very useful proposal, even though the implementation of the Round agreements would surely be a matter for GATT, rather than the OECD/DAES dialogue. However, timing is again important; it should not be too early in 1991; it would be better if it came after the Spring Trade seminar with Eastern European Countries and the Trade Committee's own Uruguay Round post mortem.
The "Broadening Topics"
5. An admirable list but perhaps too long. It might be better to keep the number of additional activities fairly small, at least for the next couple of years until working relationships are better established. Treasury have suggested that areas of OECD expertise where dialogue could best promote OECD-type policies in the DAES might be at topics B2, B5, B6, and B9. D/Environment would also recommend topic B6 (Clean Technology), but wish to make two further points; -
The OECD Environment Directorate have just launched a programme for technology and the environment. This programme represents the way forward and should be used.
Drawing on the OECD expertise in these areas, the themes of market incentives/disincentives and environment economics should be brought into the dialogue.
Additional Topics
6.
I indicated to Robert Gordon on the phone today that we might have one or two suggestions. In fact we do not, at least at this stage, apart from the D/Evironment points above; but the more detailed consultations going on in DTI may yield some ideas. We will contact you again as soon as possible.
Resources
7.
first line of attack, as
Given our strict policy, our first Robert Gordon points out in his letter, should be to seek clear prioritisation on work to be undertaken. We should then scrutinise carefully any proposed manpower increases. These should be very modest, since all of the subjects proposed are already covered by the OECD. The main strengthening would presumably be in ESD, for economic analysis of the DAEs themselves to improve OECD's understanding of their economies. We are slightly concerned at paragraph 52, which
Page 60Page 61