ASSESSMENT OF ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE 2007 BUDGET

AND ADVANCE TO THE WORKING CAPITAL FUND:

ACCESSION OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM TO THE WTO

Note by the Director-General

1.                  In view of the accession to the WTO of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on 11 January 2007, pursuant to paragraph 8 of the Protocol of Accession, it is proposed that a pro rata contribution to the 2007 budget amounting to CHF 466,976 be assessed on this Government.  This assessment, calculated as from 11 January 2007, is based on an annual contribution of 0.266 per cent, taking into account the international trade figures (imports plus exports in goods, services and intellectual property rights) of Viet Nam for the years 2000-2004.

2.                  In conformity with the WTO Financial Regulations governing the use of the Working Capital Fund, any government acceding to the WTO shall make an advance to the Fund in accordance with the scale of contributions applicable to the budget for the year of its accession.  The minimum advance to the Working Capital Fund amounts to 0.5 per cent of the principal of the Fund for countries whose share of the total trade of the Members is 0.5 per cent or less.  Such advances shall be carried to the credit of the Members which have made them.

3.                  On the basis of the level of the Working Capital of CHF 9,370,602 on 31 December 2006, it is proposed to assess an amount of CHF 46,853 on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam as an advance to the Fund.