WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/M/236 
5 November 2010 
 (10-5880) 
Trade Policy Review Body 
4-6 October 2010  
 
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
BENIN, BURKINA FASO AND MALI 
 
Minutes of Meeting  
 
Chairperson:  H.E. Mr Bozkurt Aran (Turkey) 
 
   Page 
 
I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 3 
II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF BENIN, 
BURKINA FASO AND MALI 4 
III. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 8 IV. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 12 
V. REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BENIN, BURKINA FASO 
AND MALI AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 32 
VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 41 
 
 
Note:   Advance written questions by WTO Me mbers and the replies provided by Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/236/Add.1 and will be 
available online at http://www.wto.org/ english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 3 
 
 
  I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1. The third Trade Policy Review of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali was held on 4 and 
6 October 2010.  The Chairperson, H.E. Mr Bozkur t Aran (Turkey), welcomed  the delegation of Mali, 
headed by H.E. Mr Ahmadou Abdoulaye Diallo, Mini ster of Industry, Investment and Trade, the 
delegation of Benin, headed by H.E. Mr Séraphin Lissassi, Ambassador of Benin, the delegation of 
Burkina Faso, headed by Mr Sériba Ouattara, Tech nical Adviser to the Minister, and the discussant, 
H.E. Mr Luzius Wasescha (Switzerland). 
2. The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Trad e Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures of the meeting.  The reports of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali were contained in document WT/TPR/G/236 and those of the WT O Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/236. 
3. Questions posed by the following delegations had been communicated in writing at least 
two weeks before the meeting and had been passed on to the delegations of Benin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali:  Brazil;  Canada;  China;  European Union;   Hong Kong, China;  Japan;  and United States. 
4. The following delegation had submitted written ques tions after the expiration of the two-week 
deadline:  India. 
5. The Chairperson said that H.E. had considered the reports prepared for the review and noted 
the continued structural reform efforts of the th ree countries and their commitment to the multilateral 
trading system.  However, it also appeared from the documentation that a number of measures had yet 
to be effectively implemented for trade to  contribute actively to economic growth. 
6. The three countries had achieved positive, albeit moderate economic growth since 2004, in an 
unfavourable international environment characteri zed by high food and energy prices.  Members 
would be keen to know from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali how reforming trade policy could help to 
consolidate and accelerate economic growth so as to effectively tackle poverty. 
7. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali were all open to foreign direct investment, which had 
nevertheless not been particularly strong except in  the gold mining sector in Burkina Faso and Mali, 
and in telecommunications.  H.E. noted that Memb ers would want to know how Benin, Burkina Faso 
and Mali intended to improve th e business environment so as to encourage foreign investors. 
8. Cotton production remained a major activity in Be nin, Burkina Faso and Mali, despite serious 
structural problems.  It would be interesting to  hear the delegations' views on possible ways of 
overcoming the constraints faced by the cotton sect or, as well as any details of the Governments' 
medium and long-term plans. 
9. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali stood to benefit greatly from a comprehensive Trade 
Facilitation programme.  Members would certainly be  interested in learning how the delegations 
intended to prioritize actions so as to better inte rconnect customs, streamline border and transport 
procedures and dismantle barriers to trade. 
10. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had been benefici aries of the Integrated Framework and were 
at various stages of involvement in the Enhanced In tegrated Framework.  One of the challenges that 
needed to be addressed was to id entify the way WTO Members and international agencies could best 
assist the countries. WT/TPR/M/236 
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  II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BENIN, 
BURKINA FASO AND MALI 
11. First of all, the delegations of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali would like to express their deep 
gratitude to the WTO Secretariat, and particularly the Trade Policy Review Division, which has spared no effort to achieve the results submitted to yo u today in the Secretariat report.  We would also 
like to thank H.E. Mr Luzius Wasescha, Ambassad or of Switzerland to the WTO who, despite his 
numerous other commitments, has agreed to act as di scussant for the purposes of this review.  Finally, 
may I express our appreciation to the Members of  the WTO whose presence bears witness to their 
interest in the review of our countries' trade policies. 
12. Today's joint trade policy review is justified by the fact that our three countries are all 
Members of the West African Economic and M onetary Union (WAEMU), which consists of 
eight West African States that have decided to est ablish a customs union.  Thus, the trade policies of 
our three countries are linked to the common trade policy pursued and implemented at WAEMU level.  Progress with the harmonization of tr ade policies and the implementation of regional 
regulations will soon make it necessary to conduct a jo int review of the trade policies of all eight 
WAEMU Member countries. 
13. Such a global approach would increase the impact  of the TPR exercise inasmuch as the entire 
process would help not only to promote the profitable participation of our countries in world trade but also to strengthen regional integration and to  make our common market more effective. 
14. Since 2004, when our respective trade policies were last reviewed, our governments have 
worked hard to ensure economic growth.  Thus, ov er the period 2005-2009, Benin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali recorded an average annual growth rate of ar ound 5 per cent.  Despite these efforts, it must be 
admitted that this rate of growth is still well below the target of 7 per cent set  within the framework of 
the WAEMU multilateral surveillance mechanism to  reduce poverty in our cities and rural areas. 
15. To remedy this situation, aware of the major role that domestic and foreign private investors 
can play in the economic growth of our respec tive countries, our governments have undertaken to 
accept and, above all, to protect investment, with st rict regard for mutual interests and the rules of 
international cooperation a nd good governance.  Thus, the general provisions of our investment codes 
specify that industrial, agricultural, commercial a nd artisanal activities may be  freely exercised in our 
countries.  Improvements have been made in these investment codes and they now include provisions more attractive to promoters and offer greater security for invested  capital.  This new approach is 
aimed at placing investment at the heart of our trade policies and promoting activities with a strong 
potential for creating jobs and adding value. 
16. As you have seen, our countries are making great efforts to become destinations of choice for 
investment.  We can assure you that everything is being done to safeguard investment, both domestic 
or foreign. 
17. To make our regional market more attractive a nd safeguard investment and in support of the 
common trade policy, our countries are continuing their efforts to implement an effective WAEMU 
competition policy that promotes the establishment of  an environment favourable for the development 
of trade in the region. 
18. We regret the fact that these efforts to elimin ate trade distortions in the region have not been 
rewarded at the international level where our econom ies continue to suffer from the persistence of 
high levels of domestic support and export subsidies.   We are hoping that the Doha Round can be 
concluded as quickly as possible and will settle, once and for all, these various concerns and, in 
particular, the symbolic issue of cotton.  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  19. With regard to the primary sector, our coun tries are at a similar stage of economic 
development in which livestock and agriculture are preponderant.  Agriculture alone accounts for 
between 24.1 per cent and 30 per cent of GDP and re mains a major source of hard currency, despite 
low productivity, undermechanization, inadequate water management and technical backup, poor or 
nonexistent basic infrastructure, a low degree of dive rsification of export crops and an almost total 
lack of financing for production. 
20. Our main export product is cotton, which is one  of our priority subsectors, accounting for 
more than 15 per cent of GDP formation and more than  half of total export earnings in our respective 
countries.  However, cotton production has been fa lling for several years due to endogenous pressures 
and, especially, perturbations at international level. 
21. The current rise in international cotton prices, due mainly to increased demand in some large 
producer countries, has raised expectations of a r ecovery in world cotton production over the next few 
years.  However, we are wary of rejoicing too so on in view of the very uncertain and undoubtedly 
cyclical nature of this price rise. 
22. To improve this sector's contribution to th e economy, we have given priority to the 
intensification and diversification of production.  Thus, we have drawn up agricultural development 
strategies which identify the subsectors and meas ures essential to our food security.  These measures 
include mechanization, the provision of high-quality inputs and improved seed, support for research and the strengthening of advisory services to encourage good agricultural practices. 
23. In this connection, our countries have identified, at subregional le vel, five priority subsectors, 
namely, rice, maize (corn), cattle/meat, poultry and cotton. 
24. With regard to the secondary sector, it should be noted that industrial production remains 
embryonic with a shortage of entrepreneurial and mana gerial skills, a lack of investment in the sector, 
particularly foreign direct investment, and a lo w level of exploitation and development of local 
resources. 
25. To reverse this trend, we have equipped ou rselves with tools for promoting small and 
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small and me dium-sized industries (SMIs).  These include the 
SME-SMI charter, which offers enterprises nume rous opportunities and defines support measures and 
benefits, as well as the commitments which SMEs/SMIs will have to make vis-à-vis  their partners.  
There is provision for specific tax exemptions under the Finance Laws of each State, special aid for 
innovation, local development funds, and funds to support transport and exports. 
26. Furthermore, we have drawn up strategic indus trial development plans which provide frames 
of reference for all the stakeholders in industr ial development and are de signed to facilitate the 
construction of a prospero us and competitive economy. 
27. In addition to the measures taken in the industr ial sector, considerable efforts have been made 
to establish an even more favourable climate for business.  Thus, at institutional level, our governments have engaged in numerous reforms with a view to improving the business climate.  Our 
countries have introduced legal and regulatory reform s and adopted institutional measures to make it 
easier to establish enterprises, obtain building permits, transfer ownership and protect investors.  In 2010, these reforms enabled our countries to improve their ranking in the World Bank's Doing Business  report as compared with 2009. 
28. All these reforms have been implemented or  are planned within the context of the 
construction of the vast subregional market cons tituted by the West African Economic and Monetary 
Union (WAEMU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 6  
 
