MOREPRESS RELEASE
PRESS/TPRB/179
23 November 2001
(01-6009)
TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
REVIEW OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
TPRB'S EVALUATION
The Trade Policy Review Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded its
second review of the Slovak Republic on 21 and 23 November 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 collec tive examination of the full range of trade
policies and practices of each WTO member countries at regular periodic intervals to monitor
significant 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 due
course at the complete trade policy review of the Slovak Republic and will be available from theWTO Secretariat, Centre William Rappard, 154 rue de Lausanne, 1211 Geneva 21.PRESS/TPRB/179
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MORESince December 1989, the following reports have been completed: Argentina (1992 and 1999),
Australia (1989, 1994 and 1998), Austria (1992), Ba hrain (2000) Bangladesh (1992 and 2000), Benin
(1997), Bolivia (1993 and 1999), Botswana (1998), Brazil (1992, 1996 and 2000), Brunei Darussalam
(2001), Burkina Faso (1998), Cameroon (1995  and 2001), Canada (1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 and
2000), Chile (1991 and 1997), Colombia (1990 and 1996), Costa Rica (1995 and 2001), Côte d’Ivoire
(1995), Cyprus (1997), the Czech Republic (1996 and 2001), the Dominican Republic (1996), Egypt
(1992 and 1999), El Salvador (1996), the Eu ropean Communities (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2000),
Fiji (1997), Finland (1992), Gabon (2001), Ghana (1992 and 2001), 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), Kenya (1993 and 2000), Korea, Rep. of (1992, 1996 and 2000), Lesotho
(1998), Macao (1994 and 2001), Madagascar (2001), Malaysia (1993 and 1997), Mali (1998),
Mauritius (1995 and 2001), Mexico (1993 and 1997), Morocco (1989 and 1996), Mozambique(2001), New Zealand (1990 and 1996), Namibia (1998 ), Nicaragua (1999), Nigeria (1991 and 1998),
Norway (1991, 1996 and 2000), OECS (2001), Pakistan (1995), Papua New Guinea (1999), Paraguay
(1997), Peru (1994 and 2000), the Philippines (1993 and 1999), Poland (1993 and 2000), Romania
(1992 and 1999), Senegal (1994), Singapore ( 1992, 1996 and 2000), Slovak Republic (1995 and
2001), the Solomon Islands (1998), South Africa (1993 and 1998), Sri Lanka (1995), Swaziland(1998), Sweden (1990 and 1994), Switzerland (1991, 1996 and 2000 (jointly 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, 1999 and 2001), Uganda
(1995), Uruguay (1992 and 1998), Venezuela (1 996), Zambia (1996) and Zimbabwe (1994).PRESS/TPRB/179
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MORETRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY
REVIEW OF SLOVAK REPUBLIC
CONCLUDING REMARKS OF THE CHAIRPERSON
We have had an open and very informative discussion of the trade policies and practices of
the Slovak Republic.   Members appreciated the opportunity to gain a much better understanding of
Slovakia's trade-related policies, especially at a time when substantial reforms were being made.  Our
improved understanding has been very much helped by the frankness and contribution of the Slovakdelegation, and I thank them for that.
Members commended Slovakia's impressive progress in transforming to a market economy,
with trade and investment liberalization as major features of this process.  It is now seen as a
functioning market economy, becoming increasingly integrated into the world economy.  Slovakia hassubstantially increased its multilateral commitments in the WTO during the review period.
Members noted the gains in macro stabilization, including fiscal consolidation, since the late
1990s.  Although unemployment remains high, the economy is beginning to recover, and prospects
are promising.  Members noted that despite past economic difficulties, the Government has not
resorted to protectionist measures nor trade remedies, and indeed it has taken further steps toliberalize its trade regime.
Structural reform has been revitalised.  Slovakia's overall legislative and institutional
framework is being strengthened, including important commercial changes, such as to the bankruptcy
procedures.  Members generally agreed that many of these positive outcomes are linked to Slovakia's
EU accession plans, and referred to the substantial achievements in these negotiations thus far.
Members also supported the active and more transparent privatization programme covering key
sectors, such as in telecommunications and banking.
Members agreed that Slovakia plays a full role in the WTO but some wondered how Slovakia
would balance its regional arrangements with its multilateral commitments, and advised that regional
integration should not detract from Slovakia's multilateral liberalization, including in agriculture.
Some members were concerned about the possible negative impact of Slovakia's regional integration
on third countries, noting that most of its trade was non-MFN due to a relatively large number ofpreferential trade agreements.  They urged Slovakia to continue pursuing multilateral liberalization to
narrow the gap between preferential and MFN tariffs.
Members commented favourably on Slovakia's overall low tariffs, although noting that
transparency could be improved by further rationalization, such as reducing tariff escalation and
removing duty exemptions as well as higher season al duties on certain agricultural products. Members
welcomed the fact that the import surcharge, main tained for balance-of-payments reasons, had been
terminated on schedule from 2001.  Slovakia also has relatively few non-tariff barriers.
Several Members appreciated the special non-trade concerns confronting Slovakia on
agriculture.  However, some urged Slovakia to extend its liberalisation efforts to agriculture, which
receives relatively high tariff and other assistance.  Several delegations noted that Slovakia'sagricultural assistance as measured by the OECD had increased substantially since 1996.  They
questioned the use by Slovakia of food self-sufficiency policies based on agricultural assistance to
achieve food security.PRESS/TPRB/179
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Members were impressed with the developments toward liberalizing Slovakia's services
sector.  Key sectors, such as banking, insurance, telecommunications and transport, had been
deregulated and exposed to greater competition, including from foreign sources.  Privatisation no
longer exclude sensitive state-owned monopolies.  Members encouraged Slovakia to continue with its
privatization efforts.
Members also sought additional details in a number of specific areas, including:
• efforts to stem corruption and improve governance;
• the system of state aid and its control;
• use of investment incentives;
• changes in intellectual property protection and efforts to improve enforcement;
• government procurement procedures;
• standards and efforts at regional and international harmonization, and the self
certification scheme for manufacturers,
• improving the operation of commercial courts;
• role of the Antimonopoly Office;
• under-utilisation of tariff quotas on agricultural products;
• issues related to imports of GMO food; and
• improving the coverage and benefits of the GSP scheme.
Written and oral replies by the Slovak delegation helped clarify the issues raised by Members,
and contributed to their improved understanding of the country's current trade policies and measures.
Slovakia also undertook to send additional information on some matters.
In conclusion, this successful Review has highlighted Slovakia's on-going liberalization as a
means of improving economic efficiency and of further integrating itself into the world economy.
Slovakia's commitment to the multilateral trading sy stem is well recognized.  Along with Members, I
encourage the Slovak Republic to continue to pursue such open policies. We all welcome Slovakia's
strong support of the WTO, as well as its role in Doha for further multilateral trade negotiations.
Liberalization on all fronts would continue to benefit Slovakia, and help alleviate any adverse effectsof its regional trade arrangements on other Members.
END