RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/72  
18 November 2014  
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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/En langue originale seulement/En el idioma original solamente . 
  DJIBOUTI AND MAURITIUS  
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 22 AND 24 OCTOBER 2014 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat (Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 2 December 2014. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
 
DJIBOUTI ET MAURICE  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 22 ET 24 OCTOBRE 2014 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat (Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 2 décembre 2014 au plus tard. 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
 
DJIBOUTI Y MAURICIO  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 22 Y 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 2014 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sra. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 2 de diciembre de 2014 las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones. 
 
 
_______________ 
 WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
DJIBOUTI AND MAURITIUS  
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mrs. Mariam MD Salleh 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 3  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF DJIBOUTI .................................... 5  
3  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF MAURITIUS ................................. 9  
4  STATEMENT BY TH E DISCUSSANT .............................................................................. 15  
5  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 22  
6  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF DJIBOUTI ....................................................... 46  
7  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF MAURITIUS AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS ..................................................................................................................... 48  
8  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 54  
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Djibouti and Mauritius are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/305/Add.1 and 
WT/TPR/M/304/Add.1 and will be available online at http://www.wto.org/english/tr atop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The second Trade Policy Review of Djibouti  and the fourth Trade Policy Review of Mauritius 
was held on 22 and 24 October 2014. The Chairperson H.E. Mrs. Mariam MD Salleh (Malaysia) welcomed the delegation of Djibouti headed by H.E. Mr. Hassan Ahmed Boulaleh, Minister 
Delegate for Trade; the delegation of Mauritius headed by Mrs. Usha Dwarka-Canabady, Secretary 
for Foreign Affairs; the rest of the two delegations, including H.E. Mr. Mohamed Siad Douale, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Djibouti and H.E. Mr. Israhyananda Dhalladoo of 
Mauritius; other colleagues from the mission in Geneva; and the discussant, H.E. Mr. Gabriel 
Duque (Colombia). 
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of th e Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The reports by Djibouti and Mauritius were contained in 
documents WT/TPR/G/305 and WT/TPR/G/304 and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/305 
and WT/TPR/S/304. 
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writing at least two weeks in 
advance and had been transmitted to the delegation s of Djibouti and Mauritius: the United States; 
Canada; China; the European Union and Brazil. The following delegations submitted written questions after the two-week deadline: Peru and Thailand. 
1.4.  It appeared from the reports that Djibouti's economy was dominated by services with no 
significant production of goods. GDP growth acce lerated recently, averaging some 5% since 2007. 
The report by the Secretariat stressed that agri culture was marginal and manufacturing remained 
underdeveloped, constrained by tax burden, and high labour and energy costs. Nevertheless, the 
authorities were committed to making trade and regional integration a tool of economic 
development. Steps were being taken, including through a public-private dialogue to ensure an environment conducive to investment, competitive production and exports; and Members were 
interested to know more about these practical efforts. 
1.5.  The Chairperson recalled that during th e previous review, Members had expressed their 
concern regarding the lack of transparency in Djibouti's Internal Consumption Tax or TIC system 
as exemptions and concessions had made the TIC a de facto tariff; a Value Added Tax (VAT) had 
been adopted to progressively replace the TIC. However, the concomitant application of the VAT with the TIC further complicated Djibouti's taxation system.  
1.6.  Despite noticeable reforms in its trade policies and practices, Djibouti continued to face 
challenges regarding timely notification to the WTO of new trade-related measures. Moreover, 
Djibouti would benefit from promptly addressing the issue of public enterprises in its economy, since this continued to be a major reason for the supply-side constraints already pointed out by 
Members during the previous review. 
1.7.  Turning to Mauritius, Mauritius had pursued a reform agenda that was evident in its previous 
review to make its economy more liberal and competitive. Tariffs had been further reduced so that 
MFN zero rates applied to nearly 90% of its tariff lines; trade facilitation measures had been 
taken; competition legislation had been enacted and a competition commission was working actively. State intervention in the economy remained quite pervasive despite recent liberalization of certain state-trading activities. The Chairperson was sure Members would like to hear from 
Mauritius about its plans to continue al ong this ambitious and positive path. 
1.8.  The Chairperson also noted that new laws on government procurement, competition, 
anti-dumping and copyright had entered into force and work was ongoing to introduce further legal 
and institutional changes in the areas of intellectual property rights and contingency measures. 
The Chairperson had no doubt that Members would have a great interest in both the content and implementation of these new laws.  
1.9.  As noted in the Secretariat report, Mauritius had a relatively diversified economy and it was 
interesting to see how the country was looking to make the most of all of its assets. The services sector was Mauritius' main economic engine, and efforts were underway to build up the ICT sector 
as a key pillar of the economy and develop air and maritime hubs. Mauritius, through its Ocean 
Economy strategy, was considering how it could capitalize on its huge exclusive economic zone WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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and it was actively re-orientating its agricultural sector in the face of changing market access 
conditions for its exports. It was interesting to hear more from Mauritius about the implementation of these various initiatives, the results achieved and challenges faced. 
1.10.  The reports and questions from Members and the replies from Djibouti and Mauritius had 
covered a wide range of issues. The Chairperson was sure that these would be touched upon in 
greater detail at the deliberations on the first and second day of the meeting. Members could access the podcast of this meeting on the Member s' website after the first day of the meeting. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF DJIBOUTI (H.E. MR HASSAN 
AHMED BOULALEH) 
2.1.  C’est pour moi un grand honneur de présenter le second Examen de la politique commerciale 
de la République de Djibouti. 
2.2.  Je voudrais remercier les délégués ici présents pour l’intérêt qu’ils portent au présent 
exercice collectif qui vise à comprendre les politiques et pratiques commerciales de la République de Djibouti et de l’Ile Maurice. Je pense que nos échanges seront francs, concrets et mutuellement 
bénéfiques. 
2.3.  Excellence, Madame la Présidente, je vous remercie pour vos paroles de bienvenue et 
d’introduction au second Examen de la politique commerciale de mon pays. Je remercie également, S.E. M. l’Ambassadeur Gabriel Duque de la Colombie d’avoir accepté d’être 
présentateur afin d'aider à stimuler un débat constructif. 
2.4.  Je voudrais aussi remercier l’équipe du Secrétariat de l’OMC pour son excellent travail dans la 
rédaction du rapport sur la politique commerciale de Djibouti. 
La République de Djibouti et le  système commercial multilatéral 
2.5.  La république de Djibouti est située dans un carrefour commercial entre l’Afrique et l’Asie et, 
en particulier, la péninsule arabique. C’est une terre d’échanges et de rencontre et le commerce 
est ancré dans la mémoire de notre population. C’est aussi un pays très stable de la Corne de 
l’Afrique.  
2.6.  La République de Djibouti est fermement convaincue qu'un système commercial multilatéral 
fondé sur des règles dans le cadre de l'OMC est nécessaire pour préserver les intérêts des pays en 
développement, ainsi que pour garantir que le commerce mondial s'effectue de manière ordonnée. 
Le Gouvernement de Djibouti poursuit ses efforts en faveur d'une conclusion rapide des négociations du Cycle de Doha car il en découlerait des avantages importants non seulement pour 
le commerce international, mais aussi pour le renforcement des échanges entre pays en 
développement. 
2.7.  Djibouti a contribué à la consolidation du système commercial multilatéral en participant à 
toutes les négociations à l’OMC notamment lors de la neuvième Conférence ministérielle de Bali, 
en particulier l’accord sur la facilitation des échanges.  
2.8.  Depuis le dernier examen, Djibouti a conclu plusieurs accords commerciaux et sur les 
investissements. Ces accords s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’intégration économique régionale, et 
sont conformes aux principes et règles du système commercial multilatéral. Ils contribuent 
pleinement à l’atteinte des objectifs de libéralisation des échanges et d’ouverture de notre économie. 
2.9.  L’évolution de l’environnement économique depuis le dernier examen s’est inscrit dans 
l’objectif de stimulation d’une croissance économique accélérée, créatrice d’emplois, et d’amélioration des conditions de vie de la population dans un cadre commercial libéral, ouvert et 
intégré à l’économie régionale et mondiale. Dans un contexte international marqué par la reprise 
progressive de la croissance et l’augmentation de la demande de l’Éthiopie, l’économie nationale a 
poursuivi une dynamique positive. 
2.10.  L’économie djiboutienne a, par conséquent, enregistré une croissance forte entre 2007 et 
2013, période durant laquelle le produit intérieur brut a progressé de 5% par an. Cela s’est traduit 
par une amélioration du revenu et des conditions de  vie de la population et le revenu par habitant 
est passé de 850 dollars EU en 2006 à 1200 dollars EU en 2013. 
2.11.  Le secteur primaire,  malgré les sécheresses récurrentes dans la région, a connu une forte 
performance entre 2008 et 2013 sous l’impulsion de  de la production agricole, l’exportation du 
bétail et le regain des activités de pêche. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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2.12.  Le secteur secondaire  a également progressé depuis 2008 grâce au sous-secteur du 
bâtiment et des travaux publics et à l’embellie du sous-secteur de l'énergie. 
2.13.  Le secteur tertiaire, qui constitue le pilier de l'économie djiboutienne, a connu une 
progression relativement forte.  
2.14.  L’inflation a été ramenée à 3,7% en 2012 à 2,7 % en 2013 grâce à la stabilisation des prix 
internationaux des denrées alimentaires et à une baisse des tarifs énergétiques pour les ménages à faible consommation.
1 
2.15.  Grâce à une politique prudente du Gouvernement en matière de dépenses publiques et à 
l'amélioration du recouvrement des recettes fiscales, le déficit budgétaire est passé à 2,7 % du PIB en 2012 à 1,9 % du PIB en 2013. 
Commerce 
2.16.  Le commerce international demeure fondamental du fait de la forte dépendance aux 
importations de Djibouti. L’évolution des importations à un rythme supérieur à celui des exportations a généré un déficit persistant de la balance commerciale qui représente 41,2% du PIB 
en 2013. La croissance de ces importations tient au dynamisme de la demande intérieure 
djiboutienne. 
2.17.  Les exportations de biens et services ont enregistré un taux de croissance moyen de 10% 
par an et ont atteint, en 2013, le montant de 485 millions de dollars EU. 
Investissement 2.18.  L’attractivité de la République de Dj ibouti est confortée par la tendance du taux 
d’investissement qui connait un accroissement notable des flux entrants d'IED depuis le dernier 
examen d’EPC en 2006. En effet, le taux moyen d’investissement direct étranger par rapport au 
PIB qui n’était que de 13% dans les années 2000-2005, est passé à 31% entre 2006 et 2013, soit un taux largement supérieur à celui des pays de la région. 
2.19.  La stratégie multidimensionnelle de l’investissement vise à soutenir la compétitivité et 
l’attractivité de Djibouti en termes d’infrastr uctures, de capital humain, de gouvernance et 
d’amélioration de l’environnement des affaires, notamment le traitement et la protection des 
investisseurs. Des actions spécifiques de ciblage et d’attraction des investissements sont 
proposées pour des secteurs ayant un potentiel plus marqué de développement et où les investisseurs étrangers peuvent jouer un rôle bénéfique. 
2.20.  Les efforts du Gouvernement ont été consacrés par la distinction de la République de 
Djibouti qui a été classée 1ère en Afrique et 6ème parmi les dix pays le plus réformateur dans le 
monde selon  le rapport Doing Business 2O14 du Groupe de la Banque mondiale. 
2.21.  Sur cette lancée, le Gouvernement de Djibouti a décidé de créer une cour commerciale 
internationale dans la Zone franche afin d'encourager le commerce. Cette cour commerciale 
extraterritoriale, qui répond aux meilleures pratiques et normes internationales, appliquera le système juridique du "Common Law" et sera in dépendante des cours et tribunaux ordinaires 
nationaux qui continueront d’appliquer le système de droit civil. 
2.22.  Les reformes structurelles continuent avec une réforme de la fiscalité en cours,  la facilitation 
des échanges en vue d'améliorer les procédures douanières; la réforme du régime de la concurrence; l’amélioration de la protection des droits de propriété intellectuelle; et l'amélioration 
de la réglementation et de la simplifi cation des formalités administratives. 
                                               
1 Ministère de l'économie et des finances. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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Intégration régionale de la République de Djibouti 
2.23.  La stratégie du Gouvernement en matière d’intégration régionale consiste à "consolider la 
réputation et le statut libéral de l’économie djiboutienne et de poursuivre une politique d’ouverture sur le monde extérieur en renforçant le positionnement régional de Djibouti". 
2.24.  Cette vision vise à renforcer le rôle de pionnier de la République de Djibouti dans la Corne 
de l’Afrique comme centre logistique, commercial et financier. 
2.25.  Dans cette optique, Djibouti met en oeuvre un programme d’intégration régionale qui 
s’articule autour de quatre objectifs spécifiques: 
 Renforcer les capacités de coordination des programmes d’intégration régionale; 
 Mettre en oeuvre les instruments douaniers avec le COMESA; 
 Faciliter les transports et les échanges sur le Corridor de Djibouti; et 
 Promouvoir les investissements et l’appui aux PME. 
 Les perspectives de l’économie de Dj ibouti: la Vision du développement 
2.26.  La Vision Djibouti 2035 est le nouveau modèle de développement économique que le 
Gouvernement a lancé en août 2014. Celle-ci repose  sur cinq grands  piliers, à savoir: i) paix et 
unité nationale; ii) bonne gouvernance; iii) économie diversifiée; iv) consolidation du capital 
humain; et v) intégration régionale. 
2.27.  L’objectif est de faire de la République de Djibouti une nation émergente à revenu 
intermédiaire avant l’horizon 2035. Il s'agit d'un programme de changement vaste et ambitieux visant à changer fondamentalement le pays avec des institutions efficaces au service de la 
population. 
2.28.  Dans ce contexte, le Gouvernement met en place un ensemble de programmes pour le 
développement des secteurs stratégiques. 
2.29.  Le secteur des transports constitue l'épine dorsale de l'économie djiboutienne. En effet, la 
chaîne des transports est le pilier principal de l’activité économique. 
2.30.  Dans cet objectif, un effort de modernisation sans précédent des infrastructures des 
transports a été réalisé et est en cours de réalisation. Le nombre des ports a été accru et a été 
porté de deux en 2006 à six prochainement afin de répondre efficacement à l’augmentation du trafic notamment avec l’Éthiopie et les autres pays enclavés dont l’essentiel des échanges commerciaux avec le monde passe par Djibouti. 
2.31.  Dans le cadre de l’intégration des modes de transport, le Gouvernement a lancé les 
programmes de construction de deux lignes de chemins de fer et de corridors routiers, d'un nouvel aéroport international à proximité de Djibouti. Ce t aéroport répondra aux standards internationaux 
de l’aviation civile. Á côté de ces grandes infrastructures de transport, de grandes zones franches 
vont être développées afin d’attirer les entreprises et favoriser la création d’emploi. 
Tourisme 
2.32.  La République de Djibouti a un énorme potentiel de développement dans le secteur du 
tourisme. 
2.33.  Djibouti met en valeur son riche patrimoine naturel et culturel tout en s’appuyant sur sa 
situation géographique très favorable et place le secteur touristique au coeur de sa stratégie de 
développement. 
2.34.  L’objectif est de promouvoir le développement d’une industrie touristique, d’accroitre le 
nombre de touristes vers la destination djibou tienne comme prolongement naturel des circuits 
touristiques éthiopiens grâce à la mise en place d’une offre touristique complémentaire entres les 
deux pays. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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Secteur financier 
2.35.  Le secteur financier djiboutien s’est profon dément modifié au terme de la décennie écoulée. 
Le nombre d’opérateurs bancaires a quintuplé et les activités financières se sont intensifiées. 
2.36.  L’objectif du Gouvernement pour ce secteur est de contribuer au développement d’un 
secteur financier dynamique et performant au service du développement du secteur privé et de la 
croissance économique accélérée. 
2.37.  Cet approfondissement financier permettra l’accès du financement à un coût raisonnable; 
l’accès de ressources longues en utilisant divers instruments appropriés pour l’économie nationale 
avec la création d’une banque du logement, d’un e banque régionale, et d'un marché financier. 
Ainsi, Djibouti renforcera son rôle et sa place financière régionale tant dans la finance conventionnelle que dans la finance islamique. 
Énergie 
2.38.  Le secteur énergétique joue aussi un rôle essentiel dans le développement 
socio-économique de la République de Djibouti. Les perspectives énergétiques à moyen et long 
terme sont favorables grâce à l'exploitation du potentiel géothermique, de l’énergie solaire et 
l’éolienne, et à l'interconnexion avec l'Éthiopie qui dispose de gisements hydroélectriques gigantesques. 
2.39.  Cette situation très favorable a permis de démarrer une série d’initiatives en vue de se 
tourner vers 100% d’énergie renouvelable d’ici 2020. 
2.40.  La politique énergétique agira sur la production et la consommation pour contribuer à 
l’atteinte des objectifs de la croissance économique. En effet, la fourniture de l’énergie en quantité 
pour l’expansion des activités économiques et la diversification de l'économie constitue un enjeu 
majeur pour le pays, tout comme l’accessibilité du plus grand nombre des populations à l’énergie pour l’amélioration des conditions de vie et la modernisation des zones rurales. 
TIC 
2.41.  Dans le secteur des télécommunications, la République de Djibouti dispose d’une 
infrastructure conforme aux standards internationaux. La vision dans ce secteur consiste à 
moderniser le secteur des télécommunications af in de permettre une réduction des coûts et 
l'amélioration de la qualité du service. 
2.42.  La nouvelle stratégie du Gouvernement pour le développement des TIC (Technologies de 
l’information et de la communication) consiste à procéder à une ouverture ordonnée et progressive 
du marché. 
Conclusion 2.43.  Je conclurai en réaffirmant que la répub lique de Djibouti croit fermement et attache une 
importance particulière à ce type d'examen lié à la formulation et à l'application des politiques 
commerciales des Membres et qui favorise la transparence. Elle se réjouit d'avoir procédé, avec l'aide du Secrétariat de l'OMC, à son deuxième Examen de sa politique commerciale. 
2.44.  La République de Djibouti maintiendra un régime commercial ouvert et favorable à l'activité 
économique. Elle continuera à mener des politiques favorisant l’intégration régionale et l’insertion internationale de son économie. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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3  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF MAURITIUS (MRS USHA 
DWARKA-CANABADY) 
3.1.  Allow me at the outset, Madam Chair, to express our gratitude to you for presiding over our 
trade policy review and also to the Ambassador of Columbia for accepting to be the discussant for 
this session. We trust both your wise leadership and guidance for the review process. We also 
thank Member states present today to accompany us in this process.  
3.2.  Let me also underline that Mauritius highly values this review process as it offers us the 
opportunity not only to reassess our trade fundamentals but also to reaffirm our unflinching 
commitment to the multilateral trading system and the conduct of the Trade Policy Review. 
3.3.  I avail of this opportunity to warmly welcome the Djibouti delegation led by H.E. Mr. Hassan 
Ahmed Boulaleh, Minister of State for Trade. My delegation wishes to commend the comprehensive 
presentation you have just made and the insightful  overview of the Djibouti economy including the 
robust measures taken by the Government of Djibouti namely the Economic Transformation Programme and the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Employment Creation. 
3.4.  Mauritius and Djibouti have been working closely within the COMESA towards promoting 
effective regional integration and more importantly to expand regional trade and inter-African trade generally.  
3.5.  As small economies we share a lot of commonalities and are faced with similar challenges on 
several fronts including trade, investment and climate change.  The services sector which contributes to over 70% of our GDP is set to play a more significant role in our future development. In this context, our two countries have been cooperating actively in the Freeport 
development sector and we look forward to exploring other areas of cooperation bilaterally. 
3.6.  Monsieur le Ministre, en tant que pays africain, je voudrais vous exprimer tout le soutien de 
l'Ile Maurice pour l'avancement de Djibouti tant sur le plan économique que pour la mise en 
oeuvre des institutions telles que l'accord commercial que vous avez énoncé maintenant. 
3.7.  For the period under review, Mauritius was faced with the daunting challenge of 
implementing the right policy mix to ensure an effective and efficient response to global economic 
downturn and to pursue the economic reform programme which has been instituted by the 
Government in 2006.  
Implementation of the 2006 Economic Reform Programme  3.8.  The aim of the 2006 reforms were to attain fiscal consolidation, public sector efficiency, 
improve competitiveness, and enhance the investment climate leading to the democratization of 
the economy through participation and social inclusion. These trade reforms included important elements such as tariff liberalization, business facilitation and investment promotion and opening 
up Mauritius to foreign talents and expertise, amongst others. These reforms as we spelled out in 
our previous TPR were to chart a new course to wards more market-driven, transparent and rules 
based economic management. Trade reforms were effectively an important element of the core 
objectives that the Government tried to attain. 
