On the Table at MC11: Investment Facilitation

Discussions on investment facilitation are likely to be raised at the Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Some countries having (and expected to have) significant investment interests across the world are supporting such a move, which is being opposed by many other countries. Such countries will need to be prepared with a back-up plan. This would entail providing informal support for preparation and dissemination of detailed counters to specific provisions of investment-related proposals being tabled at the WTO. A document endorsed by ‘investment recipient countries’ on principles of investment facilitation may also be prepared. At MC11 in Buenos Aires, developing countries may agree for the setting up of a Working Group on Investment Facilitation, if there is concrete (not just substantial) progress in different areas of agriculture, where many of them are demandeur.