  29. In fact, by establishing the West African Ec onomic and Monetary Union and the Economic 
Community of West African States, our countries have shown that they understand the need to 
promote the economic and social development of their region by harmonizing their legislation, 
unifying their domestic markets and implementing common sectoral policies in the key sectors of 
their respective economies. 
30. This regional integration is intended to help  our countries overcome the obstacles presented 
by the relatively small size of their domestic ma rkets, by enabling producers to achieve greater 
economies of scale and benefit from the installati on of infrastructure at regional level and by 
strengthening the trade links between our countries in  order to improve our capacity for participation 
in world trade. 
31. Accordingly, WAEMU and ECOWAS have adopted a regional approach in key areas such as 
tariff reduction and harmonization,  reform of the general, le gal and regulatory framework, 
rationalization of payment systems, restructuring of the financial sectors, harmonization of investment 
incentives and tax regimes, regional frameworks for investment and competition, etc. 
32. Thus, within WAEMU, in order to contribute to liberalization and market opening in the 
subregion and sign up to the liberalization measur es advocated by the WTO, we are applying a 
Common External Tariff with duty rates that range from 0 to 20 per cent. 
33. Moreover, we are continuing the quest for liberaliz ation in a two-level process:  first of all, 
we are engaged in a process of regional integration involving 15 of the 16 countries in the subregion 
with a view to the construction of the ECOWAS common market.  Within this context, a Common 
External Tariff (CET) is being finalized and its implementation will entail the renegotiation of the 
rates bound within the WTO;  secondly, together with  all the other countries of West Africa, we have 
been involved since 2003 in the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement with the 
European Union. 
34. We are aware that the services sector is vital for the competitiveness of the economy and 
provides cross support for all the other economic sector s, including agriculture and industry.  In fact, 
exports of agricultural and industr ial products could not be devel oped without cheap and efficient 
transport services.  The same applies to financia l and telecommunications services, which contribute 
to the competitiveness of our exports.  Moreover,  services in themselves promote development by 
creating jobs and generating income.  Aware of th is, our countries have unilaterally undertaken 
courageous reforms which they intend to pursue with  a view to attracting domestic and foreign direct 
investment to develop basic infrastructure, in par ticular, in the telecommunications, financial services, 
transport and tourism sectors.  The geographica l situation of our three countries gives them 
complementarity in many areas, particularly in tran sit and transport.  For this reason a number of 
reform measures have been adopted in order be tter to facilitate trade between countries of the 
subregion and with other countries around the world.  This explains our respective governments' interest and active participation in the current  WTO negotiations on trade facilitation and services. 
35. To get the most out of these negotiations our countries have identified priority sectors.  
However, to evaluate our needs in these sectors, we would require technical assistance with the 
implementation of regulatory audits  and the consequential reforms. 
36. Clearly, since our countries' second Trade Polic y Review in 2004, we have made progress 
with our efforts to liberalize trade.  However, we need assistance in all the other areas of production in 
order to take greater advantage of the opportunitie s created by our membership of the multilateral 
trading system and our efforts to achieve liberali zation.  As LDCs, we hope to make good use of the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework to expand our o ffer and to integrate more closely into the 
multilateral trading system with a view to taking greater advantage of it.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 7 
 
 
  37. We have therefore carried out Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS).  The action 
matrix of these studies has inspired  the current concerns of our respective governments through the 
inclusion of certain priority actions in our Stra tegic Poverty Reduction Papers (SPRP).  We have 
established in our respective countries an appropria te institutional framework for the implementation 
of the programme.  We have also identified priori ty projects and programmes in conformity with the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework guidelines. 
38. These projects and programmes will be submitted to  our bilateral and multilateral partners for 
financing. 
39. I particularly wish to inform you of the establishment of the Group of Enhanced Framework 
countries of which our three countries are members.   The aim of this group is to identify and 
implement projects of common interest to the member countries.  For example, the regional 
programme to combat the fruit fly, the project to  improve the quality and marketing of skins and 
hides, etc.  I would like to draw the attention of partners to the financing of these projects of which 
our three countries are beneficiaries. 
40. We have also identified priority projects and programmes for submi ssion to bilateral and 
multilateral development partners with a view to ob taining financing.  More over, we have established 
the necessary institutional structures, in confor mity with the Enhanced Integrated Framework 
guidelines. 
41. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 57 of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, we are 
working on the operationalization of Aid for Trade.  Within this context, our countries have actively participated in the sessions dedicated to  the global review of Aid for Trade. 
42. Our countries also remain involved in the preparations for the third global review of Aid for 
Trade, scheduled for July 2011.  While acknowledg ing the relevance and ti meliness of the subject 
matter of this global review, devoted mainly to the impact of Aid for Trade, we would stress the need 
to bear in mind the major concerns expressed with in the context of the African Group, according to 
which Aid for Trade, whether provided by donor co untries or within the framework of South-South 
cooperation, must be wholly uncon ditional and targeted at the most vulnerable countries in the form 
of a grant.  Naturally, Aid-for-Trade flows must be additional, predictable, sustainable and effective. 
43. Moreover, at subregional level, we are partic ipating in the work being done within WAEMU 
and ECOWAS to identify capacity-building proj ects and programmes regarded as trade-related 
development priorities. 
44. All this goes to show that our countries are i ndividually and collectively committed to making 
trade a means of leveraging development and povert y reduction through the creation of wealth.  Of 
course, the achievements registered so far would not have been possible without the effective and 
fruitful cooperation of fraternal and friendly countri es and our development partners.  We would like 
to take this opportunity to again express our gra titude to the peoples and governments of Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali for their various contri butions.  However, these achievements can be 
consolidated and made to last only by the dete rmined pursuit of international cooperation for 
development.  We therefore call upon all our partne rs, bilateral and multilatera l, to continue their 
support for the effort to improve the condition of our countries and peoples. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 8  
 
  III. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT (H.E. MR LUZIUS WASESCHA 
(SWITZERLAND)) 
45. With your permission, I will begin with so me preliminary remarks concerning Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali.  I shall then go on to make a brief assessment of the points specific to each of 
these three countries. 
46. Every year since the last review in 2004, the three countries have recorded real growth rates 
of between 2.3 and 7 per cent, despite an adver se global environment marked by crises in the raw 
materials, petroleum product and financial sector s and the economy as a whole.  Similarly, they 
successfully withstood the phase of appreciation of the euro to which their common currency, the 
franc of the African Financial Community (CFA franc ), is pegged at a fixed parity.  Their economic 
growth is also reflected in the per capita gr oss domestic product (GDP ), which between 2004 and 
2009 increased by 43 per cent in Burkina Faso, 46 per cent in Benin and 76 per cent in Mali.  
Moreover, the restrictive monetary policy of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has 
made it possible to keep inflationary pressures under control.  Following multilateral and bilateral 
initiatives, there has been a marked reduction in the three countries' public debt, despite the budget 
deficits that have persisted for the last five years. 
47. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali have always pursued regional economic integration, in 
particular, as founder members (among others) of the West African Economic and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU) in 1994.  Within this framework, they  have made significant progress with economic 
integration and the harmonization of  their national legislation with a view to the establishment of a 
customs union.  WAEMU now has a common framework  for agricultural and mining policy and some 
categories of services.  The three countries are also members of the Economic Community of West 
African States (ECOWAS). 
48. Despite the notable progress made in recent years, like many African LDCs, Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali continue to be faced with  a range of challenges:  a relatively young and 
rapidly increasing population, which is accentuating th e need to improve the basic infrastructure;  
economic growth insufficient to reduce poverty and wh ich is still very vulnerable to external shocks 
as it is mainly based on agriculture;  an undiversified economy mainly focused on an 
undermechanized agricultural sector confined to a r estricted range of raw materials such as cotton, 
fruit and nuts, which makes it very dependent on world market prices;  an economic structure that makes the three countries net importers of cereals such as rice and services;  an economic integration mainly confined to the neighbouring countries;  and the need to secure their budget financing, 
between 40 and 50 per cent of which is based on th e proceeds of levies on international trade, while 
pursuing their trade liberalization efforts. 
49. An examination of the factors linked to inte rnational trade reveals that foreign direct 
investment (FDI) in the three countries is mainly asso ciated with privatizations and the opening up of 
certain sectors to competition;  its fluctuations reflect the wavering implementation of the national 
programmes for the withdrawal of the State.  FD I is chiefly concentrated in the banking and 
telecommunications sectors, together with the extractive industries. 
50. The fluctuation of investment and its concen tration in a limited number of economic activities 
underscores the need to further improve the busi ness climate, including by the removal of legal 
uncertainties.  The efforts made in this area have ga ined international recognition, as manifested in the 
noteworthy progression of Burkina Faso and Mali in the World Bank's Doing Business  classification, 
from 155
th and 162nd place, respectively, in 2009 to 147th and 156th place this year.  Benin has not 
been able to improve its positi on and continues to be ranked 172nd.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 9 
 
 
  51. Where intellectual property is concerned, Benin,  Burkina Faso and Mali are signatories to the 
Bangui Agreement establishing the African Inte llectual Property Organization (OAPI), whose 
provisions are mostly in line with those of the WTO's TRIPS Agreement.  To raise public awareness in the Member States, the OAPI is studying a comm unication strategy, which should have an impact 
on the effective protection of intellectual property rights. 
52. For Benin and Mali, their efforts to facilitate  trade are bearing fruit.  According to the 
cross-border trade indicator of the Doing Business 2010 Report, Benin has succeeded in improving its 
ranking by two places and Mali by as many as ten places.  These two countries, together with 
Burkina Faso, have opted to computerize thei r customs procedures on the basis of the UNCTAD 
Automated Customs System (ASYCUDA).  Neverthel ess, the lack of a single entry system within 
ECOWAS means that the risks of double taxation with in the territory remain.  This is resulting in 
higher transaction costs, as well as lengthier procedures.  The complete computerization of all import formalities would enable them to be simplified and deserves to be made one of the top priorities of 
Aid for Trade. 
53. Since 2000, WAEMU has had a common tariff pol icy and a Common External Tariff (CET) 
applicable to goods not originating in the Uni on.  The TEC is based on the 2007 version of the 
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System  (HS);  it is ad valorem on all lines.  The 
tariff range comprises four rate bands:  0 per cent , 5 per cent, 10 per cent and 20 per cent, and there 
are plans for a fifth 35 per cent band.  The mixed escalation and the simple average have remained unchanged since the last TPR at 12.1 per cent.  The average rate of 14.6 per cent on agricultural 
products (WTO) is slightly higher than that  on non-agricultural and non-petroleum products 
(11.7 per cent), including that for the manufacturing sector at 12.2 per cent and that for the mining 
sector at 5 per cent. 
54. With respect to sectoral policies, it is clear that agriculture provides most of the food 
consumed by the populations of the three countries in  question and, moreover, constitutes their main 
economic activity.  Their governments have therefor e attached special importa nce to the formulation 
of an agricultural policy that promotes domestic production and productivity.  In this connection, in 
2008, proposals were made to raise customs duti es (MFN) on imports of agricultural products.  
Livestock farming, which accounts for over 10 per cent of GDP in each of the three countries, is facing a serious problem of land tenure.  Security  of tenure would put farming on a more stable 
footing.  Regional land use management schem es could reconcile the different interests. 
55. Cotton production and exporting is a priority of agricultural policy in all three countries, its 
15 per cent contribution to GDP notwithstanding.  Th us, the standard of living of part of the 
population depends on the price of cotton on world mark ets and the continuing volatility of that price 
directly affects the income of a relatively large pr oportion of households in Benin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali.  World cotton production is fa r from having been liberalized with the result that both the price 
and the supply are skewed by the subsidies allocated  at national level in some producing countries.  
To defend themselves against this deteriorati on in the global cotton market, in 2003, Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali, together with Chad, launc hed the Sectoral Initiative in favour of Cotton, 
intended to achieve the elimination, by the major economies, of domestic support for cotton 
production and export subsidies for cotton and to obtain duty-free quota-free access for cotton exports 
from least developed countries. 
56. As for the manufacturing sector, it is characterized by a limited level of industrialization with 
few small and medium-sized enterprises.  Most  manufactured goods are produced by artisanal 
micro-enterprises, generally in the informal sector .  The development of this sector is facing 
considerable obstacles such as the lack of regular access to cheap energy, high prices and inadequate 
infrastructure in the water sector, and deficient fi nancial, transport and telecommunications services. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 10  
 
