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12 June 2023  
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Trade Policy Review Body   
 
SEVENTH APPRAISAL OF THE T RADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM  
REPORT ON THE FIRST  DEDICATED SESSION ON IT TOOLS OF 8  JUNE 2023 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Saqer Abdullah ALMOQBEL (Kingdom of Saudi  Arabia)  
1. The Trade Policy Review Body met on 8  June 2023 to hold the first of a series of dedicated 
sessions on IT tools. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador H.E. Mr Saqer ALMOQBEL (Kingdom 
of Saudi  Arabia), with the goal of discussing the IT system, particularly the online Q&A tool. The 
Chair encouraged Me mbers to submit textual proposals on the basis of the revised summary note.  
2. Members identified gaps and challenges with the online Q&A tool, and suggested some 
functionality improvements : 
• Reduce the number of duplicate questions ; 
• Track the status of questi ons through an online dashboard, e.g. questions received, 
questions answered, number of questions received before and after the deadline, etc.; 
• Reduce the need for manually reformatting questions and responses;  
• Amend the standardized template with the abil ity to sort by topic, paragraph, Member 
name, etc.; and  
• Add functionality to : 
o distribute questions to relevant ministries and officials in capital ;  
o "piggyback" onto other Member's questions (thus helping to reduce the number of 
overall questions);  
o upload/download questions and responses in bulk, rather than one by one;  
o upload/download in both Word and Excel; and   
o create keyword tags, and then sort and download questions and responses.  
3. Regarding the current process, several Members mentioned the need to avoid a two -track 
system (i.e.  submitting questions both through the online tool and Word documents) in order to 
improve efficiency and reduce the administrative burden on Members. One Member suggested that , 
for smaller Member s, the Secretariat could enter questions received from Members into the online 
tool for the Member being reviewed.  
4. Members discussed whether use of the online system should be mandatory, and noted that 
they first needed confidence in the system. The goal f or now should be increasing familiarity with 
the tool, and working towards increased uptake in the future.  One Member suggested that there 
could be an incentive to encourage use of the IT system, e.g.  preference in order of speaking , or 
more time for respo nding to questions.  WT/TPR/R/10  
 
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  5. Members discussed rewording the outcome statement  from the Chair's and some suggestions 
were put forward. The issue will be revisited in the next meetings.  
6. In terms of the next steps  to be taken , Members requested a demonstration of the  system in 
its current state, as well as an extended period for capital representatives to test the system and 
provide feedback. It was decided that t he Secretariat w ould arrange the demonstration . Members 
also suggested that the Secretariat coordinate wit h the TFA database expert to discuss that tool's 
functionality. The Secretariat might also arrange presentations from other secretariats of 
international organizations that are using similar IT tools.  
7. The Chair noted that a taskforce on IT  tools will be es tablished. The taskforce will  meet 
regularly to discuss Members' requests for improved functionality and efficiency, and how to make 
the system more user friendly and better serve Members' needs . It was noted that establishment of 
the workforce would not p reclude Members from concluding the current Appraisal.  
8. The Chair closed the meeting by indicating Members that the n ext meeting  would take place 
on Monday  19 June at 3 p.m. in room S3.  
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