WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/TPR/98
11 June 2001
(01-2857)
Trade Policy Review Body
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM
GABON
Arrangements for Review Meeting
Communication from the Chairman of the Trade Policy Review Body
1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of
the Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 26 a nd 28 June 2001 to conduct the first review of the
trade policies and practices of Gabon (WTO/AIR/1561/Rev.1).
2. This communication sets out arrangements concerning the review meeting.  In this
connection, attention is also drawn to the procedures  for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules
of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6).
I. QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
3. Members wishing to submit written questions to the Member under review should do so at
least one week before the review meeting to allo w time to prepare replies.  For the forthcoming
review, such questions should therefore be with the Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariat
by 19 June 2001.  All questions submitted will be made available to Members at the beginning of the
meeting.
II. DISCUSSANT
4. In consultation with the Member under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review
Body may choose discussants who, in their personal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the
Body.  Mr. Philippe Musquar (European Commission) will act as discussant for the review of Gabon.
A document summarizing the main points to be raised by the discussant will be circulated one week in
advance of the meeting.
III. STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING
5. Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings:
(a) appreciation of the full range of the Member's trade policies and practices;
(b) relevant background:  wider economic and developmental needs, including the
external environment;
(c) impact of the Member's trade policies and practices on the functioning of the
multilateral trading system;  and
(d) general comments by way of assessment and evaluation.
./.WT/TPR/98
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6. Meetings take place in two sessions.  The first session is devoted to the opening statements by
the Member under review and the discussant, and remarks and questions from the floor.  The
discussion in the second session, when the Member under review will reply to questions, is based on
main themes identified after the opening meeting by the Chairman, the discussant and the Secretariatin consultation with the Member.
IV. DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
7. Reports by the Members under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following
documents:
WT/TPR/G/86 Report by the Government of Gabon
WT/TPR/S/86 Gabon:  Report by the Secretariat
8. The press embargo for the review of Gabon will end at 13.00 GMT (15.00 Geneva time) on
28 June 2001.
V. MINUTES
9. Minutes of the meeting will be circulated promptly and will be published together with the
reports by the Government of Gabon and the Secretariat.
VI. ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW
10. In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate
that it intends to provide supplementary information, in writing, on specific points raised.  Upon
receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members.
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