3.9.  With the tariff liberalization programme, the Government eliminated all exemptions given to 
specific enterprises which led to a level playing field for all operators (whether for export or for domestic production). Duties on all industrial inputs have now been eliminated. Maximum tariff 
was brought down from 65% to 30%, and 79% of ta riff lines became duty free in 2006. This tariff 
liberalization has been pursued over the years and average tariffs have dropped from 6.6% in 2000 to 2.3% in 2014. As mentioned earlier, 88.87% of tariff lines are zero rated in Mauritius. 
3.10.  A Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act was enacted in 2006 with a view to 
charting a new course towards modernizing the country by eliminating bureaucracy procedures that impede new enterprise development and to provide a new business environment focused on a 
growing absence of preferences to embrace glob al competitiveness. The new legal framework 
allowed businesses to start operations within three working days on the basis of self-adherence to guidelines. In addition, a single occupation permit comprising both work and residence permits WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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were introduced for foreigners under pre-esta blished criteria for the following categories: 
investors, self-employed and professionals. A schem e was also introduced for retired non-citizens 
who were issued with a residence permit. 
3.11.  To further improve the business environment by ensuring optimal conditions for economic 
activity, the Government also put in place the relevant framework to prevent restrictive business 
practices and over exploitation of market forces  to the detriment of consumers. The Competition 
Act was proclaimed in November 2009 and led to the establishment of the Competition 
Commission in Mauritius. The Director of the Commission is empowered to investigate restrictive 
business practices which could take the form of collusive agreements, mergers or abuse of monopoly position. 
3.12.  Sustainable and green growth is anothe r priority for the Government. The Maurice Ile 
Durable Initiative was launched in 2008 and subsequently the MID Action Plan provided the 
framework for "green growth". The target is for 35% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2025 and to attain a reduced dependency on fo ssil fuels that would drop from 80% in 2009 to 
65% in 2025. 
3.13.  To further promote innovation and creativi ty, the Government has taken steps to overhaul 
its Intellectual Property Policy. In this regard, a new Copyright Act is being implemented as from 
this year which aim is to expand and improve copyright protection taking into account advances in 
information technology. The Copyright Act 2014 is fu lly compliant with the WIPO Copyrights Treaty 
and the WIPO Performances and Phonogram Treaty. It also provides quick remedies in case of 
infringement of authors, composers and copyright holders. 
3.14.  In addition, the Government has agreed to the creation of an empowered IP Office and an 
IP Council. An empowered Mauritius Intellectual Property Office is also expected to be created whose functions will go beyond registration of pa tents and trademarks and would also advise the 
Government on administration of IP laws, promote IP awareness and have a more important role 
in IP coordination and enforcement. The IP Council would facilitate interaction between institutions dealing with IP in view of achieving more cohe rence in the design and implementation of IP 
policies. 
3.15.  A new comprehensive Industrial Property Bill is currently being finalized. The draft Industrial 
Property Bill aims at addressing the lack of a holistic legislation dealing with all industrial property matters and will provide enhanced protection to all forms of IP. We are thankful to the WIPO for 
the technical expertise provided in drafting this legislation. 
3.16.  With a view to pursuing progress towards building a world-class investment climate, the 
2014 Budget contained two important measures: (i) fast-tracking of major projects; and 
(ii) speedy delivery of Building and Land Use Permit. As a result of this, a Fast Track Committee 
has been set up by the Government to expedite  the processing of all permits and approvals 
concerning major investment projects. Consequential amendments would be brought to relevant 
legislations and these measures are expected to lead to investment of some Rs 20 billion into new 
projects over the next few years.  
3.17.  The Business Facilitation Act will be further enhanced through the setting-up of a central 
e-monitoring system which will track all applications for building and land use permits. The 
required permits would be delivered within 14 days of submission of application. Past this deadline 
the Silent Agreement Principle will apply. 
Impact of reforms and the financial crisis  
3.18.  The 2006 reform programme as well as continuous policy reforms had been instrumental in 
building resilience against external economic shoc ks and supporting growth. The reforms have led 
to an increase in economic growth from 2.7% in 2005 to 5.7% in 2007 largely driven by Foreign 
Direct Investment. However, as many other sm all countries, we have been affected by the 
financial crisis and the global economic slowdown. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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3.19.  The country experienced a sharp decline in demand for tourism services and textile exports 
in recent years. There was also a contraction of the labour-intensive sectors, especially construction and the manufacturing sector, as the crisis made its way to Mauritius. 
3.20.  As a result, growth slowed to 5.5% in 2008 and then to 3.1% in 2009 while unemployment 
increased from 7.2% in 2008 to 7.3% in 2009. However, prudent macroeconomic management led 
to international reserves continuing to expand and the fiscal deficit was kept below 5% of GDP. The country’s strategy for resilience was premised  on reforms to sustain long-term growth; timely, 
targeted, and temporary short-term response; inst itutional arrangements that promoted private 
sector collaboration; and strong relationships with development partners. 
Measures to address the 2008 crisis 3.21.  In response to the global financial crisis, Mauritius aodpted two fiscal stimulus packages in 
2008 and 2009 and eased monetary policy. Fiscal packages were aimed at fast tracking and 
accelerating private investment, supporting SMEs and re-skilling of workers. The Mechanism for Transitional Support Program of 2009 was adopted to support private firms facing financial 
difficulties. A Tax Suspension Programme was also introduced for the labour-intensive and 
vulnerable tourism, construction, and real estate sectors. Monetary policy in Mauritius was also made more flexible to complement fiscal policy with the key repo rate being kept at a level 
sufficient to ensure economic buoyancy. 
3.22.  In 2008, the Government introduced offsetting measures that are expected to bring the 
primary budget into surplus and a Public Debt Management Act was adopted to limit public sector debt to 60% of GDP: the ultimate goal would be to reduce the public sector debt to 50% of GDP 
by 2018.  
3.23.  Additional measures were taken in 2010 due to the global economic slowdown. The 
Economic Restructuring and Competitiveness Programme (ERCP) included around 100 policy 
measures aimed at shifting export growth to new markets, restructuring and deleveraging 
enterprises, retraining retrenched workers, u pgrading public infrastructure and improving the 
regulatory environment for competitiveness. 
3.24.  As a result of fiscal stimulus packages and expansionary monetary policy, Mauritius has 
been able to show certain resilience to the cris is of 2008 and to the global economic slowdown.  
The economy was in the way a recovering in 2010 with a growth of 4.2% and subsequently, growth rates in 2011 and 2012 reached 3.6% and 3.4% respectively. Growth figures for 2013 
have been revised downwards due to the prolon ged slowdown in the euro zone area which 
accounts for 60% of our exports. However, growth is expected to rebound to 4.1% in 2015 on the assumption that the worst of the crisis is behind us.  
Economic resilience  
3.25.  The economy’s relative resilience can also be demonstrated by the performance of key 
sectors as well as by the sound performance of key macroeconomic indicators. In 2013, the 
economy was driven by the performance of the te rtiary sector, namely financial services, ICT, 
wholesale and retail trade. Financial services benefitted from strong performance in banking 
services. Tourist arrivals from countries like China, Russia and Africa made up for the slowdown in the Eurozone tourists. FDI which stood at Rs 9.5 billion for the year 2013 is still estimated at 
around 4% of GDP.  
3.26.  Since the financial services sector is a st rong driver of growth, we aim at enhancing our 
track record as a reformer. Mauritius subscribed to the IMF’ Special Data Dissemination Standard 
(SDDS) in February 2012 and is the second Sub-Saharan African country to do so.  
3.27.  Mauritius is also committed to achieve fiscal sustainability to help address external sector 
vulnerabilities. Public debt as has been mentioned remains within the limit of 60% of GDP. The IMF 
Article IV Consultations of 2014 concluded that ne ar-term growth outlook is generally favourable 
and that 50% debt of GDP ratio target by 2018 was achievable.  WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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3.28.  The result of the economic reform progra mme can best be assessed in terms of the various 
rankings achieved by Mauritius internationally. 
3.29.  Mauritius was ranked 20th in the  Ease  of Doing  Bus ine s s  of the  W orld  Bank for the  year 
2014. It is thus among the top 20 countries globally in terms of "starting a business", "paying 
taxes", "protecting investors" and "trading across borders".  
3.30.  In terms of economic freedom, Mauritius ranks 5th in the world while on the Forbes survey 
of Best Countries for Business, Mauritius is in the 29th position globally. Recently, Mauritius has 
been ranked as the top competitive economy on the African continent. 
3.31.  On account of our strong governance instit utions based on the rule of law the Mo Ibrahim 
Index of African Governance has graded Mauritius as the highest performer on the continent for the 8
th consecutive year. 
New pillars of growth  
3.32.  The aim of the Government now is to expand and diversify the economic base by developing 
new economic pillars, especially as the traditional sectors of the economy namely the sugar sector 
and the textiles industry are confronted with se rious challenges. Indeed, with the abolition of 
internal EU sugar quotas in 2017, the price of suga r is expected to experience drastic cuts coupled 
with increased production within the EU which may crowd out third country imports such as from 
Mauritius. Exports of manufactured products have also been affected due to economic slowdown in 
our main markets, namely in the UK and France. 
3.33.  In this regard, particular emphasis is being placed on transforming the economy into a 
service-based economy with the development of new sectors such as education and wellness 
industry, knowledge hub, the development of the ocean economy and the development of 
Mauritius into an aviation and petroleum hub for the region. 
Africa strategy 
3.34.  Africa, to which Mauritius belongs, remains one of our key economic priorities. An Africa 
strategy on how we can better support our African countries and the region and the continent as a whole is now partly being implemented. As a member of SADC and COMESA Free Trade Areas, 
Mauritius has eliminated tariffs and is committed to the removal to non-tariff barriers. It is also 
actively participating in the COMESA-SADC-EAC Tripartite negotiations which aim at creating a Free Trade Area by year 2015. We host the COMESA Infrastructure Fund aimed a facilitating development of trade related regional infrastructure and the Bank of Mauritius has been 
designated as the settlement bank for COMESA.  
3.35.  To facilitate movement of people, personnel in the region and our businesses, Mauritius has, 
in 2012, eased visa requirements for nationals of 29 countries in Africa. Furthermore, as part of its 
contribution towards strengthening regional integration, Mauritius has agreed to host the Regional 
Multi-disciplinary Centre of Excellence to assist in the formulation and implementation of regional economic development policy, the IMF AFRITAC South and IMF’s Training Institute for Africa. 
AFRITAC South provides technical assistance in macroeconomic management for Southern African 
countries. The Africa Training Institute, in the other hand, provides high level training in macroeconomic issues for Sub-Saharan countries. The institutions seek to position the country as a regional and international knowledge hub. 
3.36.  Since the 2013 Budget, Mauritius has been pursuing an expanded Africa Strategy aimed at 
encouraging Mauritian operators to do business in the region. This include the creation of the Mauritius-Africa Fund for participation in equity financing of businesses investing in Africa, 
providing support on freight cost of containers and a Credit Guarantee Insurance Scheme for 
exports to Africa, as well as Scholarships Scheme for 50 African students.  
Trade facilitation  
3.37.  The period under review has also seen si gnificant improvements to our infrastructure and 
appropriate trade facilitation measures with a view to reduce transaction costs. The Airport of WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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Mauritius has been enlarged and modernized to cope with growing passenger traffic which has 
grown at an average rate of 2.7% annually. Some  3 million passengers are expected by the end of 
2014. The Government intends to build upon the recent overhaul at the airport to make the 
aviation industry a new pillar of the Mauritian economy. 
3.38.  Similarly, port development is being carried  out with a view to positioning the Port Louis 
harbour as a regional maritime, logistics and business hub. The 2014 budget projects a total investment of some Rs 3.7 billion in port development with an additional Rs 2.8 billion over the 
next two years. 
3.39.  Significant measures have also been im plemented by Mauritius Customs with a view to 
enhancing the framework through which trade is cond ucted. The most important aspect is that we 
have a Paperless Customs whereby copies of trade documents can be submitted electronically for 
clearance. The final objective is to have a dedicated component as part of the Single Window 
Project whereby there would be online submission, processing and approval  of permits and other 
authorisations related to import and ex port, including the payment of fees.  
3.40.  As part of our commitment towards more transparency in trade and for lowering transaction 
costs, we have submitted our notification of Category A measures under the Trade Facilitation Agreement which forms part of the Bali Package.  We are currently assessing the cost of our 
implementation needs and would soon approach our traditional development partners and the 
donor community for technical and financial support. Whilst the Trade Facilitation Facility set up by the WTO would address the soft infrastructure needs, my delegation wishes to stress the need for a holistic support to both soft and hard infrastructure needs. Capacity building development within 
the region remains a priority and the Regional Multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence of Mauritius 
can be used by the WTO and other specialized agencies to address capacity building needs for Africa. 
Market diversification  
3.41.  Diversification of our markets also ranks among our top priorities and measures are being 
taken to consolidate traditional markets which still account for some 80% of our exports. We have 
in this regard concluded an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU and are fully 
committed to concluding an ambitious and compre hensive Economic Partnership Agreement. We 
look forward to the extension of the AGOA which is set to expire in 2015 as the hallmark of 
US-Africa economic and trade relations.  
3.42.  Our efforts at market diversification have led to the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement 
with Turkey and Preferential Trade Area (PTA) with Pakistan. A PTA with India has also been 
concluded as part of a comprehensive agreement bu t it has not been signed yet. We stand ready 
to negotiate a new generation of Economic and Trade Partnership Agreements with any WTO 
Member willing to do so.   
3.43.  Mauritius is a firm believer in the Multilateral Trading System and will continue to participate 
actively in the current Doha Round of Trade Negotiations towards its successful conclusion. We 
believe in a multilateral trading system that is transparent and inclusive and the Bali outcomes injected a dose of optimism for all of us. We look forward to the finalization of the Work Programme to conclude the DDA. In this context, we would like to call for special attention to be 
given to the needs of the Small Island Deve loping States (SIDS) which have inherent 
vulnerabilities. This request has been made from the first Trade Policy Review of Mauritius in 1995 
and we have pointed out a number of times the diff iculties Mauritius faces both as an NFIDCs, a 
net food importer, a small economy and a SIDS.  
3.44.  It is also our ardent wish that the specif ic situation of SIDS which translates into severe 
constraints to development is adequately captured in the negotiated outcomes of the Doha Round 
and that we become recognized as a distinct category. 
Conclusion  3.45.  As indicated, significant changes have o ccurred in the Mauritian economy in the last six 
years. Mauritius is now gearing for its other challenge: the transformation of Mauritius into a High WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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Income Country. This will not be easy given our inherent vulnerabilities and will required deep 
structural changes, especially the consolidation of new growth drivers; addressing remaining infrastructure deficiencies, skills mismatch; existing bottlenecks in the economy and also higher productivity and innovation. We remain confident that with the help of international partners we 
can take the country to a higher growth path and to further its transformation. 
3.46.  I thank you for your kind attention and I would like to thank the Secretariat for its support 
in making this Trade Policy Review possible. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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4  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
4.1.  Quisiera empezar sumándome a sus palabras de bienvenida agradeciendo la presencia de su 
excelencia el Señor Hassan Ahmed Boulaleh, Ministro Delegado para el Comercio de Djibouti, la Señora Usha Dwarka-Canabady, Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores de Mauricio, a los distinguidos 
miembros de sus delegaciones y a las demás delegaciones presentes en el día de hoy. 
4.2.  Es un honor participar en el segundo Examen de Política Comercial de Djibouti y el cuarto de 
Mauricio en calidad de ponente. Sus palabras de introducción, señora Presidenta, así como la 
presentación detallada de los Altos Funcionarios que nos acompañan, y los excelentes reportes 
elaborados por ambos Gobiernos y por la Secretaría de la OMC, nos brindan una buena base para nuestras discusiones en esta mañana.  
DJIBOUTI 
4.3.  Permítame empezar revisando la evolución de las políticas comerciales de Djibouti desde su 
anterior Examen de política comercial efectuad o en abril de 2006. Cabe recordar que en esa 
ocasión los Miembros destacaron las reformas adelantadas por ese país con miras a mejorar su 
entorno comercial y de inversiones, así como para la diversificación de su economía. También se 
señaló en ese entonces la importancia del fortalecimiento del sistema jurídico, con miras a fortalecer la transparencia y previsibilidad del sistema, como elementos claves para el estímulo a 
los flujos de inversión extranjera.  
Entorno económico 4.4.  En el 2006, los retos para la economía de Djibouti se concentraban especialmente en lograr 
la diversificación de su economía, altamente concentrada en el sector de servicios, que en 
conjunto representaban el 87% del PIB; disminuir su tasa de desempleo que bordeaba el 60%; y 
aumentar la capacidad del país para atraer Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED). 
4.5.  Durante el período objeto de examen encontramos que la economía del país ha tenido un 
buen comportamiento, con tasas de crecimiento por encima del 4,5%, al tiempo que ha mantenido 
bajo control la inflación, salvo en el año 2012. Si bien la crisis económica y financiera mundial de finales de la década tuvo efectos sobre los flujos de inversión extranjera y sobre la tasa de 
crecimiento, no interrumpió la dinámica creciente de la economía. 
4.6.  Como en el examen anterior, encontramos que Djibouti continúa siendo una economía 
predominantemente de servicios en la que las activi dades portuarias siguen siendo el motor de la 
economía, y avanza en consolidarse como un nodo de transporte y transbordo regional. A esto ha 
contribuido el aumento en los flujos de inversión extranjera directa a partir del 2012, 
especialmente aquellos provenientes de los países del Golfo que también se han visto reflejados en otros sectores, si bien en montos reducidos.  
4.7.  El reto principal para el país parece seguir siendo la diversificación de su sistema productivo, 
estimulando a su vez la generación de empleo. Los informes presentados nos muestran que Djibouti posee varios sectores con potencial significativo para su desarrollo en los próximos años, 
tales como la pesca, las telecomunicaciones, el transporte y servicios de logística y el turismo, 
sobre los que me referiré más adelante. También se  resaltan algunos proyectos relevantes para las 
perspectivas económicas del país tales como las infraestructuras portuarias para exportar sal y potasa, la construcción de una nueva línea de ferrocarril entre Djibouti y Etiopía y la de un nuevo 
complejo aeroportuario. 
4.8.  Las autoridades del país ya vienen trabajan do en esta dirección. En 2010, Djibouti adoptó su 
Estrategia Nacional de Desarrollo del Comercio (SNDC) que arrojó, entre otros resultados, la 
adopción de un nuevo código de comercio, la generación de ajustes institucionales para reforzar el 
diálogo con el sector privado y varios avances en materia de facilitación del comercio. Esta última es un área de especial importancia para un país cuyo comercio internacional representa más del 
90% del PIB.  
4.9.  La iniciativa "Visión Djibouti 2035" contempla también dentro de sus pilares la diversificación 
de su economía y la integración regional. La nueva Estrategia Nacional de Desarrollo del Comercio WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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(SNDC 2), en proceso de elaboración, incluirá, entre otros, acciones para avanzar en la integración 
regional, la reglamentación del mercado, la facilitación del comercio y el desarrollo del sector privado y del turismo. Dada su importancia en el desarrollo futuro del país, sería de interés 
conocer las experiencias identificadas en el marco de la primera Estrategia Nacional de Desarrollo 
del Comercio y el estado de avance actual en la elaboración de la nueva estrategia. 
4.10.  Un reto significativo lo representa la capacidad del país para aumentar y diversificar sus 
flujos de IED. Durante el período de examen registramos avances encaminados a mejorar el 
entorno de negocios tales como la creación de la oficina de la propiedad industrial y comercial, la 
ventanilla única y otras iniciativas. Estas han llevado al país a ascender varios puestos en el informe Doing Business pues, por ejemplo, han repercutido favorablemente en los tiempos para la apertura de nuevos negocios.  
4.11.  Sería interesante escuchar qué otras reformas encaminadas a mejorar el clima de negocios 
y la atracción de inversión extranjera se contempla adelantar incluyendo aquellas que se planea incorporar en el nuevo Código de Inversiones en proceso de elaboración. La UNCTAD ha sugerido 
algunos aspectos regulatorios a mejorar, incluyendo cuestiones relacionadas con el trato y la 
protección otorgados a las inversiones, con las obligaciones de los inversionistas extranjeros y con las condiciones de entrada y establecimiento de la IED, entre otros. A lo anterior se suma la 
necesidad de mejorar el ritmo de avance del programa nacional de privatizaciones como 
complemento a estos esfuerzos. 
Políticas comerciales 4.12.  En cuanto a sus políticas comerciales, conviene recordar que Djibouti es Miembro inicial de 
la OMC y concede al menos trato NMF a todos sus interlocutores comerciales. Destacamos del 
informe del Gobierno su apoyo a la pronta conclusión de las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha, al paquete de Bali y, en particular, al Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio.  