  57. The services sector has developed well since the last TPR.  In the area of telecommunications, 
in particular, the three countries have made notab le progress and recorded continuous growth.  Thanks 
to liberalization, competition has begun to play its  part in reducing costs.  A recent framework law 
deals with the question of licences and promotes transparency.  Moreover, Burkina Faso and Mali 
have established an independent national regulatory authority. 
58. Transport and the related logistics are th e backbone of economic development in the 
three countries under review.  The anticompetitive practices connected with the allocation of cargo 
should, however, be abolished. 
59. The banking sector is subject to the WAEMU comm on regulations.  In 2008, to strengthen the 
banking and financial system, the minimum equity  capital requirement for banks and financial 
institutions was raised.  Moreover, reforms were in troduced with a view to expanding use of banking 
services and (non-cash) means of payment.  Microfinance services are gradually making it easier for the poorest to obtain microcredit, but need to be better organized. 
60. Following these general remarks applicable to a ll three countries concerned, I would like to 
devote the next few minutes to certain matters specific  to each country.  As the time available is too 
short for an in-depth analysis, I propose to con centrate on a few issues of major importance for the 
future. 
61. Benin  is an agro-pastoral country whose primary sector accounts for around 38 per cent of the 
GDP and employs 70 per cent of the active population.  To revitalize this sector, the Government is 
facilitating the processing of agricultural raw mate rials and increasing the sector's value added by 
creating a favourable environment.  The cotton s ubsector accounts for 80 per cent of Benin's export 
earnings.  To remain competitive, it will be necessary to introduce more struct ural reforms, such, for 
example, as the progressive privatization of pr oduction and processing.  Despite its huge potential, 
mining remains very limited in Benin and a suitable strategy could open up a new source of income. 
62. The tertiary sector accounts, on average, for 48 per cent of GDP and employs 21 per cent of 
the active population.  It is a highly dynamic sector linked with Benin's strategic geographical location 
relative to the large Nigerian market and its ro le as a transit point for neighbouring landlocked 
countries.  Nevertheless, the rapid development of  this sector is being seriously impeded by the 
shortage of energy resources.  Moreover, the al most total dependence on imported electricity and 
petroleum products is making Benin increasingly vulnerable.  Tourism has a potential for accelerating economic growth, which is why the Government ha s embarked on a policy of attracting large-scale 
private investment. 
63. Within the context of its national developmen t strategy, Benin regards trade as a priority 
means of growth and poverty reduction.  About 30  per cent of annual official aid for development 
(OAD) received by Benin takes the form of Aid fo r Trade (AFT).  Nevertheless, Benin is seeking 
greater alignment of its partners' aid on its nati onal development priorities.  A rewarding path to 
follow would surely be the systematic exploitatio n of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) 
mechanism to achieve the appropriate AFT objectives. 
64. Burkina Faso's economy remains firmly centred  on agriculture and livestock farming.  The 
primary sector contributes about 30 per cent of GDP and employs 86 per cent of the population.  The 
Government's strategy of intens ifying and diversifying crop produc tion has led to an increase in 
national output.  This is the road to follow in or der to reduce the country's vulnerability to external 
shocks.  Cotton remains the principal export product,  with a 73.6 per cent share.  However, a robust 
expansion of the extractive industries has recently  been observed and gold exports are now expanding 
thanks to the strengthening, welcomed by numerous investors, of the legal framework of the mining 
sector.  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  65. The tertiary sector accounts for 43 per cent of GDP.  In order not to be left behind by the 
moving train of development, especially in the field of Information and Communication Technology 
(ICT), the Government has adopted a national cyber strategy aimed at making the sector competitive 
and attractive to investors, as well as an engine  of development at every level of society. 
66. Burkina Faso's Poverty Reduction Strategy Pape r is the result of a highly participatory 
process that includes every social group.  The 2009  review envisages a strengthening of the role of 
trade in national development.  The technical assi stance priorities adopted as a consequence of the 
review are as follows:  projects in support of regulatory reform;  and priority infrastructure projects to facilitate trade, chiefly in the transport and energy sectors.  Only 20 per cent of Burkina Faso's annual 
official development aid (ODA) takes the form of  Aid for Trade (AFT).  Burkina Faso has been 
involved in the Enhanced Integrated Framework since 2004. 
67. Mali  is an agro-sylvo-pastoral country whose ec onomy is still largely undiversified.  Some 
68 per cent of the population of Mali depends on ag riculture for income, including 30 per cent which 
depends on livestock.  The production of cereals, par ticularly rice, has increased sharply since the last 
TPR.  Cotton remains the principal cash crop.  Howe ver, cotton production has fallen considerably in 
recent years.  The cotton fibre exported has undergone very little processing.  To remedy the situation, 
it is planned to privatize the Mali Textile Deve lopment Company (CMDT).  The principal mineral 
product – and Mali's foremost source of hard curre ncy – is gold, but gold mining is in decline. 
68. Services are an increasingly important segment of Mali's economy.  Transport and 
telecommunications, in particular, have recorded strong growth.  Whereas the former is handicapped 
by the poor infrastructure, the latter is benefiting from the opening up and privatization of the sector.  
The number of mobile phone subscribers rose from 300,000 in 2003 to over 3.5 million in 2008.  By 
introducing a single window for enterprise creati on, Mali has significantly improved its business 
environment.  However, its underdeveloped financ ial services remain a major obstacle to economic 
development.  Thus, the developmen t of this subsector should be one of the priorities of government 
policy. 
69. The promotion of trade is part of Mali's development strategy.  Aid for Trade accounts for 
37 per cent of official development aid (ODA), making Mali the foremost beneficiary of this aid in the West African region.  Nevertheless, given the pressing need for more basic infrastructure and for 
the establishment of a productive sector, this is not yet sufficient for it to be possible to develop trade. 
70. To conclude, the joint review of  Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali reveals that the three countries 
– despite their difficult economic and structural circumstances – have succeeded in improving their 
economic policy since 2004, although much still remains to be done to enable them to benefit fully 
from an increasingly liberalized world trade, so that trade becomes their main engine of development. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 12  
 
  IV. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
BRAZIL 
71. Brazil is particularly happy to participate in th e TPR of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.  As it 
is known, relations between Brazi l and Africa experienced a very marked and positive change in 
momentum.  In the last few years, the already significant bilateral relations have deepened and 
strengthened.  Indeed, since President Lula took office, the creation of new Embassies, a large number 
of presidential visits to Africa, technical c ooperation programmes and increasing trade flows placed 
Brazil's long term commitment to the African continen t in a higher plateau.  Our enhanced relations 
with Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali constitute a reaffirmation of that commitment. 
72. The Reports presented today illustrate the magn itude of the challenges faced by Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali.  As they continue to heavily rely on agricultural exports as a source of 
revenue, their economies remain vulnerable to extern al shocks like the multiple crises that troubled 
the world economy in the past few years.  For these less developed countries with restricted internal 
markets, integration to the international trading syst em is not a choice, but an imperative.  Alas, they 
still strive to compete in a system which is relativel y open, albeit lacking in fairness and that is in 
urgent need of updating to become more equitable. 
73. But the C-4 countries did not stand idly by.  They acted.  Rather than merely regretting the 
unfairness of the multilateral trade rules in agriculture , these countries opted to reaffirm their faith in 
the WTO, in the Doha Round and in its membership.  On 16 May 2003, President Blaise Campaoré, from Burkina Faso, on behalf of his country, Benin, and Mali – along with Chad – made history in the 
WTO tabling a Joint Proposal entitled "Poverty Reducti on:  Sectoral Initiative in Favour of Cotton". 
74. The "Cotton Initiative", as it became known, captu red the imagination of the membership, the 
NGO community and international public opinion.  It was the first time that LDCs had come forward with an offensive proposal in the agricultural nego tiations in which an exp licit link was made between 
the devastating effects of distorting subsidies on the livelihoods of African sma ll farmers.  Cotton is a 
microcosm of the distortions in agriculture trade a nd of the implications of those distortions for poor 
countries. 
75. The mobilization surrounding the cotton issue was acknowledged in the Hong Kong 
Ministerial Conference, where a negotiating mandate  in the Doha Round was approved, tackling the 
development and trade aspects of the sectoral initiativ e:  in particular, the cotton issue was to be 
addressed ambitiously, expeditiously, and specifically .  Shortly after, in order to implement the 
mandate, the DG established a Consultative Framew ork Mechanism on Cotton where the progress in 
the developmental and trade area s is being actively monitored. 
76. Brazil and the G-20 have consis tently emphasized that Cotton is as a central element in a 
Doha Development Agenda, where agriculture is its engine.  The Cotton-4 was right from the start.  
There can be no poverty reduction in the Western and Central African regions without a serious commitment to bring down trade-distorting subsidies for cotton. 
77. Cotton production is the sole means of live lihood for millions of people in developing 
countries, including in some of the most impoverish ed areas of the world.  Producers have to face 
structural challenges and lack of material resources. 
78. Cotton also accounts for high percentages of tota l exports and GDP for Benin, Burkina Faso 
and Mali and for a significant part of rural incomes of poor farmers in West and Central Africa, as 
well as in other parts of the developing world.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 13 
 
