WT/TPR/M/440  
17 May 2023 
(23-3424) Page: 1/46 
Trade Policy Review Body   
18 and 20 April 2023  
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
EL SALVADOR  
MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Dr Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  2 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF EL SALVADOR  .............................  4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  4 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ........................  12 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF EL SALVADOR  AND  
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  ................................ ................................ ...............................  37 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  42 
7  ELECTION OF THE NEW TPRB CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .............................  44 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by El Salvador  are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/ 440/Add.1  and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  1  INTRODUC TORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The fifth Trade  Policy Review of El Salvador  was held on 18 and 20  April 2023. Due to the 
absence of the TPRB Chairperson, H.E.  Mr Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez (Mexico), the Chair of the DSB, 
H.E. Dr Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana), chaired the meeting in accordance with the Rules 
of Procedures of the TPRB. She welcomed the delega tion of El Salvador , headed by 
H.E. Ms María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé , Minister of Economy ; H.E. Ms Patricia  Benedetti , Permanent 
Representative of El Salvador  to the WTO;  the rest of the delegation; and the discussant, 
H.E. Mr José Valencia (Ecuador ). 
1.2.  The Chairp erson was pleased that, in addition to physical presence, the meeting also benefited 
from the Interprefy online connection, allowing for a wider participation of the Membership.  
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedur es for the 
meeting. The Report by  El Salvador  is contained in document WT/TPR/G/ 440, and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/ 440- The Chairperson noted that in the online version of the 
Report Table  1.6 was modified.  
1.4.  Questions by the following  delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: Canada, 
Guatemala, Singapore, United  Kingdom, Thailand, United  States, China, Colombia, European  Union, 
Honduras . The following delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Brazil, 
Dominican  Republic, Trinidad  and Tobago, Iceland, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Japan, Jamaica, 
Costa  Rica. 
1.5.  At the time of the previous TPR in 2016, El Salvador  was commended for the continued 
liberalization of its trade regime and its steady economic growth.  
1.6.  Members remarked, however, that further liberalization and structural reform, including 
through increased export market diversification, reduced dependence  on remittances, and higher 
levels of savings and investment were important to continue on the path of growth. Six years on, 
these remain ed pending objectives for El Salvador . For instance, with real GDP growing at an 
average annual rate of barely 1% betwe en 2009 and 2021, it is unclear whether the 2.5% last year 
would mark the beginning of a rising trend.  
1.7.  Meanwhile, remittances remained equivalent to 26% of GDP, and as much as 90% of the 
country's exports go to the same traditional markets. In th e advance written questions, Members 
asked about El Salvador 's trade policy strategies and priorities. The Chairperson was sure Members 
would  be interested in knowing how El Salvador  intends to address these pressing challenges, and 
how it will promote trade and reg ional integration as a main driver of economic growth.  
1.8.  In the 2016 Review, Members welcomed El Salvador 's efforts to facilitate trade through the 
implementation of customs modernization, the implementation of a single window for imports; the 
strengthening of risk management; the migration to ASYCUDA World; and the ratification of the 
Protocol of Amendment for the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
1.9.  However, regarding the import regime, Members noted that more than 1,000 tariff lines 
remained subject to vario us types of import permits, authorizations and/or other types of approvals. 
Members urged El Salvador  to further reduce and simplify import licensing requirements and 
recommended that it further streamline import procedures and reduce the number of product s 
subject to such measures in order to further facilitate trade.  
1.10.  At the last TPR, Members commended El Salvador  for having substantially modified its export 
incentive regime by repealing the Export Recovery Law and eliminating all export performance and 
local content requirements from its Industrial and Marketing Free Zones Programme.  
1.11.  Members  also noted that El Salvador  had continued to strengthen its legal and institutional 
framework in areas such as technical regulations, trade remedies, government proc urement and 
intellectual property. In their questions for that Review, Members also showed interest in other 
areas, including changes to the free zones regime, competition policy, government procurement, 
and intellectual property protection.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  1.12.  In total, El Salvador  received 189 advance written questions from 17  delegations for the 
current  Review, out of which 131  were sent within the established deadline, covering a broad range 
of topics. These, include: use of the bitcoin; the effect of remittances; moderniz ation of customs 
regulations and procedures; tariffs; environmental regulations; technical standards and labelling; 
new law on plant and animal health; new government procurement legislation; set -asides for 
women -owned companies; amendments to the Competit ion Law; copyright registration; IPR 
enforcement procedures; ratification of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement; amendments in financial 
services legislation, among others.  
1.13.  Prior to th e meeting, El Salvador  provided written replies to all the questions subm itted within 
the established deadline.  
1.14.  The meeting w as a good opportunity for Members to discuss in greater detail issues of interest 
to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. It was also an opportune 
moment for El Salvador  to update the Membership on the impact of COVID -19 on its economy and 
measures taken to support recovery. The Chairperson looked  forward to a fruitful exchange.  
1.15.  The Chairperson closed her introductory remarks by wishing El Salvador  a very successful 
fifth Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF EL SALVADOR  (H.E. MS MARÍA 
LUISA HAYEM BREVÉ ) 
2.1.  Chair, I thank you for your valuable comments and  the distinguished Ambassador of the 
Republic of Ecuador to the WTO, Mr  José Valencia, for his views, which will contribute to the 
discussion on this exercise.  
2.2.  I would also like to thank all WTO Members for their review of the content of this TPR, as well 
as the Members who asked questions.  
2.3.  Until recently, El  Salvador was the country with the poorest growth rate in Central America and 
the lowest rankings for its business and innovation environment, and it was even one of the most 
dangerous countries in the world. Today, El  Salvador has become an economically dynamic and 
more competitive country, recognized as being at the forefront of financial technology, and one of 
the safest countries on the American continent. All of this, as demonstrated in this review process, 
is thanks to the vision and modern form of public policy of President Nayib  Bukele, who has focused 
on public well -being and the creation of the conditions needed for businesses to be able to establish 
themselves, operate and grow in the country i n an agile manner.  
2.4.  Although most of the period under review unfolded in the context of the pandemic and the 
various  crises that had an impact at the global level, El  Salvador is now experiencing its best 
economic performance, as demonstrated by, inter alia, export, import and employment figures.  
2.5.  In order to counteract the rise in global inflation levels and to ensure the population's access 
to commodities , the Government of El  Salvador has implemented a comprehensive package of 
measures, including the elimi nation of import duties on commodities and the continuous monitoring 
of market prices. This has made it possible to sustain economic buoyancy and place El  Salvador 
among the Central American countries with the lowest inflation rates, ranking fifth in Latin  America.  
2.6.  It is also important to note that, between 2020 and 2021, the country's GDP grew by more 
than 10%. This shows how the Salvadoran economy embarked on an immediate recovery thanks to 
its good management of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
2.7.  In 2021, exports al so grew by 33% compared to 2020, and export growth was maintained 
in 2022. Net foreign direct investment flows had also increased by 7.2% by the end of 2021, 
compared to 2020.  
2.8.  Insecurity, which had previously been one of the biggest barriers to El  Salvador 's economic 
development , has been addressed through the successful implementation of the Territorial Control 
Plan. This Plan has made it possible to return freedom and a sense of calm to our population and 
curb the increasing pressure of inflation levels, as the costs previously created in a context of high 
levels of crime have been eliminated.  
2.9.  Moreover , companies distributing mass consumer goods now have access to areas that were 
previously dangerous; there is greater interest in investing in our country, among many other 
benefits for our population and companies.  
2.10.  In addition to combating insecurity and enacting short -term measures to counteract global 
crises, the Government of El  Salvador has implemented various programmes aimed at developing 
the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth Ecosystem of El  Salvador (2020 -24), in line with the 
Government Plan and the Trade and Investment Policy (2020 -50). 
2.11.  The aims of implementing these programmes are to:  
(a) Increase both local and foreign private and public investment, and investment from 
Salvadorans abroad;  
(b) Boost exports;  
(c) Achieve the growth and recovery of micro, small and medium -sized enterprises; and  
(d) Facilitate entry into the workforce.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  2.12.  The progress made in implementing the WTO Trade Fac ilitation Agreement, as part of the 
strategic programmes implemented under the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth 
Ecosystem of El  Salvador, is of particular note.  
2.13.  Through the work of the National Trade Facilitation Committee and the creation of 
public-private  annual work plans, we have managed to implement more than 100 measures that 
have contributed to:  
(a) The simplification and digitalization of trade procedures; and  
(b) The improvement of physical and technological infrastructure, including at bo rder posts, 
ports and airports.  
2.14.  One of the milestones recently reached by the National Trade Facilitation Committee was the 
design and approval of the National Trade Facilitation Strategy 2023 -27, which is aimed at 
establishing El  Salvador as a benchmark f or its logistics infrastructure and modern, efficient and 
expeditious international trade procedures. This Strategy is based around six areas:  
(a) Digitalization and simplification of procedures;  
(b) Modernization of logistics infrastructure;  
(c) Coordinat ed border management;  
(d) Modernization of the regulatory framework;  
(e) Transparency of information; and  
(f) Management of human talent.  
2.15.  In addition, the Government of El  Salvador is in the process of becoming a Digital 
Government, in which  all government  institutions will be interconnected and there will be a single 
point of access to government services. One of the means of achieving this objective is the project 
to simplify and digitize procedures in the area of investment, led by the Ministry of Econom ic Affairs 
and in which 13 government institutions participate.  
2.16.  As a concrete result of this project, the Procedure Streamlining System of the Investment 
Directorate  of the Ministry of Economic Affairs was made available to companies last month. With 
the implementation of this platform, all procedures are carried out 100% digitally and with the use 
of certified electronic signatures, which gives legal validity to the documents issued and thereby 
eliminates the use of paper. Through this tool, we have also m anaged to:  
(a) Reduce the number of procedures from 31 to 10; and  
(b) Reduce response times by 25%.  
2.17.  As regards innovation and competitiveness, we are working to make El  Salvador a regional 
model  for attracting investment and a development hub for the expor t of digital and technological 
services.  
2.18.  One of the concrete steps to achieve this objective is the recent push to develop a new law 
that will promote the establishment and growth of companies in the field of technology, including 
those developing models based on the use of artificial intelligence, carrying out data analysis or 
providing services related to cloud storage and cybersecurity.  
2.19.  Another of our priorities is to strengthen the Innovative Entrepreneurship Ecosystem to 
stimulate  the capitalization of innovative ideas with great potential in co mpanies and among 
entrepreneurs. Moreover, in conjunction with multilateral agencies, the Government is implementing 
the Sustainable Industries Programme, which is aimed at improving the competitiveness of 
industries by promoting cleaner production and pro viding greater access to green financing.  
2.20.  In the area of intellectual property, the Government of El  Salvador is actively working to 
develop a national  intellectual property strategy, identifying specific actions that promote the 
creation, development and protection of intellectual property effectively in order to contribute to 
business competitiveness and socioeconomic development.  
2.21.  In turn, other efforts have been made to continue to promote the modernization, simplification 
and digitalization  of intellect ual property services, allowing for more efficient management in support WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  of the business environment. The national network of Technology Innovation and Support Centers 
has also been strengthened, with strategic alliances with the country's higher education  institutes, 
in order to facilitate access to high quality information about technology, thereby encouraging 
innovation and rights management. In this context, I would like to highlight the positive development 
of the protection of intellectual property ri ghts, which has been accompanied by growth of 10.4% in 
the creation of more companies between 2021 and 2022.  
2.22.  El Salvador  actively participates in the political forum for the intellectual property ministers of 
Central America and the Dominican  Republic . Mor eover, within the framework of the Central 
American Economic Integration Subsystem, El  Salvador is a member of the Technical Group on 
Intellectual Property, which was established in 2022 with the aim of fostering a regional agenda to 
strengthen and develop  intellectual property.  
2.23.  In the regional context, the process of Central American integration has continued. Worthy of 
note among the joint initiatives with countries in the bloc are the Mobility and Logistics Master Plan, 
aimed at turning the region into a  logistics hub, with portfolios of regional and bi -national 
infrastructure projects. In addition, with the support of multilateral agencies, we are in the process 
of developing a new Central American trade facilitation strategy, under which we will impleme nt 
actions aimed at reducing the times and costs related to the transit of goods even further so that 
we can become an increasingly competitive region.  
2.24.  I believe it important to stress that last year the first regional meeting of National Trade 
Facilitation Committees  of Central American countries was held, providing a forum for sharing good 
practices and identifying strategic activities to further trade facilitation in the region.  
2.25.  El Salvador also continues to promote measures that help to speed up the passage of goods 
across land borders with the neighbouring countries of Guatemala and Honduras, mainly through 
the use of technology and coordination of ma nagement by border control authorities.  
2.26.  In addition, our country continues to implement its strong platform of 12 trade agreements 
with preferential access to over 40 markets. Taken together, the country's trade under these 
agreements currently accounts fo r approximately 95% of exports and 69% of imports.  
2.27.  Since the country's last Review, El  Salvador has implemented trade agreements with the 
Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, and a partial scope economic complementarity 
agreement with the Republic of Ecuador.  
2.28.  Action plans for the use of trade agreements are being harnessed to boost trade in goods and 
identify opportunities for exports and foreign direct investment. The aim of this is for these trade 
tools to become means of contributing to sustainable economic development  
2.29.  El Salvador remains committed to the multilateral trading system and recognizes the role of 
the WTO in maintaining a transparent and open regulatory framework for international trade that 
ensures the smooth exchange of goods and servic es for all Members.  
2.30.  Evidence of this commitment is the submission of recent domestic support notifications, which 
brings El  Salvador up to date with its notification commitments in this area.  
2.31.  We recognize the importance of having a strong multilateral syst em that meets the needs of 
developing countries, especially in the current economic circumstances, to ensure the smooth 
functioning of international markets.  
2.32.  I reiterate El  Salvador's commitment to working constructively on the path to the next 
Ministerial  Conference and beyond, with a long -term vision that will enable us to move forward with 
the reform of the Organization and focus our efforts on the topical issues that have a positive impact 
on our populations.  
2.33.  I would also like to touch on the gender per spective and the importance of increasing women's 
participation in economies and trade. I wish to note that El  Salvador is promoting companies' 
adoption of a technical standard at the national level to encourage the establishment of gender 
equality managem ent systems in the workplace.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  2.34.  As a country, we reaffirm our commitment to this issue and we will continue to contribute to 
the discussions taking place in the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender to ensure that the 
gender perspective is mainstreamed into the work of the Organization.  
2.35.  Lastly, I would like to thank the WTO Secretariat for its valuable support in preparing this 
exercise and all Members for the interest they have shown in the advances in our trade and economic 
policies in recent years.  
  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  
3.1.  Chair, allow me to convey my warm greetings and welcome the distinguished delegation of 
El Salvador to the country's fifth Trade Policy Review. As you have mentioned, the delegation is 
headed by H.E.  Ms María Luisa Hayem, Minist er of the Economy. I also wish to extend a special 
welcome to my esteemed colleague, H.E.  Ambassador Patricia  Benedetti, El  Salvador's Permanent 
Representative to the WTO, and her team in Geneva.  
3.2.  It is an honour for me to participate as discussant in this Trade Policy Review of El  Salvador, a 
country and society whose history I have followed for many years and for which I have always had 
great fraternal respect and appreciation. In keeping with the rules of procedure for WTO reviews, I 
must remind you that my analysis and comments as discussant are given purely in my personal 
capacity.  
3.3.  El Salvador's fifth Trade Policy Review covers a period which, as mentioned in the report by the 
Government of El  Salvador (WT/TPR/G/440) and referred to several times in the report by the 
Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/440), was marked by the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic and the actions 
taken to overcome the adverse effects it has had on society, the economy and trade.  
3.4.  I will begin my statement by identifying the main features of El  Salvador's economy and 
highlighting the pandemic -related challenges affecting the country, particularly in terms of trade. I 
will then look at the main developments in El  Salvador's trade policies during the review period, 
using as references the reports by the Government and the Secretariat, as well as the outcomes of 
El Salvador's previous Trade Policy Review, which was conducted in 2016. I will also make some 
observations concerning El  Salvador's participation in the WTO, which it joined in 1995.  
3.5.  Since 2016, the first year in the review period, El  Salvador's economy has grown at a sustained 
pace, with GDP increasing by around 2.4%. This is excluding the period 2019 –2020, when growth 
rates plummeted, as they did in practically all countries around the wor ld. 
3.6.  The pandemic led to a sharp decline in GDP, of 8.2%, in 2020. However, the economy recovered 
remarkably in the following year, with GDP expanding by 10.3%. In other words, growth picked up 
in 2021 after stalling as a result of COVID -19 and has returned to its average pre -pandemic rate of 
above 2.4% but below 3%. The World Bank has forecast growth of around 2.5% for 2023.  
3.7.  Between 2016 and 2019, exports amounted to between USD  4.7 billion and USD  5.4 billion per 
year. During the pandemic and the resulting humanitarian emergency, the Salvadoran Government 
was required to implement trade measures in response to specific national emergency situations. 
These measures included temporary restrictions on exports of mass -market consumer goods, which 
were then lifted in late 2021.  
3.8.  El Salvador's post -pandemic economic recovery in 2021 resulted in an exceptionally large 
increase in exports of goods, which rose by more than 30% compared with the pre -pandemic period 
and amounted to USD  6.6 billion. The same  trend was seen in exports of services, which increased 
by around 30% compared with the 2016 –2019 average.  