4.13.  La economía de Djibouti es tradicionalmente deficitaria en materia de bienes y superavitaria 
en servicios. El principal mercado para sus exportaciones es Etiopía, y la Unión Europea es la principal fuente de sus importaciones. 
4.14.  Otros interlocutores comerciales, como los países del COMESA, han aumentado su 
participación en los últimos años. Esto gracias no solamente a la liberalización comercial adelantada al interior del grupo sino, especialmente, a los esfuerzos en materia de facilitación del comercio que han emprendido, incluido el rastreo de mercancías a lo largo del corredor 
Djibouti-Addis y Sudán del Sur en tiempo real.  
4.15.  Djibouti asigna un rol muy importante a su participación en los procesos de integración 
regional, tal como lo refleja su inclusión en el qu into pilar de la iniciativa "Visión Djibouti 2035". 
Los informes del Gobierno y de la Secretaría indican retos importantes a futuro en esta esfera, por 
lo que sería de interés conocer en mayor detalle las perspectivas del Gobierno en materia de integración regional. 
4.16.  Entre las reformas que apreciamos en los últimos años se resalta la adopción del Código de 
Aduanas en 2011. Desde enero de 2013 la Aduana de Djibouti ha implementado Sidunea World , lo 
que facilita el seguimiento automatizado de las operaciones aduaneras y el control del recaudo de impuestos aduaneros. Este es un paso importante en materia de facilitación del comercio que se 
suma a la presentación electrónica de todas las declaraciones de importación alcanzado desde el 
2005.   
4.17.  El informe resalta que todos los puestos aduaneros nacionales se encuentran informatizados 
e interconectados y que se ha alcanzado la interconexión con la aduana de Etiopía. El Banco 
Mundial ha asignado a Djibouti el puesto 60º entre 189 economías en cuanto a la facilidad del comercio transfronterizo. 
4.18.  Destacamos también del informe que no se aplica ningún sistema de gestión electrónica del 
riesgo y que las autoridades reportan que aproximadamente una tercera parte de las importaciones es objeto de inspección física. Este es un tema sobre el que valdría la pena conocer WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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los criterios bajo los cuales se realiza la administración del riesgo, particularmente teniendo en 
cuenta que el informe también resalta que Djibou ti afronta numerosos casos de subfacturación.  
4.19.  En materia arancelaria, Djibouti utiliz a la versión de 2007 del Sistema Armonizado (SA). 
Como se reconoció en el examen anterior, el país ha consolidado todas sus líneas arancelarias y el 
98% de las líneas se han consolidado en el tipo del 40%. Sólo cuatro líneas se han consolidado al 
tipo máximo del 450%.  
4.20.  Djibouti aplica el Impuesto al Valor Agregado (IVA), el impuesto interior al consumo (TIC), 
impuestos especiales de consumo, un impuesto especial y otro general de solidaridad, un derecho 
aplicable a los productos del petróleo y una contribución por concepto de patentes. En cuanto al TIC, cabe recordar que durante el examen anteri or los Miembros expresaron inquietudes en torno 
su operación, pues se asemeja a un arancel aduanero por la forma en que es aplicado y en 
algunos casos puede llevar a sobrepasar los niveles consolidados.   
4.21.  Aunque se esperaba que el IVA, adoptado en el 2008, reemplazara progresivamente el TIC, 
esto aún no ocurre. Anotamos en todo caso que los niveles del TIC han disminuido de manera 
importante y que el promedio aritmético pasó de 28,2% en 2005 al 21% en 2013.  
4.22.  En materia de propiedad intelectual, Djibouti hace parte de la OMPI, del Convenio de París 
sobre la Protección de la Propiedad Industrial y del Convenio de Berna para la Protección de las 
Obras Literarias y Artísticas. Se han presentado importantes avances en esta materia, incluida la 
expedición de nuevas leyes sobre propiedad industrial y protección del derecho de autor y derechos conexos, así como la suscripción del Tratado de Beijing sobre Interpretaciones y Ejecuciones Audiovisuales y el Tratado de Marrakech sobre el acceso de las personas con 
discapacidad visual a las obras impresas protegidas por derecho de autor. Sería de interés conocer 
de primera mano la experiencia del país en la implementación de estas nuevas leyes y compromisos internacionales adquiridos. 
4.23.  Finalmente, resalta del informe de la Secretaría que es claro que Djibouti continúa 
presentando dificultades para cumplir sus obliga ciones de notificación en distintos ámbitos. 
Conviene aprovechar la realización de este examen para ahondar en cuáles son las necesidades de 
asistencia técnica del país en materia de capacitación de sus funcionarios para poder avanzar en 
esta materia, pues la presentación oportuna y completa de notificaciones es una tarea que reviste la mayor importancia. 
Políticas sectoriales 
4.24.  De acuerdo con el informe de la Secretaría, la presencia de empresas públicas sigue siendo 
significativa dentro de la economía del país a pesar del interés del Gobierno por avanzar en el programa de privatizaciones. Las empresas estatales abarcan sectores como el de las 
telecomunicaciones, generación de energía, explotación de minas, servicios de transporte y 
almacenamiento y el sector agroalimentario, entre otros. Sería interesante identificar cuáles son las dificultades que ha enfrentado el proceso de privatización, así como las acciones que se 
piensan adelantar hacia futuro.  
4.25.  En materia de servicios, apreciamos los desarrollos considerables en el sector bancario, en 
donde el número de instituciones financieras instaladas se ha multiplicado por cinco debido en parte a las flexibilidades en materia de circulación de capitales. La Ley de Banca, expedida en el 
2011, define un capital mínimo para estas instituciones, así como un servicio encargado de su 
supervisión. Cabe resaltar en este entorno que Djibouti no cuenta con compromisos en el marco del AGCS en relación con los servicios financieros, lo que podría contribuir a un mayor desarrollo. 
4.26.  En cuanto a las telecomunicaciones, el informe muestra una rápida expansión de la telefonía 
fija y móvil, cuyo crecimiento puede estimularse aún más si se adopta una serie de medidas regulatorias y se desarrollan mejoras en materia fiscal. También podría contribuir a esto el avanzar 
en la privatización del sector, lo que podría a su vez redundar en una mejora de la red telefónica.  
4.27.  Tanto el informe de la Secretaría como el del Gobierno coinciden en resaltar el papel 
fundamental que tienen los servicios de transporte en la economía del país y notamos que se encuentran en curso distintas acciones encaminadas a continuar su desarrollo. En especial, WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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resaltamos que además de las necesidades de modernización y ampliación de la infraestructura 
existente, conviene avanzar en la interconectivida d entre los distintos medios de transporte para 
aprovechar al máximo el potencial del país en esta materia. Seguramente será de interés para los Miembros conocer en mayor detalle las actividades que se vienen planeando para los próximos 
años en esta materia, incluyendo posibles desarrollos normativos. 
4.28.  En lo que al turismo respecta, apreciamos que el número de visitantes creció 
sustancialmente en los últimos años. Para mantener esta senda de crecimiento serán importante 
los resultados que se alcancen en el sector de transporte. Dado que el Gobierno asigna un rol 
primordial al desarrollo de este sector, aportaría a nuestra discusión conocer las estrategias que tiene previstas para estos efectos.  
4.29.  Tanto el sector agrícola como el minero cuentan con importante potencial para su 
desarrollo. La pesca ofrece un gran potencial de explotación con la capacidad de generar nuevos 
empleos. Sin embargo, en estos casos apreciamos que existen necesidades de infraestructura y capacitación de mano de obra para estimular su crecimiento.  
4.30.  Un factor importante en el proceso de diversificación de su economía se encuentra en los 
costos de producción de energía que implican una carga considerable para el Gobierno. Aunque la 
interconexión con Etiopía ha contribuido a mejorar la situación, es claro que este es un obstáculo 
estructural considerable que requiere mayores acciones y sobre el que sería de mucho interés 
conocer qué planes existen al respecto para aumentar la producción y la reducción de costos y entrar en algún detalle en lo que presentó el Señor Ministro delegado.  
MAURICIO 
4.31.  Procedo ahora a hacer mi presentación en torno al Examen de las Políticas Comerciales de 
Mauricio. Inicio reconociendo el trabajo que ha realizado el Gobierno de este país en la elaboración de reformas e iniciativas desarrolladas durante estos últimos seis años para constituirse en un 
Estado con un alto nivel de vida y una destacada y creciente economía en su región. 
Entorno económico 4.32.  En efecto, en el período de examen, la economía de Mauricio tuvo un buen desempeño a 
pesar de la crisis económica mundial y la débil demanda de importaciones por parte de la Unión 
Europea, su principal socio comercial. Gracias a sus políticas de liberalización comercial, atracción de la inversión extranjera, fortalecimiento del sector de servicios y políticas macroeconómicas adecuadas, Mauricio tuvo un crecimiento del PIB entre 2008 y 2013 de un 53% y una tasa de 
crecimiento promedio anual del 4%. Mauricio tiene por tanto uno de los PIB per cápita más altos 
de África, llegando en 2013 a los 9.217 dólares EE.UU.  
4.33.  La alta solidez institucional, la acertada política fiscal, la apertura de los mercados, el 
mercado laboral flexible y la correcta política monetaria, ayudaron a Mauricio a mitigar los efectos 
de la volatilidad de la tasa de cambio y a mantener controlada la inflación. Cabe destacar las mejoras de este país en materia de competitividad que han llevado a que el último reporte del 
World Economic Forum  la considere la economía más competitiva de África.   
Comercio e inversión 4.34.  Mauricio es una economía orientada al comercio de bienes y servicios, cuyas exportaciones 
representan alrededor de un 50% del PIB. Las principales ventas al exterior corresponden a 
prendas de vestir y textiles, productos del azúcar, viajes y transportes siendo sus principales 
mercados la Unión Europea y Estados Unidos.  
4.35.  El comercio global de mercancías entre el 2007 y el 2013 creció un 26%, gracias a un 
aumento de las importaciones, especialmente en combustibles, y a un modesto crecimiento de las 
exportaciones debido a la dinámica en prendas de vestir. 
4.36.  Se aprecia para el período del examen como, a pesar de su alta dependencia del comercio 
con la Unión Europea, Mauricio ha logrado una participación creciente en su comercio con África y 
Asia. Resulta de interés conocer puntualmente cuales son las estrategias que viene desarrollando WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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para mejorar la diversificación y las condiciones de acceso a sus mercados. Esto, para evitar la alta 
concentración de sus exportaciones y la vulnerabilidad ante los cambios en la demanda externa. 
4.37.  De acuerdo con el informe de la Secretaría, en materia de inversión extranjera directa, 
Mauricio logró casi duplicar el monto recibido entre los años 2007 y 2012, especialmente en los 
servicios inmobiliarios y financieros. Se espera un crecimiento en la inversión extranjera directa en 
este país, especialmente destinada a modernizar la infraestructura área, marítima y terrestre. 
4.38.  Mauricio, como Miembro inicial de la OMC, ha sido activo participante en la Ronda Doha 
para el Desarrollo y, recientemente, desempeñ ó un papel destacado en las negociaciones del 
Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio culminado en Bali. También ha liderado iniciativas en materia de Ayuda para el Comercio.   
4.39.  A pesar de su buen historial en materia de notificaciones, aún tiene pendientes algunas 
relativas a subvenciones a la exportación y ayuda interna en agricultura, observancia en ADPIC, 
licencias de importación, acuerdos regionales y restricciones cuantitativas. Dado que la transparencia es la principal herramienta para conocer las políticas de los Miembros, sería 
importante compartir las acciones que tiene pr evisto Mauricio para ponerse al día en sus 
notificaciones pendientes.  
4.40.  En materia de acuerdos regionales, Mauricio es parte del COMESA
2 y SADC3, y tiene 
vigentes acuerdos comerciales con Pakistán, la  Unión Europea, Turquía y Madagascar. También 
participa en la Ley sobre crecimiento y oportunidades para el África (AGOA) de Estados Unidos. En la actualidad y, al igual que Djibouti, participa en los trabajos para la construcción de un acuerdo 
tripartito entre COMESA, SADC y CAO
4, el cual pretende crear una zona de libre comercio ampliada 
derivando en una posible unión aduanera.  
4.41.  Mauricio cuenta con un régimen de inversión transparente y abierto. Desde el pasado 
examen, modificó la Ley sobre el Fomento de la s Inversiones para dar trámite acelerado de los 
permisos para establecer los proyectos de inversión. Adicionalmente, ha eliminado las restricciones 
a la participación de capital extranjero en el sector del turismo, especialmente en los servicios de 
alquiler de automóviles, agencias de viaje y organización de viajes en grupo.  
4.42.  Sin embargo, aún se registran posibles área s por mejorar, en particular en lo relacionado 
con las limitaciones a la participación de capital extranjero en el campo de la televisión, las 
compañías azucareras y los centros de buceo. Sería de interés para los Miembros conocer en más 
detalle si el Gobierno de Mauricio tiene contemplado adelantar reformas en estos sectores, especialmente para asegurar su coherencia con otras estrategias de promoción propuestas para 
los mismos.  
4.43.  En la región, Mauricio ha sido el país con mejores resultados en materia de inversión 
extranjera, mostrando grandes avances en su clima de negocios y la facilitación del comercio, 
además de contar con instituciones sólidas y transparentes como lo indican los reportes Doing 
Business  del Banco Mundial y el World Economic Forum. 
Políticas comerciales  4.44.  En materia de procedimientos aduaneros y valoración aduanera, destacamos en especial los 
progresos obtenidos mediante la utilización del sistema de Ventanilla Única TradeNet  para la 
presentación de las declaraciones de aduana. Esta operación ha mejorado la comunicación con el declarante así como han reducido el tiempo y costo de este trámite. Adicionalmente, otros 
organismos gubernamentales se irán integrando progresivamente para completar toda las 
operaciones a través de esta plataforma. 
4.45.  En cuanto a valoración aduanera, a pesar de contar con una base de datos de valoración 
actualizada con valores de referencia, se reporta que aún se presentan dificultades para identificar 
el valor real en los casos de subfacturación.  
                                               
2 Mercado Común para África Oriental y Meridional. 
3 Comunidad Africana Meridi onal para el Desarrollo. 
4 Comunidad del África Oriental. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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4.46.  Recientemente, Mauricio ha adoptado nuevas medidas de liberalización de su economía y de 
facilitación del comercio. Entre estas, se destacan los recortes arancelarios, la reducción de trámites para licencias de importación y el desmantelamiento de varios programas de incentivos.  
4.47.  En materia arancelaria, Mauricio ha realizado importantes recortes que han llevado a bajar 
el promedio del arancel aplicado del 6,6% en 2007 al 2,3% en el 2014. Casi el 90% de sus líneas 
arancelarias se encuentran libres de arancel.  No obstante, se observan elevados aranceles 
aplicados para algunas prendas de vestir que pueden llegar hasta el 488%.   
4.48.  Mauricio solo ha consolidado en la OMC el 17,6% de sus líneas arancelarias y, para los 
aranceles consolidados, cuenta con niveles bastante elevados, especialmente si se tiene en cuenta el arancel aplicado actualmente.  
4.49.  Como consecuencia de la liberalización que ha efectuado Mauricio, los derechos de aduana 
son una fuente cada vez menor de ingresos públicos, mientras que los ingresos provenientes de 
otros impuestos, como el IVA y otros impuestos especiales, han aumentado. 
4.50.  En materia de impuestos, como parte de las medidas destinadas a proteger el medio 
ambiente en el desarrollo del Proyecto "Maurice Ile Durable", se han reducido los gravámenes a 
productos que tengan impacto en la reducción de emisiones CO2 y se gravan los electrodomésticos energéticamente ineficientes. Es pertinente conoce r adicionalmente qué se tiene previsto dentro 
de estos proyectos de economía sostenible, incluy endo medidas que pudieran tener efectos en la 
reglamentación y normatividad del comercio exterior. 
4.51.  En materia de propiedad intelectual se espera que Mauricio ponga en marcha el plan de 
desarrollo de la propiedad intelectual y que las reformas normativas que se requieran ayuden a 
promover de manera transparente la innovación y la creatividad como se plantea. Dentro de este 
plan se destaca la promulgación este año de la nueva Ley de Derecho de Autor y los proyectos de ley en materia de marcas y patentes, y las reformas de su marco institucional. Igualmente, se 
espera que Mauricio presente a la OMC su lista recapitulativa de cuestiones sobre la observancia 
del Acuerdo ADPIC.  
Políticas sectoriales 
4.52.  La producción agrícola en Mauricio se encuentra altamente focalizada en azúcar, tabaco, 
leche y en una creciente producción de arroz. Se vienen desarrollando esfuerzos para la diversificación de la producción de caña de azúcar para pasar a su utilización en la producción de electricidad y etanol. 
4.53.  El Gobierno interviene en el sector agropecuario a través de la Junta de Comercialización 
Agrícola y la Corporación de Comercio de Estado, las cuales realizan, entre otras actividades de regulación de precios, compras e importación de productos agrícolas. Esta es un área en la que 
conviene avanzar en materia de notificaciones.  
4.54.  En cuanto a las manufacturas, las exportaciones de las industrias del vestido, fabricación de 
azúcar, tabaco y textiles, siguen siendo predominantes, especialmente hacia el mercado europeo.  
4.55.  En materia de servicios, se resalta la participación sostenida de servicios financieros dentro 
del PIB gracias al sano manejo de activos y de la cartera por parte de la banca. 
4.56.  Se destaca la iniciativa del Gobierno por promover el sector de las tecnologías de la 
información y comunicaciones como un pilar importante de la economía y plataforma regional. 
4.57.  Igualmente, se destaca la iniciativa del Gobierno para el atraer inversiones para el 
desarrollo de la infraestructura para la prestación de operaciones portuarias y aeroportuarias, que a su vez tenga impacto complementario en el desarrollo de las políticas para promover a Mauricio 
como un destino turístico del primer nivel mundial. Cabe destacar que la prestación de los 
servicios turísticos es uno de los renglones más promisorios de su economía.   WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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4.58.  Con esto concluyo los principales puntos que quería resaltar en mi intervención. Los 
Miembros han señalado otras áreas de interés que serán discutidas en el transcurso de este examen.  
4.59.  Quiero concluir felicitando a las autoridades de Djibouti y Mauricio por los buenos resultados 
obtenidos desde su anterior examen de política comercial.   
4.60.  En el caso de Djibouti, encuentro que si bien subsisten grandes retos, particularmente en 
materia de diversificación de su economía, el Gobierno ha optado por la vía de la facilitación del 
comercio y la generación de mejores condiciones en su clima de negocios como base sobre la cual 
estimular nuevos desarrollos sectoriales, mejorar su inserción efectiva en la economía mundial y mejorar las condiciones de vida de su población. Los aliento a seguir profundizando este camino.  
4.61.  Resalto a su vez que las perspectivas económicas para Mauricio a futuro son positivas y 
apuntan a que se mantendrá la senda de crecimie nto de los años previos. Esto a través de un 
sector productivo cada vez más competitivo como resultado de los distintos programas que buscan la diversificación económica, una gestión ambiental apropiada, la integración regional y el 
fortalecimiento del sector servicios. 
4.62.  Con esto termino mi intervención y agradezco la atención brindada con la sola queja de no 
haber podido aún visitar a esto dos países que tienen tanto por ofrecer. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
UNITED  STATES 
5.1.  As we have heard, both Djibouti and Mauritius are members of the Common Market for 
Eastern Africa (COMESA), and were among the first countries to implement the COMESA free trade 
area. The United States has been a long-time supporter and advocate for regional integration in 
sub-Saharan Africa, and applauds these two COMESA member States for their efforts to break down barriers to trade and investment within sub-Saharan Africa. 
5.2.  The United States and COMESA signed a Trade and Investment Framework in 2000, to 
enhance engagement with the COMESA Secretariat and COMESA member States in order to increase U.S.-COMESA trade as well as to suppo rt greater intra-African trade within COMESA.  
Therefore we are very pleased that these two COMESA member States are conducting their trade 
policy review simultaneously so that we can focus not only on the steps that these two Members 
are taking individually to improve their trade and investment regimes but also steps that both countries are taking to foster greater regional integration and trade within Africa. 
5.3.  The United States’ commitment to assisting developing countries to use trade as an engine of 
economic growth is demonstrated by our extens ive trade preference programs, as well as our 
trade capacity building programs designed to assist developing and least developed countries to 
take advantage of our preference programs. Both Djibouti and Mauritius are eligible for U.S. 
preference programs including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and our 
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The United States is committed to AGOA renewal, and the U.S. Administration and Congress are workin g together to make this happen. We encourage 
both Djibouti and Mauritius to work with the United States and other partners to develop strategies 
for ensuring that they are taking full advantage of the opportunities presented by AGOA and GSP. 
