WT/TPR/311  
 
13 March 2013  
(13-1356)  Page: 1/2  
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON 
OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 
MEXICO 
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 17 and 19 April 2013 to conduct the fifth review of the 
trade policies and practices of Mexico (WTO/AIR/4074). 
2.  This communication sets out arrangements conc erning the review meeting. In this connection, 
attention is also drawn to the procedures for the conduct of reviews contained in the revised rules 
of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3). 
3.  Members' attention is drawn to Mexico's  use of the "alternative" timeframe for 
submission of written questions and responses (see below) .  
1  QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS 
4.  Members wishing to submit written question s to the Member under review should do 
so at least four weeks before the review me eting to allow replies to be submitted one 
week prior to the first session of the meeting . For the forthcoming review, such questions 
should therefore be with the Trade Policies Revi ew Division of the Secretariat (tprd@wto.org) 
by 5.30 p.m., Wednesday, 20 March 2013, at the latest . 
5.  In line with the results of the 4th 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 numbers); those concerning the Government report (with 
a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); and other questions. 
6.  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 
7.  Answers by the Member under review should be distributed in writing. Advance questions 
submitted by the four-week deadline before the start of the TPRB review should be 
answered in writing by the Member under re view one week prior to the start of the 
meeting (10 April 2013). Written answers w ill be made available on the Members' 
Website four working days prior to the meeting (11 April 2013) . Questions submitted at 
least two weeks in advance of the meeting should  be answered in writing by the Member under 
review prior to the start of the TPRB review. Ques tions posed subsequently should be answered, to WT/TPR/311 
 
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  the extent possible, before the start of the second session of the meeting. Questions left 
unanswered at the end of the second session shou ld 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. 
8.  In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate 
that it intends 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 
9.  In consultation with the Member 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 François Riegert (France) will  act as discussant for the review of Mexico.  
4  STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 
10.  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. 
11.  Meetings take place in two sessions. The first session is devoted to the opening statements by 
the Member under review and the discussant, and remarks and questions from the floor. The 
discussion in the second session, when the Member under review will reply to questions, is based 
on main themes identified after the opening m eeting by the Chairperson, the discussant and the 
Secretariat in consultation with the Member. 
12.  The speakers list will follow the order in which questions are received by the Secretariat with 
precedence given to Ambassadors present and asking for the floor. 
5  DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
13.  Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents: 
WT/TPR/G/279   Report by Mexico 
WT/TPR/S/279   Mexico: Report by the Secretariat 
14.  The press embargo for the review of Mexico will end at 2 p.m. Geneva time on 17 April 2013. 
6  RECORD OF THE MEETING 15.  On a pilot basis, a podcast of the proceedin gs in all three working languages will be made 
available on the Members' Website at the end of each half-day's session. 
16.  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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