3.9.  The above would suggest that El  Salvador has attractive prospects when it comes to exports 
of goods and services. The growth rates reflect efforts t o promote overseas sales in the country's 
traditional export sector, as indicated in the report by the Government. Yet the report also suggests 
that the Government's export diversification policy could, in future, lead to a further and, above all, 
sustaine d increase in exports. Such efforts could also help to revive production and trade in the 
coffee sector and lead to new bilateral trade agreements, in addition to those that have been signed 
since 2022.  
3.10.  In terms of export promotion, the reports by the Gove rnment and the Secretariat both 
recognize that the export incentives regime remains in force and fosters investment and 
employment. The Law on Free Zones of 2013 has enhanced the production and export of goods in 
and from free zones, which, in 2021, accoun ted for nearly one fifth of El  Salvador's total exports.  
3.11.  Imports have returned to pre -pandemic levels, which also shows that trade and the economy 
remain buoyant. The economy was also supported by the increase in remittances from abroad, which WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  rose by 11% compared with the 2016 –2020 period. The substantial increase in exports and 
remittances was not, however, reflected in an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), which 
remained at previous levels.  
3.12.  Efforts to promote and facilitate FDI, as described in  the reports by the Government and the 
Secretariat, are key factors in triggering the inflow of productive capital to El  Salvador. Those efforts 
need to be stepped up in order for total investments to reach the average levels recorded in other 
Central Amer ican countries.  
3.13.  This is a challenge faced by a number of developing countries and, as you are aware, it 
requires countries to pay concurrent attention to factors such as ensuring a stable institutional 
framework and a predictable economy and trade rules, strengthening infrastructure and transport, 
and promoting and leveraging the country's capacities and comparative advantages. The 
Government of El  Salvador has a comprehensive strategy in this regard, as set out in the Trade and 
Investment Policy 2020 –50, which was adopted in 2020. One of the main objectives of this Policy is 
to attract FDI in industry and new technologies.  
3.14.  The Export and Investment Promotion Agency (PROESA) is tasked with strengthening the 
business climate and providing specialized suppor t to investors looking to operate in the country. 
PROESA's work is key, as are efforts to simplify procedures for the establishment of foreign 
businesses – through the "Mi Empresa" online portal, for instance – in order to support ongoing work 
to promote F DI and facilitate local investments.  
3.15.  One aspect of El  Salvador's economy and finances that has sparked interest among WTO 
Members and that is outlined in the Secretariat report is the introduction of bitcoin as legal tender 
in 2021. This move, which was a world first, was a bold response to the need to bring greater 
flexibility to a monetary policy that offers the advantages – but also the limitations – of using the 
US dollar as legal tender and as the unit of account within the financial system.  
3.16.  The exper ience of cryptocurrencies described in this Trade Policy Review covers local and 
international transactions, investments and trade in services, as well as other aspects. El  Salvador 
can offer Members first -hand experience of the opportunities and limitatio ns of using 
cryptocurrencies for trade, and their impact on the economy more broadly. Various questions have 
been put to the delegation of El  Salvador in this regard.  
3.17.  Returning to the policies described in the report by the Government, as discussant, I mus t 
mention the progress El  Salvador has made in implementing its Category C commitments under the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement. It has made strides in the simplification and digitization of procedures, 
although the Single Window for Foreign Trade has yet to  be fully applied. It is worth noting that 
many of the questions that have been put to El  Salvador by other WTO Members as part of this 
review relate to the possibility of expanding the use of this Window. This shows how useful the tool 
is for El  Salvador' s trading partners.  
3.18.  In addition, the improvements made to the physical and technological infrastructure at posts 
on the borders with Honduras and Guatemala, as highlighted in the report, have facilitated trade 
between El  Salvador and two of its most active  trading partners in the region. These actions 
complement programmes to consolidate cargo clearance and reception capacities at the capital's 
airport, expand the container yard at the port of Acajutla and support the transport sector, which 
accounts for 4. 5% of GDP and receives much of the FDI.  
3.19.  Future infrastructure projects, such as the bicentennial ferry route, the Pacific Train and the 
new Pacific International Airport, will no doubt also support the development of infrastructure that 
will, in turn, fac ilitate trade in general and air transport services in particular, as part of an open 
skies policy with a considerable number of specialized bilateral agreements.  
3.20.  The aim of El  Salvador's trade policy, as set out in the strategic plan for 2020 –50, is to bo ost 
exports, reduce the balance of payments deficit and increase FDI. There is no doubt that the 
12 bilateral trade agreements that El  Salvador has signed with other countries, which account for 
almost 100% of its exports and 70% of imports, will be centra l to achieving these objectives.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  3.21.  The Government Plan, which seeks to take advantage of the international regulatory 
framework, will foster the use of related mechanisms and understandings. It also reflects the fact 
that having these legal frameworks is ne cessary but not enough to promote and facilitate trade. 
Cooperation with partners under such agreements and learning from the experiences of other 
countries in similar circumstances can create opportunities to leverage the regulatory provisions of 
trade ag reements.  
3.22.  A regional trade agreement is of particular importance to El  Salvador. The figures show that 
almost 50% of the country's exports go to the Central American Common Market, which also 
accounts for a quarter of El  Salvador's imports. It is therefore  essential for El  Salvador to support 
the Central American Strategy for Trade Facilitation, the mechanisms developed with other countries 
in the region to enhance its effectiveness, and the associated customs and technology -related 
measures.  
3.23.  As discussant,  I have noted that various questions on intellectual property have been 
submitted to El  Salvador as part of this review. Some of them concern national regulations and their 
implementation, while others relate to specific sectors, such as agriculture. In it s report, the 
Government of El  Salvador stated that, as part of its work within the Central American region, it is 
a member of the region's Technical Group on Intellectual Property. The Secretariat report highlights 
the regulatory role of the country's Int ellectual Property Law and recent amendments that improve 
how the use of works by holders of copyright is managed. In addition, domestic legislation provides 
for ex officio control measures at borders or at any other location within the country following a  
complaint by a right holder who considers themself affected.  
3.24.  I am certain that the delegation of El  Salvador will respond to the related enquiries, given its 
active involvement in multilateral intellectual property fo ra. El Salvador is a signatory to the  WIPO 
Convention, the Paris and Berne Conventions, and, of course, the TRIPS Agreement, within the 
framework of the WTO.  
3.25.  El Salvador's commitment to multilateralism is clearly shown through its work within the WTO. 
Its involvement in this fifth Trade Polic y Review is proof of that. Yet El  Salvador's contribution to our 
Organization covers various other areas and processes as well. I would like to briefly mention two 
concrete ways in which El  Salvador has made a substantive contribution to our common work.  
3.26.  First, concerning the intersection of gender and trade, it has co -chaired the Informal Working 
Group on Trade and Gender alongside Botswana and Iceland and has been involved in implementing 
the "SheTrades Outlook" project with the International Trade Centre . At the domestic level, its efforts 
to support the participation of women in trade through PROESA are commendable, as is its work to 
develop a Technical Standard for the Gender Equality Management System with the support of UNDP.  
3.27.  Second, El  Salvador is ac tive in several key areas of our Organization's agenda, including the 
reform process, promoting – from a trade perspective – the participation of developing countries in 
humanitarian emergencies, drawing attention to the specific objectives of small, vulne rable 
economies in relation to the international trade system, and working on the Joint Initiatives on micro, 
small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs), electronic commerce and investment facilitation.  
3.28.  Let me end with some comments about the discussions o n El Salvador's fourth Trade Policy 
Review, in September 2016. In this respect, I would like to start by mentioning the concluding 
remarks of the discussant and the chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, as set out in 
document WT/TPR/M/344.  
3.29.  First, it  is clear, and a positive sign, that, since the previous review, El  Salvador has pressed 
ahead with the key strategic areas of its trade policies. In 2016, El  Salvador was already actively 
consolidating government policies in order to liberalize its trade and investment regimes. Here, I 
would like to mention the country's commitment to Central American integration and to the WTO. 
Other highlights include the deepening of regional trade and the country's enhanced international 
standing in the area of trade, thanks to the bilateral trade agreements it has entered into with new 
counterparties and the increase in open skies agreements.  
3.30.  Yet at the same time, certain challenges remain and continue to require attention. These are 
similar to those faced by other dev eloping countries. As was mentioned in the previous review, there WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  is still a need to further diversify the country's production structure and its exports. In 2016, 
El Salvador was also encouraged to promote FDI, the levels of which, as I have already menti oned, 
are still below those of other countries in the region.  
3.31.  From a macroeconomic standpoint, the fourth review outlined the need for El  Salvador to 
focus on reducing its external debt and its fiscal deficit, owing to the impact that has on trade and 
investment. These issues remain relevant and are covered in the Secretariat's 2022 report, as well 
as in the reports of other international organizations, such as the World Bank and the International 
Monetary Fund.  
3.32.  Lastly, in 2016, El  Salvador was encouraged  to consider participating in the Government 
Procurement Agreement or in the WTO Committee on Government Procurement as an observer. 
Such actions require a sovereign decision to be made by the country, which should be duly respected 
by the international co mmunity. Yet I mention this issue not only because it was raised six years 
ago but also because some Members raised it again in this fifth review.  
3.33.  Looking to the future, I cannot end my statement without mentioning some of the issues 
concerning El  Salvador 's economy and trade policies that I believe affect all developing countries. 
These are mentioned at various points in the report by the Secretariat and in some of the questions 
raised by Members. They are as follows:  
1. In the coming years, trade discussions will focus on the relationship between trade, the 
environment and sustainable development, including considerations such as deforestation, 
soil erosion, the water supply and protecting marine and land biodiversity, as well as tackling 
pollution  such as that caused by carbon emissions, chemicals and plastics.  
2. These discussions will also cover specific issues relating to renewable energy resources – 
indeed, the report recognizes El  Salvador's new wind - and solar -power generation initiatives. 
Clean energy is crucial for developing countries, like El  Salvador, that are heavily reliant on 
fossil fuels. Here, it is worth recalling that industrialized countries are preparing to transition, 
within a decade, to using almost entirely electric vehicles. This is a challenge that developing 
countries must not lose sight of, given the implications for the environment as well as for 
trade.  
3. In the light of the key economic and social role that agriculture plays in Latin American 
countries, including El  Salvador, it is essential to ensure that agriculture production and 
trade are developed within the framework of sustainability, including through diversification, 
the use of organic methods and the scientific application of pesticides, in line with related 
multilateral standards.  
3.34.  I commend the delegation of El  Salvador for this successful and productive fifth Trade Policy 
Review. I am certain that the outcome of the exchange of views and opinions with the Members of 
our Organization will serve as a positive ref erence for the future.  
  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
CANADA  
4.1.  Canada joins others in welcoming the Delegation of El Salvador , headed by H.E. Ms María Luisa 
Hayem Brevé , Minister of Economy. We also thank the discussant, Ambassador José  Valencia, and 
the Secretariat for their reports.  
4.2.  We are glad to hear about El Salvador 's economic recovery from the height of the COVID -19 
pandemic and note how stronger external demand has been key to this growth.  
4.3.  We are pleased to learn that El Salvador  is implementing st eps to strengthen the national digital 
ecosystem to boost the country's sustainable development and social well -being. For example, the 
National Digital Agenda 2020 -30 will help the country to establish action frameworks on 
e-commerce, as discussed by the round table of the United Nations Commission on International 
Trade Law.  
4.4.  Canada welcomes the steps El Salvador  has taken to improve the transparency of the 
investment environment with the adoption of the Law on Regulatory Improvement and the Law on 
Adminis trative Procedures. We also welcome the enactment of the Law on Facilitating Financial 
Inclusion, established to regulate electronic money activities, facilitate access to credit for micro, 
small and medium enterprises and to foster financial inclusion.  
4.5.  Transparency is a very important part of being a WTO Member. We commend El Salvador  for 
improvements to its notification record and encourage it to continue in this positive direction and 
submit other outstanding notifications. In this regard, we encourage El Salvador  to provide 
information on the quantity of subsidies granted under the free zone regime and on the volume of 
merchandise exports by the regime beneficiaries to the WTO Committee on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures.  
4.6.  We would also encourage El Salvador  to ensure that it is up to date on its assessed 
contributions, which have been over one, but less than two, years in arrears as of 5 April 2023.  
4.7.  We note in El Salvador 's Government Report, the strong acknowledgement of the positive role 
that p olicies of trade openness has played in the economy of the country, and the importance of 
domestic conditions including fiscal and other policies to fully realize the benefits of the global 
economy. As is noted in the Government Report, trade is a valuable contributor to employment and 
improvements in standards of living. Canada shares this view. Canada would like to acknowledge 
and sincerely thank El Salvador  under the leadership of Ambassador Patricia Benedetti for all the 
effort  it has put in as co -convener of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender. We also 
welcome the engagement shown on trade and gender through your support of the Buenos  Aires 
Declaration on Trade and Women 's Economic Empowerment.  
4.8.  In conclusion, we tha nk El Salvador  for the timely responses to questions posed during this 
review. Canada looks forward to continued close cooperation with El Salvador  to improve the 
functioning of the WTO and to strengthen and the multilateral trading system in order to rais e living 
standards, promote sustainable development, and achieve inclusive growth.  
GUATEMALA  
4.9.  On behalf of Guatemala, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of 
El Salvador, led by Ms  María Luisa Hayem Brevé, Minister of the Economy, and to my friend 
Ambassador Patricia  Benedetti, Permanent Representative of El  Salvador to the WTO and the team 
at the Mission in Geneva, with whom I have had the pleasure of working very closely over the years 
within this Organization and in other international trade for a.  
4.10.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Chair for her introductory remarks; the 
WTO Secretariat for its report; and Ambassador José  Valencia, Permanent Representative of Ecuador 
to the WTO, for the comprehensive analytical visi on that he kindly shared with us this morning in 
his capacity as discussant.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.11.  Guatemala has historically maintained a very close relationship of friendship with El  Salvador, 
a brother country and neighbour with which we share a vision of development, integr ation and 
regional strengthening. A testimony to this is the work we have been carrying out together for over 
60 years, with the aim of achieving the full integration of Central America. To a large extent, these 
efforts have underpinned the gradual strengt hening of the Central American Common Market and 
the progress and harmonized development of our peoples and our  economies.  
4.12.  Looking beyond the region, El  Salvador and Guatemala have also joined forces to negotiate 
and implement important regional agreement s, concluded jointly by Central  America with major 
trading partners like the United  States, the European  Union and Mexico. With the intention of forging 
even deeper and closer relations, Guatemala and El  Salvador have stepped up their efforts with 
regard t o the trade facilitation initiative between the two countries, which is designed to simplify and 
facilitate the application of trade standards. This effort constitutes a significant step forward towards 
the full economic integration of the Central American  region and its integration into the globalized 
economy.  
4.13.  Within the WTO, we have had the opportunity to work very closely with El  Salvador on a large 
number of initiatives. As well as being geographically close, we have maintained a very close working 
relationship as part of the Group of Small and Vulnerable Economies. In this connection, it is 
important to underscore El  Salvador's proactive work and great support as part of efforts to 
strengthen our  group. We also highlight its leadership within the Infor mal Working Group on Trade 
and Gender, which it heads jointly with the delegations of Botswana and Iceland.  
4.14.  Bilateral trade between El  Salvador and Guatemala exceeded USD  2,049.70  million in 2022, 
covering a wide range of products, according to their tarif f classification. The main products traded 
between our two countries include plastic products, textiles and textile products, edible fats and oils, 
preparations of cereals, beverages, alcoholic liquids and vinegars and iron and steel.  
4.15.  Turning to the Review  that brings us here today, it is important to highlight various aspects 
such as the strategies implemented to support economic recovery following the COVID -19 pandemic 
and the efforts undertaken by the Salvadoran authorities to attract investment. For exa mple, 2021 
saw the publication of the Trade and Investment Policy 2020 -50, the purpose of which is to develop 
technologically advanced industries and services and establish mechanisms that contribute to 
improved tax collection.  
4.16.  During the review period, E l Salvador has provided major support in the implementation of 
the Central American Trade Facilitation Strategy. All these actions help to speed up flows of goods 
between our countries and make an important contribution to enhancing Central American 
integr ation and increasing our countries' participation in global value chains.  
4.17.  Another point that is worth emphasizing is the policy of opening up trade that El  Salvador has 
consistently pursued over recent decades and again in the review period by signing new trade 
agreements and implementing measures of the kind described above.  
4.18.  As short - and medium -term challenges, we note the importance of continuing to diversify the 
exportable supply and sustaining efforts to reduce the public deficit and the balance -of-payments 
current account deficit. These are general challenges we face in al l countries of the region and we 
are fully confident that deepening our integration and developing our policies are key for gradually 
resolving these issues.  
4.19.  We congratulate the Salvadoran authorities for the efforts and achievements made over the 
period covered by its Trade Policy Review.  
4.20.  We consider that the initiatives undertaken are helping to strengthen the country domestically 
and consolidate our region's position in the world. We are also grateful for the answers kindly 
provided to us in response t o the questions raised during the course of the Review. We wish 
El Salvador and its delegation here today a successful conclusion to its Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  SINGAPORE  
4.21.  Allow me to begin by extending a very warm welcome to the delegation from El Salvador , led 
by Minister of Economy María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé . Singapore would like to thank El Salvador  for its 
comprehensive Government Report and statement. We would also like to express our appreciation 
to the Chair, H.E.  Dr Athaliah Molokomme (Botsw ana), the discussant, Ambassador Jos é Valencia; 
and the Secretariat for your valuable insights. Allow me to make three points.  
