WTO e-commerce negotiators aim for end-of-year consolidated text

摘要

World Trade Organization negotiators in the plurilateral talks on electronic commerce are aiming for a consolidated negotiating text by the end of the year, the WTO said on Friday. The negotiations, which include more than 80 members, are aimed at instituting new rules on digital trade. Members will have until Nov. 16 to submit new proposals for the negotiating text, the WTO said. Australian Ambassador George Mina, a co-convener of the talks, said the consolidated document should include "clean text" on e-signatures, authentication, spam and online consumer protection. Those involved in the talks have engaged in small group discussions between meetings on topics including source code, open government data, services market access and personal information protection.