. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/207 
30 August 2007 
 (07-3638) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
 
PANAMA 
 
Arrangements for Review Meeting
 
 
Communication from the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body  
  
1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of 
the Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 17 and 19 September 2007 to conduct the first review 
of the trade policies and practic es of Panama (WTO/AIR/3056). 
2. This communication sets out arrangements c oncerning the review meeting.  In this 
connection, attention is also drawn to the procedur es for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules 
of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.1). 
I. QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING 
3. Members wishing to submit written questions to  the Member 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, su ch questions should therefore be with the Trade 
Policies Review Division of the Secretariat by 3 September 2007.  All questions submitted will be 
made available to Members at the beginning of the meeting. 
II. ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW 
4. In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate 
that it intends to provide supplementary informa tion, in writing, on specific points raised.  Upon 
receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members. 
III. DISCUSSANT 
5. In consultation with the Member under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review 
Body may choose discussants who, in their pers onal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the 
Body.  Mr. Martin Glass (Hong Kong, China) will act as discussant for th e review of Panama.  
A document summarizing the main points to be raised  by the discussant will be circulated two weeks 
in advance of the meeting. 
IV. STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 
6. Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings: 
(a) appreciation of the full range of the Member's trade policies and practices; WT/TPR/207 
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  (b) relevant background:  wider economic a nd developmental needs, including the 
external environment; 
(c) impact of the Member's trade policies and practices on the functioning of the 
multilateral trading system;  and 
(d) general comments by way of assessment and evaluation. 
7. Meetings take place in two sessions.  The first sessi on is devoted to the opening statement by 
the Member under review and the discussant, an d remarks and questions from the floor.  The 
discussion in the second session, when the Member unde r review will reply to questions, is based on 
main themes identified after the opening meeti ng by the Chairperson, the discussant and the 
Secretariat in consultation with the Member. 
V. DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
8. Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents: 
WT/TPR/G/186  Report by Panama 
WT/TPR/S/186  Panama:  Report by the Secretariat 
9. The press embargo for the review of Panama will end at 2.00 pm Geneva time on 
17 September 2007. 
VI. MINUTES 
10. Minutes of the meeting will be circulated prom ptly and will be publishe d together with the 
reports by Panama and the Secretariat. 
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