Derestricted
FTAA.sme/inf/86
August 12, 2003
Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat
FTAA – CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES
NICARAGUA
HEMISPHERIC COOPERATION PROGRAM
PROJECT PROFILE
NEGOTIATING GROUP ON MARKET ACCESS
Introduction
Based on the principles, objectives, and general characteristics of the
Hemispheric Cooperation Program, we hereby present the following project profile
with a view to building greater capacity to negotiate and administer the FTAA
Agreement
- Project title
Conduct of Sectoral Studies to Serve as the Basis for the Negotiation of the
Tariff Elimination Program in the FTAA Agreement
- Background
Attaining a proper balance in the negotiations on market access and agriculture
has been made possible thanks to the updating and processing of data on the
domestic production infrastructure; this information should help determine
sensitivities and export potentials capable of contributing to a cost-benefit
analysis of decisions to be taken on given products.
- Rationale
Given recent economic trends, the country’s production infrastructure needs to
be modernized, particularly because of the establishment in recent years of new
companies and factories that must now be inventoried and studied in light of the
ongoing negotiations.
- Objectives of the Project:
- To update Nicaragua’s production infrastructure with a view to determining
existing production sensitivities, export potentials, and degrees of
competitiveness.
- To decide on the appropriate strategy for approaching the negotiations on
market access and agriculture in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
- Inputs: resources needed for the project
Estimated amount:
US$30,000
- Study on modernization of Nicaragua’s production infrastructure, to be
carried out by a Nicaraguan consultant who either is a specialist or has
extensive knowledge in this area. US$20,000.
- Proposed strategy for negotiating in the FTAA groups on market access and
agriculture, to be developed by a Nicaraguan consultant who is a specialist in
the field. US$10,000.
- Expected results
- An inventory of national production infrastructure allowing production
sensitivities and export potentials to be identified.
- A clear understanding of the levels of technological development, and its
impact on the degree of compliance with trade-related technical standards.
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Other relevant information
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