4.22.  First, Singapore appreciates El Salvador 's efforts to strengthen our bilateral relationship and 
establish a resident Embassy in Singapore. Singapore and El Salvador  are both small and trade 
dependent economies, and we hope that this milestone will lead to more opportunities to grow trade 
and investment between our countries. We commend El Salvador 's government policies in adopting 
an export -led development plan and opening up the economy to foreign investment. This has led to 
the country 's economic growth to increase by tenfold, from the 1990s to 2022, due to the success 
of the reforms. As part of these reforms, the Government has p romoted an open trade and 
investment environment, completing a wave of privati zations extending to telecommunications, 
electricity distribution, banking, and pension funds, which further opens up trade and investment 
opportunities in El Salvador . 
4.23.  Second, S ingapore commends El Salvador 's efforts to diversify its economy, promote trade 
and investment, and consolidate its integration into global value chains. We recogni ze El Salvador 's 
commitment to moderni zing its trade procedures through simplification and d igitali zation. 
El Salvador  has made significant advancements in its trade operations — for example, with the 
introduction of an e -signature system, Single Window for Foreign Trade and Artificial Intelligence 
customs -risk system (MIRANDA) — to facilitate gr eater cross -border flows. Singapore sees potential 
to explore collaboration with El Salvador  in the implementation of the country 's digital projects.  
4.24.  Third, on the multilateral front, Singapore and El Salvador  are both steadfast supporters of 
the rules -based multilateral trading system. We both participate in the various Joint Statement 
Initiatives (JSIs) which seeks to ensure that the WTO remains fit -for-purpose to address the 
challenges of today and tomorrow. Singapore commends El Salvador 's progress in i ts 
implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and urges El Salvador  to consider acceding 
to the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), which will send a strong signal of the importance 
of establishing open, fair and transparent conditions of competition in government procurement 
processes. In addition, we also urge El Salvador  to strengthen transparency at the WTO by fulfilling 
its notification obligations, particularly on agriculture and quantitative restrictions. Given that 
El Salvador  has participated as a third party in six dispute settlement cases during the review p eriod, 
we also encourage El Salvador  to join the Multi -Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement 
(MPIA), which will be fully aligned with the goal of the vast majority of WTO Members to restore a 
fully and well -functioning Dispute Settlement System . 
4.25.  In closing, Singapore looks forward to working closely with colleagues at the Permanent 
Mission of El Salvador  in Geneva and H.E. Ms Patricia Benedetti , to strengthen our bilateral ties as 
well as further contribute to the continued success of the WTO. I wish  El Salvador  every success for 
its fifth Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
4.26.  On behalf of my Ambassador, Simon  Manley, I extend a warm welcome to the Salvadoran 
delegation, headed by Minister María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé, at its fifth  Trade Policy Review.  
4.27.  We th ank the Government of El  Salvador and the WTO Secretariat for their reports, in addition 
to our distinguished Chair and the discussant, Ambassador José  Valencia, for facilitating this Review 
in an efficient manner.  
4.28.  Indeed, El Salvador  and the United  Kingdo m enjoy a positive and warm bilateral relationship. 
Indeed, the British Government Minister David Rutley will arrive in El Salvador  tomorrow, to discuss 
ways to further strengthen our ties. Collaboration covers a range of issues of relevance to 
21st centur y society and business - including climate change ; education ; and trade and investment. 
Reflecting these shared interests, in 2019, we signed the UK -Central  America Association 
Agreement. This established a political and economic association between the UK  and El Salvador , WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  as well as the broader region, and we are working together to ensure that this agreement increases 
opportunities for trade and investment for stakeholders across the piece. We welcome El Salvador 's 
offer to coordinate participation on behalf of Central Ame rican partners this year, as well as their 
efforts to develop effective ways to implement the agreement.  
4.29.  Turning specifically to sustainability - a matter of utmost importance to the United  Kingdom - 
we commend El Salvador 's National Energy Policy 2020 -50, and their goal of achieving an efficient 
and competitive energy system which protects the environment.  
4.30.  The actions identified in their Government Report (regarding the Sustainable Industries 
Programme) will go a long way to supporting their ambitions for  an eco -friendly and sustainable 
business environment, and we encourage El Salvador  to match its high ambition with corresponding 
actions.  
4.31.  Given the UK and El Salvador  already work closely to improve trade, we see notable 
opportunities in our respective ma rkets for further collaboration to benefit for both business and 
consumers - in sectors including pharmaceuticals, food and drink and infrastructure.  
4.32.  Moving forwards, the UK hopes to build on our joint working, in areas of real relevance to 
citizens in bo th of our countries - including on sustainable growth, social progress, and economic 
development.  
4.33.  And there are other notable areas in which the UK would like to further develop our bilateral 
trading relationship. For instance, we are keen to better unders tand Salvador ean policies on 
restricted goods and compliance with multiple regulatory bodies. One area which this is most 
prevalent is in relation to pharmaceuticals and Government Procurement procedures being subjected 
to biased influence from medical adv isory bodies. As it stands, procurement criteria are unclear and 
therefore open to potential unfair treatment – so we see improvements in this area could be mutually 
beneficial. By resolving the tendering processes in healthcare procurement, UK firms with deep 
expertise will be better able to contribute through public contracts in El Salvador , leading to a 
potential increase  in exports of quality goods or services that could contribute positively to the 
Salvador ean domestic market.  
4.34.  This links into the broad er point that, in addition to our strong government -to-government 
relationship, UK companies demonstrate a keen interest in investing in El Salvador  - with security 
further emerging as a key sector for mutual opportunities. Both UK businesses and the Salva dorean 
security sector can benefit from innovative products, wherein UK producers can offer expertise in 
video surveillance and recognition systems. The UK can also provide expertise and technical 
assistance to benefit sectors including renewable energy, i nfrastructure development and 
consultancy.  
4.35.  As the Secretariat Report identifies, El Salvador  has made a strong economic recovery from 
the COVID -19 pandemic. Despite its GDP contracting by 8.2% during the review period, El Salvador  
recovered with an impres sive growth of 10.3% in 2021. Considering the negative impacts of the 
crisis on their thriving tourism sector, the UK wishes to congratulate El Salvador  on developing their 
national roadmap – "Renicio el Turismo " – and the government 's emphasis on creating  jobs, boosting 
the economy, and creating financial access for MSMEs.  
4.36.  We are grateful to El Salvador  for their responses to our advance written questions , including 
on the limitations experienced by foreign investors when investing in Salvador ean banks and  
financial enterprises. We were also interested in exploring El Salvador 's openness to foreign 
expertise, particularly in supporting their green energy transition.   
4.37.  El Salvador  is not a signatory to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and does 
not participate as an Observer. However, we encourage El Salvador  to continue engaging with the 
principles of openness, transparency, and non -discrimination between Salvador ean and foreign 
suppliers on public procurement, and to ensure that the legal and inst itutional framework is 
conducive to these aims.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.38.  Let me underline how much the UK values the leadership role which El Salvador  has played 
within the WTO – and here, the UK wants to draw attention, in particular, to their role as co -Chair 
of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender.  
4.39.  In conclusion, we thank our colleagues from El  Salvador for being here today and for 
support ing this important exercise in transparency. We hope that this fifth  Trade Policy Review is a 
success. The United  Kingdom reiterates its commitment to developing our trade relationship.  
THAILAND  
4.40.  Thailand is delighted to participate in the  fifth Trade Policy Review of the Republic of 
El Salvador . We wish to extend our warm welcome to the delegation of the Republic of El Salvador  
led by H.E.  Ms María Luisa Hayem Brevé, Minister of Economy.  
4.41.  We would like to thank Ambassador Dr  Athaliah Lesiba Moloko mme of Botswana for your 
leadership as the Chair , and Ambassador Mr  José Valencia of Ecuador, for his insightful comments 
as discussant. We also thank the Republic of El Salvador  and the WTO Secretariat for their useful 
and comprehensive reports.  
4.42.  Thailand and El Salvador  have had a long -standing relationship since 1987 and we were 
delighted to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and 
El Salvador  in 2022.  
4.43.  Thailand congratulates El Salvador  for its positive economic gro wth rate throughout the review 
period. It is worth mentioning that the Salvador ean economy grew by 10.3% in 2021, indicating the 
strong recovery from the crisis caused by the pandemic.  
4.44.  Like Thailand, El Salvador  is an open economy that relies heavily on tr ade with other countries 
in promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and attracting foreign investment.  
4.45.  Despite a rather moderate trade value between Thailand and El Salvador , the two countries 
have enjoyed increasing trade tie, as evidenced by the increa se of total trade between the two 
countries by 14% over the last five years. We hope that the two countries could strive for a higher 
bilateral trade exchange in the future.  
4.46.  Thailand welcomes El Salvador 's trade policy that aims to promote foreign direct investment. 
These policies include tax incentives, streamlined procedures for registering and starting a business, 
and support for research and development. In this regard, we commend El Salvador 's Trade and 
Investment Policy 2020 -2050 that intends to boost the development of the technologically advanced 
industries by, among others, improving regulatory environment and administrative procedures. We 
also welcome National Digital Agenda 2020 -2030 with the objective to strengthen the digital 
ecosystem to a chieve sustainable development and social well -being of the Salvador ean economy.  
4.47.  Thailand also welcomes El Salvador 's program mes to support small and medium -sized 
enterprises (SMEs) in accessing international markets and improving their competitiveness. W e 
encourage the Salvador ean Government to continue its efforts to increase and diversify its exports, 
especially seeking new opportunities in Asia and other regions beyond the Americas.  
4.48.  Thailand applauds El Salvador  for its active role in the WTO and for s taunchly upholding the 
multilateral trading system. Apart from joining the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the 
Information Technology Agreement (ITA), Thailand commends El Salvador 's active participation in 
the ongoing negotiations in fisheries subs idies, agriculture and all the four Joint Statement 
Initiatives. We also note El Salvador 's continued efforts to promote the interests of Small Economies 
and Women 's Economic Empowerment as a co -chair of the Informal Working Group on Trade and 
Gender.  
4.49.  Thailand appreciates El Salvador  for co -sponsoring the Crains Group -led Framework for 
Negotiations on Domestic Support which aims to achieving further progress in all pillars of the 
agriculture negotiations to lay the ground for a fair and market -oriented agri cultural trading system.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.50.  In this review, Thailand has submitted a number of questions on various areas of El Salvador 's 
trade and economic policy, and we thank El Salvador  for responding to our questions and look 
forward to thoroughly reviewing them.  
4.51.  To conclude, Thailand appreciates the leadership of Ambassador Ms  Patricia  Benedetti. We 
look forward to increasing our cooperation with the Mission of the Republic of El Salvador  to advance 
our mutual interest and strengthen our partnership at all levels. Thailand wishes El Salvador  a 
successful Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.52.  The United  States is pleased to welcome Minister María Luisa Hayem Brevé and the rest of 
the Salvador ean delegation to the fifth Trade Policy Review of El Salvador . We appreciate the 
opportunity to review the significant work that El Salvador  has undertaken the past seven  years 
since its last Review.  
4.53.  As a principal trading partner of El Salvador , the United  States ' economic relationship with 
El Salvador  is characterized by strong commercial ties and a mutual appreciation for fundamental 
values. We share, as fellow FTA partners under the Dominican  Republic -Central America -
United  States  Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA -DR), a commitment to a rules -based approac h to 
international trade. CAFTA -DR is a comprehensive agreement that covers trade in goods and 
services, intellectual property rights, investment, telecommunications, labour , and environment, and 
promotes economic integration among partner countries.  
4.54.   During the period under review, El Salvador  has modified its laws and regulations to 
implement domestic reforms and WTO commitments.  
4.55.  We are pleased to recognize customs modernization, trade facilitation and other measures 
implemented by El Salvador  to increase  productivity, facilitate trade and leverage the opportunities 
that trade liberalization offers. The emphasis El Salvador  had placed on advancing the work of its 
National Trade Facilitation Committee and TFA implementation and compliance reflects the 
gover nment 's recognition of trade facilitation as a vital tool to reduce timeframes and costs 
associated with international trade and its recognition of TFA as an instrument for economic growth.  
4.56.  We note that El Salvador  still faces a number of challenges, as re flected in our observations 
through our advance written questions. For example, the United  States is interested in the 
Government of El Salvador 's plans to submit its outstanding notifications to the WTO. Notifications 
are an important responsibility of WT O Membership so traders and other Members can understand 
El Salvador 's laws and regulations affecting trade. We also encourage El Salvador  to join the Friends 
of Transparency group that is working to support Members in meeting their notification obligation s 
through improvements in notification practices.  
4.57.  The United  States also has various questions on anti -dumping measures, import and export 
restrictions on certain agricultural products, and a number of issues regarding Intellectual Property 
protection and enforcement.  
4.58.  Despite concerns, we recognize and commend El Salvador 's comprehensive approach to 
achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth through a series of strategic programs that 
seek to: create an attractive business environment that facilita tes trade, promoting MSMEs; 
establish and expand investment; generate and improve employment opportunities; and promote 
high quality, competitive and innovative production of goods and services. Other positive 
developments include El Salvador 's customs dig itization and risk management focus. We also urge 
El Salvador  to continue to strengthen policies and practices towards administrative and regulatory 
improvement. We hope to hear more in this review about the government 's plans to address these 
types of iss ues. 
4.59.  The United  States notes that the SPS Work Program, endorsed during the 12th Ministerial 
Conference in June  2022, may provide such an opportunity for collaboration. Through the Work 
Program, Ministers directed the SPS Committee to identify challenges i n the implementation of the 
SPS Agreement and the mechanisms to address them and discuss the impacts of emerging 
challenges on the application of the SPS Agreement. We would welcome El Salvador  as an active WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  participant in the Committee 's deliberations, and  would encourage discussions to identify areas of 
mutual interest.  
4.60.  We want to thank El Salvador , and Ambassador Benedetti in particular, for her stewardship 
of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, despite difficult circumstances. The co-Chairs 
MC12 statement highlights achievements delivered so far and important areas for future work. We 
will continue to work with El Salvador  to advance gender equality and women 's economic 
empowerment in the WTO.  
4.61.  The United  States  looks forward to further deepening our trade and economic partnership with 
El Salvador . We commend El Salvador  on its active pa rticipation in the WTO, for its long -standing  
commitment to the multilateral trading system, and its encouragement of the WTO to improve its 
focus on inclusive trade. We remain committed to continued close cooperation with El Salvador  to 
deepen our relatio nship bilaterally, in regional fora, and in the WTO.  
CHINA  
4.62.  First of all, I would like to extend my warm welcome to the delegation of El Salvador  led by 
H.E. Minister María Luisa Hayem Brevé.  
4.63.  I would also like to thank the Government of El Salvador  and the  WTO Secretariat for the 
preparation and the Reports. And I appreciate the insightful comments by the Discussant, 
H.E. Ambassador José Valencia.  
4.64.  China commends El Salvador 's significant progress in economy and trade over the past several 
years, despite of the global challenge of the COVID -19 pandemic. Like most of the economies 
worldwide, the economy of El Salvador  was hit hard in 2020 by the pandemic. But with the effective 
supporting policies such as funding those businesses affected and public compensati on measures, 
the economy of El Salvador  rebounded rapidly in 2021, with a double -digit growth. According to the 
Secretariat 's Report, the economic growth of El Salvador  is estimated to reach 2.8% in 2022, which 
is higher than the average before the pandemi c. 
4.65.  China appreciates El Salvador 's remarkable efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable 
economic growth. These efforts include the strategic programmes of trade facilitation, investment 
facilitation, as well as driving innovation and competitiveness. In particular, the National Trade 
Facilitation Strategy 2023 -27 and the Trade and Investment Policy of El Salvador  2020-50 were 
launched to address the challenges and guide the future works in the medium and long -term.  
4.66.  China welcomes El Salvador 's active participation in and contribution to the multilateral 
trading system. In particular, we note during the review period, El Salvador  ratified the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement, and actively participated in the MC12, joined collective efforts to make it a 
success, including improving the functioning of WTO and strengthening the multilateral trading 
system. El Salvador  is also participant of various WTO Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI) such as 
E-commerce, Investment Facilitation for Development, MSMEs, and Services Domestic Regulations. 
We highly appreciate El Salvador 's lead 's role as the Co -chair of Working Group on Trade and 
Gender. On regional front, since last policy review in 2016, El Salvad or has signed FTAs with various 
Members such as Chile, Colombia, the United  States, Mexico and European  Union. These efforts will 
surely help to improve the integration of El Salvador  into the international economy.  
4.67.  China has maintained a sound bilateral relationship with El Salvador . Since the establishment 
of diplomatic relations between China and El Salvador  in August  2018, our economic cooperation 
has entered into a new phase. In November  2018 and December 2019, the Ministry of Commerce 
of China and th e Ministry of Economy of El Salvador  have signed four MOUs regarding the 
construction of infrastructure, the economic and trade cooperation zones, as well as investment. 
These agreements have played an important role in promoting high -quality development o f our 
bilateral investment and trade cooperation.  