5.4.  Djibouti has been a leader in demonstrating how effective trade facilitation measures and 
investment in infrastructure can support economic growth and development not only domestically 
but also in neighbouring countries. The deep-water port of Djibouti, which straddles the juncture of sea routes between the Asia, the Middle East, Afri ca, and Europe, is critical not only for the 
country of Djibouti, but also for neighbouring co untries, such as Ethiopia. Djibouti’s role as a 
regional transportation hub presents many opportunities in transportation services and other tertiary services such as finance. We commend the progress that Djibouti has made in improving 
its trading environment, including the upgrading of its customs systems and efforts to facilitate the 
establishment of new businesses. Given the import ance of logistics to Djibouti’s economy, we 
would encourage Djibouti to continue to prioritize trade facilitation reforms.   
5.5.  We would also encourage Djibouti to focus on ensuring that it is fulfilling its WTO notification 
obligations. Proper notifications to the WTO by all Members are critical to ensuring that there is 
transparency and predictability in the internationa l trading system. We also encourage Djibouti to 
further liberalize its economy, including by privatizing State-owned enterprises.   
5.6.  Turning to Mauritius, we note that the United States and Mauritius enjoy a constructive 
bilateral relationship in which trade and investment play a major role. Our Governments continue to consult bilaterally under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) that we signed in 2006. The TIFA has provided opportunities fo r Mauritius and the United States to explore 
common objectives on a regular basis, including our participation and cooperation in the WTO. 
5.7.  Mauritius has clearly taken advantage of the U.S. preference programs to which it is a 
beneficiary. In 2013, the value of U.S. imports from Mauritius under AGOA and GSP was 
US$200 million, representing nearly 60% of U.S. tota l imports from Mauritius. While much of this 
trade was concentrated in the apparel sector, we note significant diversification forces at work, particularly in the diamond, seafood processing, ey ewear, and jewellery sectors. The United States 
is pleased that AGOA has sparked substantial investment in Mauritius. 
5.8.  We note that Mauritius maintains a market-based economy with a strong, dynamic private 
sector, elements that have proved time and ag ain to hold the key to economic prosperity. 
Mauritius ranks 20th out of 189 countries in terms of the ease of doing business in 2014 according WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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to the World Bank’s Doing Business report. Mauritius is one of the most prosperous countries in 
sub-Saharan Africa, with a GDP per capita of US$9,500 in 2013. 
5.9.  Mauritius maintains fairly low tariffs and a relatively open trade regime. We believe that there 
is a clear connection between the level of prosperity  that Mauritius has been able to obtain and its 
clear focus on developing strong institutions and maintaining a liberal and transparent trade 
regime. We also commend Mauritius for its efforts to pursue trade facilitation reforms, as demonstrated by its timely and ambitious Category A notification submitted to the Preparatory 
Committee on Trade Facilitation (PCTF). The importance of the signal this sends cannot be 
overstated, particularly at this time of uncertainty in the WTO. 
5.10.  We encourage Mauritius to submit the ou tstanding WTO notifications identified in the 
Secretariat’s report, and to reform its import permi tting system to ensure that the system is used 
only for purposes of consumer protection, health , and safety reasons and not for blocking foreign 
competition in key sectors such as poultr y, pork, and other agricultural products. 
5.11.  The United States greatly appreciates the opportunity to participate in this review of both 
Djibouti’s and Mauritius’s trade policy regime and looks forward to continuing our dialogue and our 
constructive work with both governments. 
CANADA 
Mauritius 
5.12.  Nous saluons les efforts faits par Maurice pour devenir l’un des meilleurs endroits pour faire 
des affaires en Afrique. Nous reconnaissons les nombreuses possibilités de croissance économique et les occasions d’accroître notre relation bilatérale commerciale qui est modeste, particulièrement 
compte tenu des liens culturels forts de la communauté mauricienne au Canada.  
5.13.  We recognize the on-going diversificat ion of the Mauritian economy and encourage the 
Mauritian Government to continue its efforts in fiscal adjustment and structural reforms to ensure 
continued growth. We also believe that Mauritian efforts to increase their intra-regional trade with 
the African continent will help to build more stability and encourage inclusiveness in their economy.  
5.14.  The Mauritian Government’s prioritization of education as a means to combat poverty and 
social exclusion is commendable. Canada is committed to improving international collaboration in higher education and recognizes the importance of research and innovation in advancing sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. We look forward to furthering the relationship 
between our two countries through greater academic collaboration and student mobility. 
5.15.  We are keenly following the developments in intellectual property rights in Mauritius, 
including the creation of the Mauritius Intellectual Property Office. Intellectual property protection 
is important for Canadian companies and it is very encouraging to see the Government of 
Mauritius focusing on this issue. We would be ha ppy to hear a report of its plans and progress on 
this project. 
5.16.  We are pleased to note that Mauritius wa s among the earliest to notify its Category A 
commitments for the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  We would like to commend Mauritius for its 
participation in the negotiations on the expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement and for the ambition it has shown in that contex t. We look forward to continue working with 
Mauritius on the ITA expansion and hope for a resumption and conclusion of the negotiations 
shortly.   
5.17.  As a fellow maritime nation, Canada believes that there are many areas for potential 
collaboration as Mauritius builds its ocean economy. Canadians would be happy to share our 
expertise in managing our oceanic resources in an environmentally sustainable manner in areas such as seabed exploration, ports, transportation infrastructure and fisheries management.   WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.18.  We believe that Mauritius’ strong econom ic growth and good governance go hand-in-hand 
and we look forward to seeing Mauritius’ trade continue to expand and hope to grow our relationship, both commercially and culturally, into the future. 
Djibouti 
5.19.  En ce qui concerne Djibouti, nous le félicitons de sa croissance économique stable et de ses 
efforts visant la création d'un environnement positif dans lequel faire des affaires, tels que l'achèvement d’un accord au titre de la Facilité élargie de crédit (FEC). Nous reconnaissons les 
importantes possibilités de cultiver nos relations bilatérales, en particulier compte tenu de la 
diaspora djiboutienne active au Canada.  
5.20.  Nous notons que l'activité économique de Djibouti a connu une expansion stimulée par des 
importants flux d'investissements directs à l’étranger, ce qui a contribué à la croissance du produit 
intérieur brut (PIB) au cours des dernières a nnées. Nous encourageons le Gouvernement de 
Djibouti à continuer de diversifier l'économie, d’améliorer la compétitivité et de contribuer à la stabilité régionale. 
5.21.  We note Djibouti’s vision to develop as a regional "entrepôt" and welcome their engagement 
in regional integration efforts such as Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). We encourage the Government of Djibouti to consider liberalization in key supportive sectors such 
as telecommunications and financial services in its efforts to reach this goal. Further improvements 
in customs clearance procedures and related timetables would also be beneficial. 
5.22.  We note the high cost of electricity in Djibouti, notwithstanding the recent interconnection 
agreement between Djibouti and Ethiopia, and woul d encourage the Government of the Republic of 
Djibouti to consider removing the existing monopoly in this sector. 
5.23.  Canada endorses the further elimination of barriers to trade and believe that this process 
will act to spur economic growth in Djibouti and promote good governance.  
5.24.  We are also following the process of Djiboutian democratization and, in the spirit of 
constructive engagement, Canada encourages increased promotion and protection of human rights in Djibouti. 
5.25.  Canadians hope to see Djibouti’s economy continue to expand and we look forward to being 
a part of that economic growth. 
5.26.  Le Canada, Maurice et Djibouti sont membres de l’Organisation internationale de la 
francophonie. Le Canada apprécie le rôle que Maurice et Djibouti jouent au sein de cette 
organisation et nous souhaitons poursuivre notre collaboration dans divers cadres multilatéraux. 
Nous souhaitons aux deux délégations le meilleur des succès. 
CHINA 
Djibouti 
5.27.  China is pleased to note that in spite of the global economic crisis, the economic growth of 
Djibouti generally follows a strong upward trend during most of the review period. The fast growth 
of foreign direct investment and port activities are the major contributors to the economic growth, 
which are bolstered by Djibouti’s wise decision to improve business climate and attract foreign investors. China is informed that the several framework documents have been issued, among which the most important are Djibouti Vision 2035 and National Trade Development Strategy. 
China particularly commends the single-window project established to improve paperless 
procedures and reduce trade cost. China encour ages Djibouti to formulate more concrete 
measures in accordance with those framework to  promote economic growth, enhance sustainable 
development and achieve trade policy goals.  
5.28.  On the bilateral front, China and Djibouti enjoy very close economic ties. Bilateral trade has 
been going at a fast and steady pace. Merchandise trade has doubled during the review period, 
reaching more than US$1 billion in 2013. China ha s granted zero-tariff treatment for the products WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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originating from Djibouti since 2010, and that propor tion will be further increased to 97% starting 
from next year. We hope this measure will further improve the market access for Djibouti products in Chinese market. At the same time, Chinese enterprises also increase their investment in Djibouti, in particular the investment in Djibouti Port and Assal Lake development project.  
5.29.  On the multilateral front, China commend the positive role of Djibouti in highlighting the 
importance of the multilateral trading system and by aligning its position with the African Group, 
the ACP countries and the LDCs in the Doha round. China agrees with Djibouti that the Doha round 
should achieve balanced and development-oriented results, in particular in the areas of export 
interests for the LDCs. China shares with Djibouti that the current impasse should be resolved as early as possible to let the developing members enjoy the benefits from trade liberalization. China also welcomes the latest principle document from  the ACP Group on defining the Post-Bali Work 
Program, which could work as a useful basis for future work. China looks forward to cooperating 
with Djibouti in the next few months for a detailed and balanced work program and eventually a successful conclusion of the whole Round. 
Mauritius 
5.30.  China is pleased to note that Mauritius has witnessed remarkable economic progress during 
the review period, which, as stated in the Secretariat Report, is mainly attributed to the 
implementation of its ambitious economic and trade reform programs. As an island country with 
limited natural resources, Mauritius should be commended for having taken a wide range of measures to create opportunities for growth and investment, including the introduction of the Africa Strategy, the development of infrastructure, the launch of sustainable MID Action Plan and 
the facilitation of trade and investment, just to name a few.  
5.31.  As the saying goes, "God created Mauritius first, and then made a copy which he called 
Heaven". In addition to the natural landscape, Mauritius has been ranked globally as the 20th 
most attractive place to do business and the most competitive African country in World Bank Doing 
Business Database. Having said that, we believe that there is still room for improvement. I just want to highlight two:  
 First, fragile external/global economic conditions remain an important challenge for 
 Mauritius, in particular the changes in economic and financial situations in euro area.  
 Second, Mauritius is also confronted with high external balances and low saving rates, 
 calling for economic rebalancing from consumption towards investment and trade.  
5.32.  We call upon Mauritius to undertake necessary domestic reforms and further open-up to 
register itself as the door to African continent.  
5.33.  On the bilateral front, China and Mauritiu s enjoy very close economic ties. Bilateral trade 
has been growing at a fast and steady pace. Merchandise trade has doubled during the review 
period, reaching US$6.600 million in 2013. Moreover, Chinese tourists have been the major driver for the buoyant Mauritian tourism sector. According to the Mauritian Statistical Authorities, in the 
first half of this year, Chinese tourists to Mauritius have increased by 87% year-on-year. 
Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises are also exploring investment opportunities in Mauritius in sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, seafood processing and so on. As the largest trading partner of Africa, China is willing to strengthen its cooperation with African countries in all areas through 
China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and we are fully confident that Mauritius will also benefit from 
this win-win cooperation. 
5.34.  On the multilateral front, China commends the positive role of Djibouti and Mauritius in the 
multilateral trading system and the Doha Round by aligning its position with the African Group and 
the ACP countries. China shares with those Groups that the current impasse should be resolved as early as possible to let the developing Members enjoy the benefits from trade liberalization. China 
also welcomes the latest principle document from  the ACP Group on defining the Post-Bali Work 
Program, which could work as a useful basis for future work. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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EUROPEAN  UNION 
Djibouti 5.35.  Despite the major constraints that the economy faces, Djibouti has carried out important 
reforms since last TPR in 2006 and has resisted the financial crisis relatively well with a growth of 
about 5% in 2013. However, the challenges remain serious in particular given the level of poverty 
that continues to be unsustainably high and the weaknesses in the infrastructure that create real bottlenecks for further development. 
5.36.  Djibouti, in its Government report, indicates that a new trade policy strategy is under 
development. The EU welcomes these efforts and considers that this TPR could be a good opportunity for the authorities to receive useful inputs for the strategy, notably because of the importance of trade for Djibouti, representing 94% of its GDP.  
5.37.  Djibouti's trade to the EU is covered by the "Everything But Arms" initiative which makes its 
exports (except for arms) duty-free and quota-free  to the EU. Regarding aid, the EU under the 
European Development Fund has committed €66 million during the period 2008-2013 mainly in 
the areas of water, sanitation and energy as well as food security. 
5.38.  In its advance questions to Djibouti, the EU has asked how the Government intends to 
improve the mechanisms for coordination in order to enhance the consistency of the policies 
adopted and the consultations with all stakeholders. The last TPR had stressed the importance of 
rationalising taxation and the EU is interested to know the intentions of the Government in this regard. Regarding the conclusions of the last TPR on  the role of the State in the economy, the EU 
would appreciate more information on the degree of opening considered for the 
telecommunications services and the reforms that ma y be foreseen in the area of energy. The EU 
also notes that reforms are ongoing in order to facilitate FDI inflows and entrepreneurship, such as the "guichet unique", and would be interested to know what other measures are under 
consideration by the Government to facilitate FDI in sectors where the Secretariat has identified a 
potential for growth or a need for more investment (for example agriculture, fisheries, salt, infrastructure). 
Mauritius 
5.39.  Regarding Mauritius, the EU shares the Secretariat's views that the economy continues 
developing remarkably and that the country punches well above its weight due to its determination to pursue a sustainable integration into the world economy and its forward looking approaches. 
The EU noted with interest the concept of "ocean economy" that the Government intends to 
develop and is keen to know more about this concept.  
5.40.  The Government has set an important objective, which is to make the country evolve from a 
middle income economy to a High Income Country within the next ten years. Trade is certainly an 
important factor in this effort as it represents about 115% of the GDP. During the period of review 
since 2008, Mauritius has further integrated not only into the world economy but also made 
considerable progress regionally. Let me highlight the active role that Mauritius has been playing 
in recent years in the WTO and notably to their timely notification of the Category A commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
5.41.  The EU is the first destination of Mauritius exports (57%) and the second source of imports 
(22%). The interim Economic Partnership Agreem ent is in application which leads to 100% of 
Mauritius exports currently enter into the EU ma rkets without any duties. The EU has provided 
assistance to support the country's economic and social objectives under the 10th EDF with about 
€64 million and has also provided €279 million of Budget Accompanying Measures for the Sugar 
protocol.   
5.42.  In its advance written questions, the EU has raised the following issues such as the 
clarification of the mandate of enterprises manage d by the State but which have not been notified 
as STEs, economic integration perspectives in the region, notification perspectives for subsidies, TBT and SPS related legislation, the scope of the new legislative framework in the competition area and the perspectives regarding further opening of public procurement to international operators. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
- 27 - 
 
5.43.  In conclusion, let me reiterate that the EU acknowledges the progress that the two countries 
have made since their last reviews and is confident that the current exercise will help Djibouti and 
Mauritius in further developing their respective policies so as to ensure that they are most favourable for attaining their economic objectives while respecting their international commitments 
in this forum. The EU wishes to the two delegations successful reviews. 
BRAZIL Djibouti 
5.44.  Brazil recognizes this country’s level of  growth was somewhat affected by the global 
economic crisis. We congratulate Djibouti for th e positive economic growth recorded in 2012 and 
sincerely hope it will continue to improve.  
5.45.  My delegation would like to point out the in itiative to establish a National Trade Negotiations 
Committee, which will contribute to strengthen Djibouti’s presence in regional and international 
trade. We also note with satisfaction the efforts made within the framework of the National Trade Development Strategy, as well as the results al ready achieved, such as the upgrading of the 
software used by Customs and the improvement of statistics.  
Mauritius 5.46.  My delegation congratulates the country fo r its economic performance in the period under 
review, an important achievement, particularly in light of a weaker import demand from the 
European Union, Mauritius main export market. It is to be noted that, despite the global economic crisis and the decline of preferential access to foreign markets, Mauritius maintained an average GDP growth of 4%. Furthermore, Mauritius is rank ed in the category of high human development 
countries, according to the Human Development Index.  
5.47.  Brazil would also like to recognize the effort s that have been made by Mauritius to facilitate 
and improve trade flows, such as the reduction of  customs clearance times, the launching of an 
Authorized Economic Operator program and the introduction of a new appeal mechanism for 
custom-related disputes. 
PERÚ 
Mauricio 
5.48.  Me permito destacar de ambos informes los esfuerzos que viene realizando el Gobierno de 
Mauricio para promover y orientar el desarrollo económico del país a través de un mayor comercio y una dinámica atracción de inversiones como ha sido resaltado. 
5.49.  Sin duda, la crisis económica mundial, iniciada en el 2008, ha sido un desafío para el mundo 
entero sobre cómo continuar los esfuerzos gubernamentales para promover el desarrollo, así como para evitar que los efectos de esta crisis tengan impactos negativos severos en nuestras 
economías. 
5.50.  En ese sentido, me permito saludar en nombre del Perú al Gobierno de Mauricio, por 
intermedio de su honorable delegación aquí presente, por el pragmatismo que describen en su 
informe para integrar su economía al mundo, para aprovechar las oportunidades en África y en 
otras regiones, incluyendo medias para facilitar la creación de nuevas empresas, simplificar los procedimientos en materia de comercio e inversión y crear nuevos polos de crecimiento a través de la diversificación de la economía, entre otros. 
5.51.  Mi país, como otros en vías de desarrollo, también ha tenido que redoblar esfuerzos 
gubernamentales en los últimos años para enfrentar los efectos de la crisis económica internacional y ha impulsado reformas para hacer más competitivo el entorno de negocios y la 
economía peruana, por lo que, igualmente, ha implementado medidas de simplificación 
administrativa, sinceramiento tributario, estrategias de ampliación de mercados mediante la negociación de nuevos acuerdos comerciales y la participación en procesos de integración, entre 
otros. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.52.  En ese contexto, y con el espíritu de conocer en mayor detalle sobre las experiencias de 
Mauricio, Perú remitió algunas consultas sobre las políticas y prácticas comerciales de Mauricio, en particular en el ámbito aduanero. 
Djibouti 
5.53.  Me permito aprovechar la oportunidad para destacar los esfuerzos del Gobierno de Djibouti 
para promover el desarrollo en un contexto económico internacional particularmente difícil, como consecuencia de la crisis económica de alcance global iniciada en el 2008 y que ha sido 
mencionada, reseñada y explicada aquí. 
5.54.  Una economía como la de Djibouti, con una amplia participación del sector servicios que ha 
generado la entrada de importantes corrientes de inversión y que tiene en la política comercial como uno de sus objetivos promover la diversificación de su sistema productivo en el marco de 
u n a  E s t r a t e g i a  n a c i o n a l  d e  d e s a r r o l l o ,  h a  m e r e c i d o  l a  a t e n c i ó n  d e  l a  a u t o r i d a d  a d u a n e r a  y  
tributaria de mi país, en el ámbito de los procedimientos y requisitos aduaneros. 
5.55.  En este sentido, con el espíritu de conocer en mayor detalle sobre las experiencias de 
Djibouti, mi país ha remitido algunas consultas relativas a política y prácticas en el ámbito 
aduanero, en ocasión de este segundo Examen de las políticas y prácticas comerciales de Djibouti. 
BÉNIN 
5.56.  La délégation du Bénin se réjouit de prendre part à l'examen de la politique commerciale de 
Djibouti et de Maurice, deux pays en développeme nt avec qui elle partage une foi commune en un 
système commercial multilatéral fondé sur des règles  équitables, et avec qui elle conjugue ses 
efforts pour une conclusion rapide du Cycle de Doha avec la prise en compte de la dimension 
"développement". 
5.57.  Depuis le premier examen de sa politique commerciale, Djibouti a mené plusieurs réformes 
sur le plan institutionnel et dans le domaine économique; réformes qui ont contribué à une 
amélioration significative des performances économiques et commerciales du pays et permis son 
classement qualitatif dans le rapport "Doing Business" de la Banque Mondiale. 
5.58.  Par ailleurs, Djibouti a poursuivi en 2013 la croissance économique amorcée en 2012 en 
passant de 4,5% à 5%, boostée par les deux moteurs traditionnels de l'économie du pays que sont 
les activités portuaires et les Investissements Directs Étrangers (IDE) dont les flux ont atteint en 2013 le niveau record de 277 millions de dollars EU soit 18,6% du Produit Intérieur Brut (PIB).  
