Canada Welcomes WTO Government Procurement Deal

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Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Dec 16, 2011

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations in Geneva to modernize the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and expand market access opportunities for the 15 parties—covering a total of 42 WTO members—to the agreement.

“The agreement reached today is good news for Canadian businesses and workers,” said Minister Fast. “Expanded access to the procurement markets of other GPA parties will result in new opportunities for Canadian businesses and new jobs for their workers.”

Following today’s conclusion of talks, it is expected that the agreement will be ready for signature by the parties before April 2012.

The revised agreement means Canadian businesses will have greater access to the government procurement markets of other GPA parties for a range of goods and services. According to WTO estimates, the total value of new market access opportunities is expected to be between $80 and $100 billion and rise to $450 billion once new WTO members gain accession to the GPA. As the primary international instrument governing procurement, the GPA’s rules and procedures are designed to strengthen the efficiency of the procurement process and the effective management of public resources.

“Concluding these negotiations for a new agreement is proof of the value of the multilateral trading system and that the WTO is an effective vehicle to combat protectionism,” said Minister Fast. “This revised agreement will contribute to our government’s efforts to boost Canada’s economy and create jobs and economic prosperity for hard-working Canadians.”

Moreover, it is expected that today’s announcement will help spur the accession of new parties to the agreement, including several emerging and fast-growing economies, such as China.

For more information on this agreement, please consult The plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

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