 
  79. In contrast, a few thousand farmers in the developed world receive massive amounts of 
distorting subsidies.  The US spent around US$2 billion yearly on cotton subsidies from 2002 to 2005.  Although with lower volumes, the EU subsidized produc tion of cotton reaches the market at the same 
time as the African countries production, contributing to price declines.  Consequently, the already 
great volatility of commodities prices is compounded, in th e case of cotton, by the effect of subsidies.  
Only in the last few months, after a long period of depressed prices did cotton start to align itself on 
the current scenario of high in ternational agricultural prices. 
80. Brazil has already stepped up to offer its contribution to cotton producers.  The Brazilian 
Agency of Cooperation (ABC) and the Brazilian En terprise for Agriculture  Research (EMBRAPA) 
have been implementing an ambitious programme of cooperation, technical assistance, technology 
transfer and capacity-building with Benin, Burkin a Faso, Chad and Mali in the field of cotton.  
Activities within this programme include:  (a) the construction and developmen t of a "Model Farm for 
Cotton" in Mali, for the benefit of all Cotton-4 co untries;  (b) capacity building in systems of cotton 
cultivation and genetic enhanc ement;  (c) introduction of varieties;  (d) biological control of plagues;  
and (e) enhancement of co tton industry profitability. 
81. Last August, a Brazilian delegation comprising representatives of the Ministry of External 
Relations, ABC and EMBRAPA organized a workshop in Bamako, Mali.  The event was attended by 
a large group of government officials and entreprene urs from all Cotton-4 Members.  It consisted of a 
comprehensive practical course on techniques related to sustainable cotton farming. 
82. While we are aware that cooperation programme s can provide a substantive contribution to 
addressing structural challenges in those countries, we have to reckon that  cooperation alone cannot 
solve the problem of poverty reduction that the Cotton-4 raised four years ago. 
83. In 2003, Brazil decided to challenge US programmes that provoke serious prejudice to 
Brazilian cotton growers.  The results of this l ong dispute approved by the Dispute Settlement Body 
have not yet been implemented.  Nonetheless, last August, Brazil and the United States jointly 
notified the DSB on the conclusion of a "Framewo rk for a Mutually Agreed Solution".  This 
development provides a basis for a consultation pro cess that we are hopeful may lead to the full 
implementation of the WTO rulings, thus, benefiting the C-4 countries.  It is also our expectation that 
cooperation activities with the C-4 and other Afri can cotton producing countries will be enhanced 
under the newly-created Brazilian Cotton Institute. 
84. By launching the "Cotton Initiative", the C-4 c ountries have reaffirmed their confidence that 
the multilateral rules-based system can be put to us e by its poorest members and that it can make a 
difference in their quest for fulfilling the just aspirat ions of their peoples.  It is incumbent upon us to 
deliver our part of the deal by concluding the D oha Development Agenda.  No less is expected from 
us.  It is about time.  We are not going to be kindly assessed if we fail in this endeavour. 
UNITED STATES 
85. The United States is pleased that Benin, Burkin a Faso and Mali, which share membership in 
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and 
Monetary Union (WAEMU), have chosen to undertake this review jointly.  Their decision to do so 
underscores their commitment to regional economic integration and to breaking down the trade 
barriers to regional trade. 
86. The United States strongly supports regional eco nomic integration in sub-Saharan Africa, 
both in general and as it pertains to the WAEMU specifically.  We support these undertakings with 
the expectation that they advance and complement the multilateral trading system.  Notably, in 2002 
we entered into a Trade and Investment Framewor k Agreement, or TIFA, with the WAEMU countries WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 14  
 
  to raise the level and strength of our dialogue  with WAEMU on trade and economic issues.  
US Deputy Trade Representative Demetrios Maran tis and Burkina Faso Trade Minister Kone 
participated in the most recent meeting of  the US-WAEMU TIFA Council, on 4 August in 
Washington, DC. 
87. The United States notes the progress that the Gove rnments of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali 
have made towards a market-based economy.  We particularly appreciate these efforts under the 
constraints of their limited financial resources.  We note each government's continued efforts to 
reduce macroeconomic imbalances and liberalize their economies;  their ongoing efforts to diversify and broaden their economies away from their reliance on cotton;  and their efforts to create a more favourable investment environment for private sect or development.  Broad based private sector 
participation in a competitive economy is anothe r mechanism that fosters growth, so we are 
encouraged that the governments have plans to cont inue to privatize and restructure key sectors of 
their economies. 
88. We are encouraged by the Governments' effo rts to increase private sector development and 
continue structural reform, and look forward to he aring more detail regarding the status of their 
privatization programmes. 
89. Most of the exports from Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali to the United States enter our market 
duty free either on an MFN or a preferential basis.  We took particular note of the Secretariat Report's 
observation that, while the three countries qualify for a variety of preferential trade programmes, they have not made optimum use of them.  For example, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali exported only US$27,000 worth of goods to the United States dur ing the first six months of 2010 under duty-free 
provisions of AGOA and the US Generalized System of Preferences.  In our view, however, there are 
many goods which Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali c ould conceivably produce more competitively and 
export to the United States which would also benefit from duty-free treatment under AGOA and GSP. 
90. We recognize the governments' needs for trade capacity-building assistance in order to 
improve their respective trade environments and to participate more effectively in the WTO.  The 
United States offers trade capacity-building pr ogrammes and trade-related technical assistance 
through its West African regional USAID mission in Ghana, as well as through USAID bilateral 
programmes and substantial Mille nnium Challenge Corporation compacts in each country.  In 
addition, USAID's Global Competitiveness Hubs in  Accra, Ghana and Dakar, Senegal provide 
support for businesses in Benin, Burkina Faso a nd Mali seeking to take advantage of trade 
opportunities provided under AGOA.  Finally, all thr ee countries are receiving assistance as part of 
the West African Cotton Improvement Program (WACIP). 
91. We commend Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali fo r the significant steps they have taken in 
recent years to liberalize trade and to modernize thei r investment regimes.  We note, for example, the 
government's implementation of reforms to im prove the business environment and promote 
investment.  These measures have contributed to st eady growth in the national economy over the past 
six years.  As the three Governments undertake effo rts to further improve the business environment in 
their countries, we encourage them to incorporat e business-enabling measures and trade capacity 
building into their respective national development plans. 
92. We would also like to draw particular attention to the Secretariat's recommendation that each 
country consider pursuing liberalization of the Economic Community for West Africa (ECOWAS) 
Common External Tariff rate, which serves to undercut competitiveness and economic growth in 
these three countries and the larger ECOWAS region. 
93. We acknowledge the Secretariat's observation th at Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali take an 
active part in the WTO's technical assistance progr ammes and in the Integrated Framework process  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 15 
 
 
  that are intended to promote the effective integra tion of trade into national development plans.  We 
are pleased that, according to the Secretariat, most of  the results of the Diagnostic Trade Integration 
Studies (DTIS) that were conducted for the three c ountries in 2004-2005 have been integrated into the 
governments' respective Growth and Poverty Reducti on Strategies.  We will be interested to hear 
about improvements your governments have made to implement the recommendations. 
94. We further take note of the Secretariat's obser vation that since the previous review of the 
trade policies of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, progress has been made in computerizing customs clearance procedures and putting them on line.  It  is well-known that the United States supports the 
WTO's work on trade facilitation especially because we believe that it holds such promise for 
developing country Members.  We are eager to know your governments' views on fully computerizing 
all of your import formalities and whether this is an Aid for Trade priority for your governments. 
95. The United States has submitted questions for each country seeking clarification and 
elaboration on some of the points made in the Govern ment's and Secretariat's reports.  We note, here, 
that we asked a number of questions regard ing each government's sanitary and phytosanitary 
practices.  We are interested to know about the st eps each government is taking or plans to take to 
address its sanitary and phytosanitary concerns, in a way that takes into account its obligations under 
the WTO agreements.  We look forward to consid ering all of the governments' responses to our 
questions and to hearing your views. 
96. In closing, while we recognize the capacity co nstraints that may confront each government's 
participation in WTO activities, we, nonetheless, encour age them to play an active role in the Doha 
Development Agenda negotiations.  The United States believes that LDCs such as Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali have much to gain from a balanced and ambitious result in the Doha 
negotiations that include meaningful new market access  for all.  Such a result could further enhance 
opportunities for each of you to broaden your natio n's export base, your export markets and hence 
your country's opportunity to diversify.  The United States looks forward to working with each government toward bringing the round to a successful conclusion. 
CHINA 
97. China attaches great importance to this Review  and believes that it will provide an important 
opportunity for us to exchange views on the wa y of LDCs' development and how we can help. 
98. We highly commend the governments of all three countries in consolidating their internal 
economic reforms to improve the business environment and deepening their integration into the global 
and regional economy.  We are happy to note that during the review period, Benin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali all have registered macroeconomic gains with  positive economic growth ra tes and with inflation 
at a relative low level, despite an adverse world e nvironment marked by a surge in oil and food prices 
and worldwide financial turmoil. 
99. However, these gains have somewhat been er oded by the global financ ial crisis.  As the 
Secretariat Report noted, "their economies rema in vulnerable to external shocks".  As 
Ambassador Wasescha said, their economies primarily  depend on agriculture and livestock farming, 
which in turn depend on weather factors.  We fully  understand the difficulties and challenges faced by 
the three LDCs and encourage them to continue th eir efforts on improvement of trade and investment 
as the main approach to achieve development and pove rty reduction.  In this context, we believe the 
multilateral trading system can and will play an impor tant role in this process, not only by ensuring a 
stable and fair environment conducive to their eco nomic growth, but also by assisting and facilitating 
the expansion of their trade and investment opportunities. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 16  
 
  100. As the Doha Ministerial Declaration indicates, we should place the needs and interests of 
LDCs, such as Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, at th e heart of Doha Development Agenda.  In order to 
address the special difficulties of LDCs in a ti mely manner, China strongly supports early 
implementation on issues of particular concern of  these countries, including duty-free quota-free, 
improved rules of origin and the service waiver.  Since Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are all members 
of Cotton 4, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our support to the request of Cotton 4 
that the trade distorting subsidies on cotton in developed countries should be eliminated. 
101. Besides that, as DG Lamy expressed repeatedly  and as also noted by the Government 
Reports, Aid for Trade can also serve as a strong co mplement to help LDCs translate the potential of 
the Doha Round into a reality.  As Minister Diallo  said just now, development demand should be the 
priority of the Aid-for-Trade Programme.  Therefore we call upon all donor countries and 
organizations to tailor their assistance to the real  needs of benefiting countries, such as building 
supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure. 
102. China and Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali en joy friendly and steadily-growing trade and 
economic relations.  For example, the bilateral tr ade between China and Benin in 2009 amounted to 
US$2 billion, while the data of the first half of  2010 reached US$1.16 billion, representing a growth 
of 39.1 per cent year-on-year.  China has also pr ovided economic and technical assistance bilaterally.  
For example, we have offered Mali aid fund a nd preferential loan worth 2.2 billion RMB yuan, 
including 700 million RMB yuan in form of grant.  We sincerely hope with the duty-free quota-free treatment provided by China to products from LDCs , the potential will be greatly tapped for further 
expansion of bilateral trade. 
CANADA 
103. Concerning Benin, although bilateral trade be tween Canada and Benin is only modest, the 
two countries maintain good diplomatic rela tions.  Despite a significant decline in 2009 
(34.6 per cent), totalling $9.1 million, Canada still r ecorded a sharp increase of  55.7 per cent in its 
merchandise exports during the period from January to  July 2010 as compared with the same period 
in 2009. 
104. Though limited, Canadian interests in Benin are concentrated in petroleum, the port 
infrastructure, and environmental sector technolog ies.  Thus, Canada is encouraging the Benin 
Government in its commitment to find solutions to the various problems affecting freight transport in 
the country, particularly in connection with port services. 
105. Canada notes that Benin intends to modify its  policy in the information and communications 
technology sectors.  Canada is encouraging major re form of this sector in Benin in order to create a 
sound, transparent and competitive climate for inv estment.  Accordingly, we support Benin in the 
pursuit of its efforts to privatize State enterprises w ith a view to improving the business environment. 
106. Where Burkina Faso is concerned, Canada is proud of the flourishing trade relations between 
our two countries.  Despite the economic crisis whic h led to a slowdown in trade last year, bilateral 
trade between our two countries has increased by 334.9 per cent since 2008, reaching a peak of 
54.7 million dollars in 2009.  Moreover, Burkina Fa so is an important economic partner for Canada 
given our strong presence in the mining sector, where the cumulative assets of Canadian companies were estimated at more than 1. 1 billion Canadian dollars in 2009. 
107. We appreciate the efforts made by the Gove rnment of Burkina Faso to facilitate a 
business-friendly climate and we urge you to contin ue introducing the necessary economic reforms.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 17 
 
