RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/TPR/D/201
22 June 1998
(98-2509)
Trade Policy Review Body
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM
REVIEW OF NIGERIA
Communication from the Discussants
In pursuance of Annex 3, paragraph C (iv) of the WTO Agreement, the following are outlines
of the main points to be raised by the discussants, Mr. Moncef Baati (Tunisia) and
Ms. Florence Dobelle (France) at the Trade Policy Review of Nigeria on 23-24 June 1998.
It is recalled that the discussants act in their personal capacity.
(a) Mr. Moncef Baati
− During the period 1995-1997, efforts made to strengthen the banking sector and stabilize the
fiscal position have brought about an improvement in the macroeconomic situation, including
a return to budgetary balance, an improvement in the balance of payments, a reduction ofinflation as well as an increase in foreign exchange reserves.  Nevertheless, the high public
debt and the accumulation of arrears remain a major problem.
− Foreign exchange is available at market prices for current transactions but the absence of a
unified rate could be detrimental to business.
− Nigeria continues to rely on crude oil exports for 95% of export earnings and three quarters of
government income.  As a result, the economy remains heavily dependent on oil price
fluctuations and could therefore be affected by the weakness of oil revenues.
− Economic growth has been modest.  In particular, further efforts are necessary for agriculture
to play its role in economic development; industrial production has declined because of weakdomestic demand and infrastructural problems;  and growth in the services sector has
remained relatively weak.
− The implementation of the privatization programme announced in 1998 in the areas of
telecommunications, electricity, oil refineries, etc will constitute an additional incentive for
foreign direct investment, improve efficiency and increase the contribution of these sectors to
economic development.
(b) Ms. Florence Dobelle
(i) Import regime
− Could Nigeria specify the planned schedule for the elimination of preshipment inspection?
./.
                                                     
1 This communication is subject to restricted circul ation and press embargo until the end of the Meeting
of the Trade Policy Review Body on Nigeria.WT/TPR/D/20
Page 2
− Should a simplification of import procedures, involving the elimination of redundant
documents, be implemented?
− What steps is Nigeria taking to implement the Custom Valuation Agreement at the end of the
five-year transition period on 1 January 2000?
− When does Nigeria intend to adopt legislation on safeguards?
− Does Nigeria consider that a reduction of customs duties on capital equipment required by the
food  processing industry would be beneficial?
− Does Nigeria consider that joining the ITA could, in the long run, be possible?
− What reasons justify the exemption of oil imports from quality control?
(ii) Export regime
− Does Nigeria envisage a liberalization of export procedures?
− What is Nigeria's assessment of the Export Preshipment Inspection procedure in terms of
efficiency, costs and circumvention?
− Is a reduction of the list of sectors subject to export prohibitions under consideration?  What
sectors could benefit from this opening?
− Are minimum export prices still in place?
− Is Nigeria considering simplifying its export subsidy regime?
− Are investment-related export performance requirements in force or envisaged?
(iii) Investment and infrastructural development
− What sectors are included in the privatization programme?  What is the planned schedule for
the launching of the programme?
− How does Nigeria intend to ensure effective competition when opening sectors so far subject
to monopolies?
− Which financial institutions will be in charge of the privatization programme?  Will foreign
investors be entitled to participate on the same basis as domestic investors?
− Does Nigeria propose to clarify the conditions for the purchase and use of agricultural land?
− What means are envisaged to strengthen counterfeit and piracy?
− Could Nigeria specify the rules applied to government procurement?
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