GPA INITIAL OFFER STEP BY STEP: HOW TO USE EXISTING PARTIES’ SCHEDULES AS GUIDANCE & RECIPROCITYAnna Caroline MüllerLegal Affairs Officer, WTO Secretariat

EBRD Capacity Building Sessionfor Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan London, UK9 December 2014

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Accession Step By Step

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The accession process step by step

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The Initial offer Step by Step

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Structure of Appendix I

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What is negotiable – some experiences

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oBasically everything in your offer. BUToReciprocityo Expectations that generally accepted

standards will by meto Explain where your system/situation

differs, know your economy.

Entities Goods Services Construction Services

Annex 1 130,000 130,000 5,000,000

Annex 2 200,000 200,000 5,000,000

Annex 3 400,000 400,000 5,000,000o Coverage commitments of covered goods/services/construction

services by covered entities are only applicable to procurements above specified thresholds.

o Most Parties apply the general threshold levels.o Reciprocity is the foundation of coverage commitments generally.o Revised GPA: Some reductions in thresholds by some Parties

Thresholds (general levels in SDR)

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Summary overview of coverage

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Flexibilities

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USE EXISTING PARTIES’ SCHEDULES AS GUIDANCE

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e-GPA: https://e-gpa.wto.org

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Concluding Remarks

o Reciprocity is key! o Study existing Parties’ coverage.o Set your goals, negotiating strategy before

making your first offer!o Strategic considerations. Plan ahead!

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