Public
FTAA.sme/com/23
December 3, 2003

Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

FTAA - CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES

Twenty-Third Meeting

Washington, D.C. United States, 16 – 17 October 2003

PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ 

1. The Twenty-Third Meeting of the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies (CGSE) was held in Washington DC, United States, on 16 and 17 October 2003. The meeting was attended by delegates from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and Venezuela.
   
   

2. The CGSE adopted the agenda, which is attached hereto.
   
   

3. The CGSE adopted the document entitled “Report on the Progress in the Implementation of the Hemispheric Cooperation Program and the Initial Meeting with Donors”, which contains an update of the TNC report on the implementation of the Hemispheric Cooperation Program (HCP) and a report on the results of the initial meeting with donors for the implementation of the Hemispheric Cooperation Program, held in Washington, DC, on 13 and 14 October 2003. Pursuant to the instructions received, this document was duly submitted to the Co-Chairs. These results will be presented at the Miami Ministerial. 
   
   

4. The CGSE received a report on the updating of the Summary Matrix of Project Profiles, prepared by the Tripartite Committee upon the group’s request. This Matrix can be found on the FTAA public website.
   
   

5. In fulfillment of the mandate received from the TNC, the CGSE adopted the document entitled “Report of the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies (CGSE) to the Trade Negotiations Committee”, which informs the TNC of the progress and the results achieved by the group in each of its areas of competence.
    

6. The Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the CGSE will be held on the date established therefor in the next FTAA meetings schedule.
    

FTAA - CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES

Twenty-Third Meeting

Washington, D.C. United States, 16 - 17 October 2003

AGENDA

1. Approval of the agenda
   
   

2. Report from the Chair on the Trinidad and Tobago TNC Meeting
   
   

3. Treatment of Differences in the Levels of Development and Size of Economies
   

   1. Analysis of this issue in light of the results of the Fifth WTO Ministerial Meeting.

   2. Proposals to identify appropriate and timely means, in addition to the HCP, for the treatment of differences in the levels of development and size of economies, including additional financing sources.

   3. Possible contributions of the CGSE to the TCI on this matter

   
    

4. Follow-up on, and general assessment of, the implementation of the Hemispheric Cooperation Program
   

   1. Report on the results of the Initial Meeting

   2. Review of the Matrix of Project Profiles in light of the national strategies

   3. Review of the Trade-Related Technical Assistance Database in light of the national strategies

    

5. Report of the CGSE to the TNC for the Miami Ministerial Meeting
    

6. Civil society contributions
    

7. Other business

   • Report on studies

   • Report on the implementation of customs-related business facilitation measures