5.59.  Sont à saluer également la baisse de l’inflation de 3,7% en 2012 à 2,7% en 2013, une 
politique efficiente en matière de dépenses publiques, ainsi que l'amélioration du recouvrement 
des recettes fiscales qui ont permis de faire passer le déficit budgétaire de 2,7% du PIB en 2012 à 1,9% du PIB en 2013.  
5.60.  Nous sommes persuadés que le lancement cette année par le Gouvernement djiboutien de 
la vision du développement économique contribuera efficacement à réaliser le noble objectif fixé qui vise à faire de la République de Djibouti "une nation émergente à revenu intermédiaire avant 
l'horizon 2035". 
5.61.  S’agissant de Maurice, qui en est à la quatrième édition de l’examen de sa politique 
commerciale, la délégation du Bénin note avec satisfaction le chemin parcouru depuis 2008, date du précédent examen et se réjouit des perspectives qu’ouvrent pour ce pays les efforts consentis 
par le Gouvernement mauricien, ainsi que les initiatives prises aux niveaux bilatéral, régional et 
multilatéral pour faciliter le commerce et l'investissement et mieux intégrer Maurice dans l'économie et les chaînes de valeur mondiales.   
5.62.  Il importe également de souligner l’attention particulière consacrée dans les politiques 
gouvernementales au partenariat public-privé, no tamment à travers une politique judicieuse de 
promotion des micro, petites et moyennes entreprises. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.63.  Grâce à la résilience de l’économie mauricienne en 2013, face à une conjoncture extérieure 
défavorable, les analyses budgétaires au titr e de l’année 2014 permettent de présager d’une 
croissance de 3,8%, de même que d’une diminution du déficit budgétaire global qui passerait à 3,2% du PIB après avoir atteint 3,7% l’année précédente. En outre, les performances de Maurice 
en matière de commerce extérieur ont conduit, pendant la période sous examen, à un 
accroissement appréciable des exportations totales de marchandises qui sont passées de 59 milliards de roupies en 2008 à 72 milliards de roupies en 2013. 
5.64.  Enfin, plusieurs actions sont à saluer en matière de diversification de l’économie 
mauricienne avec une large ouverture aux servic es, notamment à travers le développement du 
tourisme, la promotion d’investissement dans l'infrastructure des TIC, l’appui au secteur financier aussi bien bancaire que non bancaire. 
5.65.  Malgré les efforts volontaristes consentis par les deux pays sous examen et les acquis 
enregistrés, Djibouti et Maurice font face encore à des difficultés liées à leur statut de pays en développement aux ressources limitées. Par conséquent, il serait vivement indiqué que le soutien 
approprié soit accordé à ces deux pays leur permettant de mieux s’intégrer dans l’économie 
mondiale et au commerce international. 
5.66.  La délégation du Bénin exhorte la comm unauté des donateurs afin qu’elle poursuive et 
renforce ses appuis multiformes à ces deux pays en complément aux efforts nationaux en cours. 
5.67.  La délégation du Bénin souhaite aux délégations de Djibouti et de Maurice un examen réussi 
de leur politique commerciale. 
5.68.  Pour terminer, la délégation du Bénin exprime son appréciation au Secrétariat de l’OMC 
pour l’excellente préparation de la présente session. 
BARBADOS Mauritius 
5.69.  My delegation commends Mauritius on its stable economic performance. To have achieved 
an average annual growth rate of 3.83% over the period 2008-2013 when many countries were 
struggling to fend off the impact of the global recession, is quite remarkable. During this time, the 
country exhibited sound fiscal management, keeping its budget deficit to an average of 3.1% of 
GDP and its debt to GDP ratio under 60% of GDP. These are very positive outcomes for a small island developing State under any circumstances, but especially so at this difficult time in the global economy. 
5.70.  Mauritius like Barbados, a small island developing States is characterized by small size and 
high vulnerability. We therefore understand the difficulties faced by island States like Mauritius when pursuing growth and social and economic de velopment. In the face of these and the global 
challenges however, Mauritius has endeavoured to chart a comprehensive sustainable 
development path built on the development of a co mpetitive logistics and distribution platform for 
international trade in both maritime and in the aviation transport, while at the same time pursuing 
a pro-active expansionary fiscal policy and a responsive monetary policy.. 
5.71.  At the sectoral level, the country must al so be commended for the significant growth in its 
financial and insurance sectors as well as in the information and communications sector In addition, in the manufacturing sector, given the ch allenges of the period, a steady though lower 
performance was achieved. However, given that th is was occurring at a time when the world was 
struggling to come out of recession, this too was an achievement. 
5.72.  Generally also, the country has adapted rath er well to the loss of its protected markets with 
the European Union and has re-ordered its economy to take account of these realities. Though the 
agricultural sector performed unevenly, the sector was able to register positive growth most of the time despite the adjustment taking place in dealing with a new and more competitive environment 
and has been able to record positive growth in exports in every year since 2009.  WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.73.  Though Europe remained the main export market, we commend the country for its strategy 
of focusing on Africa as an important partner in its future development. The country must also be commended for its efforts at effecting efficiency improvements, in particular through enhanced business facilitation aimed at fast tracking projects, speeding up the delivery of several 
government related approvals, swifter handling of business start-ups and generally improving the 
approach to facilitation of business, as well as making plans for developing the intellectual property environment.  
5.74.  As a small island developing State which is distant from many markets, the country has 
rightly placed emphasis on transportation as an important plank in its development. The Government must therefore be commended for its pl ans to expand and improve its port facilities 
and its marine services. 
5.75.  Indeed, the plans for developing the ocean economy, given its substantial exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ), has the possibility for bringing important development opportunities over the long term and the proposed road map for the development of the sector is likely to bring 
clarity and focus to its plans.  
5.76.  As an island economy, fishing is very important and the country has made substantial 
efforts to add value to its fishing industry by developing sea food processing in order to improve 
the benefits to be derived from the fishing industry.   
5.77.  In terms of new investment, like most countries whose fortunes are closely linked to the 
performance of their developed country partners, Mauritius was adversely affected by a slowdown in investment with private investment contracting in real terms. Though the national savings rate 
has fallen and the current account deficit has increased, prospects seem good for an expected 
turnaround in investment inflows in light  of Government’s economic programmes.  
5.78.  Given the pro-active nature of the country’s efforts at reform and restructuring and its plans 
to sustain this over the medium term, Mauritius is likely to continue to perform well. We are very 
encouraged by the tangible and positive results and their commendable achievements. 
5.79.  Here in Geneva, Mauritius has remained steadfast in its commitment to the WTO as can be 
demonstrated through their participation in the processes of this House. Mauritius has been, and 
continues to be, a valuable partner in advancing the Small Economies Work Programme. At the bilateral level, Barbados has a bilateral Investment treaty with Mauritius and we look forward to a continued cordial relationship.  
Djibouti 
5.80.  Though Barbados has very limited contact with  Djibouti at the trade level, we wish to take 
this opportunity to commend them on a competen t Trade Policy Review. We note that despite 
several challenges, they have managed to register  positive growth in several years under review 
and, in particular, have made significant efforts to attract foreign direct investment. We note their objective of encouraging greater regional integratio n and their goal of consolidating their position 
as a trans-shipment point. 
5.81.  In closing, we commend both Mauritius and Djibouti on their performances and wish them 
every success in the future, as well as a successful conclusion to their Trade Policy Reviews. 
KENYA 
Djibouti 
5.82.  We congratulate the Government of Djibouti for its continued economic growth since 2012, 
driven by investment programmes particularly in ports, roads and hotel infrastructure. Djibouti's 
economy is dominated by the services sector since it is both the major transit port for the region 
and an international transhipment and refuelling centre. 
5.83.  Djibouti, as a least developed country, needs support to effectively implement the deeper 
institutional reforms that are critical to sustaining its dynamic economic growth. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
- 31 - 
 
5.84.  The efforts of the Government of Djibouti in recent years to reduce the structural obstacles 
to the provision of an adequate electricity and water supply are encouraging. Their lack handicaps 
growth, especially in the private sector, and the Government has raised funds for several projects that aim to improve supplies. Its efforts need to be complemented by assistance from the 
international community so as to improve the business environment for trade and to attract more 
investment. Djibouti has yet to realize the enormous potential that remains untapped in the area of agriculture. 
5.85.  As do many other least developed countries and some developing countries, Djibouti 
continues to face challenges in fulfilling its WTO obligations. This is particularly so with WTO notifications and the amending or putting in plac e laws and regulations that conform to WTO law. 
We urge the WTO and the donor community to provide technical assistance and capacity building 
to help Djibouti fulfil its WTO obligations and to realize the benefits of the multilateral trading 
system. 
5.86.  We welcome the participation of Djibouti in regional integration initiatives and regional 
bodies such as IGAD. This has helped the country to initiate reforms and to address some of the 
challenges faced in the pursuit of economic development and prosperity. 
Mauritius 
5.87.  We commend Mauritius for the measures it has taken to liberalize its economy. We note 
with appreciation that several measures were taken recently in further liberalizing the economy, including tariff cuts, a reduction of import licensing and the dismantling of subsidy schemes. As a consequence of the tariff cuts, the simple average applied MFN rate has fallen from 6.6% in 2007 
to 2.3% in 2014 making Mauritius a very open ec onomy. The investment regime is also open and 
transparent as a result of removal of restrictions on foreign equity participation in sectors such as tourism. 
5.88.  We are also encouraged to note that the economy of Mauritius has been resilient against 
external shocks despite the global economic crisis and the weaker import demand from its leading export market, the EU. Participation in regional trade agreements has played an important role in 
diversifying markets which has led to the increase of the share of exports to Africa, Asia and the 
United States. 
5.89.  Although the inward Foreign Direct Investment flow generally has dropped tremendously 
during the period of financial crisis, since 2010, Mauritius' figures have improved. This reflects a 
good and stable macroeconomic environment, and implementation of measures aimed at 
improving the business environment. 
5.90.  The efforts being undertaken to domestic WTO Agreements in the areas such as trade 
remedies need to be complemented and supported in order to ensure full compliance with the WTO 
multilateral norms. 
5.91.  In conclusion, we wish to thank the delegation of Mauritius for their active and constructive 
participation in the activities of the ACP Group in Geneva. 
KINGDOM
 OF SAUDI  ARABIA 
5.92.  Djibouti and Mauritius, despite notable ec onomic differences, share common features. Their 
economies are dominated by the services’ sector an d both are heavily dependent on trade. Further 
to an assessment of their strengths and potential growth areas, Djibouti and Mauritius have been 
implementing ambitious reforms to diversify and reinforce their economies. Djibouti’s National Initiative for Social Development aims to pr omote growth, competitiveness and employment; 
reduce poverty; guarantee access to core social services; and improve public governance. It is 
part of a more comprehensive strategy, set forth in Djibouti’s "Vision 2035", and is complemented by the National Trade Development Strategy. Similarly, Mauritius has been executing its Economic 
Reform Program to further open up its economy; consolidate its economic structure; and reform 
its regulatory environment to improve the business environment. These reforms have allowed Djibouti and Mauritius to perform well over the re view period, with GDP growth rates on average 
greater than 4% despite the global economic and financial crisis. Foreign direct investment inflows, WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
- 32 - 
 
which are essential for the diversification policies of both Members, also improved since 2010. 
Djibouti and Mauritius are to be recognized for their efforts and encouraged to continue sound economic and trade policies.  
5.93.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys excellent trade relations with Djibouti and Mauritius 
and aims to continue to develop them. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is amongst Djibouti’s top 
trading partners and one of the main investors in Djibouti. The Government of Saudi Arabia also offers its support to the State of Djibouti, directly or through development agencies. 
5.94.  The promotion of trade relations with re gional partners is an important part of the 
development strategies of Djibouti and Mauritius. Both countries are active members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Area and seek to further develop trade within Africa. 
5.95.  As original Members of the WTO and as de monstrated today by the significance of their 
delegations, Djibouti and Mauritius also greatly value the multilateral trading system. They have repeatedly expressed their support for a rules-ba sed system that promotes sustainable economic 
development within developing and least-developed country Members. 
GHANA Mauritius 
5.96.  The Delegation of Ghana notes with apprec iation the high ranking of Mauritius in various 
international indicators relating to governance, competitiveness and the business environment. As one of the consistently strong performers in Africa with open and transparent investment regime, many African countries look to Mauritius as a shining example.  
5.97.  Ghana has had long standing trade relation s with Mauritius even though the value of trade 
has not been all that substantial with Mauritius always chalking a positive trade balance. In the last five years, for example, Ghana’s exports grew from a paltry US$65,000 in 2009 to over 
US$1.8 million, whereas its imports from Mauritiu s grew from US$12.3 milli on to US$25.7 million 
in the same period. The huge balance in favour of Mauritius could be the result of its deliberate policy of promoting exports to African countries. We would like to see more trade among the two 
countries. 
5.98.  The Government Report indicates that Maur itius' TradeNet, the single window system which 
allows declarants to submit customs declarations online, to Customs through the latter’s Customs Management System (CMS), is one of the most effi cient clearance systems in Africa. It allows for 
the electronic payment of duties and taxes, as well  as submission of applications for permits issued 
by regulators participating in the import and export trade. No wonder customs clearance times have significantly reduced since the last review.  
5.99.  Mauritius ranks high in the area of trade facilitation. It is therefore not surprising that 
Mauritius was among the first WTO Members to have notified their Category A commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
5.100.  Indeed, Ghana’s Community Network, an electronic platform and data interchange for 
customs clearance was fashioned after the TradeNet of Mauritius. When in the early 2000, Ghana sought to review the existing ASYCUDA system fo r the clearance of goods, a delegation was sent 
to Mauritius to understudy the TradeNet system and the fruit of that study tour is the Ghana 
Community Network (GCNet). The GCNet is currently an enviable clearance system in the West 
African sub-region. We urge Mauritius to hasten  the project being implemented to enhance the 
single window to gradually integrate relevant agencies into the TradeNet and thus make the 
system truly and completely electronic. 
5.101.  Despite the many positives in the trade and economic environment of Mauritius, certain 
policies still exist that could be restrictive. The Secretariat report notes that import and export 
permit requirements have been reduced over th e review period. However, the existing import 
permit system could be used to protect domestic producers of some agricultural produce such as tea, chicken and pork. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
- 33 - 
 
5.102.  It is also worthy of note that the State, operating in the form of Parastatals like 
telecommunications, air transport and financial services, intervenes in economic activities instead of creating the enabling environment and a llowing the private sector to operate.  
5.103.  While recognizing the record of Mauritius in its WTO Notifications, we would further urge 
them to notify the RTAs with Pakistan and the Indian Ocean Commission to help advance the 
monitoring and analysis exercise undertaken by the Secretariat. 
Djibouti 
5.104.  Ghana recognizes that, being the country's second  trade policy review, the first having 
taken place in 2006, the intervening period has seen a number of important developments, which have implications for Djibouti’s trade and trade-related policies 
5.105.  We commend the Government for upholding to multiparty system of governance since 
April 2010, for consolidating the rule of law, abolishing the death penalty and introducing a new 
Commercial Code that entered into force in August 2012, a law adopted to provide better regulation of commercial activity.  
5.106.  We note with profound appreciation that  since Djibouti's last trade policy review, the 
banking sector has seen relative expansion due to  the dynamism of the services sector. That a 
High Council for Public-Private Dialogue, with the task of fostering a business environment that 
allows the private sector to thrive and contribute to economic growth and job creation has also 
been set up.  
5.107.  These improvements notwithstanding, we would urge Djibouti to improve its trade and 
economic environment for the promotion of trade and investment. 
5.108.  Regarding Customs valuation, indicative values (minimum values) still exist, with the 
explanation that it is to contend with under-invoicing. As the authorities have pointed out, they are faced with numerous cases of under-invoicing and need technical assistance to apply the Customs 
Valuation Agreement in full. Members who have the capacity to provide any assistance could take 
note and support the Member accordingly.  
5.109.  In keeping with the spirit of transparency  in the WTO we encourage Djibouti to notify the 
WTO of any State-trading enterprises within the meaning of Article XVII of the GATT.  
5.110.  Finally, we would like to seize this opportunity to thank the Ambassador of Colombia 
H.E. Mr. Gabriel Duque for accepting to be the discussa nt for this review and doing it so efficiently, 
his forward looking, insightful and eloquent analys is has definitely added great substance to this 
Review, and to Madam Chair for the able manner you have conducted this meeting. 
TOGO 5.111.  Ma délégation voudrait relever et saluer les reformes importantes menées par les deux 
pays soumis à l’examen. 
5.112.  Les efforts du Gouvernement de Djibouti méritent des encouragements pour l’adoption 
d’un nouveau code du commerce, le changement de la législation sur la propriété intellectuelle 
ainsi que pour l’adoption d’une loi dans le partenariat public-privé. 
5.113.  Le Togo voudrait particulièrement insister sur la création d’un guichet unique en 2013 par 
les autorités djiboutiennes dont l’importance n’est plus à démontrer ce qui a d'ailleurs inspiré  les autorités de mon pays qui ont également introduit cette réforme depuis le 27 juillet 2014.  
5.114.  La portée d’une telle réforme est grande, elle constitue un véritable baromètre du climat 
des affaires pour les pays en développement. 
5.115.  S'agissant de la République de Maurice, ma délégation voudrait saluer la diversification de 
son économie qui a contribué à faire de ce pays un pays à revenu intermédiaire dans un contexte 
difficile où la plupart des pays africains n’arrive nt pas à sortir de leur dépendance vis-à-vis des WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
- 34 - 
 
matières premières et ressources minières dont la faible résilience aux chocs extérieurs entraîne 
des conséquences néfastes pour nos économies.  
5.116.  Ma délégation note avec satisfaction que la balance commerciale de la République de 
Maurice est excédentaire et salue les efforts soutenus pour mobiliser les investissements 
étrangers. 
5.117.  Par-delà quelques approches différentes observées ça et là dans les politiques de ces deux 
pays, elles présentent des similitudes dans certains secteurs comme le tourisme et les zones 
franches. 
5.118.  C'est pourquoi, le Togo se félicite des efforts déployés par les autorités de ces deux pays 
pour valoriser le tourisme afin d’en faire un vect eur de croissance économique, et est d’avis qu’il 
s’agit d’une ressource à grande valeur ajoutée qui regorge des potentialités que les pays en 
développement et les pays les moins avancés devraient explorer pour leur développement 
économique. 
5.119.  Quant à la zone franche, ma délégation prend note des politiques menées par les deux 
pays dans ce domaine qui ne peuvent que contribuer à attirer les investissements avec à la clef 
des avantages certains.  
5.120.  Mon pays ayant expérimenté les zones franches depuis 1989, je mesure les avantages 
économiques inestimables que regorgent ces zones et ma délégation voudrait rendre un hommage 
appuyé aux deux pays à cet effet. 
5.121.  Il serait fastidieux d’énumérer en si peu de temps tous les efforts déployés par les deux 
pays pour s’intégrer dans le commerce international. 
5.122.  Ma délégation voudrait juste lancer un appel à l’OMC et à tous les partenaires afin qu'ils 
accompagnent ces deux pays dans leurs efforts. 
5.123.  Ceci passe par la conclusion du cycle de Doha que nous appelons de tous nos vœux. 
CHINESE  TAIPEI 
5.124.  Firstly, regarding Djibouti, it is very pleasing to see that between 2006 and 2012 GDP 
growth rate averaged about 5% per year. At the same time, perhaps a little cause for concern that 
the two dynamics on which this growth was mainly dependent continued to be its port 
infrastructure and the massive inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) centred on transport activities and related services. It is encouraging, however, to note from the report of the Secretariat that Djibouti is attempting to promote greater diversification of its production base with 
the private-sector making a larger contribution to GDP , and with the adoption of the "National 
Trade Development Strategy (SNDC)" in 2010, as well as the "National Initiative for Social Development (INDS) for 2007 to 2015". Programmes such as the "Djibouti 2035" and the 
"Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Employment  Creation (SCAPE)" are also impressive. We 
sincerely hope that all of these worthy efforts will lead to the kind of diversification that the economy really needs, and help Djibouti to achieve its own target of 8.5% annual growth. 
5.125.  In the case of Mauritius, we are again pleased to learn that its economy has enjoyed 
average annual growth of 4% over the last seven years (2007 to 2013). The Government has 
continued to adopt various programmes-such as the "Economic Restructuring Competitiveness Programme (ERCP)", the "Exclusive Economic Zone s (EEZs) Programme", the "Export Processing 
Zone Scheme" , the "Freeport Scheme" and the "Inc lusive High Income Economy Vision", all of 
these initiatives geared to transform and build a competitive logistics and distribution platform for international trade with the overall aim of securing economic growth, social equity and 
sustainability. 