4.68.  According to our statistics, in 2021, China 's bilateral trade with El Salvador  totalled  
USD 1.73 billion, increased by 55.9% compared with that in 2020. In 2022, bilateral trade reached 
USD 1.89 billion, i ncreased by 9.6%. China mainly exports plastic products, mechanical appliances 
and electrical equipment to El Salvador , and El Salvador  mainly exports electrical equipment, sugar WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  and clothing to China. As the Secretariat's Report mentioned, China is now th e second  largest source 
of import of El Salvador . We look forward to strengthening further cooperation with El Salvador . In 
particular, we expect El Salvador  to continuously improve the business environment for foreign 
companies and investors, and further facilitate the visa applications for business.  
4.69.  In this review, China submitted questions regarding the implementations of FTAs, customs 
enforcement procedures, details of newly amended laws, etc. We thank the delegation of El Salvador  
for their response t o our questions.  
4.70.  To conclude, I wish El Salvador 's Trade Policy Review a full success.  
COLOMBIA  
4.71.  We warmly welcome the delegation of El  Salvador, led by the Minister of the Economy, 
María  Luisa Hayem, and its entire team from the capital and in Geneva.  
4.72.  We appreciate the analysis and comments provided by Ambassador José  Valencia of Ecuador 
as discussa nt. The elements presented have made a significant contribution to enriching this 
discussion. We also recognize the hard work of the Secretariat and the Salvadoran authorities in 
preparing the reports that we have received.  
4.73.  Colombia and El  Salvador both pa rticipate in regional and multilateral for a, thanks to which 
we have a strong and complementary relationship.  
4.74.  Accordingly, our regional and bilateral trade relations are being developed within the 
framework of the trade agreement that entered into force in  February  2010.  
4.75.  We have shared a vision and desire to strengthen and expand these trade and investment 
relations, which has enabled both countries to diversify their exportable supply and position a 
number of our companies in non -mining energy sectors that  generate value added.  
4.76.  It should be noted that companies from both countries have identified and taken advantage 
of trade and investment opportunities.  
4.77.  This is reflected by the fact that total trade rose from USD  54 million in 2010 to 
USD 170 million in 2 022. It is worth indicating that almost all (97%) of our bilateral trade is in 
non-mining energy goods, which makes a significant contribution to generating value, employment 
and regional linkages in our inputs, intermediate goods and final goods.  
4.78.  Moreover , trade has also had an impact on investment flows. According to our figures, the 
foreign direct investment stock accumulated between the two countries since 1994 reached around 
USD 890 million in 2022.  
4.79.  Tourism is one of the activities that has the greates t ripple effect within economies and has 
been one of the strongest performers in the post -pandemic period. In 2022, the flow of tourists 
between our countries was steady, reaching around 38,000. Although this figure is low, it shows 
that there is much room  for tourism to be harnessed in the future as a pillar of our countries' 
development that has great potential.  
4.80.  Turning to this Trade Policy Review, I would first like to mention what was reported in the 
working documents that we received with regard to the  relative macroeconomic stability over the 
majority of the review period, which is reflected in the reasonable growth and the management that 
allowed for the consolidation and relative stability of public finances.  
4.81.  I would like to take this opportunity to commend El  Salvador's commitment to the multilateral 
trading system, highlighting not only its fifth Trade Policy Review, but also its ratification of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement and participation in the Information Technology Agreement. Its 
participa tion in the latter is linked to its National Digital Agenda 2020 -30, in which it outlines a range 
of activities aimed at developing a national digital ecosystem to drive the country's sustainable 
development.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
- 20 - 
 
  4.82.  I also wish to highlight our support for elemen ts of its trade policy, such as the increased 
regional economic integration, the use of external markets and the promotion of local MSMEs' 
exports.  
4.83.  Secondly, I thank El  Salvador for its replies to the questions raised by Colombia on a wide 
variety of matte rs such as, inter alia, mechanisms to combat illicit trade and contraband, trade 
facilitation mechanisms such as the Trusted Operator programme and the Authorized Economic 
Operator programme and policies and measures relating to the circular economy and cl imate change.  
4.84.  Lastly, while it is true that, since its previous Review, El  Salvador has not been involved in 
any cases under the dispute settlement mechanism, it has participated in some cases as a third 
party. We invite it to join the Multi -Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement, which will benefit 
all Members and improve the functioning and credibility of the Organization.  
4.85.  We wish the delegation of El  Salvador a successful conclusion to its fifth  Trade Policy Review.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.86.  I would like to welcome the delegation of El Salvador  led by H.E.  María Luisa Hayem Brevé, 
Minister of Economy. I would also like to thank the discussant, H.E. Mr José Valencia (Ecuador) for 
his remarks.  
4.87.  The European  Union would like to commend El Salvador  for its recent economic performance, 
which has been especially impressive following its rapid recovery after the height of the pandemic. 
El Salvador 's economy had a strong bounce -back in 2021 with the real GDP growth  of 10.3% while 
the projections for 2022 and 2023 are around 2.5% and 3.0%.  
4.88.  Last year, the European  Union and El Salvador  celebrated the tenth anniversary of the 
signature of the Association Agreement between the EU and six Central American countries. Wher eas 
total trade with the region has more than doubled over the past 10 years, the EU hopes that the 
exchanges with El Salvador  will become more dynamic in years to come, fostering the 
complementarities between the two economies. As an example of growing in teraction in 2022, only 
in the area of food and beverages, the European Commission approved El Salvador 's request to add 
10 new geographical indications to the list of GIs protected by the Association Agreement. The 
products included various types of coffe e, jocote, loroco, liquor, shrimp and of course the 
world -renown pupusas . 
4.89.  The European  Union counts on El Salvador  as a strategic partner to promote the regional 
integration agenda. We are convinced that this will have a positive impact for El Salvador . For 
example, a contribution of EUR 4.5 million was made by the EU to the Council of Ministers of Health 
of Central A merica (COMISCA) to acquire medicines and protective equipment against COVID, made 
with inputs mostly manufactured in El Salvador . Also, El Salvador  has since January  2023 taken the 
pro tempore  presidency of the Central America Economic Integration System (SIECA) for one year 
and will host our next association committee meeting in June in San  Salvador.  
4.90.  The European  Union welcomes El Salvador 's important initiatives in launching major 
infrastructure projects, including the bicentennial ferry route, the construction of the new Pacific 
International Airport and the Pacific Train, as well as the upgrade of existing infrastructure. The 
European  Union  remains an important partner in El Salvador 's investment strategy, as we represent 
16% of total foreign direc t investment in El Salvador . While the EU welcomes the entry into force of 
the new procurement law of El Salvador  in January  2023, we have some concerns regarding the lack 
of transparency El Salvador 's public procurement procedures and the expansion of the  "strategic 
procurement " for big projects developed by specific laws that are kept outside the scope of 
procurement and tender rules.  
4.91.  During the review period, El Salvador  developed a long -term strategy - the Trade and 
Investment Policy 2020 -2050 - in ord er to attract FDI and boost the development of the most 
technologically advanced industries and services and ensure synergies with the local economy. We 
would be interested in learning more about this strategy as well as the National Digital Agenda 
2020-30, which brings together a set of actions aimed at strengthening a national digital ecosystem 
to boost the country's sustainable development and social well -being.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.92.  The EU welcomes the active role of El Salvador  in the WTO and its continuous support to the 
multilateral trading system. El Salvador  participates in a number of important Joint Statement 
Initiatives, including on E -commerce, Investment Facilitation for Development and services domestic 
regulation. We would like to encourage El Salvador  to complet e its approval procedures and proceed 
with the certification of services domestic regulation disciplines as soon as possible.  
4.93.  The EU notes that El Salvador  is currently not part in any of the three environmental 
initiatives  -the Trade and Environmental Su stainability Structured Discussions, the Informal Dialogue 
on Plastics Pollution and Sustainable Plastics Trade, and Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform. We invite 
El Salvador  to join these initiatives as well as consider acceding to the WTO Government 
Procurement Agreement and joining the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), 
a temporary mechanism for solving trade disputes.  
4.94.  El Salvador  (together with Botswana and Iceland) leads the discussions on women 's economic 
empowerment within the Inform al Working Group on Trade and Gender. The EU would like to learn 
more about El Salvador 's own current initiatives on trade and gender, and also the initiatives aimed 
at promoting decent work since we understand that El Salvador  has already achieved positive results 
in this area.  
4.95.  According to the Secretariat Report, El Salvador  still has a nu mber of outstanding WTO 
notifications, mainly in the areas of agriculture and quantitative restrictions, and we would encourage 
El Salvador  to make further efforts to fulfil its transparency obligations.   
4.96.  El Salvador  is a valued trading partner of the Eur opean  Union and we count on El Salvador 's 
constructive engagement in the lead -up to the 13th Ministerial Conference, including in the WTO 
reform discussions.  
4.97.  We thank El Salvador  for the replies to our questions and concerns and we will continue 
reviewing  the responses carefully.  
4.98.  On behalf of the EU, I wish El Salvador  a very successful fifth Trade Policy Review . 
HONDURAS  
4.99.  On behalf of the State of Honduras, allow me to begin by extending a warm welcome to the 
entire delegation of El  Salvador, led by their distinguished head of delegation and Minister of the 
Economy, Ms  María  Luisa Hayem. We thank her for her report and open ing statement.  
4.100.   We also welcome our colleagues and friends from the Permanent Mission of El  Salvador to 
the WTO, led by Ambassador Patricia  Benedetti, whose excellent work and leadership we 
acknowledge.  
4.101.   We extend our thanks to you, Chair, for your leadershi p and guidance; to the discussant, 
Ambassador Valencia, for his valuable opening remarks; and to the WTO Secretariat for the excellent 
work carried out.  
4.102.   Turning to the reports under consideration, we are pleased to note that for most of the period 
under re view, the Salvadoran economy continued to show positive real GDP growth rates, with an 
annual average of 2.4% between 2016 and 2019.  
4.103.   At the same time, we note that the response measures taken by the Salvadoran Government 
to mitigate the impact of the vario us crises faced since 2019 have provided relief to those most in 
need and have contributed to the rapid economic recovery and the improvement in employment 
levels.  
4.104.   In June  2021, El  Salvador was the first country to introduce bitcoin as legal tender, with a  
view to promoting financial inclusion.  
4.105.   We take note of the efforts made as part of the Digital Nation project, which aims to make 
the country a regional model for attracting investment and a development hub for the export of 
digital and technological serv ices.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
- 22 - 
 
  4.106.   Moreover, we note the changes seen in the legal framework regarding competition policy. 
We highlight that, for economic operators investigated for anti -competitive practices other than 
cartels (vertical restraints or abuse of a dominant position), i t was clarified that the party under 
investigation may provide assurances that any anti -competitive practices will be suspended until the 
issuance of the file to the Board of Directors, and, in exchange, receive a lower fine from the 
Supervisory Authority for Competition in its final decision.  
4.107.   It should be noted that the reforms made in this area took into account some of the 
recommendations of the peer review of Salvadoran competition law and policy, conducted in 2019 
in cooperation with the Organisation f or Economic Co -operation and Development and the 
Inter-American Development Bank.  
4.108.   On this same matter, we highlight that the national competition authorities of our countries 
are members of the Central American Network of Competition Authorities and the Ce ntral American 
Competition Committee.  
4.109.   In the area of trade facilitation, we note that the United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development Sustainability Score awarded El  Salvador 73 out of 100, indicating that the prospects 
for El  Salvador's National Tr ade Facilitation Committee being sustainable over time are good and 
encouraging.  
4.110.   With regard to the discussions on women's economic empowerment, we cannot fail to 
mention the work by El  Salvador, together with Botswana and Iceland, to lead efforts to promo te 
and protect inclusive trade within the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender. Our country 
also supports this Group and makes a constructive contribution to it.  
4.111.   At the regional level, our countries are participating in a process of establishing the Central 
American Common Market. This process began in 1960 through the General Treaty on Central 
American Economic Integration.  
4.112.   At the same time, El  Salvador has negotiated and signed most of its regional trade 
agreements jointly with other Central America n countries, including Honduras. Since its last Trade 
Policy Review, trade agreements have entered into force with the Republic of Korea and the United 
Kingdom, respectively.  
4.113.   The customs administrations of El  Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are currently working 
to implement the DUCA -F advance declarations in 2023.  
4.114.   The Central American region is now established as the main destination market for 
Salvadoran exports. In 2021, 47% of El  Salvador's exports went to the regional market, while 23% 
of its imports came from the same region.  
4.115.   Within the Central American region, Honduras was the second destination for exports from 
El Salvador, with 14.1% of Salvadoran exports going to the country in 2016 and 16.4% in 2021. In 
the first quarter of 2022, our country was among El  Salvador's top five suppliers, accounting 
for 5.9% of the total, which is equivalent to USD  774 million. Our countries are therefore conscious 
of the importance of deepening trade relations and those in other areas.  
4.116.   El Salvador, like our country, is a small and open economy, and trade is an important factor 
that contributes to our economic growth and prosperity. Accordingly, we hope to continue working 
together to take advantage of our trade agreements, deepening and modernizing the region al 
integration process and defending a transparent, fair and open multilateral system.  
4.117.   Lastly, Honduras is pleased to congratulate our Salvadoran brothers on the significant 
progress made during the review period and we wish them every success.  
BRAZIL  
4.118.   Brazil would like to express its gratitude to the Government of El Salvador  and the 
Salvador ean Mission to the WTO. Their engagement in El Salvador 's Trade Policy Review has WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
- 23 - 
 
  provided Members with a transparent account of the country's economic performance and 
commitment to the multilateral trading system.  
4.119.   We commend the WTO Secretariat for its helpful and comprehensive Report, as well as the 
Chair, and the discussant, Ambassador Jos é Valencia (Ecuador), for their valuable input to this 
important exercise on transparency.  
4.120.   El Salvador  is one of Brazil's key partners in Central  America, and we are proud to work 
together on mutually beneficial initiatives. Our bilateral cooperation program me is an example of 
our shared commitment to exchanging technic al knowledge and expertise in strategic areas, such 
as environment, health, sanitary regulation, civil defence , and agriculture. These collaborative 
projects serve as a testament to the strength of our partnership and our shared vision for sustainable 
development in Latin  America.  
4.121.   While bilateral trade flows remain modest between El Salvador  and Brazil, at just over 
USD 230 million, we see positive signals for both quantitative and qualitative improvements. 
Bilateral trade more than doubled in 2022, compare d to the previous year. We are proud to supply 
El Salvador  with vital products for their economy and their food security, such as corn and rice during 
a challenging moment of the global landscape.  
4.122.   Brazil is committed to strengthening our partnership with El Salvador , and we are eager to 
explore new opportunities to expand our bilateral trade portfolio beyond primary goods. In this 
context, we look forward to the prospect of negotiating a free trade agreement between MERCOSUR 
and El Salvador , which would fur ther solidify our economic relationship and create new avenues for 
collaboration in areas such as goods, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, rules of origin and 
technical cooperation.  
4.123.   Beyond our bilateral relationship, we appreciate the coordination betwe en Brazil and 
El Salvador  within the WTO. El Salvador  displayed a strong commitment to a fair and effective 
multilateral trading system. We are grateful for their leadership and vision, and we look forward to 
continuing our fruitful collaboration on the cr itical issue of WTO reform.  
4.124.   El Salvador 's economy has demonstrated resilience in recent years, with GDP growth of 
10.3% in 2021 following a contraction of 8.2% in 2020 due to the COVID -19 crisis. Brazil applauds 
El Salvador 's efforts in overcoming these ch allenges and is eager to support its economic 
development by deepening our trade and investment ties.  
4.125.   We commend El Salvador 's commitment to improving its legal framework and enhancing the 
transparency of its investment environment. The development of the Trade and Investment Policy 
2020-50 and the National Digital Agenda 2020 -30 are evidence of the country's forward -thinking 
approach to economic development and its aim to attract foreign direct investment and to boost 
industries and services. El Salvador  has also made significant strides in competition policy, with 
amendments to its Competition Law in 2017 and 2021 that have modernized procedures.  
4.126.   Brazil highly values the role of agriculture in the multilateral trading system and is grateful 
for El Salvador 's engagement in the discussions within the WTO to reduce distortions in international 
agricultural trade and promote resiliency and sustainability on that sector. We have to note that 
El Salvador 's highest tariffs, including those ranging from 40% to 164% , target agri -business  
products such as meat, edible offal, poultry meat, pork, rice and sugar. We kindly encourage 
El Salvador  to consider further internal reforms in favour  of agricultural liberalization.  
4.127.   Brazil has submitted several questions during thi s Trade Policy Review, and we thank 
El Salvador  for their written responses. We appreciate their continued commitment to the WTO and 
to ensuring the effective functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism.  
4.128.   In conclusion, Brazil wishes El Salvador  a succe ssful and productive Trade Policy Review. We 
are confident that our enduring partnership will continue to grow and that together, we can foster a 
more inclusive, resilient , and development -oriented multilateral trading system.  
  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC  
4.129.   The Dominican  Republic appreciates the detailed presentation given by Ms  María Luisa 
Hayem Brevé, Minister of the Economy and head of the delegation of El  Salvador. We are also 
grateful for the report by Ambassador Molokomme as Chair of this Body. Moreover, we appreciate 
the intervention of our distinguished colleague Ambassador José Valencia as discussant. We wish to 
take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of our colleague and friend, Ambassador Patricia 
Benedetti, and the dedicate d team supporting her at her Mission. We extend a warm welcome to the 
entire delegation of El  Salvador that has made the trip to Geneva.  