 
  108. We would also like to encourage the Government  of Burkina Faso to pursue a dialogue with 
Canadian companies, as it recently did with th e mining companies, which have become the first 
foreign investors in the country.  The values advocat ed by Canada are those of a private sector opting 
for the principles of good governance and social responsibility, and we would like to continue 
collaborating with the Government of Burkina Faso in this field. 
109. Finally, as regards Mali, we are pleased to se e our bilateral relations growing stronger.  
Although our trade is modest, there is an important Canadian presence in Mali, particularly in the 
mining sector, where the cumulative assets of the Canadian mining companies reached 227.7 million 
Canadian dollars in 2009. 
110. It is important to note that Canadian co mpanies are becoming increasingly interested in 
investing in Mali, particularly in the telecommunications, security document production, 
infrastructure, energy, and water supply sectors.  We  welcome the efforts of the Government of Mali 
to implement reforms with a view to improving the business climate, which, incidentally, have enabled Mali to move up six places relative to l ast year in the global classification of the 
World Bank's Doing Business 2010 report.  However, Canada, and its investors, remain concerned 
about the security situation in the north of Mali.  As soon as the risks of operating in these areas 
diminish, foreign investment will probably increase. 
Common conclusion 
111. To conclude, we would again like to offer our  congratulations to the three countries for 
having carried our economic policy reforms leading to improvements in the business environment, as 
well as on their macroeconomic stability.  Canada  wishes to encourage re spect for democratic 
institutions and mechanisms, within a context of  transparency and good governance, which should 
remain at the forefront of these countries' priorities. 
JAPAN 
112. Japan appreciates the efforts to promote integr ation and economic reform  made by the three 
countries as Members of the We st African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the 
Economic Community of West African States (ECO WAS).  These efforts have made a substantial 
contribution to the achievement of significant ec onomic growth despite th e economic and financial 
crisis.  Japan would encourage the three Member c ountries to continue their economic integration and 
to invite foreign investment in order to prof it from the favourable trend in the world economy. 
113. I would like to deal with the situation of each country individually.  Where Benin is 
concerned, Japan proposes a review of the invest ment regime and appreciates Benin's efforts to 
promote foreign investment.  As the main thing is the transparency of the investment regime, Japan 
hopes that the country will continue its efforts by creating more favourable conditions designed to 
encourage investment by foreign enterprises, wi th transparency being ensured by appropriate 
government management. 
114. As for Burkina Faso, Japan pr oposes that the intellectual property protection regime be 
reviewed. 
115. Japan notes that in some cases, following a judgm ent for infringement of trademark law, the 
counterfeit products were not seized.  Japan wishes to  stress the importance of not neglecting to apply 
intellectual property protection, which is a prerequi site for economic developm ent, being one of the 
most important aspects of investment.  Japan appreciates the amendment of the Investment Code of January 2010, including the easi ng of taxes for investment. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 18  
 
  116. Where Mali is concerned, Japan welcomes its e fforts, as a landlocked developing country, to 
promote trade, in particular by means of such me asures as the establishment of trade offices in the 
ports of neighbouring countries.  Japan also welcom es the construction of international networks for 
creating access to maritime routes.  Japan hopes that Mali will improve its business environment by, 
for example, expediting trade-related inspections  and strengthening count erfeit product controls. 
117. I would now like to end my statement with a ge neral remark concerning Aid for Trade.  The 
purpose of the reports prepared by the Secretaria t and the three countries concerned was to propose 
solutions designed to meet the challenges of econom ic development facing developing countries.  The 
policies implemented are very encouraging, but the three countries in question still need infrastructure 
to increase their production capacity. 
118. Japan supports the three countries in question in  their policies and is committed to assisting 
them in Aid for Trade, as well as in the area of basic human needs, such as  health and medical needs 
and education. 
HONG KONG, CHINA 
119. Hong Kong, China maintains cordial trade relati ons with Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.  
While the total bilateral merchandise trade amounted  to a relatively modest US$50 million in 2009, 
we are encouraged by the healthy growth we have  witnessed since 2005.  We look forward to further 
development of bilateral trade with all three Members. 
120. We appreciate the continuous efforts made by Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali in pursuing trade 
liberalization since their last TPR six years ago,  including harmonization of their import measures and 
tariff framework, with the application of the Co mmon External Tariff (CET) of the West African 
Economic and Monetary Union.  However, we note that all three Members still have difficulty in 
complying with certain WTO notification requirement s, such as those concerning customs valuation, 
import licensing and state trading enterprises.  We would encourage them to improve on this and seek assistance from the WTO Secretariat as necessary. 
121. More specifically on the tariff regime, we note that about 27 per cent of the bound tariff lines 
of the three Members under the Union's CET regime  have applied rates higher than the rates bound 
under their respective national schedules.  We woul d encourage Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali to 
consider reducing their CET rates in order to bring their tariff regimes into line with their binding 
commitments. 
122. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are among the founding member states of the Western African 
Economic and Monetary Union.  It is noted that  its members are in the process of harmonizing 
accreditation, certification, standardization and metrology activities.  We commend the Union for 
promoting mutual consistency of standards, tec hnical regulations and accreditation procedures among 
its member states, but we note that its members have no mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with 
their trading partners, other than that between Benin and Nigeria.  We would encourage Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali to engage in more activities in the development of MRAs to facilitate the free 
flow of goods. 
123. Turning to services, we note that Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali have recorded strong 
economic growth through developments in  services industries such as tourism and 
telecommunications.  The liberalization measures undertaken in the tourism sector have certainly contributed to its growth.  We echo the Secretariat' s views that continuing the reform to enhance the 
business climate in the three economies would help a ttract capital inflows, which in turn will help 
develop the many services which are potential areas of growth.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 19 
 
 
  124. Least developed economies currently constitu te approximately one fifth of the WTO 
membership.  We appreciate that the three Member s attach great importance to the conclusion of 
Doha Round negotiations, not least in agriculture.  We  encourage them to participate actively in the 
trade liberalization negotiations including those for services, with a view to expanding trade in goods 
and services and achieving balanced growth. 
EUROPEAN UNION 
125. The EU is glad to have these three countries t ogether in this Trade Policy Review, which is a 
promising sign of them to continue working togeth er in their regional integration process.  We should 
remember that Benin, Burkina and Mali have a par ticular stake in regional cooperation in order to 
boost their trade competitiveness and attractiveness as investment locations.  Hence, their 
consolidated integration into ECOWAS is of utmo st importance.  And there is still some important 
work to do on this front.  Transit infrastructure development and procedure harmonization, together 
with the removal of barriers to trade within th e region and the effective implementation of the 
ECOWAS Common External Tariff, are key priorities to  actively pursue together and with the rest of 
their neighbouring ECOWAS partners.  This is especially important for landlocked countries like 
Burkina Faso and Mali, and transit countries, like Benin, which is an im portant gateway to the 
products of the region. 
126. With respect to the consolidation of the Custom s Union, this TPR is an important occasion for 
the WTO membership to be updated on the state of play in policy harmonization and 
institution-building.  Being a customs union oursel ves, we not only subscribe to the potential of 
regional economic integration but also appreciate the challenges involved, the commitment and the 
laborious effort required to advance it.  In this lig ht, we would like to hear today further explanations 
regarding how the three countries are working togeth er towards the effective implementation of the 
provisions already agreed in the EC OWAS Customs Union.  In particular, the EU would be interested 
to know their estimated timeframe for the full ad option of the Common External Tariff, and for duly 
ensuring the free circulation of goods within the region. 
127. As noted before, regional integration is key fo r the development of Be nin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali, and that is why the EU has been strongly encouraging such efforts, supporting them on the 
ground through the regional approach to Economic Partnership Agreements and development aid.  
The EU is providing significant technical assistance  and funding towards this objective.  It is not 
accidentally that a substantial amount, in particul ar 70 per cent - amounting to 418 million euros - of 
the 10th European Development Fund allocated to th e West African region goes into supporting 
regional integration. 
128. The EU continues to be the main trading partne r for Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.  In 2009, 
total trade amounted to more than 2 billion euros.   The three countries have been involved in the 
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the EU, together with 13 other 
West African countries.  This trade and developm ent agreement is designed to drive their economic 
growth as the basis for poverty reduction and ba lanced economic and social development;  and 
helping them to become more competitive by  lowering import costs and providing access to 
affordable quality services.  As mentioned befo re, the EPA facilitates these countries' regional 
agendas such as joining the ECOWAS Common Exte rnal Tariff and gradual moves towards a more 
integrated and more efficient regional market.  It  should be stressed that this agreement will be 
underpinned by EU development co-operation in orde r to reinforce their institutional and productive 
capacities and help necessary adjustment processes. 
129. As LDCs, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali ha ve access to the EU market duty-free and 
quota-free under the "Everything But Arms" initiative.  Nevertheless, the EU is confident about the significant additional benefits of the proposed EPA for Western Africa, not only by virtue of WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 20  
 
