 |
| |
COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY PROBLEMS |
INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP ON TEA |
Thirteenth Session |
Ottawa, Canada, 27-29 September 1999 |
PROVISIONAL AGENDA |
II. MARKET REVIEW, ISSUES AND STRATEGIES
A. Current market situation and short-term outlook
B. Medium-term outlook and fundamental issues
III. INTERGOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS
The Thirteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Tea will be held in Ottawa, Canada from 27 to 29 September 1999 and will commence at 0930 hours on Monday, 27 September 1999. The Session is being hosted by the Tea Council of Canada, and is being convened in order to deal with issues for which decisions and guidance are required from the Group before year end.
The Session will be preceded by the Annual Fall Conference of the Tea Council of Canada on 22 and 23 September 1999.
1. At each session, the Group elects a Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons. At the Twelfth Session, it elected Mr Moeljono Partosoedarso (Indonesia) as Chairperson, Ms Danielle O'Rourke (Canada) as First Vice-Chairperson and Mr George Kimani (Kenya) as Second Vice-Chairperson.
2. Although real prices in the recent past stayed relatively firm, one of the prevailing concerns of the Group has been to identify measures to increase demand and profitability.
3. The Group will review the market situation during 1998/99 and evaluate the short-term outlook for 1999/2000 with the assistance of background document CCP: TE 99/2. Delegates are invited to present information on the latest developments in production, consumption, trade and prices to supplement the information in this document.
4. At its last session, the Group stressed the importance of analyzing longer-term market prospects in order to determine appropriate strategies to maintain remunerative tea prices, taking into full account the impact of such factors as the macro-economic situation, structural changes in some markets and the impact of international trade agreements. Document CCP: TE 99/3 will be provided to assist the Group in its analysis of medium-term prospects to the year 2005.
5. Under this item, the Group will also have the opportunity to identify fundamental issues and challenges that may be faced by the world tea economy as it enters into the next century, particularly those constraining the income of tea producers. Delegates are invited to comment on the outlook and deal with these issues.
6. At its last session, the Group drew attention to the need for continuing efforts to identify potential markets for tea. Document CCP: TE 99/5 will analyze factors affecting import demand for both traditional and value-added teas, and present information on potential markets including selected countries of the former USSR, the Near East and Eastern Europe. The Group is invited to discuss measures to increase demand in the potential markets and promote sales of traditional and value-added teas world-wide.
7. The recent global economic crisis has made it difficult for both tea exporting and importing countries to ensure sustainable income from trade. Therefore, the development of measures to deal with trade risks related to factors such as macro-economic instability and exchange fluctuations could assist these countries. Document CCP: TE 99/5 provides information on trade techniques which could help in dealing with these risks.
8. The project "To Create an Increased Demand for Tea Though Research on the Human Health Benefits of Black Tea Consumption and Generic Promotion" is now almost complete. Results of the scientific research and test markets will be presented to the Group. The Group is requested to evaluate these results and make appropriate recommendations for the future generic promotion programme on tea using the teamark which was developed under the project. The Group is also requested to consider a proposal for the management of the tea communications package as discussed in document CCP: TE 99/8 and, if agreeable, endorse the scheme.
9. At its last session, the Committee on Commodity Problems requested that efforts be made to organize ad-hoc conferences dealing with related commodities of importance. Document CCP: TE 99/7 presents a proposal for an international beverages conference to be held in 2000/2001. The Group is requested to consider the proposal and comment on the format and content of the proposed conference.
10. Under this item, the other organizations working in the fields of tea are invited to inform the Group of their activities.
Sunday, 26 September 1999
Monday, 27 September 1999
Tuesday, 28 September 1999
Wednesday, 29 September 1999