5.126.  As far our bilateral trading relationship with each of these countries is concerned, the value 
of our two-way trade with Djibouti in 2013 was US$34.6 million, and with Mauritius in the same 
year it was US$113.4 million. We certainly to see the potential for greater economic cooperation 
and trade expansion bilaterally with ea ch of these economies in the future. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.127.  At the multilateral level, we would urge both these countries to make as much use of the 
WTO’s trade-related capacity building and technica l assistance as possible. From our experience, 
they can be particularly helpful in facilitating trade diversification and economic integration. 
ARGENTINA 
Djibouti 
5.128.  La Argentina felicita a Djibouti por los resultados económicos que ha obtenido desde el 
anterior examen de su política comercial. Dest acamos el crecimiento del PBI de 5% entre 2006 y 
2009. Este crecimiento continuó en 2012, luego de la crisis de 2010 y 2011, impulsado por 
inversiones en carreteras, infraestructura hotelera y fundamentalmente en puertos.  
5.129.  La estratégica ubicación geográfica de Djibouti en el Mar Rojo le ha permitido establecer 
una serie de puertos a lo largo de su costa y obtener importantes ingresos.  
5.130.  Gracias a ello el país ha crecido de manera sostenida. Sin embargo, este desarrollo deberá 
profundizarse y mantenerse en el tiempo a fin de lograr reducir los niveles de extrema pobreza del país. 
5.131.  Alentamos a Djibouti a continuar el proceso de promoción del desarrollo y del empleo y de 
reducción de la pobreza emprendido en 2007 con la Iniciativa Nacional para el Desarrollo Social. 
5.132.  Asimismo, esperamos que la aplicación de la Estrategia para el Crecimiento Acelerado y la 
Creación de Empleo en 2015-2019 permita incrementar la diversificación de la economía y la 
participación en el comercio internacional. 
Mauricio 5.133.  Pasando a Mauricio, la delegación argentina observa con beneplácito que, desde el tercer 
examen de su política comercial realizado en 2008 y a pesar de la crisis económica global, la 
economía de Mauricio ha tenido un buen desempeño y el PBI ha crecido gracias al turismo y a las actividades de construcción así como a las políticas macroeconómicas adoptadas. 
5.134.  La Argentina felicita a Mauricio por los esfuerzos que viene realizando a fin de diversificar 
su economía y destaca los logros obtenidos en esta materia, los cuales le han permitido pasar de una economía puramente agrícola a una economía con incipientes pero prometedores sectores 
industriales y con un gran desarrollo del sector de servicios turísticos. 
5.135.  Como prueba de dicho proceso de diversificación, cabe destacar que desde 2011 las 
importaciones argentinas originarias de Mauricio muestran un crecimiento impulsado especialmente por la industria textil y la producción de anteojos. 
5.136.  Aunque la balanza comercial bilateral ha presentado relativas oscilaciones a lo largo de la 
última década, con una leve caída de las exportaciones argentinas, la Argentina reconoce en Mauricio un socio comercial significativo en la región.  
5.137.  La Argentina desea fortalecer las relaciones comerciales con Mauricio y Djibouti sobre la 
base de los principios de complementariedad, igualdad y solidaridad que la Argentina sostiene a través de la cooperación Sur-Sur. 
EGYPT 
5.138.  Allow me at the outset to welcome the pres ence of the distinguished delegation of Djibouti, 
headed by H.E. Minister of trade, and to congra tulate them for the second Trade Policy Review of 
their country. We welcome as well the distinguished delegation of Mauritius, headed by 
H.E. Secretary of State, and congratulate them fo r the fourth trade policy review of their country.  
We thank the Government of Djibouti and Mauritius, as well as the WTO Secretariat for the reports prepared for this meeting. We cannot overemphasize the important data that has been made 
available to us with respect to the economic  and trade policies implemented by the country. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.139.  We want to express our appreciation for the valuable role of the distinguished Ambassador 
of Colombia in his capacity as a discussant of the Trade Policy Review of Djibouti. 
5.140.  We acknowledge the Djibouti commitment  to the multilateral trading system and the 
regional integration efforts which is illustrated by its trade policies. We appreciate the adoption of 
Djibouti to National Trade Development Strategy in 2010, as well as the Commercial Code in 2011. 
We hope that the new Commercial Code will provide better regulation of commercial activity and contribute to improving the country's business environment. 
5.141.  We welcome Djibouti review of its invest ment policy in 2013 hoping that the outcome of 
this review process will help strengthening the role of the private sector, as well as attracting Foreign Direct Investment. In this context, we  appreciate the efforts being undertaken towards 
finalization of the new investment code. 
5.142.  We commend Djibouti's commitment to the regional integration through its positive 
contributions to COMESA work and the Tripartite Agreement between COMESA, the South African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). 
5.143.  We hope that Djibouti will continue its efforts to counter the challenges and to pursue its 
endeavours needed to diversify the economy and to enhance its productive capacity. 
5.144.  Finally, we wish both Djibouti and Mauritius a successful Trade Policy Review. 
REPUBLIC
 OF KOREA 
Djibouti 5.145.  As the Secretariat report noted, since the last TPR, Djibouti has maintained its moderate 
GDP growth rates of around 5% driven by burgeo ning inward foreign direct investment (FDI) on 
transport activities and related services. 
5.146.  We believe that Djibouti's trade policy is going in the right direction, as it aims to promote 
diversification of the production system with a larger private-sector contribution to GDP and 
business formalization and structuring. 
5.147.  In that regard, we would like to commend the Government of Djibouti for its efforts to fully 
implement the 2010 National Trade Development St rategy which seeks to upgrade the software 
used by Customs, as well as the improvement in  the quality of statistics and the setting up of 
business and legislative reforms among others.  
5.148.  Finally, we would like to urge the Government of Djibouti to fully fulfil its notification 
obligations under the WTO. 
Mauritius 
5.149.  We would like to commend the Government of Mauritius for its liberal and transparent 
trade policy and its on-going reform efforts in various areas such as the reduction of tariff rates 
and imports licensing, the dismantlement of subsidy programs, as well as the enhancement of the 
protection of IPR, and the improvement of Compet ition Acts. Therefore, it is no wonder that 
Mauritius has performed relatively well during  the period under review, despite the global 
economic crisis and weaker foreign demand.  
5.150.  Korea also welcomes the notification of Mauritius to the WTO with its Category A 
commitments under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation 
5.151.  Korea would like to express its sincere hope to further expand our bilateral relations on all 
fronts with Djibouti and Mauritius. 
5.152.  In closing, we very much hope that today’s TPR will provide a good opportunity for Djibouti 
and Mauritius, as well as their trading partners, including Korea, to assess the progress as well as 
to help identify further ways forward. In this regard, we would like to, again, express our WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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appreciation to the delegates of Djibouti and Mauritius for their hard work in preparing for this 
TPR. We wish them all a very successful TPR. 
LESOTHO  ON BEHALF  OF THE AFRICAN  GROUP 
5.153.  The Africa Group supports the efforts made by the two Member States in their pursuit to 
diversify their economies and create employment opportunities in consonance with transparency 
obligations under the WTO Agreements. This is ev idently the affirmative show of commitment by 
these Members to the multilateral trading system.  
Djibouti 
5.154.  The African Group pays tribute to Djibouti's reforms which have been testified by 
improvement rankings in World Bank's 2014 Ease of  Doing Business Report to the current rank of 
160 out of 189 countries. These reforms in pursuit of diversifying and increasing their economic 
growth one noticeable effort by the Djibouti Government. These include the adoption of the 
National Trade Development Strategy and an evid ent increase in FDI inflows of US$277 million in 
2013. It is for this reason that the African Group supports and commends Djibouti's efforts in 
improving investment climate as heralded amongst others by changes their procurement policies 
and investments in infrastructure.  
5.155.  Djibouti has been able to contain inflation for the period under review with 3.7% and 1.9% 
in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and also was able to reduce their trade deficit to 2.7% in 2012 and 
1.9 % in 2013. In addition, there have been im provements on trade facilitation to increase 
efficiency in trading across borders through the introduction of modern customs systems and their 
strategic utilization of Free Zones, this is commendable given the enormity of challenges faced by 
small States including as Djibouti. Of specific note are tremendous strides made by Djibouti 
through the Regional Integration Program, inclusive of the transit corridor to improved port facilities.  
5.156.  Let me commend the Government of Djibouti on their strong support for the multilateral 
trading system and participation in regional integration.  
Mauritius 
5.157.  Mauritius has also not only been performing exceptionally well but has been a model for 
reforms in Africa towards improvement of the investment climate. As a beacon of successful reform agenda, it is an enviable economic growth anchored in sound reforms as testified by H.E. Mrs. Dwarka-Canabady earlier today. Furthe r, the Green Growth efforts towards sustainable 
development are indeed commendable.  
5.158.  Mauritius has been the top African performer on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business for 
a number of years now ranking 20th globally in in 2014. The active involvement by Mauritius in 
regional integration initiatives such as COMESA and SADC, and the tripartite negotiations by 
SADC, EAC and COMESA in addition to the WTO, is a clear demonstration of Mauritius in embracing the principle of market liberalization. 
5.159.  The African group commends the efforts by  Mauritius in improving among others their IP 
regimes, increasing efficiency to improve infrastructure development and their efforts to improve and diversify their services sector. In the manufacturing sector, Mauritius has been one of the top exporters under the AGOA program which the forthcoming session will be a make or break for the 
committed seamless renewal. 
5.160.  The two small economies have been affected heavily by the financial crisis in 2008, but 
have shown resilience supported by macroeconomic and fiscal support to assist the growth of their 
economies. This is evident by an  average of 5% economic growth for Djibouti and an average of 
4% for Mauritius between 2008 and 2013. 
5.161.  One may also argue that their resilience can be attributed to their unwavering support to 
the multilateral trading system, as further evidenced in their commitments to the DDA, the Bali 
Package including notification in the TFA, as well as their contribution to the African economic WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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regional integration agenda. The African Group would like to encourage the Members of the WTO 
and international Donor community to assist in the development efforts of these two Members.  
5.162.  On behalf of the African group let me commend the two countries on their TPR reports and 
their contribution to transparency process in  the WTO, and wish them a successful review. 
SWAZILAND 
Mauritius 5.163.  In reviewing the reports of Mauritius which form the basis of today’s review, my delegation 
had an opportunity to assess the economic and trade programme of a fellow small economy and 
SADC member, trying to navigate the structural economic challenges which are common to many 
small States. 
5.164.  Mauritius is a remote, small and open economy which has, in recent times, faced 
significant challenges to the international trade regime for two of its most important export 
products. Specifically, internal market reforms in the EU, coupled with new multilateral rules governing trade in textiles, signalled the possibl e loss of a secure, predictable and remunerative 
market for two major foreign exchange earners: sugar and textiles. 
5.165.  The prospect of uncertainty and disrupti ons in two major export sectors would challenge 
policy makers and industry interests even in the most advanced economies. However, far from 
being daunted by this prospect, the Government of  Mauritius has embarked on a far-reaching and 
ambitious programme of reform and adjustment. Central to this programme of reform was the 
secular movement from an economy dependent on  unilateral preferences to one founded on 
competitiveness in key sectors of export interest. 
5.166.  To this end, the reports highlight a catalo gue of legislative steps taken to bring Mauritius 
into compliance with its multilateral obligations whilst simultaneously establishing a basis for a more competitive engagement with international markets. In this regard, allow me to highlight the 
implementation of the Business Facilitation Act. It should be noted that this Act sits at the very 
heart of the reform programme and aims at adjustments enabling of private sector investment. The success of the reform process is evidenced by a stable macroeconomic environment, low 
levels of unemployment, contained rates of inflation and a public sector debt that remains 
impressively within prudential limits. These refo rms have been lauded by the World Bank which 
rates Mauritius 20th globally for Ease of Doing Business. Similarly, Mauritius scores credibly in other metrics such as: protection of investors, economic freedom, governance, and global 
competitiveness, to name a few. 
5.167.  Indeed, on further inspection, it is apparent that the positive economic momentum of 
Mauritius has been enabled by its effective use of international trade as a vehicle for attracting 
investment, spurring domestic regulatory reforms and seeking and securing new export markets. 
With respect to international trade, Mauritiu s maintains average bound duties of 119% on 
agricultural products and 22% on industrial goods,  however, the average applied rates are 0.9% in 
agriculture, and 1.14% on industrial goods, maki ng Mauritius one of the most open economies in 
the world. Additionally, Mauritius is a member of the ITA and has made a commendable offer in services negotiations. 
5.168.  It is also instructive that allied to the policy objective of establishing Mauritius as a regional 
maritime, logistics and business hub, concrete steps have been taken to develop the 
infrastructural and regulatory backbone in pursuance of this objective. Critical in this regard and amply reflected in the reports, are the considerable efforts already taken by Mauritius in trade 
facilitation. The significant reforms in trade facilitation are seen as critical to unlocking higher 
levels of efficiency along the trade logistics supply chain with positive effects to be realised throughout the real economy. 
5.169.  For my delegation, Mauritius presents a worthy case study for all small economies 
burdened by preference erosion and a patchy and challenging integration into the global economy. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.170.  I would like to congratulate and commend the delegation of Mauritius for their very clear 
and interesting report, but more significantly, for the innovative approach taken to navigating some of the most perplexing economic ch allenges confronted by small economies. 
5.171.  I wish you success as you continue to implement elements of your trade and economic 
reform agenda. 
Djibouti 5.172.  I would also like to commend and congratulate the delegation of Djibouti for preparing and 
participating in their second trade policy review within the institutional framework of the WTO. As 
an exercise in economic assessment and transpar ency this helps countries identify their own 
barriers to growth and prosperity to assist in the necessary readjustments and policy changes. As a fellow country of Africa, as well as a memb er of COMESA, we are impressed by the reforms 
enacted despite challenges on the ground and we encourage the Government to continue with 
creating a facilitatory environment for trade, as well as for local small business. 
VANUATU 
5.173.  The Government and people of Mauritius have a lot to be proud of. In short order they 
have made significant strides towards a more fulsome integration into the global economy, they engaged a programme of economic diversification an d boosted the capacity of the private sector to 
beneficially participate in the economic development of Mauritius. 
5.174.  It is no secret that Vanuatu, like Mauritius, is still grappling with the impacts of the global 
financial and economic crisis and the continuing effects of preference erosion.  
5.175.  The reports demonstrate that Mauritius is committed to multilateralism and, in this regard, 
has been an example of self-import reforms, an  example that many small States can take on 
board in their continuing efforts to integrate into the global economy. 
5.176.  It is clear from the report that the Government of Mauritius has translated its policy 
objectives into a clear programme of legislative reforms which underpins and consolidates a clear 
development agenda. 
5.177.  Special note is made of the cross-cutting and far reaching legislative programmes trigged 
by the Business Facilitation Act. These legislative reforms touch and concern the Government, 
export development, business promotion and suppor t, to name a few. Additionally, the ambitious 
round of infrastructural renewal which includes the Port-Louis redevelopment and the extension of the international airport are practical steps to facilitate and realize structural economic 
transformation. 
5.178.  In preferences environment, a competitiv eness based approach to economic development 
is critical to servicing the long term and sustainable economic development of a small economy. 
Interestingly, Mauritius has enjoyed some degree s of success by reducing tariff and inviting 
investment of capital and human talent. Another example of policy innovation undertaken by Mauritius is its launch into the new non-traditional markets. In this regard, new trade and 
economic activity has been pursued with Turkey, Pakistan, China and other members of the BRICs.  
5.179.  Also, Mauritius has made clear its intention to engage positively and in a mutually 
enhancing fashion with the African continent. Demonstrative of this intention is the growth in trade between Mauritius and SACU, COMESA and the EAC. 
5.180.  Mauritius has translated the nomenclature of South-South trade into a reality which 
continues to boost and support its industrial development and expansion. 
5.181.  Mauritius has made great strides towards a successful establishment of a mixed economy 
thus highlighting the importance of output in the manufacturing, agriculture and services sector. 
5.182.  The efforts of Mauritius in pursuing a green  strategy of development should be seen as a 
case study for best practices. Mauritius' efforts at supporting an ocean economy approach which WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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seeks to balance both the economy and ecological imperatives within a comprehensive governance 
framework is of particular note.  
5.183.  By exploiting its maritime resources, ship registration, and marine renewable energy, 
Mauritius makes impressive efforts all the more when considering that these elements are assets 
for prosperity and future economic value. 
5.184.  These reforms rank Mauritius 20th globally in the Ease of Doing Business of the World Bank 
particularly as regards protection for investors, economic freedom, governance and global 
competitiveness, to name a few. 
5.185.  For my delegation, Mauritius presents an interesting case study for all small economies 
affected by preference erosion and a tough chal lenging integration into the global economy. 
5.186.  I would like to commend the delegation of Mauritius for their very clear and interesting 
report and for the innovative approach taken to navigate in some of the most complex economic 
challenges confronted by small economies. 
5.187.  I wish Mauritius, as well as Djibouti, continuous success in pursuing their economic and 
trade reform agenda. 
INDIA Djibouti 
5.188.  As brought out in the Government reports, Djibouti has registered overall positive growth 
during the period under review. The economic grow th in Djibouti further picked up momentum in 
2012 and the economy grew by about 5% in 2013,  and the medium term macroeconomic outlook 
is also favourable. Trade in goods and services play an important part in Djibouti economy and 
account for about 94 % of its GDP, and during the period under review, Djibouti has taken several 
trade policy initiatives and legislative actions. It adopted a National Trade Development Strategy in 2010, which, we understand, is being updated to enhance the framework of action, including 
components on regional integration, private sector development and custom procedures.  
5.189.  We applaud the Government of Djibouti for its trade and development related initiatives, 
including its "Vision Djibouti 2035" program to pursue its trade policy goals while enhancing social 
inclusion, economic growth and diversification and sustainable development. We are confident that 
as a result of these initiatives and the support of its international partners, Djibouti will be able to derive benefits from the multilateral trading system and its regional integration efforts. At the bilateral front, we enjoy close bilateral ties with Djibouti, and we look forward to further 
strengthening of our trade and development partnership.  
Mauritius 5.190.  As brought out in the Government and Secr etariat reports, during the period under review, 
the Mauritius economy performed well with annual GDP growth rates averaging about 4% despite 
weak import demand from its main markets and the turbulence in the global economy. We would like to compliment Mauritius for successfully implementing the ambitious economic and trade 
reform program that enabled the economy to move  away from dependence on trade preferences 
to global competitiveness, diversify and resulting in improved business climate. The International Finance Corporation and the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report 2014 have ranked 
Mauritius 20th most attractive place to do busine ss worldwide, and Mauritius occupies the first 
place in Africa for the sixth consecutive years in  this ranking, which is a commendable effort.  
5.191.  We note the continued focus of the Mauritius Government to maintain economic buoyancy; 
including supportive macroeconomic policies and measures taken to further facilitate business 
start-ups, promoting green growth, streamlining trade and investment procedures, as well as 
creating new poles of growth through economic diversification namely, development of health services, the ocean economy, aviation and maritime hubs etc. Mauritius is also aiming to develop 
itself as a regional information and communications technology hub and to make the sector a key 
pillar of the economy. The policy measures  under the 2010-15 Economic Restructuring WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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Competitiveness Program (ERCP) are aimed at restructuring enterprises, retraining workers, 
improving infrastructure for competitiveness, and diversifying its exports destinations. All these initiatives, we hope, will also open-up new opportunities for international collaboration. 
5.192.  As part of its diversification efforts, we note that Mauritius is laying particular focus on 
implementing an Africa strategy to harness the opportunities emerging on the African continent, 
particularly in the context of COMESA-FTA an d SADC-FTA and its active engagement in the 
negotiations of COMESA-SADC-EAC Tripartite Initiative, creating an enlarged FTA.  
5.193.  India and Mauritius have enjoyed multi-dimensional partnership, underpinned by historic 
linkages and close people to people contacts. India is one of Mauritius largest trading partners, and in 2013, India was the largest source of Mauritian imports accounting for over 24 % of the total Mauritian imports. We have a robust institutional framework of bilateral agreements and 
arrangements to facilitate trade, mutual investments. Indian companies have invested over 
US$ 200 million in Mauritius in the last five years, and we are committed to harnessing the full potential of our bilateral trade, economic and development partnership for the benefit of our two 
peoples. 
5.194.  As a result of the initiatives taken by Ma uritius and with the support of its international 
partners, we are hopeful that it would gain meaningfully from its integration into the global 
economy to ensure prosperity and higher living standards for its peoples. 
