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