4.130.   The reports submitted as part of this Review demonstrate the progress made by El  Salvador 
in the economic and trade sph eres through the implementation of measures to increase productivity 
in its economy and facilitate trade.  
4.131.   The economic measures taken by the country, including the provision of funding to 
businesses affected by the COVID -19 pandemic and economic compensat ion for the general public, 
contributed to the rapid upturn in economic growth following the pandemic, which reached 10.3% 
in 2021. This upturn was the result of a recovery in domestic demand, stronger external demand 
and an increase in remittances, which accounted for 26.1% of GDP in 2021.  
4.132.   We note that relations between the Dominican  Republic  and El  Salvador are strengthening 
every day. Both countries are part of the Trade Agreement between the Dominican  Republic, the 
United  States and Central  America (DR -CAFTA) and the Inter -American Economic 
Integration  System. In 2021, exports of goods from El  Salvador to the Dominican  Republic  
amounted to USD  112 million. The Dominican  Republic's exports to El  Salvador amounted to 
USD 31.8 million.  
4.133.   Our delegation subm itted advance questions to El  Salvador relating to, inter alia, the effect 
of the pandemic on GDP and the Bitcoin Law. We thank El  Salvador for its replies, which will be 
analysed by our authorities.  
4.134.   Allow me to draw attention to El  Salvador's efforts to s trengthen the ecosystem for exports 
and investment in digital and technological services as part of the Digital Nation Initiative.  
4.135.   El Salvador's efforts have come at an opportune moment: the WTO recently reported that 
exports of digitally delivered servic es are among those that have seen the fastest growth globally.  
4.136.   We commend El  Salvador for its dedication to undergoing a successful Review before WTO 
Members, which sends a clear signal as regards its commitment to a rules -based global trading 
system.  
TRINIDAD  AND TOBAGO  
4.137.   Trinidad  and Tobago is pleased to participate in the fifth Trade Policy Review of El Salvador . 
We join others in welcoming to Geneva the capital -based members of the delegation, and in 
commending the delegation participating in this review, including head of delegation S.E. Sr. María 
Luisa Hayem. We also take this opportunity to highlight the meaningful contributions of 
Ambassador  Benedetti and the rest o f the Geneva -based team, not just to our work here at the WTO 
but also to wider international Geneva, including on development -related elements at WIPO.  
4.138.   Thank you as well to Ambassador José  Valencia for assuming the role of discussant, for 
reflecting on ke y developments relating to the economic and trade policy measures undertaken by 
El Salvador  since the last Review and for highlighting key themes emerging from the questions posed 
by Members.  
4.139.   We also thank you, Chairperson, for your stewardship, and we ext end our appreciation to 
the Secretariat and to the Government of El Salvador  for the preparation of their respective reports 
for this review. Special thanks as well for the useful and insightful responses provided by the 
delegation of El Salvador  to the wr itten questions posed by Trinidad and Tobago in advance of 
today 's dialogue.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.140.   Trinidad  and Tobago joins other WTO Members in recogni zing the significant outcomes 
achieved as a result of the policy approaches adopted by El Salvador  in the context of the COV ID-19 
pandemic. These outcomes include the notable increase in real GDP by 10.3% between 2020 
and 2021 and the robust recovery of exports and imports of commodities by 26% when compared 
to 2020 statistics.   
4.141.   We note that El Salvador  has demonstrated notewo rthy economic resilience despite the 
vulnerability to exogenous shocks that is typically associated with developing countries, including 
small and vulnerable developing economies. In this regard, the mechanisms implemented to 
increase productivity and faci litate trade, as well as El Salvador 's astute poverty prevention efforts 
are worthy of note.  
4.142.   There are valuable lessons that other developing country Members of the WTO, including 
those of Central  America and the Caribbean, could draw from El Salvador 's approach to trade policy, 
both in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic and in the current context of the multidimensional, 
intersecting global crises relating to conflict, food insecurity and climate  change, among other 
challenges.  
4.143.   Trinidad  and Tobago commends El Salvador  on its efforts to ensure long -term fiscal balance 
by stabili zing its debt to GDP ratio at a pre -determined target. Trinidad  and Tobago notes that this 
was achieved via the developmen t and implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Law for the 
Sustainability of Public Finances and Social Development (LRF), 2016, a law that other developing 
countries would do well to examine.  
4.144.   Trinidad  and Tobago also commends the Government of El Salvador on the development of 
its Trade and Investment Policy 2020 -2050, as well as the National Digital Agenda 2020  2030. 
Long-term strategies such as these bring the goal of sustainable economic development sharply into 
focus. The development of a National Digital Agenda is particularly pertinent, given the acceleration 
in digital trade across the globe, including the rapid rise in global exports of digitally -delivered 
services. Efforts to strengthen capacity to engage meaningfully in digital trade are comme ndable 
and support from the WTO in this regard could prove invaluable.  
4.145.   The Secretariat 's Report points to the potentially -catalytic role of regional arrangements, 
noting that El Salvador 's trade policy is rooted in deepening integration within Central  America. 
Given pertinent eleme nts such as geographic proximity and the strength of diplomatic and trade 
ties, El Salvador  may wish to favourably consider the significant potential for trade and investment 
that exists in respect of unique areas and merchandise  in the Caribbean region.  
4.146.   Here in international Geneva, El Salvador  and Trinidad  and Tobago continue to work together 
in different configurations on key issues of mutual importance. For example, El Salvador  has long 
advocated for the interests of our small and vulnerable economies (SVEs) here at the WTO, including 
as they relate to food insecurity, climate change and natural disasters and limited participation in 
global merchandise trade, among other element s. It is fitting at this juncture to highlight, once 
again, the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by SVEs, and to reference the 2015 Nairobi Ministerial 
Decision regarding substantially and meaningfully addressing the needs of SVEs in every area of 
WTO work. We continue to value our collaboration and joint advocacy with El Salvador  within the 
SVE Group and as part of GRULAC and the G -33. We also take this opportunity to recogni ze the 
astute and reliable leadership of Ambassador Benedetti, including as re lates to the Informal Working 
Group on Trade and Gender and as Chair of the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property 
over at WIPO.  
4.147.   In closing, Trinidad  and Tobago commends El Salvador  for its clear commitment to the 
rules-based multilateral trad ing system and on its laudable achievements since its last Review. We 
also commend the delegation in advance on the completion of a successful TPR.  
ICELAND  
4.148.   It is a pleasure that  Iceland  welcome s the distinguished delegation of El Salvador  to its 
fifth Trade Policy Review led by the Minister of Economy, María  Luisa Hayem Brevé . We also express 
appreciation to the WTO Secretariat as well as El Salvador  for the report s prepared, as well as to WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  the discuss ant, Ambassador  José Valencia, for the excellent framing  of the issues for our discussion 
today.  
4.149.   Iceland welcomes El Salvador 's active participation and strong commitment the smooth  
functioning of the multilateral trading system, as well as the country's strong role in promoting and 
raising the awareness of the importance of women's economic inclusion and trade.  
4.150.   As other WTO Members, El Salvador  did not escape the negative impact of COVID -19, 
resulting in an 8.2 % shrinkage  of its GDP  as reflected in its TPR Report. Iceland welcomes actions 
taken by El Salvador  to counter  to the impact of the pandemic and other negative economic factors 
and notes the strong recovery as mentioned by other  Members.  
4.151.   El Salvador  has along with Botswana and my country been chairing the Informal Working 
Group on Trade and Gender since its establishment  and, together with like -minded Members, we 
continue to advocate for this important issue within the WTO.  
4.152.   At MC12, Minister s acknowledged for the first time the importance of addressing women' s 
economic empowerment at the WTO , and with doing so, recognize d the positive benefits that it will 
have on our economies . Building on this, our work towards advancing gender equality continues.  
4.153.   Iceland welcomes information on the various gender policies a nd program mes being applied 
by El Salvador  such as on the Salvador ean technical standards for gender equality management 
system in the employment sphere  intended to support efforts to achieve SDGs 5, 8 , and 10.  
4.154.   The sharing of the best practices of respective experiences relating to policies and rulemaking 
on advancing women's economic empowerment is an important element of the work of the Informal 
Working Group.  In the spirit of supporting relevant data gathering  in this field, Iceland has submitted 
in advance written questions on the participation of women in the economy of El Salvador . We 
welcome replies as the answers will be useful in gathering best practices in the promotion of gender 
equality within trade.  
4.155.   Finally, Iceland once again appreciates El Salvador 's firm support to the multilateral trading 
system and its active engagement in the WTO . We wish the delegation of El Salvador  every success 
for their Trade Policy Review . 
ARGENTINA  
4.156.   We would like to join ot her Members in welcoming the delegation of El  Salvador, led by 
H.E. Ms María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé, Minister of the Economy. We would like to take this opportunity 
to wish you every success in this exercise.  
4.157.   We would also like to thank El  Salvador and the Secr etariat for their reports,  as well as 
H.E. Ambassador  José Valencia of Ecuador for his valuable remarks. These elements have provided 
us with the necessary information to deepen our understanding of El  Salvador's policies, trade 
practices and economic envi ronment.  
4.158.   El Salvador is an important trading partner for Argentina, and we enjoy excellent political 
and trade relations. Trade between our countries is still far from reaching its potential, but it has 
grown steadily over recent years. In the period January -November  2022, Argentine exports of goods 
amounted to USD  64.5 million, an increase of 27.3% compared to the same period in 2021. Imports 
of goods from El  Salvador into Argentina in the period January -November  2022 amounted to 
USD 1.2 millio n, which is double the amount recorded in the same period in 2021.  
4.159.   In 2021, the main products exported to El  Salvador were vehicles, animal or vegetable fats 
and oils, and pharmaceutical products. El  Salvador, for its part, exported pharmaceutical products , 
and articles of apparel and clothing accessories to Argentina.  
4.160.   We would also like to highlight the growing trade in services. Between January and 
September  2022, exports of services from Argentina to El  Salvador amounted to USD  7.2 million, 
while imports into Argentina from El  Salvador amounted to USD  4.7 million.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.161.   Argentina recognizes the existing potential to further expand and develop trade and political 
ties between our countries. With regard to trade, Argentina sees good market -opening opportunities 
for our products, such as in the meat industry and other related sectors.  
4.162.   We also see significant value in defining the terms of reference for the negotiation of a free 
trade agreement between El  Salvador and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). We are 
certain that a balanced agreement will enhance our production sec tors and benefit our peoples.  
4.163.   We recognize that, at the bilateral level, Argentina is in a position to develop agricultural 
cooperation projects, which incorporate the entire production process, from genetics, biotechnology, 
inputs, machinery, professiona l services and post -harvest handling to technology transfer.  
4.164.   With regard to El  Salvador's economic environment, Argentina welcomes the positive real 
GDP growth rates recorded during the review period.  
4.165.   Like other countries in the region, the COVID -19 pand emic was a major challenge for 
El Salvador. However, we are pleased to note that, owing to measures taken by the Salvadoran 
Government, the country has successfully navigated the crisis, with GDP up 10.3% compared to 
2020, GDP per capita above the pre -pandemic level, and the economy expected to continue to grow 
over the coming years.  
4.166.   Argentina greatly appreciates El  Salvador's contributions to the rules -based multilateral 
trading system and its active participation in the activities and bodies of the WTO. In particular, we 
wish to highlight the fundamental role of Ambassador  Patricia  Benedetti as co -Chair of the Informal 
Working Group on Trade and Gender. We look forward to continuing to work with her and the entire 
Mission of El  Salvador to mainstream gend er into the work of this Organization.  
4.167.   Lastly, and in the context of this Trade Policy Review, we have submitted to El  Salvador a 
series of questions on its single window (CIEX), on the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of 
El Salvador, and on incenti ves for investment in renewable energy, among other issues. We thank 
El Salvador in advance for its replies, which will be duly studied by our authorities in Buenos  Aires, 
and we look forward to continuing the fluid bilateral dialogue between our delegatio ns.  
4.168.   In addition to reiterating our appreciation of this renewed opportunity to exchange reflections 
on El Salvador's trade practices, we would like to draw attention once again to the importance of all 
aspects of this exercise in transparency. We wish the  Salvadoran authorities a successful conclusion 
to this review.  
PANAM A 
4.169.   Firstly, I would like to warmly congratulate  H.E. Ms María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé, Minister of the 
Economy, and the entire Salvadoran delegation for their outstanding preparation of their fi fth Trade 
Policy Review. I would also like to congratulate the Ambassador,  H.E. Ms Patricia  Benedetti, and her 
entire team at the Permanent Mission of El  Salvador in Geneva.  
4.170.   I would like to thank Ambassador  José Valencia of Ecuador, discussant for this rev iew, for 
his excellent introductory analysis. I would also like to commend the work of the Secretariat in 
preparing the respective reports.  
4.171.   Panama and our sister republic, El  Salvador, share important historical ties and sociocultural 
and economic relation s. Just last month, our countries celebrated 114  years of diplomatic relations. 
Both countries are part of the Central American Economic Integration System (SIECA), which seeks 
to contribute to the consolidation of the Central American economic integration  process and its 
insertion into global value chains.  
4.172.   Our countries negotiated, together with other countries in the region, the EU -Central America 
Association Agreement, through which we also seek to consolidate the region as a destination for 
goods and to  strengthen our exports to the European market.  
4.173.   Our bilateral trade in goods shows a favourable balance for El  Salvador. In 2017, Panama's 
exports amounted to approximately USD  7.5 million, while imports into Panama from El  Salvador WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  amounted to USD  118 million. In 2020, both figures dropped, resulting in a USD  75.8 million balance 
in favour of El  Salvador.  
4.174.   Panama's main exports to El  Salvador (2020) were agricultural and industrial products, in 
particular unwrought lead, medicines, paints and soap. Panama's  main imports from El  Salvador are 
industrial products, seafood and agro -industrial products.  
4.175.   Panama maintains significant direct investment in El  Salvador, amounting to 
USD 4,014  million in 2021, mostly related to financial activities and the supply of e lectricity. In 2019, 
El Salvador invested USD  276,520 in Panama, mainly in the construction sector, and the distribution 
and sale of automobiles and accessories.  
4.176.   The review period saw many global events that undoubtedly have had an impact on 
El Salvador's economic and trade development.  
4.177.   Nevertheless, formal employment in El  Salvador has grown steadily. Figures show a 100% 
recovery in 2021, in less than a year, in jobs affected by the pandemic. El  Salvador's real GDP 
growth reached 10.3% in 2021.  
4.178.   This very positive trend continued in 2022, and the country is approaching one million formal 
jobs for the first time. It is an effective demonstration of the resilience of the Salvadoran economy 
to external shocks.  
4.179.   El Salvador is a net importer of agricultural prod ucts. The agricultural trade balance is in 
deficit and deteriorated throughout the review period. It relies heavily on imports to meet the needs 
of the population.  
4.180.   In this regard, we hope that the new Agricultural Transformation Plan for Food Sovereignty 
will achieve its aim of promoting agricultural production and reducing dependence on imports.  
4.181.   Panama shares El  Salvador's objective of remaining at the forefront of new technologies in 
order to strengthen the services sector and improve the quality of lif e of the population. In this 
regard, we are keenly following the Bitcoin  Law. El  Salvador was the first country to introduce bitcoin 
as legal tender, with the aim of fostering financial inclusion. As a services -oriented country, Panama 
will be closely moni toring the outcomes of the Law and its implementation.  
4.182.   We share El  Salvador's aims of pursuing various gender policies and programmes. We 
congratulate Ambassador  Patricia for her active work in the Informal Working Group on Trade and 
Gender, and her effort s during the last Ministerial Conference to include a paragraph dedicated to 
women's economic empowerment and their contribution to MSMEs for inclusive and sustainable 
economic growth.  
4.183.   We commend El  Salvador for its active participation in the multilateral  trading system and 
wish the country every success in this fifth Trade Policy Review.  
JAMAICA  
4.184.   Jamaica joins others in welcoming the delegation of El Salvador  to this its fifth Trade Policy 
Review. We commend the delegation led by H.E. María Luisa Hayem Brevé, Minister of the Economy 
for its very detailed Report and presentation.  
4.185.   We extend our thanks to you, Chair, our discussant, Ambassador José  Valencia (Ecuador) 
and the Secretariat for your respective contributions to this exercise.  
4.186.   First established on 13  November  1990, Jamaica and El Salvador  continue enjoy friendly 
relations, built on mutual respect and cooperation. We hope to deepen that co llaboration through 
our membership in several regional and multilateral fora.  
4.187.   We commend the Government of El Salvador  for the progress it has achieved since its last 
Review in 2016. We note from the Government 's Report that El Salvador  experienced positiv e real 
GDP growth rates, averaging 2.4% annually between 2016 and 2019. Like many WTO Members, WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  this growth was adversely impacted by the onset of the COVID -19 pandemic, which resulted in the 
contraction in the country 's economic activity.  
4.188.   However, accordi ng to its country Report, El Salvador  is among the best examples of 
countries that best managed the pandemic. As a result, the country experienced strong economic 
recovery in 2021, buoyed by domestic demand, stronger external demand, and an increase in 
remittances. We view positively the indications that exports and imports of goods and services 
increased well above pre -pandemic levels, i.e., expanded by more than 26% in real terms from 2020 
levels in both categories. This is evidence of the importance of t rade in driving a country 's economic 
health.  