  enhanced market access in the EU, but also its ro le in facilitating structural reform and deeper 
regional integration, as already mentioned. 
130. And talking about the EBA scheme, we would like to seize this opportunity to clarify some 
incorrect information included in the WTO Secretariat' s report regarding the actual use of this scheme.  
The report stresses the low use of these preferen ces by the three Members under review, while 
admitting difficulties in obtaining related statistics.  In  fact, we would like to note that all EBA-related 
information is publicly available in the Eurostat we bsite, which testifies the substantial use of these 
preferences.  Just noting, for instance, that 90 per cent, 89 per cent and 61 per cent of imports from 
respectively Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, entere d the EU under EBA preferences in 2009.  Equally, 
it is important to note that the remainder of pr oducts under MFN treatment were subject, in most 
cases, to already zero-tariff rates.  In this regard , we ask the Secretariat to clarify the calculations 
included in the report, and to present a complete a nd accurate description of the preferential treatment 
received by these three Members' imports. 
131. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali face important  challenges ahead, in terms of economic 
stability, diversification of production and the ex port base, poverty allevia tion and public finances 
management, amongst others.  By addressing these ch allenges, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali will 
need to work resolutely, but we  are confident that the recommenda tions and conclusions drawn during 
this TPR will help them in this endeavour.  Ho wever, economic progress will have to be underpinned 
by a genuine improvement of socioeconomic i ndicators, good governance and a relentless fight 
against fraud and corruption, which are necessar y conditions for pursuing a solid and sustainable 
development. 
132. With regard to specific policies, I would like to refer in particular to customs management, as 
this is common policy that deserves special atten tion in our view, and on which the three countries 
need to step up efforts ev en further.  We encourage Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali to continue striving 
towards improving their customs legislation and ma nagement, including the effective implementation 
of stringent controls and surveillance in Customs, and efficient and timely clearance procedures.  In 
this regard, we would like to highlight the im portance of the good functioning of Cottonou port as one 
of the most important gateways of the region's expor ts.  The EU is already directly supporting these 
three countries through the deployment of substantial technical assistance.  For instance, the EU has 
allocated 140 million euros to strengthen Burkina F aso's infrastructure and interconnectivity in the 
next five years.  Likewise, Mali is receiving 200 million euros to build up and improve their infrastructure and the EU is working on a project to support trade infrastructures in Benin, by 
financing market infrastructures at the Nigeria-Be nin border and improving the storage capacity of 
Benin's airport.  
133. In closing, I would like to underline the importance of placing trade-related objectives at the 
heart of Benin's, Burkina Faso's and Mali's devel opment strategy.  The EU is committed to continuing 
to cooperate with Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, in creating an enabling environment for investment, 
trade and sustainable economic growth.  We hope that this TPR will give them feedback on their 
policies so as to stimulate them to follow a stable, open and gradual liberalization path.  
INDIA 
134. We need to applaud Benin for achieving sust ained growth rates averaging 4.7 per cent 
annually during the last decade, resulting in mod est increases in its per capita income as well as 
improvements in human development.  Beninese au thorities have used the last years of strong 
economic growth to increase its social spending.  Benin's economy relies on the agriculture sector, in 
particular cotton, and transit trade with Nigeria.  The agriculture sector accounts for about 32 per cent 
of GDP and is the source of livelihood for nearly 70 per cent of the country's workforce.  Cotton is the 
primary export commodity.  Unfortunately the global economic and financial crisis has impacted to a  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  significant economic slowdown in Benin due to weak er demand for exports and transit trade;  and 
lower inflows of remittances and foreign direct inv estment.  The GDP growth fell to only 2.7 per cent 
last year.  This is close to Benin's high populati on growth rate, meaning GDP per capita stood still in 
2009. 
135. It was heartening to learn that Beninese author ities reported that they are on track to ensure 
primary education for all by 2015.  There has been  a sharp increase in children enrolling for primary 
education.  This positive trend is attributable to  key policies adopted by the government the most 
important being the decision to increase the e ducation budget to 24 per cent of GDP, and the 
introduction of free primary school education in 2006.   Benin is also witnessing favourable trends 
with regard to lowering the infant and maternal mortality rate and enhancing access to drinking water. 
136. Burkina Faso's economy is highly dependent on cotton exports and is vulnerable to 
exogenous shocks.  From 1998 to 2006, Burkina Faso  maintained an average growth rate of over 
5 per cent per annum.  Between 2008 and 2009, annual  growth rate contracted from 5.2 per cent in 
2008 to 3.2 per cent in 2009 as a result of a series of e xogenous shocks:  climatic  shock, energy crisis, 
fluctuating commodity prices and global financial crisis. 
137. According to the IMF Mission's report, economic  and financial developm ents in 2010 point to 
a rebound in economic activity, driven by the agricultural and mining sectors.  Therefore, the real GDP growth should reach 5.2 per cent, compared w ith 3.2 per cent in 2009.  Inflationary pressures 
have abated, mostly reflecting a good harvest.  The external position is likely to be stronger than 
anticipated, thanks to higher gold exports and improved terms of trade. 
138. Let me begin by warmly felicitating Mali on th e 50th anniversary of independence which was 
celebrated on 22 September and wish them all success in achievement of their national 
socio-economic goals. 
139. Mali is the largest among the Economic Communi ty of West African States (ECOWAS) 
countries by land area.  Despite a difficult interna tional environment in 2008, macroeconomic stability 
has been maintained in Mali.  According to World Bank, Mali performs better than the average for 
Sub-Saharan Africa in all indicators related to trad ing across borders except cost, partly because the 
country is landlocked. 
140. In May 2010 I led an integrated Cotton dele gation of Indian experts representing cotton 
scientists, traders and entrepreneurs to study situ ation of cotton in C-4 countries and also recommend 
India's cooperation in this critical sector for them as  well as for Uganda and Ni geria.  I wish to convey 
my appreciation to the authorities in these countri es for the excellent support, warm reception and 
generous hospitality extended to me and my delegation.  My first ever visit to the capitals of these 
countries were both educative and left a lasting impression on me.  I found vibrant energetic hard 
working people trying their best to ameliorate their living conditions.  The vibrancy of informal, street 
trade was pointer to skills people have to trade in every kind of products both domestic and imported.  
A visit to Boulevard du Peuple in Bamako will prove my point.  The report of the delegation is being 
analysed in India. 
141. Let me now turn to some salient features of India's relations with these countries.  India 
enjoys warm, friendly and growing ties with these three West African countries. 
142. President Boni Yayi paid a State visit to I ndia in March 2009.  Line of Credit $15 million for 
Benin was announced.  Two grants of US$1 million each for mutually identified projects in health and 
education sectors as well as establishment of an IT Centre for Excellence and a Centre of 
Demonstration of Technology were also agreed to.  During the visit, five agreements were signed.  
Following signing of an empowering agreement in 2009, the $15 million Indian Line of Credit to WT/TPR/M/236 
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  Benin has been operationalized.  India has donated 100 tractors and gift shipment of another lot of 
100 tractors is underway.  Indo-Benin bilateral trade has been growing over past few years to reach 
$310 million in 2008-09.  India is one  of Benin's top trading partners. 
143. The interaction at different levels between I ndia and Burkina Faso has gained momentum in 
the recent past.  Burkina Faso has participated in the India-Africa Partnership Conclave in New Delhi 
in March 2008.  Burkina Faso was the partner c ountry in the CII Conclave in March 2009 in New 
Delhi.  A meeting of the India-Burkina Faso Join t Commission was held in New Delhi in March 2009.  
India's major exports to Burkina Faso are pharma ceutical products, vehicles and auto parts, iron and 
steel and articles, machinery and mechanical applia nces.  Imports from Burkina Faso include cotton;  
iron and steel;  wood and articles of wood;  raw hides and skins;  leather. 
144. In view of the close political and economic relations India decided to open an Embassy in 
Bamako and the first resident Ambassador of India to Mali presented credentials in July last year.  Mali opened an Embassy in New Delhi in August 2 010.  India-Mali trade is around US$50 million.  
Indian exports to Mali include equipments for elect ricity transmission, cotton fabrics and made-ups, 
cycle parts, machinery and machine parts, trans port equipment, pharmaceuticals, and processed food 
items while imports include raw cotton and agro products like Shea nuts. 
145. In the last one year the first tractor assembly unit in Mali with Indian assistance was started.  
The tractor factory had its origins in GOI line of credit under which 400 tractors and a tractor assembly unit were supplied to Mali.  The Governme nt of Mali has now converted the facility to a 
regular factory with equity participation of an Indian Company.  West Africa Cement Company 
(WACEM) owned by an Indian Group operating in Togo and Burkina Faso has taken over a defunct 
cement making facility in Mali called Diamond Cement .  After rebuilding the main factory and the 
grinding unit near Bamako production is expect ed to commence production in 2011.  At present the 
entire requirement of cement in Mali is met by import.  We hope these initiatives will help Mali in 
industrialization, food security and contri bute in economic and trade development. 
146. I call upon donors and aid agencies to take into  consideration development needs while 
formulating and implementing assistance plans to these and other LDCs. 
147. India has fully supported C-4 countries on the Cotton issue in reaching a comprehensive 
solution.  India will continue to  extend all support to C-4 in addressing the cotton issue ambitiously, 
specifically and expeditiously for achieving success in the Round. 
148. Both Benin and Burkina Faso are partners in India's Pan-African e-Ne twork Project and we 
hope that Mali will soon join.  The project is a unique platform which has been subscribed to by 
47 African countries has been offered by India in  the tele-education and telemedicine fields.  
CÔTE D'IVOIRE 
149. My delegation has examined and analysed with much interest the TPR report on 
three countries with which we share an economic , financial and customs union.  Our delegation 
appreciates the immense efforts made by these countr ies, in an international economic environment 
that is becoming increasingly hostile, especially for the countries of Africa south of the Sahara. 
150. Because of its physical, economic and cultural pr oximity and its historical links with Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali, Côte d'Ivoire can tes tify to the commitment of these countries to the 
promotion of growth and development through trad e.  Their authorities have given priority to 
economic and structural reform, in agreement with their technical and financial partners, within the 
context of the harmonious development of the Memb er countries of the West African Economic and  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  Monetary Union (WAEMU), by establishing a true development administration and a framework 
favourable for business and private entrepreneurship. 
151. As already mentioned in the report submitted to  us, since the year 2000, the economies of 
these countries have performed well in most areas, thanks mainly to the dynamism of the tertiary sector (recovery of trade and transpor t and boom in mobile te lecommunications) and of 
agriculture, which is dominated by cotton-growing. 
152. The data in the Secretariat report reveal th e determination of the authorities in Mali, 
Burkina Faso and Benin not to be left out, but rath er to take advantage of their human and physical 
potential, as well as cooperation with development pa rtners, in the pursuit of fiscal harmonization at 
WAEMU, and indeed ECOWAS, levels. 
153. Other times, other challenges, and the t ask now should be to make these economic 
performances endure, over the long term, and to diversify an economy still heavily dependent on 
agriculture and penalized both by the weakness of its industrial fabric and by still very high factor 
costs.  It will not be possible to maintain this p ace of growth unless the cotton question is solved in the 
WTO in a manner satisfactory to the countries of the C-4, so as to support the efforts being made by 
government to improve the living conditions of the rural population. 
154. Nevertheless, we are confident that the po litical authorities of these countries have the 
determination and capacity to make trade the engine of their countries' growth and development.  To 
conclude, I would point out that these countries, wh ich are seeking the path to development through 
integration into the multilateral trading system , deserve our support and assistance with the 
formulation and especially the implementation of their trade development strategies. 
155. Accordingly, I would like to invite the Member s and Secretariat of the WTO to increase their 
support for the three countries of the C-4, with a view to developing and densifying the physical infrastructure linked to trade and industry, thro ugh the various technical assistance and capacity-
building programmes and also within the context of Aid for Trade.  This technical support will also 
make possible the implementation of the recomme ndations that result from the present exercise. 
156. Allow me to offer my congratulations and en couragement to my colleagues the Ambassadors 
of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali for all they have  done here in Geneva to  defend, over and above 
their own cause and interests, the cause and inte rests of the Member countries of WAEMU, of 
ECOWAS and of the African Group. 
GABON 
157. Today's exercise concerns three countries of the African Group, Members of the C-4 for 
whom the successful resolution of the cotton issue he re in the WTO will make it possible to integrate 
more closely into the multilateral trading system for the well-being of thei r populations, which are 
mainly rural and among the poorest in the world. 
158. Our analysis of the trade policies of these thr ee countries, with the well-established reputation 
of being the standard-bearers for the cotton dossier in the WTO, which ultimately concerns 36 African 
countries, reveals an economic dynamism which, although it has not escaped the latest economic and 
financial crisis, remains decidedly stable.  These r esults are attributable to the macroeconomic and 
structural reforms introduced, not without some sacr ifice, by the governments of these countries, with 
a view to fulfilling their commitments to organizations such as the WTO. 
159. Admittedly, the reforms undertaken may be insu fficient when compared with the ambition of 
these countries to play an active part in the concert of nations;  in return for their determination and WT/TPR/M/236 
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  dedication, these countries deserve special attentio n from the Members of our Organization, which 
should take into account their concerns, in particul ar, the settlement of the cotton issue in accordance 
with the Hong Kong mandate, and, above all, reinforce their technical assistance measures. 
SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU 
160. We welcome the sustained efforts at reform being made by Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali and 
the importance that all three countries attach to the WT O.  It appears that the main challenge currently 
facing Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali is to genera te and provide for themselves stable sources of 
financing for their budgets.  It is encouraging to  see, therefore, that all three have managed to 
maintain positive economic growth rates over the period under review despite an adverse global 
financial and economic environment.  They are also  actively pursuing their further integration within 
both the West African Economic and the Mone tary Union and the Economic Community of 
West African States, and a large number of legislativ e texts have been adopted with a view to creating 
a common market.  At the same time, we hope they  will continue to participate constructively in 
WTO activities and negotiations. 
161. We have also noted that cotton is a very im portant commodity for the Members under review.  
This also highlights the importance of obtaining resu lts on cotton at the Doha Negotiation.  We are of 
the view that Technical and Capacity-Buildin g (TACB) programmes should, and could, be 
strengthened, to provide the necessary assistance to vulnerable cotton producers on a continuous 
basis.  In this particular regard, I would like to take the opportunity to mention here that my government is a member of the International Cott on Advisory Committee, which, as you are probably 
aware, set up and support an Expert Panel on So cial, Environmental and Economic Performance in 
2007.  The panel is aimed at provi ding relevant information on th e negative and positive impact of 
global cotton production, making recommendations for fu rther action and analysis and for the benefit 
of several cotton producing Member countries including Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. 
162. We consider that we should be putting more effort into cooperativ e assistance programmes 
for cotton producers, especially in Africa, and we will cooperate and work with all WTO Members to 
this end. 
AUSTRALIA 
163. In 2008 Australia established dipl omatic relations with Burkina Faso, and in recent years has 
accredited Ambassadors to Benin and Mali for the first time.  We are confident that these formal relations will provide new opportunities for achievi ng bilateral trade and investment objectives. 
164. We note and welcome, that Benin, Burkina F aso and Mali have maintained positive economic 
growth rates during 2004-09 despite the impact of an adverse global economic environment.  
Australia is aware that even though these three countri es have been affected le ss severely by the world 
financial crisis than some others, they still re main vulnerable to exoge nous factors given the 
predominance of agricultural production. 
165. Australia welcomes efforts to diversify the economies of the three nations.  However, it 
remains the case that agriculture is  a priority sector for all three in order to achieve food security and 
generate income for the rural population w ho are dependent on primary production. 
166. As leader of the Cairns Group, Australia re mains firmly committed to securing reform of 
global agricultural markets through the Doha Round.  The Cairns Group will continue to espouse the 
importance of substantial reductions in trade-distor ting domestic support and th e elimination of export 
subsidies.  We will also continue to work for d eep cuts to all tariffs, an expansion of tariff quota 
access and improvements in tariff quota administrati on so that all agricultural producers can take  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  advantage of the opportunities for growth arising from  increased trade in agri culture.  Like Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali, Australia is a producer of  cotton, and has been regarded by the WTO's 
Committee on Agriculture as a "significant exporter" of cotton.  We understand global protectionist 
measures in relation to cotton production are a majo r concern for Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, and 
that our interests strongly converge in reducing su ch protectionism.  In addition, we support the 
Director-General's Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton. 
167. Australia already provides duty-free quota-free access to all imports from Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali.  Australia is also working to broaden and deepen its engagement with Africa, 
and these countries figure as three of eight priority countries for Australia's partnership with the West 
African Council for Agricultural Research and Deve lopment (CORAF/WECARD), which is part of 
Australia's four year, $100 million food security  initiative.  The funding will support CORAF's 
programs in increased crop and livestock productivity. 
168. Australia also notes from the Report the growi ng importance of mining to Burkina Faso and 
Mali's economies with positive implications for em ployment growth and increased investment.  A 
growing number of Australian mining companies are i nvesting in mining activities in both countries.  
In this respect, the Australian Government is comm itted to assisting the Governments of Burkina Faso 
and Mali with the development of a strong, sustainable mining sector. 
169. For example, the Australian Government has contributed $1.45 million to support the 
implementation of the Extractive Industries Transp arency Initiative (EITI) to improve to governance 
and transparency of mining resources in developi ng countries.  Australia has also supported the 
development of Burkina Faso and Mali's mining indu stry by providing each country with two mining 
fellowships in 2010, which are focused on buildin g governmental capacity to support improvements 
in the sustainable management of the extractive industries sector. 
170. Recognizing the importance of education to the further development of the mining sector, 
Australia is also providing assistance to Burkina F aso's university to improve its ability to deliver 
geological research, provide geosciences courses, fund scholarships and deliver services to the 
resources sector.  Australia's contribution also pr ovides for sponsorship for several PhD and Masters 
students, and includes collaborative participati on of the University of Western Australia. 
171. Australia welcomes Benin, Burkina Faso and Ma li's participation in, and commitment to, the 
multilateral trading system and their support for conc lusion of the Doha Round.  This recognition of 
the importance of trade policy to economic developm ent is welcome and is a useful underpinning to 
the three countries' domestic reform efforts.  Aust ralia is committed to assisting all WTO Members to 
participate effectively in the multilateral trading system. 
MOROCCO 
172. For several years, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali have been introducing a series of bold and 
continuing reforms to reflect the trend in interna tional trade relations, to adapt themselves to new 
requirements and to meet the challenges of modernity. 
173. Morocco welcomes the measures taken by the gove rnments of the three countries to make the 
institutional and regulatory environm ent more favourable for the devel opment of trade.  The data on 
the economies of the three countries show that th e prospects are reassuri ng despite the current 
turbulence of the global economic environment.  The rate of growth of GDP and the maintenance of the rate of inflation are testimony to their dynamism and adaptability. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 26  
 