TURKEY Mauritius 5.195.  We have the pleasure to observe that, since its last trade review, Mauritius pursued its 
good economic performance and further improved its trade openness. During the review period, 
Mauritius managed to maintain a sound economic growth rate and increased its GDP per capita 
more than 50%, to reach US$9500 despite the global economic crisis.  
5.196.  External trade in goods and services accounts for 115% of Mauritius GDP and therefore 
plays an important role in its economic performance. Since its last review, Mauritius decreased significantly its applied duty rates from a simple  average rate of 6.6% in 2007 to 2.3% in 2014, 
while 88% of its tariff lines are already duty free. It has also put in place some important reforms 
to facilitate external trade, such as the E-Cust oms project ending the necessity for importers to 
present hard copy documents to the customs auth orities. Furthermore, Mauritius is among the 
WTO Members that have already notified Catego ry A commitments under the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. 
5.197.  Mauritius also improved its investment framework during the review period. In this 
respect, it has adopted a new Competition Act empowering a recently established Competition 
Commission to investigate anti-competitve behaviours of economic actors, implemented an 
Intellectual Property Development Plan and enacted the International Arbitration Act allowing investors to have recourse to international arbitration. 
5.198.  Efforts invested to develop its regional trade agreements network is another important 
reform element with regard to trade and investment policy of Mauritius. 
5.199.  We are pleased to see that thanks to al l of these reforms, Mauritius is among the best 
performers in Africa in terms of business climate.  It ranks 20th in the Doing Business index of the 
World Bank and 45th in the competitivene ss index of the World Economic Forum. 
5.200.  In this sense, Mauritius is a real example of how a small island economy can benefit from 
commercial and economic liberalization. 
5.201.  Besides this sound economic framework that I described, as for all Members, there 
remains some challenges that need to be tackled by Mauritius in upcoming period. We believe that among these challenges: 
 Diversification of manufacturing industry; WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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 Combatting unemployment which insists to remain around 8%; and 
 Keeping under control the current account defici t and the gross external debt stock, which 
 both make Mauritius economy vulnerable against external shocks, are the most important  ones. 
5.202.  As indicated in the TPR report, the fr ee trade agreement between Turkey and Mauritius 
entered into force in June 2013. This FTA is particularly important for Turkey as its first one in Africa besides its FTAs with North African countries. Moreover, an Agreement for Promotion and 
Protection of Bilateral Investments was also signed in February 2013.  
5.203.  In this regard, despite the relatively mo dest trade volume between Turkey and Mauritius, 
we deem Mauritius as an important trade and investment partner in its region and we firmly believe that our recent FTA and investment agreement will serve to enhance not only bilateral 
trade and economic relations but also to the de velopment of economic relations between Turkey 
and Africa with regard to trade, investments and development related activities.   
5.204.  In this respect, we will continue our close cooperation with Mauritius, to enhance further 
our bilateral relations in both ways.  
Djibouti 5.205.  We also would like to congratulate Djibouti for its progress since the last trade policy 
review in 2006, including the annual average GDP growth of 5% an d its cooperation and 
willingness for establishing economic partnerships . On the other hand, we believe there is still 
room for Djibouti to fulfil its potential in areas such as agriculture, transportation, foreign direct investment and poverty reduction. We would like to increase our bilateral trade and investment 
relations with Djibouti. 
RÉPUBLIQUE
 CENTRAFRICAINE 
5.206.  Le rapport soumis à notre attention par le Secrétariat et les distingués représentants des 
deux pays mettent en exergue les différentes réformes engagées par les Gouvernements 
respectifs depuis leurs derniers examens afin de mettre le commerce au cœur de leur stratégie nationale de développement. Ceci démontre à quel point les pays soumis à l’examen attachent une 
grande importance au système commercial multilat éral fondé sur des règles et montre également 
leurs volontés à mettre en œuvre les instruments de politique commerciale dans le cadre des engagements pris à l’OMC. 
Djibouti 
5.207.  Malgré les défis énormes que fait face Djibouti en tant que PMA pour se conformer aux 
règles de l’OMC et satisfaire certaines de ces obligations, à savoir les questions de notification, ma délégation apprécie les efforts menés par le Gouvernement pour la croissance économique 
constante dans les investissements dans le domaine infrastructurel, économique et structurel.  
Notons que le service constitue un domaine d’expert ise dans lequel excelle Djibouti, notamment le 
secteur du tourisme, et souhaite que ce potentiel soit encore exploité pour faire de Djibouti une 
destination touristique mondiale.  
5.208.  La balance commerciale déficitaire liée à une importante importation des produits agricoles 
et manufacturés montre les faiblesses de l’économie qu’il faut combler afin d’atteindre le niveau de croissance nécessaire pour satisfaire les besoins de sa population. 
Maurice 
5.209.  S'agissant de Maurice, ma délégation se satisfait des avancées considérables dans le 
domaine de l’ouverture de son économie à l’international, ce qui est remarquable au niveau des 
IED qu’attire Maurice dans le secteur des services financiers et touristiques.  WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.210.  La stabilit é étant un facteur déterminant d’attracti on des IED, Maurice en est un exemple 
grâce à la stabilité de ses institutions mais aussi des instruments réglementaires en faveur du commerce.  
5.211.  Grâce au programme régional de renforcement des capacités macroéconomique abrité par 
Maurice, les fonctionnaires de mon pays ont pu bénéficier de ce programme qui a contribué à 
renforcer non seulement leurs capacités personnelles mais aussi les capacités des institutions dont ils relèvent. 
5.212.  Ma délégation souhaite que les vastes chantiers de réformes ouvertes puissent aboutir 
pour que les résultats soient bénéfiques pour les populations des deux pays. 
5.213.  Tout en souhaitant plein succès à cet exercice, ma délégation apporte tout son soutien à 
Djibouti, PMA comme la RCA, afin de changer de statut à l'horizon 2035 comme prévu dans le plan 
quinquennal opérationnel de la Vision 2035. 
5.214.  Enfin, ma délégation se félicite de la disponibilité de son Excellence l’Ambassadeur Gabriel 
Duque qui a bien voulu accepter d'être le présen tateur et l'a fait avec un professionnalisme 
éloquent. 
NIGER 5.215.  Ma délégation se réjouit de prendre part à l'examen de la politique commerciale de 
Djibouti et de Maurice, deux pays en développement avec qui elle entretient de bonnes relations 
tant au niveau de groupe africain, des ACP et de l'OMC dans une démarche commune pour une conclusion rapide du Cycle de Doha avec la pr ise en compte de sa dimension "développement". 
5.216.  La présentation faite par la délégation de Djibouti a montré que ce pays déploie 
d'importants efforts pour stimuler la croissance économique et améliorer les conditions de vie des 
populations. Il a mené plusieurs réformes sur le plan institutionnel et dans le domaine économique, réformes qui ont contribué à une amélioration significative des performances 
économiques et commerciales du pays et permis son classement bien enviable dans le rapport 
"Doing Business" de la Banque Mondiale. Les perspe ctives définies en cinq axes dans la Vision 
Djibouti 2035 sont porteuses d'ambitions pour le pays qui s'engage dans un vaste programme de 
transformation structurelle en vue d'en faire un pays émergent. 
5.217.  S'agissant de Maurice, la présentation faite par la délégation, ainsi que les échanges 
conduits ces 48 heures montrent que ce pays a ef fectué beaucoup de progrès depuis le précédent 
examen en 2008 et qu'il y a lieu de relever les pe rspectives importantes qui s'ouvrent pour ce 
pays. Les efforts consentis par le Gouvernement mauricien, ainsi que les initiatives prises aux 
niveaux bilatéral, régional et multilatéral pour faciliter le commerce et l'investissement et mieux intégrer Maurice dans l'économie et les chaînes de valeur mondiales, ont été les moteurs de son 
progrès économique et sa relative prospérité parmi les pays africains. 
5.218.  La diversification de l'économie grâce au développement du secteur manufacturier et à 
l'élargissement du secteur des services au secteur financier bancaire et non bancaire notamment a 
été un vecteur essentiel de stimulation de la croissance et de renforcement de la résilience de 
l'économie mauricienne qui a pu résister à une co njoncture extérieure défavorable en projetant au 
titre de l'année 2014 une croissance de 3,8%. 
5.219.  Il est à espérer que dans le cadre des efforts de coopération régionale, cette croissance de 
l'économie mauricienne aura un impact sur les économies des États Membres et conforter cette 
dynamique de promotion des échanges intra-africains pour le développement intégré du continent. 
5.220.  Ma délégation voudrait, après avoir suivi les présentations faites par les délégations de 
Djibouti et Maurice, les féliciter et les remercier pour leur participation active à cet exercice 
d'examen des politiques commerciales. 
5.221.  Les deux délégations ont démontré tout le potentiel dont dispose leurs pays respectifs pour 
s'intégrer davantage dans le commerce international, promouvoir la croissance de leurs WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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économies, dessiner des perspectives à moyen et long terme, et créer les conditions pour 
l'amélioration du bien-être de leur population. 
5.222.  Il y a eu quelques observations et remarques tendant à encourager ces pays, d'oú 
l'importance d'un appui continu leur permettant de s'intégrer davantage dans l'économie mondiale. 
MADAGASCAR 
Djibouti 5.223.  Ma délégation félicite la croissance économique de Djibouti dominée principalement par les 
services. 
5.224.  Ma délégation note avec satisfaction la tendance à la hausse du taux de croissance du PIB 
de Djibouti, la reprise des investissements dans les infrastructures portuaires, routières et hôtelières et surtout les mesures prises par Djibouti pour attirer les investissements directs 
étrangers. 
5.225.  Ma délégation salue les réformes prises par Djibouti, la baisse de l'inflation ainsi que les 
efforts déployés par le pays dans l'amélioration de ses recettes. 
5.226.  Djibouti fait partie du COMESA ce qui représente des opportunités commerciales à explorer 
entre les pays Membres de cette organisation. Djibouti négocie les Accords de partenariat économique avec l'Union européenne dans le groupe des pays de l'Afrique orientale et australe 
auquel Madagascar appartient. 
Maurice 5.227.  Ma délégation tient à féliciter les performances économiques réalisées par Maurice depuis 
son dernier examen de politique commerciale en 2008. 
5.228.  Ma délégation salue les efforts déployés par le Gouvernement malgré la crise mondiale de 
2008. 
5.229.  Ma délégation note avec satisfaction les mesures prises par Maurice pour la libéralisation 
économique et d'autres mesures entreprises récemment par ce pays pour faire de Maurice un pays 
qui résiste face aux chocs extérieurs. 
5.230.  Maurice est un modèle à suivre dans le continent africain. Elle doit être félicitée par ses 
mesures de croissance et d'investissement, ce qui lui a permis de se hisser au vingtième rang en 
matière de Doing Business 2014 par la Banque mondiale. 
5.231.  Ma délégation salue les pratiques commerciales de Maurice relatives aux questions 
douanières et donc à la facilitation des échanges étant donné qu'elle fait partie des premiers pays 
à soumettre son engagement dans la Catégorie A. 
5.232.  Ma délégation se réjouit des performances de Maurice en commerce extérieur et de la 
diversification de son économie, ce qui a fait de Maurice un pays à revenus intermédiaires. 
5.233.  Madagascar et Maurice entretiennent déjà des échanges commerciaux considérables. Les 
deux pays appartiennent à quelques blocs d'intégration régionale. Maurice et Madagascar sont membres du COMESA et de la SADC. De par leur proximité géographique, les deux pays font aussi 
partie de la Commission de l'Océan indien. Á l'instar de Madagascar, Maurice négocie les Accords 
de partenariat économique avec l'Union européenne dans le groupe des pays de l'Afrique orientale et australe. 
5.234.  Ma délégation salue la ferme volonté d'engagement de Djibouti et de Maurice au système 
commercial multilatéral, ainsi que la réussite du système par la conclusion des négociations en 
suspens, ce qui mène à des résultats équilibrés, inclusifs et équitables. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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5.235.  Ainsi, ma délégation exhorte les partenaires techniques et financiers à soutenir ces deux 
pays dans leur processus de développement économique. 
 WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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6  REPLIES BY THE REPRES ENTATIVE OF DJIBOUTI 
TEL QUE TRANSCRIT PAR LE SECRÉTARIAT 6.1.  [Les performances de l'économie djiboutienne depuis 2007, avec un taux de croissance 
important de 5% et des perspectives prometteuses de 8,5%, sont basées sur l'accumulation du 
capital fixe avec un apport important des investissements directs étrangers mais aussi par 
l'ensemble du secteur des services, notamment les télécommunications et les services financiers. 
6.2.  La politique budgétaire du Gouvernement a pour objectif l'assainissement des finances 
publiques afin de renforcer la situation budgétaire  e t  g a r a n t i r  s a  v i a b i l i t é  à  l o n g  t e r m e  e t  l a  
stabilité macroéconomique. Grâce à cette politique du Gouvernement en matière de dépenses publiques et d'amélioration des recettes fiscales, le déficit budgétaire est passé de 2,7% à 1,9%.  
6.3.  Une autre caractéristique de l'économie djib outienne est sa politique monétaire et la libre 
convertibilité du franc Djibouti av ec une parité fixe au dollar EU. 
6.4.  Djibouti a adopté une matrice de réformes en matière d'investissement et donc des réformes 
structurelles basées sur la refonte du Code des investissements et la prise en compte de 
l'amélioration du climat des investissements et les secteurs porteurs stratégiques de l'économie 
nationale avec la mise en place des plateforme s électroniques telles que IGAD et e-Regulation; 
l'aménagement de zones économiques spéciales dotées d'infrastructures nécessaires pour faciliter 
l'accueil et l'installation des entreprises; la création d'une Cour commerciale internationale; la mise 
en place d'un Centre d'arbitrage commercial régional du COMESA; une réduction significative des coûts de production telle que l'eau et l'énergie; et une réduction du coût de la main d'œuvre. 
6.5.  Mon pays mène une réforme fiscale qui a po ur objectif d'être plus équitable, d'élargir 
l'assiette fiscale, mais aussi d'améliorer la performance de l'administration fiscale. Un Guichet 
unique du commerce extérieur est aussi en cours de création. Le Code de commerce a eu un apport considérable en matière d'environnement des affaires avec la suppression du capital 
minimum et l'extension des formes juridiques des entreprises. 
6.6.  La vision du développement économique est basée sur cinq piliers et vise à faire de la 
République de Djibouti une nation émergente à revenu intermédiaire avant l'horizon 2035. Il s'agit 
d'un programme de changements vastes et ambitieux visant à changer fondamentalement le pays 
avec des institutions efficaces au service de la population.  
6.7.  Cette Vision 2035 a pour opérationnalisation la stratégie de croissance accélérée et de 
promotion de l'emploi pour 2015 à 2019. Elle intègre et fédère tous les référentiels existants en 
matière de politique et de programme de développement sectoriel et prend en compte des thèmes 
transversaux relatifs au genre, à la population, à l'environnement, au changement climatique, à la jeunesse et à l'emploi. Cette stratégie retient également des thèmes émergents tels que la 
régulation et l'intervention de l'État pour faire face à certaines incertitudes et à des mutations 
rapides du monde. 
6.8.  L'objectif de la SCAPE est d'assurer une croissance forte tirée par la diversification de 
l'économie, l'accroissement des exportations et des services mais aussi par une demande 
intérieure forte et durable. Ses objectifs consistent à réaliser un taux de croissance du PIB réel autour de 9%, d'assurer la mise à niveau de l'économie par le développement des infrastructures économiques, d'atténuer la pauvreté, et de renforcer le capital humain.  
6.9.  La Stratégie nationale de développement du commerce, qui fait partie intégrante de la SCAPE 
mais aussi de la Vision 2035, s'est conclue par une évaluation à mi-parcours de son exécution à 59%. Un des résultats probants de la Stratégie nationale du développement du commerce est la 
promotion du partenariat public-privé qui a donné li eu à la mise en place d'une Haute instance de 
concertation entre le secteur privé et le secteur public. Cette institution a pour mission principale de veiller à la mise en place d'un environnement des affaires favorable à l'épanouissement du 
secteur privé en vue de sa contribution à la croi ssance économie et à la création d'emplois. Cette 
instance est placée sous l'autorité du Président de la République et elle est paritaire. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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6.10.  Pour ce qui concerne la notification et la  transparence et la prévisibilité de la politique 
commerciale de la République de Djibouti, un nouvel organigramme du Ministère chargé du commerce a été créé avec une sous-direction de l'intégration multilatérale qui suivra les Accords de l'OMC et se chargera de notifier les nouvelles mesures qui affectent les accords commerciaux. 
6.11.  Depuis 2012, les douanes, pour maximiser leurs performances, ont migré de Sydonia à 
Sydonia World pour faciliter le commerce et les échanges avec une interface entre Sydonia World et les logiciels utilisés par les autorités éthiopiennes.  
6.12.  Le Programme d'appui à l'intégration régionale de la République de Djibouti a pour objectif 
de faire participer davantage notre pays au commerce régional et sous régional en vue de parvenir à une très forte insertion du pays. La mise en œuvre de ce programme s'articule autour de quatre objectifs spécifiques: le renforcement des capacités de coordination des programmes d'intégration 
régionale, la mise en œuvre d'instruments douaniers avec une feuille de route du COMESA, le 
renforcement de la facilitation des échanges et des transports, mais aussi la promotion des investissements et l'appui aux petites et moyennes entreprises. Un Comité national sur les 
négociations commerciales a été créé pour toutes ces questions. 
6.13.  Pour les politiques sectorielles, la République de Djibouti dispose d'importantes ressources 
en matière de pêche et le modèle de développement pour ce secteur est celui d'une pêche 
exclusivement artisanale qui repose sur deux axes: i) intensifier l'exploitation de ses ressources; 
et ii) l'expérimentation d'une nouvelle pêcherie et la promotion de l'aquaculture.  
6.14.  Pour ce qui concerne le secteur énergétique, la République de Djibouti a pour objectif 
d'atteindre les 100% d'énergie renouvelable à l'horizon 2020.  
6.15.  Quant au secteur financier, il est totalement libéralisé et aucune barrière ou discrimination 
n'existe dans ce domaine sauf à respecter les lois de la Banque centrale. 
6.16.  Pour ce qui concerne le secteur des télécommunications, la stratégie de ce secteur consiste 
à faire de l'étymologie de l'information et de la communication un outil permettant l'amélioration 
de la compétitivité. Des perspectives de régulation et de libéralisation sont en cours et privilégieront les mécanismes du partenariat public-privé avec des opérateurs internationaux. 
L'ouverture progressive du marché sur dix ans perm ettra à l'opérateur historique Djibouti Telecom 
de se repositionner sur son domaine d'expertise et donc de réaliser une ouverture des autres segments du marché aux investisseurs privés.  
6.17.  Quant au secteur postal, le Gouvernement a adopté un plan d'action des services postaux 
dont l'objectif des réformes porte sur le développement d'un service postal universel accessible, 
abordable et de haute qualité, la mise en place d'un cadre juridique et réglementaire approprié avec les meilleures pratiques internationales, et le développement d'un environnement de marché 
concurrentiel propice à la participation des acteurs commerciaux.] WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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7  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF  MAURITIUS AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 
7.1.  I wish to, once again, thank you pers onally, Madam Chair, our discussant Ambassador 
Duque, the Secretariat and the Members of the WTO for your active support and participation in the trade policy review of Mauritius. We apprecia te the vibrancy of the comments made and the 
questions raised as well as the opportunity prov ided to us earlier to give written answers. 
7.2.  In my opening statement, I explained the daunting challenges faced by the Government of 
Mauritius to implement the right policy mix in the face of the global economic downturn. In 
response to this, Mauritius chose a market-driven approach. transparency and rules-based 
economic management alongside policies aimed at inclusive growth, economic empowerment and social measures targeted at the most vulnerable. These measures translated into the resilience shown by the Mauritian economy in the face of global economic downturn. 
7.3.  As indicated in the first session, Mauritius has, since 2006, been implementing an ambitious, 
all inclusive economic reform program which has ge nerated growth. One of the key features of the 
Government program is the democratization of the economy to ensure that equal opportunities are 
provided to all segments of society.   
7.4.  A National Empowerment Foundation was set up in 2008 and is responsible, inter alia , for 
re-training of retrenched workers, promoting entrepreneurship among SMEs for supporting low 
income and vulnerable groups to enable them take advantage of economic opportunities. 
7.5.  As part of consolidating our governance framework, an Equal Opportunities Commission was 
set up in 2012 under the Equal Opportunities Act to ensure equity and fairness. 
7.6.  Further, the Mauritius Africa Strategy aims at expanding the circle of opportunities for all, 
including SMEs and supporting, to the extent po ssible, the development of the Continent through 
investments and capacity building. The 50 Scholarships granted by Mauritius to African Countries must be seen from this perspective.  