4.189.   The Government should be commended for its actions to strengthen El Salvador 's trading 
capacity, and to leverage the opportunities provided by free trade. We note positively the 
enactments of legislative reform s, and implementation of several initiatives that aim to facilitate 
smoother trade and a sound business environment. In addition, we welcome El Salvador 's 
commitment to enhancing its trade by deepening relations with trading partners and developing 
closer ties with new strategic partners. This augurs well for our collective efforts to expand global 
trade.  
4.190.   We note that Members have posed questions related to El Salvador 's monetary policy 
including the use of bitcoin as legal tender (challenges, measurement o f its use, impact on the 
economy); developments related to its participation in regional trade agreements and regional 
integration; customs procedures and trade facilitation, and measures affecting trade and 
government procurement. In this respect, we conv ey our thanks to the Government of El Salvador  
for the responses already provided and look forward to the exchanges on other aspects of its trade 
policies that may be raised during today 's discussions.  
4.191.   Indeed, there are lessons and good practices that may  be worthy to note. We view positively 
the efforts undertaken to implement its Trade and Investment Policy 2020 -50, to improve its 
investment regime, and support the Government 's continued action to enhance transparency in 
public administration, customs, a nd facilitate trade, including through the modernization of physical 
and technological infrastructure. Efforts to implement other initiatives such as the National Trade 
Facilitation Strategy 2023 -27, simplification and digitization of procedures, and Produ ctive 
Innovation Ecosystem should be encouraged.  
4.192.   Jamaica commends El Salvador  for its delegation 's continued constructive engagement, 
under the sterling leadership of Ambassador Patricia Benedetti, in work of the WTO, as well as its 
efforts to fulfil its various WTO obligations. Ambassador Benedetti has been an active Permanent 
Representative and we a re encouraged by her tangible contribution to and leadership on discussions 
related to, inter alia, gender, small economies, fisheries subsidies, and agriculture. The Government 
of El Salvador  can be assured of my delegation 's continued support and partner ship as we seek to 
advance the work on the outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference, preparations for the next 
Conference in 2023 and engagement to strengthen the multilateral trading system.  
4.193.   In conclusion, Jamaica appreciates the opportunity provided by this meeting to discuss 
El Salvador 's trade policies and we extend to the delegation our best wishes for a successful Trade 
Policy Review.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.194.   On behalf of the Government of Costa  Rica, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the 
delegation of E l Salvador, led by H.E.  Ms María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé, Minister of the Economy, as well 
as the team from the Permanent Mission to the WTO, led brilliantly by Ambassador 
Patricia  Benedetti, and the officials from San  Salvador who are with us today. We are grat eful for 
their valuable report and for the presentation delivered this morning. I would also like to thank the 
discussant, Ambassador  Valencia, for his valuable remarks, and the WTO Secretariat for its report 
and for its work, which has been as valuable as  ever. 
4.195.   Costa  Rica and El Salvador  are sister republics. Since our independence more than 200  years 
ago, our countries have come a long way, linked by a shared history and culture. In the area of 
trade, we possess a successful integration platform under the  Central American Common Market, WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  which reflects the extensive harmonization of trade rules and the common external tariff, as well as 
the very rare exceptions to free trade among Member countries. We are also party to several trade 
agreements negotiated to gether with other Central American partners. At the bilateral level, 
El Salvador is an important trading partner for Costa  Rica. By way of example, in 2021, trade in 
goods between our countries amounted to almost USD  541 million, a fairly significant figur e.  
4.196.   Costa  Rica and El  Salvador are working increasingly closely in the multilateral framework, 
having co -sponsored the successful Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration for MC12, as well as the 
Statement on the Reform of the Multilateral Rules on Agricultu ral Trade by a group of Latin American 
Members, also released at the last Ministerial Conference. We note El  Salvador's constructive role in 
the negotiations and its interest in contributing to WTO reform, and we must mention our 
appreciation for the tirel ess efforts of Ambassador  Benedetti in the Informal Working Group on Trade 
and Gender. El  Salvador has Costa Rica's support to make further progress on these issues of 
common interest. In addition, we recognize El  Salvador's active participation in the ini tiative on 
services domestic regulation. We hope that the country will soon complete its internal procedures, 
thereby allowing it to submit a request for the certification of its schedule of commitments under 
the GATS and, in doing so, bind these disciplin es in the WTO.  
4.197.   We would like to take this opportunity to invite El  Salvador to join the Trade and 
Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions. We also urge El  Salvador to make progress 
towards submitting several outstanding notifications.  
4.198.   We would like to acknowledge the efforts made by El  Salvador during the period covered by 
this review to sustain annual growth rates of 2.4%, successfully recover from the effects of the 
pandemic and expand trade flows by more than 26% compared to 2020 levels. The country's growing 
success as an international tourism destination and as a recipient of foreign direct investment is also 
notable.  
4.199.   That said, the Secretariat's Report highlights the importance of international remittances, 
which amounted to 26.1% of GDP in  2021; as well as maquila, which accounted for 70% of total 
exports. Both are important generators of foreign exchange and employment in the country, 
although they are not without vulnerabilities to external shocks. Along these lines, we are also 
positivel y struck by the launch of the Trade and Investment Policy 2020 -50, the National Digital 
Agenda 2020 -30 and the implementation of several trade facilitation and customs modernization 
initiatives. We are pleased to note that, according to the Government's re port, El  Salvador will 
continue to focus its trade policy on the diversification of its exports and trade destinations as a 
mechanism for economic resilience.  
4.200.   Although Costa  Rica did not submit questions in this review, we will follow with interest the 
implementation of El  Salvador's policies on trade facilitation and customs modernization, tourism 
promotion, attracting foreign direct investment and regional integration.  
4.201.   Lastly, I would like to conclude by wishing El  Salvador great success in this Trade Po licy 
Review.  
PARAGUAY  
4.202.   The Republic of Paraguay would like to extend warm greetings to the delegation of 
El Salvador led by H.E.  Ms María  Luisa Hayem  Brevé, Minister of the Economy. We would also like 
to thank you, Chair, for conducting this review, as well as the discussant, Ambassador  Valencia, and 
the Secretariat for preparing the comprehensive report.  
4.203.   The COVID -19 pandemic affected El  Salvador's economy, as it did all economies, but we are 
pleased to see a return to positive pre -pandemic GDP growth r ates. 
4.204.   El Salvador and Paraguay share not only a common region, but also an interest in securing 
and strengthening a rules -based, open, transparent, fairer and non -discriminatory multilateral 
trading system, with the WTO at its core, as we reaffirmed in the  statement made by our countries 
and others in the region on the reform of multilateral rules on agricultural trade during the 
12th Ministerial Conference, and it is this that guides our work in the Organization.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.205.   Our countries trade in a range of goods and  services. For Paraguay, key exports include rice, 
medicines and soya oil, but there is still great potential for expansion, and we hope to continue 
working together both in Geneva and from our capitals to deepen these trade relations. To achieve 
this, we hope that in due course we will be able to conclude a long -awaited comprehensive trade 
agreement between MERCOSUR and El  Salvador.  
4.206.   Lastly, and despite all these positive elements, I would like to recall that we have not yet 
received a comprehensive reply o n the reasons why El  Salvador has not opened all the tariff quotas 
that it has committed to at the WTO. We hope that El  Salvador will be able to provide more clarity 
soon and open all tariff quotas or, failing that, communicate the reasons for not doing so . 
4.207.   On behalf of my country, I reiterate my congratulations to those responsible for conducting 
this review and to the delegates of the Permanent Mission of El  Salvador in Geneva.  
INDIA  
4.208.   My delegation is pleased to participate in the fifth  Trade Policy Review  of El Salvador  and 
would like to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation of El Salvador  led by H.E.  Ms María 
Luisa Hayem Brevé, Minister of Economy . My delegation would like to commend H.E. Ms Patricia 
Benedetti, Permanent Representative of El Salvad or to the WTO for her endeavours , and the 
Government of El Salvador , along with the WTO Secretariat for the ir comprehensive report s and 
would also thank the discuss ant, H.E. Mr José Valencia of Ecuador for his insightful comments.  
4.209.   El Salvador and India enjoy close and friendly relations. Regular high level bilateral visits 
and the institutional mechanisms between two countries has helped both countries to keep 
momentum in bilateral relations. Just earlier this year , in February  2023, the Foreign Minister of the 
Republic of El Salvador, H.E.  Ms Alexandra  Hill Tinoco, accompanied by a high -level official 
delegation paid an official visit to India. Just a month prior to that India 's Minister of State for 
External Affairs and Culture, Meenakas hi Lekhi , had visited El  Salvador in January  2023. During 
these visits, both countries have renewed their commitment to further expanding the full range of 
their bilateral relations, including political and economic ties; and particularly to strengthen 
cooperation in the areas of health -care, solar activities, capacity building, expanding commerce and 
people -to-people relations. They have also agreed to strengthen the India -SICA engagements and 
intensify cooperation in the multilateral institutions. In this  regard, we welcome El Salvador 's support 
for India 's candidature for Non -Permanent Membership of UNSC for 2028 -29 and also look forward 
to El Salvador 's acceptance of our invitation to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 
(CDRI).  
4.210.   We ar e happy to note that currently, bilateral commercial relations, though modest, are on 
the upswing.  In 2021 -2022 the bilateral trade reached USD 166.17  million from USD 87.94  million 
in 2020 -2021, with India exporting goods worth US D 162.06  million in 2021 -22, India 's highest ever 
export to El  Salvador. Pharmaceuticals ; textiles (especially cotton yarn and fibers) ; chemicals ; 
engineering products ; automobiles - two and three wheelers ; motor vehicles/cars ; auto components 
and parts ; iron and steel ; industrial machinery and parts ; electrical machinery and equipment are 
the top products exported to El  Salvador.  Over the years India 's development partnership and 
cooperation with El  Salvador has become robust, during the peak of COVID -19, India supplied 
essential medicines, vaccines and PPE kits to El  Salvador to assist in combating the pandemic.    
4.211.   As per the Secretariat Report El  Salvador has recorded positive economic GDP growth rate 
since the last Review. The Report further, notes that the economy was  severely hit by the pandemic 
in 2020 although recovery was faster because of recovery in domestic demand, stronger external 
demand and an increase in remittances. In this regard, we note with appreciation the several 
mitigation measures taken by the Gover nment of El  Salvador to alleviate the adverse economic and 
social impacts caused by the COVID -19 pandemic. The fundamental principles of El Salvador's trade 
policy continue to be to deepen Central American integration, promote access to foreign markets 
and improve the country's integration into the international economy. During the review period, 
El Salvador developed a long -term strategy, the Trade and Investment Policy 2020 -50, published 
in 2021. One of the objectives of this policy is to attract FDI in o rder to boost the development of 
the most technologically advanced industries and services. It has also developed a National Digital 
Agenda 2020 -30, which brings together a set of actions aimed at strengthening a national digital WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  ecosystem. India looks for ward to partnering with El  Salvador in these areas, with a view to reali zing 
mutually beneficial partnership.  
4.212.   We also take note of the various legislative and policy changes brought in during the review 
period. El Salvador has adopted several new laws, suc h as the Law on Regulatory Improvement and 
the Law on Administrative Procedures, the implementation of which could help improve the 
transparency of the investment environment. In addition, it pursued its customs moderni zation 
efforts including update and c hanges in the custom 's legal framework. We further note that the 
export incentives regime along with focus on financial and technical support for micro, small and 
medium -sized enterprises is maintained. India is please to take note of these policy changes that 
are aimed at improving the business environment in the country.  
4.213.   Finally, we look forward to closely working with El  Salvador both in the multilateral fora, 
including here in the WTO in pursuit of our common goals, as well as bilaterally, to further e xpand 
our trade and investment ties for our mutual benefit. We wish the delegation of El Salvador a 
productive and successful Trade Policy Review.  
URUGUAY  
4.214.   I would like to start by extending a warm welcome to the delegation of El  Salvador, led by 
the Minist er of the Economy, María Luisa Hayem Brevé, and to the very distinguished Ambassador 
Patricia Benedetti and her team from the Permanent Mission to the WTO.  
4.215.   We thank El  Salvador and the Secretariat for their reports, and Ambassador José Valencia 
for his com ments. These elements have provided us with information to deepen our understanding 
of El Salvador's trade practices and economic environment.  
4.216.   At the bilateral level, the trade balance is highly favourable to Uruguay; in 2022, there was 
a surplus for Urugu ay of USD  2 million, owing to the growth of Uruguayan exports and a slight 
increase in imports from El  Salvador. The most exported product in 2022 was medication, sales of 
which increased during the most recent five -year period. The most imported item in 2 022 was 
clothing, which was worth USD  48 million. We have also identified trade opportunities in the export 
of food products, chemicals, plastics, wood and paper. Our country is interested in cooperation in 
the areas of agriculture and livestock, particula rly dairy, and we hope to continue to intensify and 
energize our bilateral relationship.  
4.217.   At the multilateral level, and particularly within this Organization, El  Salvador is a 
constructive partner whose views we share on a number of matters. In particular,  we would like to 
highlight El  Salvador's contribution to incorporating the gender perspective into the Organization's 
work and its exemplary leadership as co -chair of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender. 
We also commend El  Salvador's commitment  to the Working Group on MSMEs, which has made it 
possible to identify specific actions that can be implemented to contribute to fairer and more inclusive 
trade.  
4.218.   In the area of agriculture, Uruguay is pleased to have worked with El  Salvador, as part of a 
group of 16 Latin American countries, on the Statement on the Reform of the Multilateral Rules on 
Agricultural Trade, presented at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference; the Statement highlights the 
fundamental role of international trade in food security and  nutrition, and reaffirms the commitment 
of the signatory countries to work together and ambitiously and resolutely make progress on the 
three pillars of the Agreement on Agriculture in order to achieve open, predictable and efficient 
agricultural markets,  in accordance with Article 20 of the Agreement.  
4.219.   Uruguay reiterates its commitment to continue to work with El  Salvador and other Latin 
American countries in this regard, including with a view to the 13th Ministerial Conference.  
4.220.   In addition to reiterating our appreciation of this renewed opportunity to exchange reflections 
on El Salvador's trade practices, we would like to draw attention once again to the importance of all 
aspects of this exercise in transparency. We wish El  Salvador a successfu l conclusion to this Review.  
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  BARBADOS  
4.221.   At the outset , please allow me to convey best wishes to the Salvador ean delegation from 
H.E. Mr Matthew Wilson who very much wanted to be here to show support for a country that for 
over two decades consistently work ed with Barbados in Geneva  to highlight the priorities of small 
vulnerable economies.  
4.222.   It is therefore a pleasure for Barbados to warmly welcome H.E.  Ms María Luisa Hayem Brevé, 
Minister of Economy of El Salvador  and her team to Geneva on this, the occasion  of the country's 
fifth WTO Trade Policy Review . 
4.223.   The compounding impact of the crises which emerged from the COVID -19 pandemic 
continues to be a consistent feature in WTO Members' Trade Policy Reviews over the last 18  months, 
unfortunately, El Salvador  is not immune from the effects of those crises, with a reduction of 8.2% 
in GDP during the pandemic, as well as its 21% and 10% plunge in goods and services exports 
respectively, it is fair to say that the El Salvador  economy has indeed been hard-hit by the pandemic. 
Today we are therefore pleased to see that El Salvador  has weather  the storm relativ ely well  to have 
recovered from the pandemic in 2021 when real GDP growth reached 10.3%. This was due to the 
imposition o f sound fiscal and macroeconomic measures which bolstered domestic and external 
demand, and to the sharp increase in remittances , representing 21% of El Salvador 's GDP in 2021,  
4.224.   As a small vulnerable economy, El Salvador  is faced with inherent structural ch allenges, we 
are therefore heartened to see the number and nature of the policies  that the Salvador ean 
Government has put in place since its last Review, this is highly commendable . Among these and 
worthy of specific mention are the Trade and Investment po licy, the National Energy Policy and the 
National Digital Agenda.  
4.225.   First, the country's Trade and Investment policy 2020 -2050 serves as a template for 
addressing the medium and long -term structural challenges of the Salvador ean economy. The 
strategic focus  on integrating Salvador ean companies into global value chains, enhancing the 
technological content in an effort to diversify their industrial and services sectors and developin g 
physical , digital,  and legal infrastructure to create an enabling environment , enhanced trade and 
investment , should serve as a positive contributor to the Salvador ean Government's ambitious 
objectives to enhance exports, reduce its balance of payment deficit and increase its F DI stock.  
4.226.   Second, the National Digital Agenda 2020 -2030 not only prese nts a set of actions aimed at 
enhancing the country's digital ecosystem , but at improving its sustainable development and overall 
social well -being in a rapidly evolving technological era and transformat ion in the ways that 
development i s defined, digital readiness  has become  a necessary tool in a country's toolbox . We 
wish El Salvador  well in the build -out of this and other technological innovation program mes.  
4.227.   El Salvador 's commitment to the multilateral trad ing system is incontrovertib le, it is 
demonstrated through the showing of its very small bu t very dynamic Geneva -based team, which is 
ably led by H.E. Ms Patricia Benedetti , Barbados look forward to continuing to work with El Salvador , 
particularly in the areas of the small economy's  work programme , MSMEs , trade and gender , and 
WTO Reform . 
4.228.   In closing, Barbados wishes El Salvador  a successful conclusion to its fifth Trade Policy 
Review . 
