WTO Co-Coordinators’ Statement on Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development Issued

Outline

• At the WTO, negotiations on a multilateral agreement on investment facilitation for development are underway among participating members (chaired by Chile and the Republic of Korea). Topics discussed in the negotiations include improving the transparency of investment measures, streamlining administrative procedures, and enhancing international cooperation, information sharing, and the exchange of best practices.
• In the Joint Statement issued in December 2021, members aimed to conclude the text negotiations by the end of this year and encouraged all WTO Members to participate in the negotiations.
• A Co-Coordinator's Statement was issued during the latest negotiations (December 14 to 16). The Statement commended the fact that substantial progress was made in the negotiations and addressed the issue that the goal is to finalize the review of the text of the Agreement in 2023, as well as to support developing members in their future implementation of the Agreement and to encourage all WTO members to join the Agreement.
• More than 110 countries and regions are participating in the negotiations, which means conclusion of this agreement will make investing more convenient for investors, even with a country with which Japan has not concluded a bilateral investment agreement.

Related Material

• WTO STRUCTURED DISCUSSIONS ON INVESTMENT FACILITATION FOR DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT BY THE CO-COORDINATORS (Original)

Division in Charge

Multilateral Trade System Department, Trade Policy Bureau