189.Concerning subprogramme 2(Minimizing then~gative effe~ts oftransnational corporations andenhancing theircontribution todevelopment), onedelegation raisedtheissueoftheinterpretation ofitsmandate bytheCentre, intheabsence ofanagreed upondefinition oftransnational corporations, stating thattheissue wascentral tothecnnsideration ofthe3ubptogramme. Manyotherdelegations objected tothediscussion ofthedefinition oftransnational corporations inCPC, stating thatCPCwasnottheproperforumfordiscussion oftheissueandthatits discussion wentbeyondtheCommittee's mandate andtasks. Theypointed out,in particular, thatthequestion wasamatterforintergovernmental negotiation inthe context ofthedrafting ofacodeofconduct ontransnational corporations, together withotheroutstanding issuestherein. Someofthosedelegations further arguedthattheabsence ofaprecise definition wasnotanobstacle eithertothe establishment oftheCommission andtheCentreortotheiractivities duringth past10years. Intheirview,aninterpretation ofthedefinition atthecurrent important stugeoftheintergovernmental negotiations couldbedetrimental to securing aneffective codeofconduct ontransnational corporations. 190.Inreply,theExec~tive Director pointed out,firstofall, thc~the definition oftransnational corporations wascurrently thesubject ofnegotiations intheCommission inthecontext ofthecodeofconduct. However, inhisopinion, itwasnotnecessary tohave ~clear-cut definition fortheCentretoundertake constructive workinfulfilment ofitsmandate. Intheabsence ofadefinition, theCentrehadbeenproceeding pragmatically. Forinstance, asregards the rendering oftechnical assistance, hereiterated thattheCentre hadassted developing countries incasesinwhichithadbeenrequested todoso,regardless ofthecountry oforiginofthecompanies involved. Again,asregards corporate profiles inthecontext oftheindustry studies undertak~n bytheCentreonthe ~asisofamandate fromtheCommission, theCentrehadconcentrated onthelargest companies intheindustry involved, allofwhichoriginated inmarket economy countries; theissuenfcoverage ofcompanies fromsocialist countries had, therefore, notpresented itselftotheCentre, although State-owned companies originating indeveloped marketeconomies hadbeentheSUbject ofcorporate profiles. TheExecutive Director stressed thatthepragmatic approach adopted in theCentre's workwasinnowaymeanttoprejudge inanymannertheworkofthe Commission onthedefinition oftransnational corporations. 191.Onedelegation, responding tothecomments madebytheExecutive Director, statedthatitappeared thatthecountry oforiginofatransnational corporation hadnobearing ontheworkoftheCentre. 192.Concerning programme element 2.1,onedelegation proposed theinclusion ofan additional outputwhichreadasfollows: "(iii) Report t~theCommission ondataonforeign directinvestments, including capital inflows andoutflows, andonotheraspects oftheactivities oftransnational corporations, asw~llassuggestions forfurtper action (firstquatrer, 1906)". -38- -iJ.._:LInconnection w onTransnationa provisional age proposed thein "(iv) investment participat developing technology 19(7)". Inconnection w 23.17oftheme madebyCPCat subject ofthe andinexisting 193.Withregar international t ofinterest to Committee shoul priority. Anot element 2.2be "including payments of corporatior andinthisconr medium-term plar itstwenty-thir 194.Onedelega tothestudyof banks,believin elements devot Another de:&'egat' replaced bythe "(i) including economies inexternal resources astheimp countries ( and,inthatco ofthemedium-te 195.Onedeleq.a (Selected aspect proposed itsdelInconnection withtheproposal, reference wasmadetothereportoftheCommission onTransnational Corporations onitseleventh session andtoitem3ofthe provisional agendaforthetwelfth session oftheCommission. Thatdelegation also proposed theinclusion ofafurther additional outputwhichreadasfollows: "(iv)Salespublication ontrendsandissuesinforeigndirect
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the activities and agenda of the Centre and the Commission, which seem to be focused on issues related to business and the economy, particularly the role of transnational corporations in development. The text mentions technical assistance, corporate profiles, and data on foreign direct investments, indicating that the topic is related to international trade and economic development.

**Category**
International trade, Economic development