PERU 
4.229.   Peru extends a warm welcome to Her Excellency Ms  María Luisa Hayem Brevé, Minister of 
the Economy of El  Salvador, and to her honourable delegation, and wishes to associate itself with 
the appreciation expressed by other delegations for the report on El  Salvador's macroeconomic 
performance and trade policy regime on the occasion of its fifth Tra de Policy Review. We also extend 
our thanks to the Secretariat for the report distributed to Members and to Ambassador Valencia for 
his perceptive, detailed comments as discussant.  
4.230.   Like other Members, our delegation appreciates El  Salvador's return to econ omic growth 
following the pandemic. This is a recovery based, among other factors, on an increase in domestic WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  demand influenced by the return of the flow of remittances and adequate fiscal and expenditure 
measures adopted to counter the economic impact of the pandemic, especially in the most vulnerable 
sectors of our countries.  
4.231.   In addition, Peru would like to highlight El  Salvador's deployment of measures, such as the 
recent reforms of the Competition Law, which modernized the administrative procedures of t he 
Supervisory Authority for Competition, and the reform of the Intellectual Property Law in 2017, 
which strengthens the ability of copyright holders to manage their rights.  
4.232.   With regard to bilateral trade relations, El  Salvador is an important trading part ner for Peru. 
While trade between our countries decreased in 2019 and 2020 owing to the pandemic, it recovered 
in 2021, reaching a value of USD  56 million. There are significant mutual opportunities to continue 
to strengthen our trade relations. In our cas e, we have seen growth in our fruit exports to 
El Salvador, which increased by 43% in 2021 compared to the year before, and we see possibilities 
to expand our supply of other agricultural goods, as well as other products such as cement and 
made -up textile articles. In this regard, we are convinced that the conclusion of our negotiations on 
a broad bilateral free trade agreement would provide us with tools to exponentially increase trade 
to the benefit of both parties.  
4.233.   Turning to the multilateral system, I w ould like to commend the active role and efforts of 
El Salvador in this forum; the country participates in our various ongoing negotiating processes, and 
drives and leads valuable initiatives, such as the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, 
under w hich there has been a call for Members to include an item or section on "trade and gender" 
in their reports for Trade Policy Reviews. El  Salvador has included such a section, which we sincerely 
appreciate. Moreover, it should be noted that countries that a re members of the Global Trade and 
Gender Arrangement (GTAGA), such as Peru, are committed to using their Trade Policy Reviews to 
share their experiences of policies and programmes that encourage the full and equal participation 
of women in their economies , as they believe that this will make it possible, on the one hand, to 
highlight the barriers women still face and, on the other hand, to disseminate effective actions to 
address those barriers. In that regard, we call on more countries to include a simila r section in their 
respective Reviews.  
4.234.   In addition, we understand that one of El  Salvador's priorities in this case is to achieve a 
reform that would contribute to a long -lasting solution to the structural and functional problems of 
the dispute settlement system. In this regard, while negotiations to restore the dispute settlement 
system are ongoing and in order to safeguard the integrity of the international trading system, we 
suggest that El  Salvador positively consider joining the Multi -Party Interim App eal Arbitration 
Arrangement (MPIA), which has proved, through its first case, to be a viable option, preserving the 
two-tier system with an impartial review, as well as the binding nature of the dispute settlement 
system.  
4.235.   To conclude, we sincerely trust th at this Review has acted as a framework for El  Salvador to 
renew its commitment to the stability and soundness of the multilateral trading system. We thank 
El Salvador for this exercise, and wish the country every success.  
NICARAGUA  
4.236.   On behalf of the Govern ment of Reconciliation and National Unity of Nicaragua, we extend 
fraternal greetings to the Republic of El  Salvador and warmly welcome its delegation, led by 
H.E. Ms María Luisa Hayem, Minister of the Economy, as well as H.E.  Ambassador Patricia Benedetti  
and the team from the Permanent Mission of El  Salvador to the WTO.  
4.237.   We thank El  Salvador for its report and for the excellent presentation made today. I would 
also like to extend my thanks to Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador for his insightful comments 
and to the WTO Secretariat for its report and its valuable work.  
4.238.   Our countries share deep historical and cultural ties through our colonial history, our 
independence and the fraternal bonds between our peoples, and these links grow stronger through 
the Cen tral American Integration System (SICA).  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.239.   In the area of trade, we have participated in the Central American Common Market since 
1960, which reflects the extensive harmonization of trade and tariff rules to date. We also share the 
various agreements that we , the Central American region, have negotiated with other trading 
partners.  
4.240.   At the bilateral level, El  Salvador is an important trading partner for Nicaragua, and is the 
second destination for our country's exports, receiving 10.3% of them. The main Nicara guan 
products exported to El  Salvador in 2022 included bovine meat, quesillo, mozzarella cheese, beans, 
morolique cheese and processed coffee, for a value of USD  405.76  million, USD  42.4 million more 
than in 2021.  
4.241.   In addition, in 2022, Nicaragua was the th ird largest destination for El  Salvador's exports to 
the Central American region; exports received amounted to USD  496.73  million, an increase of 7.9% 
compared to 2021.  
4.242.   To conclude, we commend El  Salvador for its commitment to the multilateral trading syst em, 
as strongly demonstrated by its fifth Trade Policy Review, and we wish the country every success.  
CHILE  
4.243.   Chile welcomes the delegation of El  Salvador, led by H.E.  Ms María Luisa Hayem, Minister of 
the Economy, and commends the country on the work carrie d out since its last Review.  
4.244.   We also welcome Ambassador Patricia Benedetti and her team in Geneva. We appreciate the 
excellent work undertaken by both the Secretariat and El  Salvador in preparing their respective 
reports and thank the discussant, Ambassado r José Valencia of Ecuador, for his presentation.  
4.245.   Economic and trade relations between Chile and El  Salvador are governed by the Free Trade 
Agreement between Chile and Central America that entered into force in 2002, and the Bilateral 
Protocols between Chi le and each Central American country that, in the case of El  Salvador, came 
into force on 1  June of the same year.  
4.246.   After more than 20 years of this Agreement, Chile is interested in the possibility of updating 
it, with the aim of incorporating new discipli nes and updating existing ones, in line with contemporary 
trade challenges. Also of interest is the possibility of exploiting these issues in a bilateral agenda, 
including topics related to the environment, labour affairs, the digital economy, gender and t rade, 
MSMEs and indigenous peoples.  
4.247.   For my country, integration into global and regional value chains, as well as direct investment 
for the implementation and development of production chains and productive transformation, is a 
priority.  
4.248.   We are interested in continuing this dialogue with El  Salvador with the aim of deepening 
integration into regional value chains in view of their importance to moving towards a productive 
transformation that will allow us to create opportunities for both nations.  
4.249.   We apprecia te the value that El  Salvador attaches to its participation in the multilateral 
trading system, which is reflected in its active participation in various bodies and initiatives within 
this Organization.  
4.250.   Our delegations both participate in the Joint Stateme nt Initiative negotiations on 
e-commerce and services domestic regulation, as well as in those on investment facilitation for 
development, which are co -facilitated by Chile and the Republic of Korea.  
4.251.   We would also like to acknowledge El  Salvador's outstand ing leadership as regards the issue 
of trade and gender - a topic that is central to advancing inclusive and sustainable trade at the WTO. 
We highlight the role of Ambassador Patricia Benedetti as one of the co -chairs of the Informal 
Working Group on Trade  and Gender, which has been central to moving towards a better 
understanding and the sharing of experiences between Members of their policies in this area.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  4.252.   Lastly, we reiterate our thanks for the reports provided and wish El  Salvador a successful 
fifth Tra de Policy Review.  
PHILIPPINES   
4.253.   The Philippines warmly welcomes and congratulates the delegation of El Salvador  led by 
H.E. Ms María Luisa Hayem Brevé , Minister of Economy, as well as H.E.  Ms Patricia Benedetti  of the 
Permanent Mission of El Salvador  on their fifth  Trade Policy Review . We also thank Ambassador 
José Valencia of Ecuador for his insightful comment s as discuss ant and the WTO Secretariat for the 
comprehensive Report. 
4.254.   This year marks the 77th year of b ilateral relations of the Philippines and El Salvador . We do 
note the great potential for further growth in our trade and investment relations, regionally and 
bilaterally , as we continue to diversify our economic partners and cooperate here at the WTO to 
strengthen the global multilateral trading system.  
4.255.   During the review period, we note that El Salvador  participated in the process of establishing 
a customs union, the CACM, and also negotiated with other Central American partners agreement s 
with the Republi c of Korea and the United  Kingdom, we look forward to the coming years for 
expansion of these partnerships in the Asia region . 
4.256.   On the multilateral front, El Salvador  has been of  a firm supporter of the multilateral trading 
system and active at the WTO demo nstrated as commented by many by its leadership in the 
discussions on women's economic empowerment with the Informal Working Group on Trade  and 
Gender , together with Botswana and Iceland, as well as its active engagement in emerging areas in 
investment facilitation, electronic commerce , and MSMEs . The Philippines would like to encourage 
El Salvador  to consider joining IT A 2, the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation, the 
Dialogue on Plastic s Pollution  and Environmentally Sustainable  Plastics Trade.  
4.257.   We note the significant developments in the economic policies  of El Salvador  and while we 
did not submit questions during this review, we do appreciate greatly the opportunity to learn more 
about your policies through this trade policy re view.  
4.258.   The Philippines , in closing , congratulates El Salvador  on its Trade Policy Review and looks 
forward to further enhancing mutually beneficial economic relations.  
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF EL SALVADOR  AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  
5.1.  I wish to begin by  thanking the Chair for successfully leading the sessions under the fifth Trade 
Policy Review of El  Salvador, as well as the distinguished Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to 
the WTO, Mr  José Valencia, for his contributions as discussant in this trans parency exercise.  
5.2.  I would also like to thank the Members for their interest and active participation in this Review, 
especially for all of their comments and questions, which, in turn, have enabled us to raise awareness 
of the rapid transformation that our  country is currently undergoing.  
5.3.  In that connection, and having provided written answers to all of the questions submitted up 
to the first day of this Review, on this occasion, I would like to refer to points that were mentioned 
in these questions and in the statements made during the first session of this Review.  
5.4.  As regards the economic environment, and as was highlighted by several Members last 
Tuesday, although there was a contraction in the global economy during the review period as a 
result of COVID -19, El Salvador's GDP experienced a total, rapid and robust economic recovery in 
2021, recording growth of 10.3%; this positive trend continued in 2022.  
• Among the reasons for this good economic performance are:  
• Good management of the pandemic by the Governm ent of El  Salvador and early vaccination 
of the population;  
• Sustained, and in some cases increased, demand for our products and services;  
• The resilience and capacity for recovery of our business sector; and  
• Our high -quality and highly productive human talent.  
5.5.  In addition, Members also highlighted El  Salvador's continued openness to trade, progress on 
trade facilitation, including modernizing customs by incorporating systems based on artificial 
intelligence, and the adoption of the authorized economic op erator. Also acknowledged were efforts 
made to establish a Digital Government and thereby reduce the times and costs of doing business 
in El Salvador.  
5.6.  We welcome the interest expressed by many Members in various regions in expanding their 
trade relations w ith El Salvador, which shows the potential that other countries and companies see 
in our country nowadays.  
5.7.  We will continue to work to ensure that trade continues to be a means of sustainable and 
inclusive economic development that creates more and better opportunities for our population.  
5.8.  In the same vein, we highlight the positive comments made by Members on the work carried 
out by the Government of El  Salvador to achieve sustainable and inclusive trade and economic 
development; this is reflected in El  Salvador's active participation in the SheTrades Outlook project, 
which is aimed at promoting equal opportunities and increased participation of women in trade, as 
well as the development of a Salvadoran Technical Standard for a Gender Equality Management 
System in the Employment Sphere.  
5.9.  As regards sustainability, our Government continues to work to ensure that our companies 
comply with the high standards required for today's international trade. We would like to thank the 
Member States that have supported us in this process.  
5.10.  I would like to emphasize that, in recent years, El  Salvador's energy matrix has diversified 
significantly, and more than 80% of annual energy now comes from environmentally friendly 
sources; as a result, El  Salvador is currently ranked se venth in the World Renewable Electricity 
Generation Ranking.  
5.11.  As regards the work of the WTO, we will continue to participate in discussions on trade and 
gender, e -commerce, investment facilitation and MSMEs, as well as on preparations for the next 
Minister ial Conference.  
5.12.  Regarding the comments made by some Members on the submission of domestic support 
notifications, I am pleased to reiterate that, as I mentioned on the first day of this exercise, WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  El Salvador has submitted its notifications and is up to date. This is a very  important step forward 
since our last Review and shows our commitment to transparency and compliance with our 
international obligations.  
5.13.  Among other good news, I would like to share that, on Tuesday, our Legislative Assembly 
approved the new law that will  promote the establishment and growth of companies in the field of 
technology, including those developing models based on the use of artificial intelligence, conducting 
data analysis or providing services relating to cloud storage and cybersecurity.  
5.14.  As Mem bers have suggested, El  Salvador is more than happy to share its trade policy 
experiences and thereby enrich the work carried out in this forum.  
5.15.  Last but not least, it only remains for me to thank Members once again for their presence and 
their active part icipation in El  Salvador's fifth Trade Policy Review. I would also like to thank the 
Secretariat, especially the Trade Policies Review Division, for the support it has provided throughout 
the process, which began in mid -2022.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.16.  In these final rema rks on El  Salvador's fifth Trade Policy Review, I would like to thank the 
Minister of the Economy, María Luisa Hayem, and all of the members of the Salvadoran delegation 
for their engagement with this exercise. I also welcome the active participation of th e Member 
countries that have participated in this room and online.  
5.17.  A positive aspect that I have noted is the level of planning that the Salvadoran State has 
shown in this Review in relation to the areas of economic governance that directly concern trade. In 
particular, I think it is worth highlighting the perspective that each programme has in aiming at 
medium and long -term objectives.  
5.18.  These programmes include the Government Plan and the Trade and Investment Policy 
2020-50, the National Digital Agenda 2020 -30, the Energy Policy Agenda 2020 -30 and the National 
Trade Facilitation Strategy 2023 -27. These are undoubtedly a trade response to the quest to diversify 
exportable production, productive development targeting external markets and the promotion of 
foreign direct investment.  
5.19.  These guidelines complement and connect to specific dynamics in trade infrastructure 
development, the facilitation and automation of processes related to production, exports, imports 
and investment, and the strengthening of new servic e lines in air transport and tourism. We hope 
that the significant growth in Salvadoran exports since the pandemic is maintained and is a sign of 
greater trade between El  Salvador and the rest of the world, for the benefit of its economy, 
employment and su stainable development.  
5.20.  I would like to highlight the Minister's statement on the replies her country gave to the 
specialized questions asked by delegations during this Review. I am sure that this will enable WTO 
Members to learn first -hand about Salvadoran  perspectives on relevant trade policy topics and 
potentially initiate fruitful consultations and exchanges on issues of mutual interest.  
5.21.  It came as no surprise to me, or to any delegation participating in this exercise, to hear 
El Salvador's commitment to  the multilateral trading system underpinned by WTO rules. Its active 
participation in the activities of the various for a of our Organization, as well as in joint initiatives, 
has been noted both by the delegation of the Salvadoran Government and the count ries that have 
taken the floor in our sessions.  
5.22.  Its particularly vigorous participation as regards trade and gender, MSMEs, e -commerce and 
trade facilitation for development speaks for itself. I join those delegations that have identified 
additional areas,  especially those related to sustainable development, where I trust that the positive 
contributions of El  Salvador will enrich the multilateral outlook, as will the strengthening of 
notification and trade facilitation procedures through the single window.  
5.23.  I wish El  Salvador continued success in implementing the bilateral trade agreements it has 
concluded with different partners around the world. These agreements are a complement to the WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  WTO's multilateral architecture and can serve as channels for achieving the objectives rightly 
targeted by El  Salvador to increase and diversify its exports, boost productive integration with 
Central America and increase foreign direct investment in modern sectors of the economy.  
5.24.  I conclude these remarks by highlighting the co nstructive and transparent attitude of the 
Government of El  Salvador in this fifth Trade Policy Review. I would like to draw attention to the 
atmosphere of respect and collaboration between the country under review and WTO Members that 
has marked our work.  I once again reiterate my appreciation of the contributions and comments 
made by Members of the Organization.  
5.25.  Lastly, Chair, allow me to express particular appreciation for the Secretariat team that has 
worked on this exercise, especially our dear friend Willy Alfaro, Director of the Trade Policies Review 
Division. This is his final Review after almost 10 years as head of the Division. His personal and 
professional qualities leave me in no doubt that he will enjoy every success in his next role at the 
WTO.  
5.26.  I thank you, Chair, and reiterate my kind regards for Minister Hayem and the delegation of 
El Salvador.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.27.  We want to thank Minister Hayem for her engagement and participation in this review. We 
would also like to take this opportunity to thank  Ambassador Benedetti, and her team, and in 
particular the team from capital here with us today. We appreciate all the effort that goes into a 
review and all the internal coordination efforts required to respond to all the written questions, so 
we want to thank you for everything you have done to make this review a success.  
5.28.  As we mentioned in day one, El Salvador  is a close trading partner with the United  States with 
which we share many fundamental values. We also share a close working relationship here in Geneva 
between our two missions, and we would like to commend the Mission here for its leadership across 
all committees and work streams, and in particul ar in advancing gender work, in the Committee on 
Trade and Development and the work on small and vulnerable economies, trade facilitation, 
agriculture and elsewhere.  
