The Twenty-sixth meeting of the Negotiating Group on Market Access (NGMA) was held in Puebla, Mexico from May 6-9, 2003. Mr. Felipe Jaramillo of Colombia chaired the meeting. The Vice-chair is Mr. Manuel Diaz of the Dominican Republic. In attendance were delegates of the following countries: Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, United States, and Venezuela. The Tripartite Committee provided technical support to the meeting.

The NGMA agreed on an agenda, which is attached hereto. All the items on the agenda were satisfactorily addressed.

The Group made significant advances in the discussion about substantive issues related to tariffs and nontariff measures and safeguard measures. A parallel meeting on standards and technical barriers to trade was also held. The Group acknowledged receipt of one contribution from Civil Society. Delegations appreciated that contribution and agreed to take into account this contribution in the definition of their negotiating positions.

The Tripartite Committee reported to the Group on the status of, and inputs to, the Hemispheric Data Base (HDB) and also reported on subregional technical workshops that have been held to provide training on the analysis of tariff offers.

The Group’s next meeting will be held in Puebla, Mexico from June 2-6, 2003.

1. Approval of Agenda

2. Results of TNC-Puebla

3. General Issues

4. Methods and Modalities for Tariff Negotiations

5. Text on Standards and Technical Barriers to Trade

6. Text on Tariffs and Non-tariff Measures

7. Text on Safeguards

8. Civil Society Contributions

9. Agenda for the next meeting

10. Other business