  174. The expansion of the economies of these countries is also the fruit of reforms targeted at 
foreign direct investment and the business environmen t, together with the identification of centres of 
growth to ensure their economic development. 
175. The performance of the economy has provided further reassurance for foreign operators, 
whose investments are increasing at a promising rate , thanks to government reforms in the various 
sectors of the national economy.  Moreover, these advances are serving as effective and ambitious 
means of establishing the mechanisms of an economy that is modern, open and competitive. 
176. Convinced that progress with the moderniza tion of the economy can only be achieved by 
opening up to the outside world, the three countries ha ve chosen to diversify their trading partners by 
participating in several regional agreements with a trade content. 
177. The WTO and partner countries therefore need to provide these countries with the appropriate 
technical assistance, as stipulated in the WTO's exis ting instruments, to enable them to integrate into, 
and profit from, the international trading system. 
178. In the present context, in their efforts to m odernize their structures and their economic and 
financial institutions, Benin, Burkina Faso and Ma li need substantial technical assistance in the 
sectors covered by the WTO and its various agreemen ts.  Within this framework, the means must be 
mobilized to enable them to make the most of th e good results obtained during the last few years. 
179. Likewise, as Members with an interest in the affairs of the WTO, the three countries should 
be permitted to benefit from the assistance of th e WTO to enable them to pursue their policy of 
reform and modernization in order to participate in a beneficial and constructive way in multilateral 
trade.  Support for the economic modernization of these three countries is made all the more necessary 
by the high prices they have to pay for raw mate rials, which are undermining the competitiveness of 
their economies. 
NIGERIA 
180. Nigeria is pleased to note from the Secretariat Report that the economic performance of 
Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, during the period has been impressive, particularly in terms of the 
positive growth rates recorded, despite an adverse gl obal environment, characterized by a surge in oil 
and food prices, as well as the appreciation of the euro to which their common currency, the 
CFA franc, is pegged at a fixed parity. 
181. Although Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are beneficiary countries under the African Growth 
and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program me of the United States, the na tional economic operators in the 
three countries have made little or no use of the scheme.  It would be interesting to know the 
challenges that Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are facing in their efforts to fully benefit from the 
scheme. 
182. Article 7 of Annex I of the Revised Bangui Agreement of 1999 does not authorize parallel 
imports.  My delegation is interested to know what measures Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are taking 
to ensure that they take advantage of the TR IPS flexibilities in relation to access to medicines. 
183. Nigeria and the three countries, apart from co ming from the same region are members of the 
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and have enjoyed longstanding economic, social and 
cultural ties that predate the independence of the f our countries from colonialism.  A large number of 
our citizens live, work and study in our respective countries.  The highest practical expression of the 
status of this friendship and cooperation has been the frequent exchange of visits at the highest level.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 27 
 
