China introduced its new proposal (G/IT/W/58), which aims to enhance both the functioning and the relevance of the ITA. The proposal suggests regular symposiums or workshops where industry representatives and stakeholders can share the latest developments in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector and the publication of annual statistics on ICT trade. The proposal also suggests ideas on how to enhance information‑sharing on the implementation of the ITA and strengthen cooperation on non-tariff barriers.
Japan presented its project entitled “Study on the impact of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the future of ICT trade”. In the study, six economies in the Asia‑Pacific region share perspectives on ICT trade and their experience with emerging ICT products. The study looks at regional trends in ICT trade and the future challenges to trade in those products. In addition, the study looks at how ICT products can help solve global challenges and support sustainable development.
Non‑tariff measures work programme
Mr Don Spedding (Australia), Chair of the ITA Committee, reported on his consultations with participants on the Work Programme on Non-Tariff Barriers. His consultations sought participants’ views on how to advance those discussions in the Committee and participants’ ideas on the Committee’s future work.
The WTO Secretariat provided an overview of the history of work undertaken in the Committee on non-tariff barriers.
On the future work of the Committee, the Chair reported that several delegations highlighted the need to focus on expanding ITA participation to more WTO members and on stepping up advocacy on the value of the ITA to the global economy. The Chair noted that some participants would welcome more workshops or thematic sessions on related topics, including informal sessions open to industry and civil society stakeholders’ participation.
Participants also wished to be updated on relevant work in other WTO bodies. As a result, the WTO gave a presentation on ongoing discussions of conformity assessment procedures relating to ITA products in the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade. It was noted that WTO members increasingly notify digital‑related regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures on a variety of products. They have also used the TBT Committee to raise concerns related to the regulation of products, such as drones, autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence. Several ITA participants proposed enhancing collaboration and synergies between different WTO bodies on related issues.
Implementation issues raised at the Committee meeting included concerns about Indonesia’s and Egypt’s import duties on IT products and mobile phones considered by participants to be covered by the ITA. These concerns have been raised at previous meetings.
Background
The Information Technology Agreement (ITA) was concluded by 14 participants at the Singapore Ministerial Conference in December 1996. Since then, the number of participants has grown to 56, representing 84 WTO members which account for 97 per cent of world trade in IT products. The participants are committed to eliminating tariffs on IT products covered by the Agreement.
The ITA covers a large number of high-technology products, including computers, telecommunication equipment, semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing and testing equipment, software and scientific instruments as well as most of the parts and accessories of these products.
At the Nairobi Ministerial Conference in December 2015, 24 participants concluded an ITA Expansion Agreement, which now has 29 participants, representing 57 WTO members and covering approximately 90 per cent of world trade in products covered by the ITA expansion.
The ITA Expansion Agreement covers many new ICT products, including new-generation semi-conductors, semi-conductor manufacturing equipment, optical lenses, GPS navigation equipment and many types of medical equipment, such as scanners and machines for magnetic resonance imaging, tomography, dental care and ophthalmology.
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