FTAA.nggp/com/1
February 10, 1999

SECOND MEETING OF THE NEGOTIATING GROUP ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
(NGGP)

Miami, February 8-9, 1999


PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ

The second meeting of the Negotiating Group on Government Procurement (NGGP) took place in Miami, Florida from February 8 to 9, 1999. Delegates from the following twenty-two countries were present: Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela. The NGGP covered all issues listed on the agenda, which is attached to this communique. Specifically, the negotiating group worked toward the formulation of a chapter on government procurement to ensure openness and transparency and address coverage. The NGGP also discussed the availability and compatibility of country by country government procurement statistics. The discussion of both topics included consideration of written submissions by delegations. The NGGP agreed to the following tentative date for its next meeting: April 7 to 9, 1999.