Several other proposals follow this mixed approach. Norway is similar, but without extending tariff quotas or setting a maximum tariff rate. The G-20 follows this approach only for industrialized countries and adds that reductions must allow “effective and measurable” market access and are higher for processed products (reducing the escalation of tariffs). For developing countries, reductions would only be possible through a Uruguay Round approach, with unspecified average and minimum reductions, softer than those of developed countries, and implemented over a long period – Kenya`s proposal is similar, but IDA countries would not have to lower tariffs. (IDA is the International Development Association, the World Bank`s concessionary credit window, which provides long-term loans at zero interest rates to the poorest developing countries; there are 81 IDA countries, not all WTO members – see www.worldbank.org.) Developing countries would benefit from additional exemptions by calling products “special” through negotiations. The proposal of the four Central American countries is similar. This notification contains a number of information, such as a general description of the measure and whether it applies to imports and/or exports, the products concerned, the legal justification under a WTO agreement and the reference to the national legal instrument. If other WTO committees have already received information on existing quantitative restrictions, members can refer to this document in order to easily obtain information on a particular measure. 43 WTO members currently have a total of 1,425 tariff quotas in their commitments. The figures in brackets indicate the number of quotas in each country. Volume: some want to increase quotas and some say that the end goal should only be tariffs. Some countries propose to increase quotas based on the level of domestic consumption, arguing that this would make more sense.
Others say it would be easier to extend the import volumes permanently committed under tariff quotas. Some want some ratings to be recalculated to reflect the more current level of domestic consumption.