5.29.  We would like to continue that partnership in some important ways. As we mentioned in day  
one, we would like to work more closely with El Salvador  on its outstanding notifications, and again 
encourage you to join the large group of Members in the Friends of Transparency group to improve 
technical assistance and capacity building for notificati ons. 
5.30.  We would also like to engage more with El Salvador  to learn how the WTO work could better 
support your inclusive and sustainable economic growth strategies. And in particular your efforts to 
improve workers ' welfare and opportunities through employmen t related reform and a focus on 
decent work. Trade can only be an engine of economic growth if workforce skills are aligned with 
the needs of the productive sector and the policy environment supports dependable, good -paying 
jobs.  
5.31.  El Salvador  has been a le ader in trade facilitation reforms, and we welcome more collaboration 
with your government as we work towards a contribution to MC13 highlighting how TFA 
implementation can be used as a tool for disaster or pandemic preparedness, in particular ensuring 
that procedures are put in place before they are needed to enable the movement of humanitarian 
goods in the event of crisis.   
5.32.  Given El Salvador 's leadership in both trade facilitation and SVEs, this seems like a great place 
for us to work together.  
5.33.  As part of our own "reform by doing " agenda, the United  States is also using the opportunity 
presented by the Trade Policy Review to speak directly with Ministers and capital  based officials on 
the importance of broad based engagement on WTO reform. The United  States seeks a reformed 
WTO that is more responsive to the needs of our stakeholders and more supportive of the 
policymaking that underpins how we all are adapting to the changing global landscape.  art of this WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  is identifying and fostering a more inclusive ag enda so that we all feel we are getting something out 
of the system that moves us forward and benefits our economies and stakeholders.  
5.34.  One of these areas is updating and modernizing our conversations on development. It is often 
said that development is at the centre  of the WTO, but that is  not really the case. How development 
is discussed in the WTO bears little resemblance to how the dynamic and innovative development 
assistance community is actually operating. The United  States is working to modernize and  improve 
our understanding at the WTO of what is actually happening in the economic development space. 
We look to El Salvador  for partnership in this area. The development community has identified new 
and innovative approaches to tackling economic growth c hallenges as is doing so in a far more 
inclusive and comprehensive way than we are here at the WTO. We hope that can change and we 
hope you will work with us. Development at the WTO has come to mean protecting SNDT, but we 
wonder what that has actually del ivered for countries like El Salvador . Certainly , there is space for 
a conversation on development that is more sophisticated than that.  
5.35.  I also want to make sure that your delegation hears very clearly that the United  States is 
committed to reform of the Dispute Settlement System . The System as it exists has not been fully 
functioning nor operating in the interests of all Members for a very long time and all Members need 
to seriously engage in a process to understand the needs and interests of others if we  are going to 
establish a fully functioning system. We want to be clear, well in advance of the Ministerial, that 
Ministers should not believe that reform can be achieved by just repeating a phrase that 
euphemistically means returning to the status quo. We  are doing the work to make sure that our 
interests can be achieved in balance with the needs others for a system that actually works for 
everyone. We hope that El Salvador  will be there to do the work with us.  
5.36.  We have a number of other reform priorities which we would be happy to share with you, but 
we wanted to highlight just a few today. We hope that this TPR process has been useful for your 
Government, not just from the perspective of self -examination of your trade policies, but also in 
how you see the  WTO adding value to your domestic priorities and overall economic advancement. 
We would welcome the opportunity to partner with you in any way to maximize the benefits of this 
experience, either here in the WTO or bilaterally.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
5.37.  The Republic of Korea would like to pay respect to the delegation of El Salvador  ant its  sincere 
participation on this T rade Policy Review process.  
5.38.  According to the Secretariat's Report and your reply this morning, it seems that your economy  
is recovering very fast from the pandemic shock and also you are going to the right direction in to 
economic balance, with an open market economy, open  to FDI, making efforts to attract more FDI, 
and also open trade , and also your advocacy on multilateralism,  and also y our support for the 
sustainable environment . 
5.39.  As a co-chair of the JSI on Investment Facilitation for Development,  we appreciate your active 
participation on this important issue , especially  your participation in the Minis ters of Trade meeting 
which w as held in January in the Davos  Forum and we hope that your active participation would be 
continued we reach the agreement in the MC13 . 
5.40.  We note that our rural development agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, hopes to stablish 
a centre  to technical cooperation  in the agriculture sector . We hope that this new centre  would be 
established soon in your country , and we  also hope that in tomorrow 's meeting for the working party 
on trade and gender  you would have a good meeting and a safe trip  back to El Salvador . 
Congratulations to your delegation for a successful fifth Trade Policy Review.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.41.  This is just to very briefly thank the delegation of El Salvador , Ambassador  Benedetti, and 
here and H.E. Ms María Luisa Hayem Brevé  for the  comprehensive overview  presented on Tuesday 
morning and today of the many important developments that have occurred since the last Trade 
Policy Review, as well as some recent positive announcements this morning regarding the 
notification record . We are pl eased to note that this review has been useful for better understanding WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  some of the trade policies of El Salvador  and we hope that El Salvador  will duly take into account 
some of the rather few challenges  highlighted by Members.  
5.42.  We would also like to thank  El Salvador  for replying to our questions in time , we do not have 
follow -up questions . 
5.43.  Finally, just to conclude, we would like to thank El Salvador  for its very constructive 
participation  in this transparency exercise.  
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The fifth Trade Policy Review of El Salvador  has provided us with a good opportunity to assess 
and enhance our understanding on the wide range of trade policies and practices of El Salvador  since 
its last Review in 2016 and acknowledge the chal lenges it faces.  
6.2.  The review has benefit ed from the constructive participation of El Salvador 's delegation, headed 
by Ms María Luisa Hayem Brevé, Minister of Economy; from the insightful comments of the 
discussant, H.E.  Ambassador José Valencia, Permanent R epresentative of Ecuador to the WTO; and 
from the 27  delegations that took the floor during this meeting. I would like to thank them all for 
their contribution to this exercise.  
6.3.  Members commended El Salvador  for the resilience of its economy and its quick recovery in 
the aftermath of the COVID -19 pandemic. Many noted the economy's substantial growth in 2021, 
driven by strong domestic and external demand and an increase in remittances. They also 
highlighted the rapid expansion in exports of goods and service s. Several Members referred to the 
fact that El Salvador  was the first country to adopt the Bitcoin as legal tender and were keen to have 
more information about its use, impact on financial inclusion, and the economy.  
6.4.  Members recognized the important effor ts undertaken by El Salvador  to promote inclusive and 
sustainable development as well as to improve the business environment, promote investment and 
enhance innovation. Bearing in mind that El Salvador  is a small, open economy, the crucial role of 
trade as  a tool to foster economic development was stressed. In this regard, Members welcomed 
the adoption by El Salvador  of several initiatives such as the Trade and Investment Policy 2020 -50, 
the National Trade Facilitation Strategy 2023 -27, the National Digital  Agenda 2020 -30, and the 
Productive Innovation Ecosystem. Some Members expressed interest in learning more about these 
strategies.  
6.5.  One of the main initiatives undertaken by El Salvador  to improve the trade and investment 
environment is the simplification a nd digitization of administrative procedures which cuts across 
many policy areas. In this connection, Members recognized efforts towards customs modernization, 
trade facilitation, risk management, improvements in transparency and the regulatory environment , 
the promotion of MSMEs and gender equality, and the modernization of physical infrastructure. Some 
Members also welcomed reforms made to domestic legislation regarding competition policy, 
government procurement, and intellectual property rights.  
6.6.  El Salva dor's commitment to regional integration in Central America was noted, with several 
Members highlighting the importance of this process as a means to further the region's insertion 
into global value chains, and encouraged El Salvador  to continue on this path. Likewise, Members 
noted El Salvador 's network of free trade agreements, encompassing more than 40 economies and 
welcomed its efforts to take full advantage of the trade opportunities offered by these agreements.  
6.7.  Members commende d El Salvador  for its support of the multilateral trading system, its active 
participation in the WTO, its ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and of the Protocol 
amending the TRIPS Agreement, as well as its participation in several Joint Stat ement Initiatives. In 
particular, El Salvador  was praised for its leadership in the Working Group on Trade and Gender. 
Several Members invited El Salvador  to join the Agreement on Government Procurement, the 
environmental initiatives, the Friends of Transp arency Group, and the Multiparty Interim Appeal 
Arbitration Arrangement.  
6.8.  Amid this overall positive assessment, some challenges were identified. El Salvador  was 
encouraged to keep up its efforts to further diversify its economy and exports. Some Members we re 
of the view that El Salvador 's government procurement procedures could benefit from further 
transparency. Noting that some notifications were pending, Members encouraged El Salvador  to put 
its WTO notification record up to date, including information on  subsidies granted under free trade 
zones. In this respect, we were pleased to hear from Minister Hayem today that El Salvador  has put 
its notifications up to date. More clarity regarding multiple agency regulatory requirements was also 
sought. In their wr itten questions, Members enquired about the timeline for the full implementation 
of the single window, intellectual property regulations and enforcement, export restrictions on 
agricultural products, anti -dumping , market access in financial services, and t he effect of 
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  6.9.  In total, El Salvador  received  190 advance written questions from 18  delegations for this 
Review, out of which 131 were sent within the established deadline, covering a broad range of topics. 
Prior to this meeting, El Salvador  provided written replies to all questions received within the 
deadline. In addition, a few follow -up questions were submitted after the first day.  
6.10.  The Salvadorean delegation has demonstrated that it places a high value on the  Trade Policy 
Review Mechanism and the Multilateral Trading System with its active engagement over the two -day 
meeting and throughout the various phases of this exercise. The number of interventions and the 
breadth of the questions reflect the interest of Members in El Salvador 's trade and related policies.  
6.11.  I hope that El Salvador  will consider and further reflect on the constructive comments and 
suggestions that it received during the Review.  
6.12.  Members look forward to receiving answers to follow -up questio ns within one month, at which 
time this Review will conclude.  
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  7  ELECTION OF THE NEW TPRB CHAIRPERSON  
7.1.  You may recall that the Airgram of 7  March  2023 (WTO/AIR/TPR/141/Add.1) presented us with 
an additional task today, that is the election of a new Chairperson of this body.  
7.2.  At its meeting on 6  March  2023, the General Council noted consensus on the slate of names of 
Chairpersons for WTO bodies, incl uding the Permanent Representative of the 
Kingdom  of Saudi  Arabia, H.E.  Mr Saqer Abdullah A lmoqbel  as the Chairperson of the Trade Policy 
Review Body.  
7.3.  In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of this Body, I have the pleasure to propose that 
Members of the Trade Policy Review Body elect, by acclamation, H.E. Ambassador A lmoqbel  as the 
Chairperson for 2023.  
7.4.  It is so agreed. Thank you. I would suggest that Members of the TPRB confirm their support 
for his election with a round of applause.  
7.5.  Now, I would like to invite the Secretariat to read a statement in Ambassador A lmoqbel 's name, 
who was unable to be with us today.  
7.6.  I wish Ambassador A lmoqbel  every success in the year ahead.  
H.E. MR SAQER ABDULLAH ALMOQBEL  (STATEMENT READ BY THE SECRETARIAT)  
7.7.  My sincere apologies for not being present today as I am at home observing the Eid al -Fitr 
celebration. I take this opportunity to wish all Eid Mubarak.  
7.8.  First of all, I would like to congratulate El Salvador  for a successful review of its trade policies .  
7.9.  Allow me also to express my warm appreciation and gratitude to my predecessor, H.E.  Ángel 
Villalobos former Ambassador of Mexico. He very ably and efficiently chaired several TPRB meetings 
for most of 2022, including the beginning of informal consultations  on the 7th Appraisal of the TPRM.  
7.10.  I would also like to thank you, Ambassador Molokomme, and Ambassador Chambovey of 
Switzerland for helping the Trade Policy Review Body during the special circumstances when the 
Chair of the TPRB was not available.  
7.11.  I wou ld now like to thank all Members for the trust and confidence in electing me as the new 
Chair of this Body. I am a strong supporter and believer of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism which 
constitutes in my view one of the key pillars of the WTO. During the se very challenging times, we 
need to preserve the value of the WTO's transparency work in this Body and further enhance it for 
the benefit of the entire Membership.  
7.12.  You can count on my full commitment to the TPRB's work during this year. I will spare no 
efforts at moving ahead our common work. And to do this, I will rely on the efficient support of the 
Secretariat. I am sure that you will all join me in recognizing the hard and good work done by staff 
in the Trade Policies Review Division.  
CHAIRPERSON  
7.13.  Finally, and before closing, I would like to bring to the Members attention that this is the last 
TPR meeting for Willy  Alfaro as Director of the Trade Policies Review Division. Over the past nine 
years, Willy has worked consistently hard to lead the work of the Division, produce high quality 
documentation and make excellent logistical arrangements to the meetings. I thank him sincerely 
for his invaluable professionalism and for the support he provided to me personally when I was Chair 
of the Trade Policy Revi ew Body. I wish him all the best in his new role as Director to lead the 
Secretariat on Vision and Strategy and would wish to invite Members of the TPRB to join me in an 
applause.  
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  INDIA  
7.14.  I would first start by thanking Director Willy Alfaro, thank you ver y much for all the work that 
you have done, we have very fond memories of working with you, especially during the India  Trade  
Policy Review.  The kind of support that we received from your team and the Secretariat was indeed 
really helpful for us in ensurin g that our Trade Policy Review went very smoothly , and we  are really 
glad that you are moving on to another role and we will continue to look forward to working with 
you in your new capacity.  
7.15.  Now, coming to the TPRB, I take this opportunity to first congratulate the previous TPRB Chair, 
Ambassador Ángel Villalobos  of Mexico , for his services and also to you, Chair, for carrying on the 
mantle during his absence . 
7.16.  India is pleased to welcome our dear colleague and friend, the Ambassador of the Kingdom 
of Saudi  Arabia H.E.  Mr Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel, as the new Chair of the TPRB, we look forward to 
working with you closely on all issues of  TPRB, particularly the TPR appraisal mechanism which will 
be restarted under his able leadership . Personally,  I have had very fo nd memories of working with 
you closely and constructivel y during the MC12 outcome document discussions , which among other 
things provided the mandate for WTO reforms . The TPR appraisal mechanism is a subject of the 
broader WTO reform discussions and therefore it is a vital process which we would like to remain 
closely engaged and contribute positively to it.  
7.17.  Ambassador Saqer  Almoqbel , you would represent the country where the Great Mosque of 
Mecca, the most holy and revered  place for Muslims around the world is host.  Your chairmanship of 
an important body in the  WTO, which in a way is Mecca for the world trade, is a matter of great 
significance and symbolism and we would like to congratulate you for that.  
7.18.  You are also taking over the mantle of this body on the auspicious occasion of the Eid , which 
is also a happy coincidence ; in sha' allah is a word which literally translates to "if God is willing " 
widely used in the Muslim world, and this coincidence certainly seems to be that of God's will.  
7.19.  I take this opportunity to also wish all our Muslim brothers a happy Eid, India is one of the 
houses of one of the largest Muslim population s in the world and this festival is celebrated with much 
fine faith.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
7.20.  I just wanted to say t hank you t o our good friend Willy Alfaro and wish him all the best in his 
new job, it is a shame that you are leaving us just before our Trade Policy Review is coming up , but 
we appreciate all the help and your contributions you have overseen until now, and we look forward 
to working with you in your new function s. 
7.21.  Finally, just to say thank you Chair and to the previous Chair, Ambassador Villalobos, and we 
look forward to working with Ambassador Almoqbel from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in his new 
job as the Chair of this body, and notably on the TP RM appraisal  exercise.  
UNITED  STATES  
7.22.  First, let me just give warm words to welcome to our new Chair, we are looking forward to 
continuing the work that we have done under the TPR B appraisal process and looking forwa rd to his 
stewardship there , and also a blessed Eid for those celebrating.  
7.23.  On behalf of my Mission , my Government , and myself a huge thanks and recognition to 
Willy Alfaro  for his efforts here , I think that there are very few others in the WTO that have ma de 
such a monumental contribution to transparency among Members and I want take a moment to 
acknowledge that we really appreciate all that he has done . We have worked together personally on 
TPRs in the CRTA, the Trade Monitoring Report , and I know that my whole M ission and many in 
Washington want to  express their thanks.  I also know that our interaction has probably been a 
source of aggravation but, I  really appreciate the way that you have always listened and worked 
with us to find solutions.  WT/TPR/M/440 • El Salvador  
 
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  7.24.  I will probab ly follow you to your new job  and create new aggravation  given the challenges 
that lay ahead , you understand where we are coming from and our commitment to the Organization. 
I really value the  commitment that you have made and we are looking forward to working with you 
in your new position.  
EL SALVADOR  
7.25.  I would very briefly like to join others in thanking and acknowledging Willy Alfaro. Thank you, 
Willy, for all of the support you have provided throughout our Trade Policy Reviews; we wish you all 
the best  in the Transformation Office and will continue to work closely with you.  
7.26.  I would also like to take this opportunity to wish every success to the new Chair and thank 
our friend Ángel Villalobos, and you, Chair, for your successful leadership of this sessio n. 
CHAIRPERSON  
7.27.  With this, I declare this meeting closed. I thank you for your engagement. Please note that 
the next meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body will be on 3 and 5  May 2023, when the TPRB will 
discuss the TPR of the OECS WTO Members.  
 
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