7.7.  As indicated by some Members, Mauritius cont inues to face several challenges as a result of 
fragile world economic conditions. It also has a current account deficit and low savings rate. 
7.8.  Among the steps adopted to address the above, is the opening up of new export 
opportunities and a view to increase the volume and value of exports with the expectation that this 
would narrow the gap between imports and exports.   
7.9.  Our regional agenda implemented by way of our membership in the Southern African 
Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), 
the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the the Indian  Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Tripartite 
Initiative, as well as the Accelerated Programme for Economic Integration (APEI), goes in the direction of enlarging economic space, boosting  South-South trade and investments and promoting 
regional infrastructure development.   
7.10.  The objective of diversifying markets has led to the conclusion of trade agreements with 
Turkey and Pakistan and is currently undertaking negotiations with Tunisia for the same purpose. 
An agreement reached with India awaits signature.   
7.11.  To further support market access initiative s, Enterprise Mauritius, the trade promotion arm 
of Government has stepped up trade promotion acti vities in various markets and provides support 
to small and medium sized enterprises to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions.   
7.12.  Enterprise Mauritius also organises a yearly trade exhibition, MAITEX, which brings together 
traders from Mauritius and from Africa to interact and do business. Support is also provided by Government to Export Oriented Enterprises with a view to helping them improve their 
competitiveness through consultancies, diversification of product mix and improvement of the 
quality of goods produced for exports. Other prac tical measures include the establishment of an 
interactive trade portal to assist operators.   WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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7.13.  We welcome the proposal made to develop jointly with the US, for instance, new strategies 
to fully avail of the benefits of AGOA and to collaborate with Members to boost bilateral trade. The timely renewal of AGOA which is set to expire in 2015 is vital for Mauritius and other AGOA eligible countries to prevent the disruption of trade on that market. We are therefore comforted by the 
assurances of the US, both at the US-Africa Wash ington Summit and during our first session here 
that work is ongoing to secure a seamless renewal of AGOA. 
7.14.  It has been suggested that there may be need for Mauritius to rebalance its economic 
fundamentals. Indeed, let me say that we are alre ady developing new poles of growth such as the 
ocean economy, health and education services, aviation and maritime hubs and, currently, Mauritius is positioning itself as a gateway for investors to Africa. To position Mauritius as an International Arbitration Centre, an International Arbitration Act was enacted in 2008. A 
Permanent Court of Arbitration (Mauritius) opened office in September 2010 with the objective of 
promoting the pacific settlement of international disputes arising out of bilateral and multilateral treaties. The Court has already heard its first case and looks forward to more in the near future. 
7.15.  To stimulate savings, the Bank of Maurit ius issues bonds in addition to measures being 
promoted to diversify th e savings portfolio. A new three-year Government of Mauritius Savings 
Bond has been issued at a fixed interest rate of 5.25% per year as from 1 September 2014 and a 
five year Government of Mauritius Savings Bo nd to the public has also been issued.  
7.16.  Several delegations commended Mauritius for the steps taken to liberalize certain State 
trading activities. Allow me to state here that such activities are conducted on a commercial basis in line with the WTO Agreement of State Trading Enterprises. This notwithstanding, I wish to 
highlight that State Trading Enterprises can have an important role to play in ensuring security of 
supply for Small Island Developing States.  
7.17.  Some delegates have also pointed out that State intervention still remains quite pervasive. 
Since 2008, the Mauritius State Investment Corporation (SIC) has been adopting policies to move 
out of commercial activities and to focus instead on strategic investments.  
7.18.  The Casino de Maurice and "Domaine Les Pailles" are examples of Government 
disinvestment. It is to be further noted that all economic sectors in Mauritius, including those 
where the Government has a stake, are subject to competition law, save for the import of fuel which is a strategic product.     
7.19.  In the same vein, some Members indicated that the State, in the form of parastatals like 
telecoms, air transport and financial services intervenes in economic activities. Let me reiterate 
that Mauritius is a small island economy where Government intervention is sometimes required to inject a certain degree of competition. Let me refe r to the specific examples of the State Bank of 
Mauritius (SBM) and the State Insurance Company of Mauritius (SICOM), which were created to 
provide wider choices and to further support the development of the country. Mauritius Telecom, 
which was fully state-owned, now has a foreign strategic partner. In addition, there is a 
multiplicity of operators in the telecommunication sectors both for mobile and fixed line services. 
7.20.  It is to be noted that a first step towards privatization of audiovisual services was 
announced in the 2013 budget for entertainment TV . This issue, however, remains complex as 
demonstrated by the carve-out under the General Agreement on Trade in Services. 
Trade policies 
7.21.  Mauritius has taken steps to streamline import and export procedures which have resulted 
in the elimination of some 26 import and export permits. However, some licensing requirement 
still prevails, as indicated in the case of poultry and pork for food security purposes. 
7.22.  Government has established a joint public-private sector working group to identify 
additional measures to be taken to further streamline trade procedures. Let me also note that all 
export taxes have been eliminated.   WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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7.23.  As far as import taxation is concerned, it has already been indicated that some 90% of tariff 
lines are already duty-free. While a specific duty exists on some clothing items, these are limited in scope and are subject to review on a progressive basis.   
7.24.  Specific questions were also raised in respect of the procurement policy of Mauritius, in 
particular, as to whether Mauritius intends to join the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). 
Consideration is being given to the possibility for Mauritius to join the GPA as an Observer. As to the possibility of implementing an electronic te ndering system, such a system already exists. All 
tender documents can be accessed online. In addition, all tenders above 200 million Rupees 
(approximately US$6.5 million) are mandatorily opened to international bidding. 
7.25.  Regarding comments made on our intellectual property policy, Mauritius is committed to 
implementing a new IP policy which involves enforcement of the new 2014 Copyright Act, the 
adoption of a comprehensive Industrial Property  Bill and the establishment of an empowered 
Intellectual Property Office and Intellectual Property Council. 
7.26.  To a specific question as to the functions of these new institutions, it is to be noted that the 
IP Office will, in addition to registration of trad emarks, patents and industrial design be responsible 
to, inter alia : 
 Implement strategies, programs and action plans for IP development; 
 Issue guidelines for IP matters; 
 Collect and maintain Data on IP; and 
 Create awareness and undertaken sensitization campaigns to better inform people about IP. 
7.27.  The IP Council on its part will bring together  all the institutions dealing with IP for a more 
coherent and coordinated approach towards IP matters and provide guidance in the design and 
implementation of IP policies. 
7.28.  Several questions referred to the outstanding notifications of Mauritius to the WTO. I wish to 
indicate that Mauritius has already submitted four sets of notifications on State trading 
enterprises, subsidies and countervailing measures, import licensing procedures and on services.  Notification on the bilateral agreement with Pakistan was recently discussed at the Mauritius-
Pakistan Joint Working Group and we trust that a joint notification can be submitted. 
7.29.  With regard to the RTA under the Indian Ocean Commission applicable to Mauritius and 
Madagascar, it is to be emphasized that this Agreement has been subsumed within the COMESA FTA which has already been notified to the WTO. The remaining notifications on Quantitative 
Restrictions, TRIPS enforcement and Agriculture Subsidies are being finalized and will be 
submitted shortly. Let me also inform Members that Mauritius is planning to organize a capacity building workshop on WTO notifications jointly with the Secretariat in January 2015 and is 
proposing to establish a plan for timely notifications to the WTO. 
Sectoral policies 7.30.  The objective of the Government is to consolidate the traditional sectors and to develop new 
poles of growth especially in the services sector. In this context, a multi-annual adaptation 
strategy plan (2010-2015) is being implemented to  restructure the sugar sector and diversify the 
range of products within the cane cluster, in particular, the increase in the production of energy from bagasse, and development of other by-produ cts such as ethanol and rum. We are already 
producers of rum and we have already a factory producing ethanol.  
7.31.  As regards the manufacturing sector, the focus is to move upmarket and diversify the 
product range in high tech sectors such as precision engineering, medical devices, jewellery 
making, textiles and bio-based products. 
7.32.  Several delegations requested more info rmation about the Government’s roadmap on the 
ocean economy. Let me draw your attention that Mauritius manages a Maritime zone of 2.3 million WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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km2. What is interesting about this is that perhaps the figures do not mean very much but it is 
probably the size of France and Germany put together. That is the kind of ocean territory that we have. Part of this ocean territory of about 400 thou sand square kilometres is jointly managed with 
the Seychelles. So, it is a complex one but we can be seen as an ocean economy. The potential for 
economic advancement and prosperity that this resource can generate, if developed in a 
sustainable way, could take Mauritius to its next development level – that of evolving into a high income country. However, the development of this sector will require massive investment, 
technology transfer and know-how. The National Ta sk force on this issue has already identified 
seven priority clusters for development purposes. These are as follows:   
 Seabed exploration for hydrocarbons and minerals; 
 Fishing, seafood and aquaculture; 
 Deep ocean water applications; 
 Marine services; 
 Seaport-related activities; 
 Marine renewable energies; and 
 Ocean knowledge. 
7.33.  A legal and regulatory framework for the ocean economy is being developed and an Ocean 
Centre of Excellence is expected to be set up with clearly defined research functions. A skills 
development programme and an ocean economic indicator are also being developed. I wish to underscore that the development of this sector is  in line with the fundamentals of economic 
efficiency, equity, ecology, social partnership, sa fety and fully in compliance with international 
obligations. 
7.34.  We welcome the interest shown by a number of delegations such as the EU and Canada in 
the plans of Mauritius for developing its ocean economy and in particular Canada’s offer for sharing 
of expertise. Central to the ocean economy strate gy are the development of the port sector and 
the transformation of Mauritius into a Seafood Hub. 
7.35.  The Government’s objective is to transform the Port-Louis Harbour into a regional maritime, 
logistics and business hub while at the same time being an effective conduit for trade in the 
region.   
7.36.  As part of our Seafood strategy, Mauritius intends to register more fishing vessels to supply 
under our processing factories with raw materi als. Seafood processing represents a major 
component of ocean-related activities and is expected to play a central role in export 
diversification and consolidation of food security. 
7.37.  At the same time, the Government also aims at building a local fleet capacity so as not to 
rely solely on licensed foreign fishing vessels. Substantial investment have been made, namely by 
Sapmer France and by Chinese investors.   
7.38.  Sustainable development remains central to the economic model of Mauritius. A priority of 
the Maurice-Ile Durable Project will be to achiev e 35% of the national energy supply through the 
use of renewable sources. 
7.39.  We trust that we have provided clarifications on the queries raised by Members in their 
interventions in addition to the written responses already given to questions received earlier. We 
shall be glad to provide any further information that may be required.  
7.40.  Let me now reiterate my high appreciation to  everyone present here for this review exercise 
and to reiterate the commitment of Mauritius to  the advancement of the multilateral trading 
system. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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DISCUSSANT 
7.41.  Permítame reiterar mis agradecimientos a la delegación de Djibouti, encabezada por su 
excelencia el Señor Hassan Ahmed Boulaleh, Ministro Delegado para el Comercio; y a la delegación de Mauricio encabezada por su excelencia la Señora Usha Dwarka-Canabady, Secretaria de 
Relaciones Exteriores, por sus valiosos aportes y participación constructiva en este examen, 
resaltando sus claras y completas intervenciones del día de hoy. También a las delegaciones que han participado en el mismo con sus preguntas e intervenciones y a los aportes de la Secretaría.  
7.42.  No es mi intención en el día de hoy entrar en detalle en todos los elementos destacados de 
las reformas realizadas por estos países ni en las preguntas formuladas por los Miembros durante el examen. Solo quiero compartir con ustedes algunas conclusiones que extraigo de la rica discusión que hemos sostenido en estos dos días.  
7.43.  La primera que resalto es el valor agregado que ofrecen estos exámenes, pues no solo 
contribuyen a alcanzar mayor transparencia y mejor comprensión de las políticas y prácticas comerciales del Miembro examinado, sino que nos ofrece la oportunidad de extraer enseñanzas de 
las mismas. A través de éstos podemos también contribuir con aportes y sugerencias a posibles 
vías para mejorarlas, de forma tal que contribuyan aún más al desarrollo económico y a la integración del país en los flujos mundiales de comercio e inversión. En este ejercicio, todos 
ganamos. 
7.44.  En cuanto a los temas puntuales que han sido mencionados, aprecio varias coincidencias 
entre ambos Miembros que hoy presentan este examen.  
7.45.  La primera, es el reconocimiento que han recibido de los participantes por su buen 
desempeño económico reciente. Como resalté en mi presentación del día miércoles, ambos han 
sabido sortear con éxito los efectos de la crisis mundial. La orientación correcta de sus diversas políticas económicas durante el período de examen, reflejadas en un buen manejo 
macroeconómico y fiscal, además de algunas reformas a nivel micro e institucional, han traído 
consigo un buen ritmo de crecimiento y ganancias en competitividad y en el clima de negocios.   
7.46.  Ambos países han sido, en efecto, ejemplo para muchos en su forma de afrontar una difícil 
coyuntura económica. Han identificado con claridad y han puesto en marcha las medidas 
necesarias, al tiempo que han venido trabajando en definir los planes y acciones requeridas para continuar manteniendo su ritmo de crecimiento en los próximos años. El gran reto hacia el futuro estará en su capacidad de implementar y cumplir esos planes, lo que requerirá, entre otras 
acciones, el seguir trabajando en materia de fortalecimiento de capacidades.  
7.47.  La segunda: ambos, además de mantener el prudente manejo macroeconómico, requieren 
continuar avanzando en reformas en materia de clima de negocios y políticas de atracción de 
inversión extranjera. Esta última jugará un papel importante para alcanzar sus objetivos de 
diversificación de su economía, y es una de las áreas más importantes a trabajar. También en esta línea resulta importante continuar los esfuerzos en materia de apertura y privatización de ciertos 
sectores de sus economías como lo han señalado algunos Miembros.  
7.48.  La tercera es un punto que encuentro especialmente interesante. Ambas economías han 
puesto en el centro de su estrategia de desarrollo la necesidad de integrarse más efectivamente al mundo, y ya se benefician fuertemente de ello. Además de los notables esfuerzos que realizan a 
nivel regional, sobre los que en el corto plazo aprecio grandes oportunidades y retos significativos, 
celebro muy especialmente el claro compromiso de Djibouti y Mauricio con esta Organización y con la Ronda de Doha.   
7.49.  Ambos jugaron un papel importante en la construcción del "Paquete de Bali" y han 
expresado su compromiso decidido con su pronta implementación. Dentro de los resultados de Bali, ambos le han dado también alta prioridad al Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio, pues este 
es un tema en el que vienen avanzando internamente a un buen paso y les ha traído beneficios 
tangibles.  
7.50.  Y la cuarta: no puedo cerrar estas conclusiones sin recordar nuevamente la importancia de 
avanzar en materia de notificaciones, tema en el cual ambos países tienen espacio para mejorar, y WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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en el día de hoy han mencionado acciones concretas. Como expresé el miércoles, la presentación 
de notificaciones completas y oportunas es un elemento muy importante para el sistema multilateral de comercio.  
7.51.  Unos breves comentarios individuales: a las autoridades de Djibouti, les expreso mis 
mejores deseos para que puedan avanzar rápidamente en su propósito por consolidarse como un 
nodo regional en materia de transporte, logística y financiera. Para esto último, puede contribuir, el que consideren, asumir compromisos sobre estas materias en esta organización. Resalto que la 
diversificación de su economía y la implementaci ón de las políticas que para ese efecto se han 
planteado sigue siendo su principal reto.   
7.52.  Para Mauricio, celebro los excelentes resultados obtenidos en estos años y especialmente el 
énfasis que han dado a la competitividad, al crecimiento sostenible y a la innovación como 
elementos fundamentales para el desarrollo. La estr ategia seleccionada parece ser la correcta. Su 
gran reto es mantener el rumbo y enfrentar los múltiples retos que plantea su implementación.  
7.53.  Por último, quiero mencionar que en lo personal me ha resultado una experiencia muy 
ilustrativa haber tenido el honor de participar como ponente en este examen. No solo me he hecho 
el firme propósito de visitar ambos países. También me propongo llamar la atención de mi país sobre las muy interesantes oportunidades que ofrecen tanto Djibouti como Mauricio como socios 
comerciales, y sobre las enseñanzas y experiencias  que pueden ofrecernos en el objetivo común, 
como países en desarrollo, de lograr avanzar en la senda del crecimiento económico, la inclusión social y el bienestar para nuestros pueblos. 
UNITED
 STATES 
7.54.  I would just like to express the regard of  the United States to both the delegations of 
Mauritius and Djibouti for their constructive participation in the TPR. We read with interest the answers to questions and we have some follow-up questions which we submitted for Mauritius. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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8  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
8.1.  This first joint Trade Policy Review of Dj ibouti and Mauritius, which constitutes the second 
review of Djibouti and the fourth of Mauritius, has offered a unique framework for discussion of both countries' trade and related policies and practices. Comprehensive reports by the WTO 
Secretariat, the Governments of Djibouti and Maur itius, together with insightful comments by our 
discussant H.E. Gabriel Duque, Ambassador of Co lombia, and valuable interventions by Members 
have stimulated our dialogue during this two-day session. 
8.2.  I would like to praise the full participation of the high-level delegations, led by H.E. 
Mr. Hassan Ahmed Boulaleh, Minister Delegate for Trade of Djibouti, and by H.E. Mrs. Usha Dwarka-Canabady, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of  M a u r i t i u s ,  a s  w e l l  a s  t h e  r e s t  o f  t h e  t w o  
delegations, including H.E. Mr. Mohamed Siad Douale, Ambassador and Permanent Representative 
of Djibouti and H.E. Mr. Israhyananda Dhallad oo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of 
Mauritius. 
8.3.  Members recognized that Djibouti and Maur itius are both small countries highly exposed to 
exogenous shocks, including fluctuating international market and climatic conditions. Both 
countries have recorded relatively good GDP growth in spite of the global economic crisis. Development strategies are being implemented to further stimulate long term growth and improve 
living standards. Members commended both Djibouti  and Mauritius on their ongoing reform efforts 
to facilitate trade and further improve their business environments including through the dismantling of their remaining restrictions to investment and through investment in relevant infrastructure. They urged Mauritius to ensure that its import permit system is not used to protect 
domestic producers, and Djibouti to fully implement the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement. Some 
Members encouraged both countries to ensure the sustainability of their ongoing reforms with a 
view to further diversifying their economies, particularly in the case of Djibouti.  
8.4.  Members commended Djibouti and Mauritius for their support to the multilateral trading 
system; and congratulated Mauritius for having already submitted its trade facilitation category A commitments. Djibouti and Mauritius were also encouraged to meet their notification obligations 
and to further align their procedures for developing and implementing standards and technical 
regulations with international norms. Given the constraints faced by both countries, technical assistance from other WTO Members in this matter would be most helpful. 
8.5.  Noting that Djibouti and Mauritius were promoting their regional trade flows and economic 
development under COMESA, Members sought inform ation about progress made so far in ensuring 
smoother and more effective implementation of this Regional Trade Agreement.  
8.6.  Members also questioned the effectiveness and consistency of tax policies and practices in 
Djibouti and Mauritius. Some Members expressed concerns about the possible distortive effects of 
Djibouti's taxation system on business development. Attention was drawn to Mauritius' low level of tariff bindings, while its recent tariff liberalization was appreciated. Mauritius was also asked to 
comply with its national treatment commitments when imposing excise taxes on spirit drinks. 
8.7.  Members were appreciative of steps taken by Djibouti and Mauritius to improve their 
regulatory frameworks. Both countries have undertaken initiatives towards strengthening their intellectual property rights regimes. They were ur ged to accelerate their efforts in this regard and 
ensure their full participation in related treaties. Members took note of the large-scale State 
intervention in both economies, and sought further clarifications on state-owned enterprises in Mauritius and the standstill in privatization processes in Djibouti. Some Members sought 
information about foreign participation in government procurement, in particular existing 
mechanisms to ensure internationally competitive bidding processes.  
8.8.  Members welcomed agricultural reforms in Mauritius, and energy and services reforms in 
both countries. They believed that further openness in these sectors should continue, with a view 
to attracting more investment flows.  
8.9.  Members appreciated the oral and written responses to their questions provided by both 
delegations, and look forward to receiving further written responses to outstanding questions 
within one month. WT/TPR/W/72 • Djibouti and Mauritius 
 
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8.10.  This successfully concludes the joint Review  of Djibouti and Mauritius. Members have shown 
a keen interest in their trade and related policies and their participation in the WTO. I encourage the two countries under review to take Members' concerns into account in order to enrich their reform processes. I also invite Members to grant special support to Djibouti, given its LDC status, 
and to assist both Djibouti and Mauritius in meeting their respective challenges. 
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