WT/TPR/318  
20 August 2013  
(13-4445)  Page: 1/2  
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON 
OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 
COSTA RICA 
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 fo r 24 and 26 September 2013 to conduct the fourth 
review of the trade policies and practices of Costa Rica (WTO/AIR/4162). 
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 revised rules 
of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3). 
3.  Members' attention is drawn to Costa Rica's use of the "alternative" time –frame 
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 questions to the Member under review should 
do so at least four weeks before the review meeting 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., Tuesday, 27 August 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 num bers); 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 review one week prior to the start 
of the meeting (17 Septem ber 2013). Written answers will be made available 
on the Members' Website four working days prior to the meeting (18 September 2013) . 
Questions submitted at least two weeks in advance of the meeting should be answered in writing WT/TPR/318 
- 2 - 
  by the Member under review prior to the start of  the TPRB review. 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. 
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 Fook Seng Kwok (Singapore) will act as discussant for the review 
of Costa Rica. 
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 Me mber 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 Member. 
12.  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 
13.  Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the 
following documents: 
WT/TPR/G/286   Report by Costa Rica 
WT/TPR/S/286   Costa Rica: Report by the Secretariat 
14.  The press embargo for the review of Costa Rica will end at 2 p.m. Geneva time on 
24 September 2013. 
6  RECORD OF THE MEETING 
15.  On a pilot basis, a podcast of the proceedings 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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