The third meeting of the Negotiating Group on Government Procurement (NGGP) took place in Miami, Florida from April 7-9, 1999. Delegates from the following twenty-two countries were present: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela. The NGGP covered all issues listed on the agenda, which is attached to this communiqué. Presentations were made by Mexico, Canada and the United States on their respective experiences in meeting the statistical needs at various stages of their negotiations on and implementation of agreements on government procurement. The NGGP held an initial in-depth discussion of the elements which might be included in a chapter on government procurement. The NGGP agreed to hold its next meeting on June 8-11, 1999.

Original: English

1. Opening and Approval of Agenda

2. Review of Results of December 1998 Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) Meeting

3. Discussion of Normative Framework for Government Procurement, including consideration of written submissions by delegations.

4. Discussion of Availability of Statistics for Government Procurement

   • Presentation and Consideration of Paper prepared by IDB at the request of the NGGP: "International Systems of Classification."

   • Consideration of written submissions by delegations.

5. Next Steps & Schedule of Future Meetings.

6. Public Summary of Meeting/Derestriction of documents

7. Other Business