FOLLOW UP ON WTO NON-AGRICULTURE MARKET ACCESS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000423 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/TPP/BTA/ANA AND NEA/ARP DEPT PASS USTR FOR JBUNTIN USDOC FOR 4520/MAC/ITA/ONE:DGUGLIELMI GENEVA FOR USTR/ADAMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD KU WTO SUBJECT: FOLLOW UP ON WTO NON-AGRICULTURE MARKET ACCESS PROCESS REF: A. KUWAIT 00315 ¶B. STATE 19378 On February 1, 2003, the Ambassador met with Salah Abdul Redha A. Khourshid, Kuwait's Minister for Commerce and Industry (MOCI),to discuss reftel information and other trade-related issues (septels). Khourshid was joined by four MOCI officials, including three officials from the Public Authority for Industry (PAI); the Ambassador was joined by EconOff (note taker) and a senior local staff member. The Ambassador explained the USG proposal on WTO NAMA negotiations, stressed its significance, and asked for GOK support at the February 19-21 Geneva meeting of the NAMA Negotiating Group. Khourshid replied that he would make certain Kuwait's Geneva representative received the proposal and be prepared to speak on it ahead of the meeting. Post will report back any additional responses from these officials. JONES