WT/TPR/317  
8 July 2013  
(13-3594)  Page: 1/2  
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 
COUNTRIES OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN ECONOMIC AND MONETARY COMMUNITY (CEMAC) 
THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE WTO 
Arrangements for Review Meeting 
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 29 and 31 July 2013 to conduct the first 
review of the trade policies and practices of th e countries of the CEMAC that are Members of 
the WTO (WTO/AIR/4145). 
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/Rev.3). 
1  QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS 
3.  Members wishing to submit written questions to the Members under review should do so at 
least two weeks before the review meeting to allow replies to be prepared in time for the first session of the meeting. For the forthcoming review , such questions should therefore be with the 
Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariat (tprd@wto.org) by 5.30 p.m., 
Monday 15 July 2013, at the latest. 
4.  In line with the results of the 4
th Appraisal of the TPRM (WT/MIN(11)/6, paragraph 27.2 (b) 
and Annex 2), Members are reminded that they should group their written questions into the 
following three categories so as to facilitate responses: those related to the Secretariat report 
(with a reference to relevant paragraph numbe rs); those concerning the Government report 
(with a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); and other questions. 
5.  The Secretariat shall identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least two 
weeks before a review meeting, post them on the Members' Website one week before the meeting, and distribute a revised list of main points during the first session of a review when questions 
received after the two-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues. The main points may be 
found on the Members' Website under "Forthcoming meetings: Documents for Meetings". 
2  ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW 
6.  Answers by the Members under review should be  distributed in writing; advance questions 
submitted by the two-week deadline before the star t of the TPRB review should be answered in 
writing by the Members under review by the star t of the meeting. Questions posed subsequently 
should be answered, to the extent possible, before  the start of the second session of the meeting. 
Questions left unanswered at the end of the second session should be answered in writing no later 
than one month after the meeting with some latitude in the Chair's discretion for Members reviewing a very large number of questions. WT/TPR/317 
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  7.  In the course of the discussions at the review meeting, the Members under review may indicate 
that they intend to provide supplementary information, in writing, on specific points raised. Upon receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members. 
3  DISCUSSANT 
8.  In consultation with the Members under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review 
Body may choose a discussant who, in her/his personal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the Body. H.E. Mr Alberto Pedro D'Alotto (Argen tina) will act as discussant for the review of 
the CEMAC countries that are Members of the WTO. 
4  STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 
9.  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. 
10.  Meetings take place in two sessions. The first session is devoted to the opening statements by 
the Members under review and the discussant, and remarks and questions from the floor. 
The discussion in the second session, when the Me mbers under review will reply to questions, 
is based on main themes identified after the op ening meeting by the Chairperson, the discussant 
and the Secretariat in consultation with the Members. 
11.  The speakers list will follow the order in whic h questions are received by the Secretariat with 
precedence given to Ambassadors present and asking for the floor. 
5  DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
12.  Reports by the Members under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents: 
WT/TPR/G/285 Report by the Countries of the CEMAC 
WT/TPR/S/285 Countries of the CEMAC: Report by the Secretariat 
 13.  The press embargo for the review of the countries of the CEMAC will end 
at 2.00 p.m. Geneva time on 29 July 2013. 
6  RECORD OF THE MEETING 
14.  The record of the meeting will be circulated as  a draft to Members for comments on their own 
statements and placed on the WTO website. 
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