Tanzania Report, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania - ILEAP

• Noted the comment concerning more inputs from the Government concerning ongoingdevelopments on Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva and the issue of how the approachesto negotiations could be taken up. In this regard, the Ministry normally works with other countriestowards a common position in various groups i.e. SADC, LDC and AU ACP through MinisterialMeetings which produces declarations that are used as the basic negotiation positions. In additionthe three groups also coordinate their positions to arrive at a complimentary stance that leads to acommon position in the negotiations. The Permanent Secretary promised that Ministry wouldcirculate the Declarations made by these groups for participants information. The Tanzanianposition is reflected in these declarations;• The Ministry distributed copies of the Dhaka, Lusaka, Mauritius and Brussels declarations to par.Also avail participants the draft Cancun Declaration which is already available and subject tonegotiations;• Concerning the Ministers comments on membership in multiple institutions the PermanentSecretary confirmed that the Ministry has experienced no problem in forming positions at theregional level such as SADC and linking this position with consensus at the wider level such asthe AU, LDCs and ACP groups. This is on account of the similarity of our problems relative toissues such as agricultural market access and on TRIPS and public health. We may differ onlanguage, culture and specific priorities but the core concerns remain the same. Further for thedeveloping countries unity remains the only weapon with which to face the position of powerfuleconomic nations such as the US, EU and Japan;• Noted further that even the more advanced developing countries in Africa such as South Africaand Egypt do support the moulding of an AU position which reflects the concerns of the LDCsgroup given that 35 of all LDCs are Sub Saharan African countries.• Reiterated the fact that even though negotiations are conducted through consensus amongst blocksof countries and interest groups until a common position is arrived at that accommodates allmembers, the Ministry is aware of the fact that implementation is a matter of primary individualnational concern and Tanzania is already working on initiatives to reform our institutionalstructures to create a responsive framework corresponding to the demand of the situation and buildthe capacity to implement the agreements adequately. There is recognition of the need for astructure to facilitate the coordination aspect. In this regard, a WTO National Committee has beenestablished and the issue on hand is to enhance its capacity. The Ministry has also appointed aspecific Committee, chaired by the Minister in person, to follow up on the issue of implementationrelative to market access opportunities such as AGOA;• Acknowledged the need to enhance research capacity and to link this with the public and privatesector stakeholders as the primary users of the findings and recommendations or output ofresearch. Commended the performance of institutions like ESRF and the Economic ResearchBureau of the University of Dar es Salaam and noted the need for adopting a more coordinatedapproach on research work so as to focus on the issues of priority importance to the nation;• With respect to capacity building and technical assistance, the Chairman also noted that Tanzania,as an LDC, has the right to enjoy special and differential conditions provided for in the WTOagreements as an interim measure while building the requisite capacity. Noted that it is importantto build capacity and participate in negotiations for market access with the EU although at presentTanzania benefits from the EBA scheme for LDCs because the preferences given to LDCs will notprevail for ever;• In conclusion, the Chairman reiterated the need to utilize the high capacities in our institutions oflearning and continue to forge alliances at regional level: SADC, AU, LDCs and ACP. No onewill listen to Tanzania in the WTO – but they have to listen to the regions. All those declarationsultimately amount to a common position that can be put on the table. How do you negotiate withan economically powerful country as the US whose GDP is twice that of Africa – if Africa doesnot negotiate as one entity? He emphatically concluded is summing up.6.3 SUMMING UP OF GROUP DISCUSSIONSProfessor Samuel M. Wangwe, chaired the plenary discussions that received the reports from the groupsdiscussions. His summary of the recommendations emerging from the groups include the following:"Deliberations on WTO Pre-Cancun Sensatization Workshop" 32