican Government.

The discussant Ambassador Claudia Uribé, having gained lot of experience through her Chairpersonship of TPR body, gave a well-balanced overview and asked some very probing questions. This would give the Mexican delegation many useful ideas on the way forward for accelerating the rate of their economic growth.

It is evident that Mexico is now fully on track to achieving sustained growth. The most noteworthy achievements are substantial growth in trade i.e. from $161 billion to $250 billion with average growth of 11.6% during the past four years; the ability to attract large inflows of Foreign Direct Investment; reduction in poverty rate; further liberalization of import regime; significant improvements in IPR, competition policy and regulatory regimes. The fact that the World Bank study ‘Doing Business 2007’ recognized that Mexico moved up the ladder by 19 places bears testimony to the fact that the reform process is actually working.

There are however, some areas where we feel that some improvements are still needed. Discussant Ambassador Claudia Uribé has also indicated what Mexico should be doing in order to maintain its sustainable growth and reduce poverty levels.

Several delegates have already pointed out the gap of almost 25% points between average and applied rates. In addition to higher tariff rates, there are several other measures such as customs processing fee on an ad-valorem basis, which is discriminatory for different WTO members; non-application of the WTO Valuation Rules on over 300 tariff headings including textiles and clothing; requirement of import licenses for about 160 items; and discriminatory SPS Policies. We have raised these points in our written questions and look forward to their responses.

Mexico’s very positive and constructive role in the current DDA negotiations is very much appreciated. While Ambassador Fernando de Mateo’s leadership role as the Chair of Services and his well-managed organization of ‘Enchilada talks’ receive lot of prominence, Fernando also plays a very important role in Agriculture negotiations through G-20, in NAMA negotiations through the Middle Group, and also in Rules Group, DSU and indeed all other areas through his conciliatory positions. The only area where Ambassador Mateo has not suggested any workable solution is for GIs register, which I happen to chair; and without his input I find myself clueless.

With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, we wish Mexico a very successful TPR.

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