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5. Developing country spokesmen were generally willing to leave discussion of "improvement" of Part IV to the Framework Group in particular, But there was some intermittent pursuit of the idea 1 tightening up notification procedures under Part IV, which had been raised by Malaysia last November. India and Brazil saw this as a way
India of saving the Committee from degenerating into mere routine, specifically suggested that the GATT Secretariat produce an analytical
The study of notification practice for the Committee's next meeting. Commission, followed by the US, pointed out that although they were not opposed to the Secretariat taking on more work, similar studies had been carried out in other fora, and that they should therefore be very selective in what data they decided to collect. Norway had doubts about the practicality of standardising notification procedures and suggested that a system of "reverse notifications", by which the developing countries would themselves ask for whatever information they required, might be more to the point. This could also be done through bilateral consultations. Japan and US supported this suggestion, Chairman concluded from all this that the Secretariat should produce a factual background note for discussion at the next meeting and this was accepted.
Item 3: 255)
The
Developments in the Multilateral Trade Negotiations (COM.TD/W/
6. There was little specific discussion of this item, beyond expressions of developing country regret at the snail-like pace of the negotiations in general and on special and differential treatment for developing countries in particular. Canada expressed a willingness to get on as fast as possible with the MTNS so that developing countries might derive meaningful benefits, and complained that the Sector Group had not met. India said not enough had happened in the MTNS to talk about but nevertheless talked about them. Japan was not satisfied with progress and was looking for ways of improving it,
Item 4: Technical Assistance (COM.TD/W/52)
7.:
Appreciation was expressed for the assistance given by the Secretariat to developing countries in connection with the MTNS. Item 5: Expansion of trade among developing countries (COM.TD/W/256)
Ghana,
8. Turkey, supported by Jamaica, reiterated its call for a global system of preferences, but hoped that the Committee of Participating Countries would not duplicate the work of UNCTAD in this field. supported by Nigeria, called for a more serious effort by the develop- ing countries to build up their collective self-reliance. exchanges of preferences so far had been far too stingy. ADVANCE COPY TO D HALL ESQ DEPT OF TRADE LONDON
Their
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION-
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