WT/TPR/358  
14 October 2015  
(15-5368)  Page: 1/2  
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 
SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION 
Arrangements for Review Meeting 
1.  In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of the 
Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 4 and 6 November 2015 to conduct the fourth review of 
the trade policies and practices of the Southern African Customs Union (WTO/AIR/TPR/15). 
2.  This communication sets out arrangements conc erning the review meeting. In this connection, 
attention is also drawn to the procedures for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3). 
1  QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS 
3.  Members wishing to submit written questions to the Members under review should do so at 
least two weeks before the review meeting to allow replies to be prepared in time for the first 
session of the meeting. For the forthcoming review , such questions should therefore be with the 
Trade Policies Review Division of the Se cretariat (tprd@wto.org) by 5.30 p.m., 
Wednesday 21 October 2015, at the latest. 
4.  In line with the results of the 4
th Appraisal of the TPRM (WT/MIN(11)/6, paragraph 27.2.b and 
Annex 2), Members are reminded that they should group their written questions into the following 
three categories so as to facilitate responses: those related to the Secretariat reports (with a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); thos e concerning the Government reports (with a 
reference to relevant paragraph numbers); and other questions. 
5.  The Secretariat shall identify the main poin ts contained in the questions submitted at least 
two weeks before a review meeting, post them on the Members' Website one week before the 
meeting, and distribute a revised list of main po ints during the first session of a review when 
questions received after the two-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues. The main points may be found on the Members' Website under "Forthcoming Meetings: Documents for 
Meetings". 
2  ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW 6.  Answers by the Members under review should  be distributed in writing; advance questions 
submitted by the two-week deadline before the star t of the TPRB review should be answered in 
writing by the Members under review by the star t of the meeting. Questions posed subsequently 
should be answered, to the extent possible, before  the start of the second session of the meeting. 
Questions left unanswered at the end of the second session should be answered in writing no later 
than one month after the meeting with some latitude in the Chair's discretion for Members 
reviewing a very large number of questions. WT/TPR/358 
 
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 7.  In the course of the discussions at the revi ew meeting, the Members under review may indicate 
that it intends to provide supplementary information, in writing, on specific points raised. Upon receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document  containing this information to all Members. 
3  DISCUSSANT 
8.  In consultation with the Members under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review 
Body may choose a discussant who, in her/his personal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the Body. H.E. Mr. 
Alberto Pedro D'ALOTTO  (Argentina) will act as discussant for the review of the 
Southern African Customs Union. 
4  STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 9.  Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings: 
a. appreciation of the full range of the Members' trade policies and practices; 
b. relevant background: wider economic and developmental needs, including the external 
environment; 
c. impact of the Members' trade policies and practices on the functioning of the multilateral 
trading system; and 
d. general comments by way of assessment and evaluation. 
10.  Meetings take place in two sessions. The first session is devoted to the opening statements by 
the Members under review and the discussant, an d remarks and questions from the floor. The 
discussion in the second session, when the Members under review will reply to questions, is based on main themes identified after the opening m eeting by the Chairperson, the discussant and the 
Secretariat in consultation with the Members. 
11.  The speakers list will follow the order in which questions are received by the Secretariat with 
precedence given to Ambassadors present and asking for the floor. 
5  DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
12.  Reports by the Members under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents: 
WT/TPR/G/324  Report by the Southern African Customs Union 
WT/TPR/S/324  Southern African Custom s Union: Report by the Secretariat 
13.  The press embargo for this review will end at 2.00 p.m. Geneva time on 4 November 2015. 6  RECORD OF THE MEETING 14.  On a pilot basis, a podcast of the proceedin gs in all three working languages will be made 
available on the Members' Website at the end of each half-day's session. 
15.  The record of the meeting will be circulated as a draft to Members for comments on their own 
statements and placed on the WTO website. 
 
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