Public
FTAA.ngin/com/21
April 3, 2003

Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON INVESTMENT

Twenty-First Meeting

Puebla, Mexico, March 24-28, 2003

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

1. The Twenty-First Meeting of the Negotiating Group on Investment (NGIN) was held in Puebla, Mexico from 24 to 28 March 2003, with the participation of the following countries: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and United States.

2. The approved agenda for the discussions is attached hereto as Annex I.

3. The delegations held meetings on their market access offers.

4. Delegations exchanged views and continued with the consolidation of the draft text on the following issues: performance requirements, key personnel, transfers, and new issues. Several delegations presented new proposals on these issues, which were incorporated into the draft text of the Chapter on Investment.

5. The Group exchanged ideas on the relation to other FTAA entities, under the agenda item set aside therefore.

6. The Chair informed the Group that four new contributions from civil society have been received since the Group’s Twentieth Meeting.

7. ECLAC gave a presentation on “The impact of the TNC strategies on development in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

8. In regard to other issues, the Group discussed the organization of work for its next meeting.

9. The Group’s Twenty-Second Meeting will be held in Puebla, Mexico, from 12 to 16 May 2003

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON INVESTMENT

Twenty-First Meeting

Puebla, Mexico, March 24-28, 2003

AGENDA

Monday, 24 March
1. Presentation of Offers and Submissions of Requests for Improvements of Offers (Plenary session followed by bilaterals)


Tuesday, 25 March
Review of Offers and Submissions of Requests for Improvements of Offers (Continuation of bilaterals) and in the afternoon plenary session


Wednesday, 26 March
3. Draft Chapter