Colombia

The increasing proliferation of bilateral regional and multilateral trade agreements has put new twists and brought new questions to the fore in the old debate on the effects of these agreements (either separately or together) on the concerned economies as well as on world trade as a whole. By July 2007 nearly 380 preferential trade agreements had been notified to the WTO and it is estimated that over 400 PTAs will be in force by 2010. Earlier the chief concern had been whether regional or bilateral agreements were building blocks or stumbling blocks toward multilateralism; this became an issue empirically for a while centering on how the two types of agreements had to exist “side by side” for better or for worse (Fisch 2001). As one Colombian negotiator put it: “The WTO is not a place of liberalization but consolidation”. The concern is now revisited in the context of a possible breakdown or slowing down of the multilateral order itself and the increasing pressure on small economies to meet the demands of the great powers in bilateral free trade agreements in defecting from both regional and multilateral trade arrangements. This chapter attends to the latter set of concerns in speaking of the GATS+-type arrangements becoming de rigueur in bilateral agreements. In doing so however it also showcases trade as an increasingly complex set of arrangements between local national regional and international dynamics.

I commend the Vice Minister and the Disccusant to make very pertinent remarks this morning and many issues which Members had have been touched on briefly but comprehensively. Chairing the meeting for the fourth Trade Policy Review of Colombia was personally a rewarding experience. The Trade Policy Review of Colombia has provided an opportunity for us to improve our understanding of recent developments in Colombia’s trade and trade related policies. I would like to thank Vice Minister Duque of Colombia Ambassador Eduardo Muñoz and the rest of the delegation of Colombia for their constructive engagement in this meeting. My thanks also go to Ambassador Tim Yeend for his excellent participation as discussant and to the Members for their numerous interventions. I would further like to commend the authorities of Colombia for the effort made to answer the questions received prior to this meeting.

The seventh Trade Policy Review of Malaysia has offered us a good opportunity to deepen our understanding of its trade and investment policies. I would like to thank the Malaysian delegation led by H.E. J. Jayasiri Secretary General of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for its constructive engagement throughout this Review. I would also like to thank the discussant H.E. Ambassador Claudio de la Puente of Peru for his insightful remarks and all the delegations that took the floor for their valuable contributions. The 476 questions submitted by 27 Members and the interventions by 43 delegations underline the importance attached to Malaysia’s trade and investment policies and practices. Malaysia’s use of the alternative timeframe to reply to advance written questions to this TPR was also appreciated.

This fourth Trade Policy Review of the Plurinational State of Bolivia has provided us with the opportunity to deepen our understanding of its trade and investment policies and in particular regarding the reforms introduced since the last Review in 2005. I would like to thank the delegation from Bolivia led by Ambassador Clarems Endara Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration for its constructive engagement throughout this exercise. I would also like to thank our discussant Ambassador Francisco Lima Mena from El Salvador for his interesting and thought-provoking remarks as well as the 28 delegations which took the floor the first day for their active participation in this Review. Members were pleased to participate in the fourth Trade Policy Review of Bolivia which is taking place 12 years after the previous Review.