MOREPRESS RELEASE
PRESS/TPRB/155
26 January 2001
(01-0453)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
REVIEW OF MOZAMBIQUE
TPRB'S EVALUATION
The Trade Policy Review Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded its first
review of Mozambique on 24 and 26 January  2001. The text of the Chairperson's concluding remarks
is attached as a summary of the salient points which emerged during the discussion.
The review enables the TPRB to conduct a collective examination of the full range of trade
policies and practices of each WTO member countries at regular periodic intervals to monitorsignificant trends and developments which may have an impact on the global trading system.
The review is based on two reports which are prepared respectively by the WTO Secretariat
and the government under review and which cover all aspects of the country's trade policies, including
its domestic laws and regulations, the institutional framework, bilateral, regional and other
preferential agreements, the wider economic needs and the external environment. A record of the
discussion and the Chairperson's summing-up together with these two reports will be published in duecourse at the complete trade policy review of Mozambique and will be available from the WTO
Secretariat, Centre William Rappard, 154 rue de Lausanne, 1211 Geneva 21.PRESS/TPRB/155
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MORESince December 1989, the following reports have been completed: Argentina (1992 and
1999), Australia (1989, 1994 and 1998), Austria (19 92), Bahrain (2000) Bangladesh (1992 and 2000),
Benin (1997), Bolivia (1993 and 1999), Botswana  (1998), Brazil (1992, 1996 and 2000), Burkina
Faso (1998), Cameroon (1995), Canada (1990, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1998), Chile (1991 and 1997),
Colombia (1990 and 1996), Costa Rica (1995), Cô te d’Ivoire (1995), Cyprus (1997), the Czech
Republic (1996), the Dominican Republic (1996), E gypt (1992 and 1999), El Salvador (1996), the
European Communities (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2.000), Fiji (1997), Finland (1992), Ghana(1992), Guinea (1999), Hong Kong (1990, 1994 and 1998), Hungary (1991 and 1998), Iceland (1994
and 2000), India (1993 and 1998), Indonesia (1991, 1994 and 1998), Israel (1994 and 1999), Jamaica
(1998), Japan (1990, 1992, 1995, 1998 and 2000), Keny a (1993 and 2000), Korea, Rep. of (1992,
1996 and 2000), Lesotho (1998), Macau (1994), Malaysia (1993 and 1997), Mali (1998), Mauritius
(1995), Mexico (1993 and 1997), Morocco (1989 a nd 1996), Mozambique (2001) New Zealand (1990
and 1996), Namibia (1998), Nicaragua (1999), Nigeria (1991 and 1998), Norway (1991, 1996 and
2000), Pakistan (1995), Papua New Guinea (1999), Paraguay (1997), Peru (1994 and 2000), the
Philippines (1993), Poland (1993 and 2000), Ro mania (1992 and 1999), Senegal (1994), Singapore
(1992, 1996 and 2000), Slovak Republic (1995), the Solomon Islands (1998), South Africa (1993 and
1998), Sri Lanka(1995), Swaziland (1998), Sweden (1990 and 1994), Switzerland (1991, 1996 and
2000 (with Liechtenstein), Tanzania (2000), Thailand (1991, 1995 and 1999), Togo (1999), Trinidad
and Tobago (1998), Tunisia (1994), Turkey (1994 and 1998), the United States (1989, 1992, 1994,1996 and 1999), Uganda (1995), Uruguay (1992 and 1998), Venezuela (1996), Zambia (1996) and
Zimbabwe (1994).PRESS/TPRB/155
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MORETRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
REVIEW OF MOZAMBIQUE
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
We have had a good and informative discussion of the trade policies of Mozambique.
Members were very impressed by the excellent economic performance of Mozambique in recent
years, attributing this to its economic reforms, incl uding privatization of enterprises, the elimination
of most export restrictions and of foreign exchange controls, and simplification of its customs tariff.
Members observed with praise the fact that Mozambique's good performance often had come in the
face of serious climatic difficulties.  They also noted that Mozambique had benefited from debt reliefprogrammes, although some urged even greater relief.  Members also commented favourably on
Mozambique's efforts to attract foreign investment and urged that these efforts be strengthened and
supported.
Members appreciated Mozambique's active partic ipation in the multilateral trading system.
They called on Mozambique to expand its commitments under the GATS and to make every effort to
meet its WTO notification requirements.  Some Members sought further information on
Mozambique's experience with the Integrated Framework and on its technical assistance needs, and
pledged a willingness to provide continued assistance, either individually or through variousprogrammes.  Some Members joined Mozambique in urging that the regular budget of the WTO be
increased to address some of these needs better.  Members also showed an interest in the role of
regional and bilateral trade agreements in expanding Mozambique's trade, but called for greater
transparency in those agreements.
Members encouraged Mozambique to strengthen its domestic process of trade policy
coordination and to continue its reform process.  Some Members suggested that Mozambique further
reduce its border barriers to trade and to increase the number of its tariff bindings.  Members noted
with some concern that Mozambique had not implemented the WTO provisions on customs valuation
but welcomed its intention to apply the agreement by 2003.  Questions were raised about tariffs
(including bindings and applied rates) and about other duties and charges (including import
surcharges on products such as sugar).  Members encouraged Mozambique to further progress in theimplementation of its privatization programme.
Some Members noted the pending significant expansion of Mozambican exports in the
mining and power sectors, and pointed out that Mo zambican exports, almost limited to agricultural
products, could be expanded if markets were more open in developed countries. There was alsorecognition that further expansion of Mozambican exports depended to a large extent on infrastructure
developments and foreign investment.  Some concern was expressed about its Government's
intervention in the agriculture sector, mainly on products such as cashew and sugar, and for food
security purposes.
Members also sought further clarification on a number of issues, including:
• pre- and post-shipment inspection;
• standards and other technical requirements;
• government procurement and eventual participation by Mozambique in the Plurilateral Agreement
on Government Procurement;
• implementation of the TRIPS agreement in January 2006;
• investment regime, including incentives provided in Export Processing Zones and Industrial
Zones;PRESS/TPRB/155
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END• mining, including the MOZAL project;
• industrial strategy and development corridors;  and
• structural reforms in the services sector, including financial services and telecommunications.
Members appreciated the responses provided by the delegation of Mozambique to most
questions raised during the meeting.
In conclusion, it is my feeling that this Re view has given the TPRB an excellent insight into
the evolving trade policies and practices of one of the LDCs that is having the greatest success.Members were encouraged by Mozambique's economic performance.  Members encouraged
Mozambique to maintain both the pace and the direction of its reforms and urged that its bilateral and
regional arrangements be WTO-consistent.  In my personal capacity, I urge all Members to support
Mozambique in its efforts.  In this respect, we should pay particular attention to Mozambique's
request to the Membership for technical assistance.