Panama

入主中原

Name: Shiyi Fan 范诗逸

School: Hangzhou Foreign Language School 杭州外国语学校

Country: Panama

Committee: World Trade Organization




Topic A: Agricultural Trade Reform




I. Description of the Topic

The agriculture is the most important part of the major three industries in most developing countries, however, because of the high export subsidy, high tariff and domestic support in many developed countries, developing countries have been kept in a disadvantageous position in world agricultural trade and this has surely enlarged the gaps of strengths between the developed countries and developing countries.

In addition, it is reported by the World Bank on April 10th, 2005, that 70% of the populations of the developing countries are living on the agricultural trade, and also Panama finds that solving the issues of agricultural trade has always been giving an impulse to solving other related issues, so it is necessary and urgent to have agricultural trade reforms.





II. Panamanian situations

Since Panama has a very specific geographic position – the place that connects the two American continent – Panama has been serving as one of the most important freight station in the world. The establishment of the Colon Free Zone has been reinforcing this position. Because of these, Panama has reduced the importing tariff to a great extent – the lowest among the Latin American countries.

But meanwhile, to protect domestic agricultural industry and farmers’ rights, Panamanian government is limiting and taking charge of the importing of foods, which includes rice, butter, onion, beans, vegetables, etc. as many countries do.




III. Delegation Policy and Goals

Giving an impulse to the Doha Round of Trade Negotiations with uniting other developing countries if necessary;

Promoting and improving the Panamanian ability of serving as the second most important freight station in the world;

Developing the Panamanian source of traveling and promoting the development of Panamanian service trade;

Consolidating the the U.S.- Panama Trade Promotion Agreement;

Negotiations with the better developed countries from the list of Panamanian main exporting countries. ( the US, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, etc. ); Negotiations with the EU countries for their tariffs of importing bananas, sugar, coffee nuts have a strong impact on Panamanian agricultural industry;

Discussions of establishing the Latin American Free Trade Area with other delegates who are from the countries in Latin America;

Looking for more international or territorial cooperation, especially the Latin American countries.