 
  184. The three countries have taken active part in the WTO's technical assistance programmes, in 
particular, the Integrated Framework intended to promote effective integration of trade into the 
national economic development plans of LDCs.  My delegation is gl ad to note that the Diagnostic 
Trade Integration Studies (DIS) were conducted for the three countries and most of the DIS recommendations have been incorporated in to the respective Growth and Poverty Reduction 
Strategies of the countries. 
185. It is against the above background that Nigeria would like to commend the three countries for 
their efforts.  We believe that ODA, including Aid for Trade, would facilitate the promotion and production of quality goods for exports as well as  improve competitiveness and the delivery of 
trade-related services.  This should ensure that the three countries are well placed to take full 
advantage of the opportunities afforded by their pa rticipation in multilateral trade negotiations and 
other regional and bilateral arrangements like th e ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (TLS), 
AGOA and the EPA between West Africa and the European Union (EU). 
186. My statement would not be complete without  reiterating our support for the demands and 
positions of the Cotton 4 in the Doha Round.  We  urge Members to demonstrate flexibility in 
addressing the concerns of the C-4 and ot her African cotton producing countries. 
187. Finally, despite the modest level of impl ementation of their WTO commitments, Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali must be commended for using tr ade to ensure welfare gains for their people.  
The delegations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin have been active Members of the WTO and have 
contributed to the Doha Work Programme.  Ni geria therefore looks forward to continued 
collaboration with the delega tions in the negotiations.  
GUINEA 
188. Like the Republic of Guinea itself, Burkin a Faso, Mali and Benin are among the least 
developed country (LDC) Members of the WTO.  We therefore welcome the progress they have made since their last Trade Policy Review.  In the opini on of the Guinean delegation, this progress provides 
material evidence of their unfailing commitment to the liberalization of trade and the implementation 
of the WTO agreements they have signed. 
189. Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin and the Republic of  Guinea constitute a single people, linked not 
only by geography but also by culture, history and politics.  They also have a long tradition of friendship, cooperation and trade, the result of these shared socio-historical values.  Apart from this 
long socio-historical tradition, our countries al so have in common their membership of several 
subregional and regional organiza tions, including the Economic Community of West African States 
(ECOWAS), the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Union. 
190. Similarly, within the context of the WTO, Bu rkina Faso, Mali and Benin, like the Republic of 
Guinea, are committed to the negotiations of th e Doha Development Roun d, within which our 
countries are arguing for duty-free market access and Mode 4 of trade in services.  We are also 
involved in the Enhanced Integrated Framework exercise. 
191. At bilateral level, the joint commission is the special forum for regulating trade, while further 
strengthening the bonds of frie ndship and cooperation between our  different countries.  Joint 
commission meetings generally adopt importa nt recommendations, in connection with the 
establishment of effective poverty reduction mechanisms. 
192. These recommendations concern the economic and soci al infrastructure sectors as well as the 
directly productive sectors, in particular, trade, the promotion and mutual protection of investment, 
craft industries, customs, agriculture, fishing, education, vocational training, and much else. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 28  
 
  193. The joint trade commissions generally provide an opportunity for reviewing a number of 
issues and, in particular, for evaluating bilate ral trade relations and exchanging information 
concerning the legislative reforms introduced in the various countries in relation to foreign trade. 
194. The cooperation high commission refocuses th e objectives and determines the executive 
modalities for the chosen sectors, as well as dealing with category-related qu estions arising out of 
previous meetings. 
195. With regard to trade, even though it has in creased slightly, intra-Community trade within 
ECOWAS still remains at a relatively low level. 
196. Fairs provide a context for promoting trade and business contacts, since they offer an 
opportunity for raising awareness among the economic  operators, manufacturers, traders and artisans 
of the ECOWAS area.  Despite the free movement of persons and goods within the Community, trade 
between countries remains at a very low level and relates mainly to the ag riculture, artisanal and 
livestock sectors. 
197. It should be noted that programmes are being dr awn up to create a platform with a view to 
facilitating the free movement of pe rsons, goods and services at a zero ra te.  It is also intended to 
simplify the procedures and documentation and to co mputerize trade data to facilitate the processing 
of operations on common borders, and there is a plan to raise the awareness of officials belonging to 
the customs and immigration services and other secur ity agencies on the various borders with regard 
to the treatment of businessmen, traders and travellers. 
198. Concerning trade, the countries under review and Guinea long ago signed a consular 
agreement abolishing entry visas, in order to fac ilitate the cross-border movement of persons and 
goods. 
199. This leads me to say that, in addition to trade in goods, trade in services is not left out in the 
relations between the Republic of Guinea and the co untries under review.  It is also worth noting the 
presence in Guinea of numerous Mali, Burkina and Benin nationals active in various spheres of 
activity, particularly in the services, trade and artisanal sectors. 
200. Looking beyond this description of the situati on and any commitment, it should be noted and 
regretted that this trade does not reflect the imme nse opportunities that our countries have to offer, 
since it is still relatively undiversified and remains c oncentrated on a few traditional products, such as 
textiles and clothing and crafts.  The Republic of Guinea therefore calls on the sister Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Benin to join it in reviewi ng ways and means of achieving a more substantial 
expansion and diversification of our economic and trade relations. 
201. With this aim in view, it goes without say ing that boosting economic and trade relations 
between our respective countries is fully in accord ance with the dynamics of the Doha Development 
Programme and the consolidation of South-South cooperation, particularly among LDCs, so as to 
meet the challenges of globalization. 
202. To conclude, the Republic of Guinea calls on the Members of the WTO to support 
Burkina Faso, Mali and Benin in their liberaliz ation efforts and their implementation of the 
commitments undertaken within the framework of the WTO. 
ZAMBIA 
203. My delegation is pleased to note, as highlighted  in the reports, that the three countries have 
remained on track in their implementation of ec onomic reforms.  These ec onomies remained stable  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  recorded positive growth rates prior to the onset of th e financial crisis in the last quarter of 2008.  To 
be more specific, Burkina Faso posted an aver age annual rate of growth of 5.24 per cent in 
2005-2008;  Benin grew at the rates of 4.6 a nd 5 per cent in 2007-2008 while Mali's annual growth 
rate stood at 4.98 per cent be tween 2005 and 2008.  The growth  of these economies was largely 
driven by favourable commodity prices on the international market. 
204. My delegation commends Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali for efforts undertaken towards the 
restructuring of their economies in order to make them more competitive.  Particularly, these countries have undertaken trade and economic refo rms aimed at enhancing their integration and 
harmonization of their legislative framework under th e West African Economic and Monetary Union.  
Their efforts have achieved deeper regional integrat ion, which is a reflection of their commitment to 
develop their economies.  As a result of these effort s sectors such as mining has continued to receive a 
favourable response from a large number of investors.  There has also been a remarkable growth in 
the telecommunications and tourism sectors.  Th ese economies also managed to keep inflationary 
pressure under control. 
205. However, with the plunge in commodity pr ices on the international markets propelled by 
falling demand due to the on-set of the financial cr isis, Benin and Burkina Faso recorded a drastic 
drop in their growth rates to 3.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively, while Mali's growth rate 
remained around 4.2 per cent in 2009.  Being agro-b ased economies, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali 
remain susceptible to fluctuations  in the international market prices for commodities.  Cotton, as has 
been highlighted in the reports, accounts for a significant proportion of exports earnings for these countries.  In the case of Benin and Burkina Faso  cotton accounts for 80 per cent and 73.6 per cent of 
their exports respectively.  Therefore any slight d estabilization in prices of cotton on the international 
market would have an adverse impact on the lives of millions of cotton farmers in these countries. 
206. It is important to note that having an ambiti ous and expeditious solution to cotton in the DDA 
remains the key to achieving the development mandates.   It would also be an important message for 
the membership of this house to  send to the international community on their commitment and 
willingness to assist cotton producing countries like Be nin, Burkina Faso and Mali to lift millions of 
their farmers who are dependent on cotton out of pove rty.  We strongly believe that a solution can be 
found for both the trade and development aspects of cotton as a matter of priority. 
207. To this end, the LDCs would continue calling for an early implementation of the solution on 
cotton including the elimination of trade distorting domestic supports.  The delay in the conclusion of 
the negotiations under the DDA should not hold host age the trade solution on cotton.  May I join 
others in calling upon cooperating partners to c ontinue supporting the reform efforts towards building 
competitiveness and enhancing growth and development in these economies. 
SENEGAL 
208. This peer review of the trade policies of Se negal's brother and neighbour countries Benin, 
Burkina Faso and Mali affords our delegation an o pportunity to reaffirm our ties of deep mutual 
solidarity, ties woven by our common history and geography, since we all belong to the same 
West African region and, moreover, have destinies li nked by relations that extend far back in time. 
209. In fact, as early as the 13
th century Senegal, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali belonged to the 
same political entity, namely, the Mali empire whic h, then at its apogee, extended across all of 
West Africa and had brought about the political unification of the entire region. 
210. At that time, trade was free and extensive and to ok many forms.  This no doubt explains the 
still observable ethnic, cultural, linguistic and so cio-economic similarities between the countries WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 30  
 
  which provide fertile soil for the regional integratio n policies now being pursued in this part of the 
African continent. 
211. It is this long shared history, together with our  trading traditions, that led our political leaders, 
at the time of independence, to try to construct a single federal territory out of our four countries.  
This political ambition finally foun d concrete expression in the birt h of the Mali Federation, which 
brought Senegal and Mali together in the 1960s. 
212. At institutional level, Senegal and the three c ountries now under review all belong to the same 
regional economic communities, namely, WAEMU and ECOWAS, areas of regional solidarity within which we have all agreed to implement common deve lopment policies.  We therefore have the same 
external customs tariff.  At monetary level, we  have a common central bank and a common monetary 
policy and we use the same currency, namely, the CFA franc. 
213. All this explains why Senegal feels particularly  involved in the trade policy review of these 
three brother countries, with which we have long shared many aspects of our social, political and economic life. 
214. Where trade, in particular, is concerned, Beni n, Burkina Faso and Mali have the reputation of 
being very respectful of their international comm itments, at both multilateral and regional levels.  
They are also known for their constructive and proactive commitment to the Doha Development 
Round negotiations, as expressed in their active partic ipation as co-authors of the sectoral initiative in 
favour of cotton, in their capacity as founder members of the C-4. 
215. Through their initiative, and despite their vul nerability as LDCs, these C-4 countries have 
succeeded in making the cotton problem one of the central and inescapable modalities of the 
multilateral negotiations on agriculture, for a fi nal conclusion of the Doha Round.  All 
36 cotton-producing countries on the African continent are grateful to them for that.  Considered 
individually, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are cite d in Africa as examples of balanced and stable 
democracy and good governance. 
216. This explains the considerable tangible social and economic progress which these three 
countries have made, despite the handicaps of being landlocked, in the case of Burkina Faso and Mali, 
and of suffering a brain drain, in the case of Benin, concerning which it is said anecdotally that there are more Benin doctors in the Paris region alone th an in the whole of Benin.  This progress is 
particularly apparent in the many new infrastruct ure and physical development projects that these 
three countries have completed since independence. 
217. For these many positive aspects, Be nin, Burkina Faso and Mali are the pride of all of Africa 
and West Africa in particular.  We therefore ur ge the international community and development 
partners to support these countries, for the sake of  their efforts to achieve social and economic 
progress and their role as models in the African context. 
MOZAMBIQUE 
218. I would like to congratulate our brothers in Benin on the progress made with trade policy 
reform as a result of their commitment to national de velopment and their efforts to achieve it.  We 
believe that the ongoing institutional and structural  reforms based on the global framework of the 
"Benin-Alafia 2025" (National Long-Term Prospects Studies) vision will result in a prosperous and 
competitive economy.  We encourage Benin to pursue its goal of tripling GDP by 2025. 
219. Our brothers in Burkina Faso should conti nue their development activities in the coming 
years in order to achieve the objectives of the Priority Action Programme and Poverty Reduction  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 31 
 
 
  Strategy through accelerated growth and sustainabl e development.  That could help to improve 
Burkina Faso's structural trade deficit. 
220. In Mali, another brother country, agricultu ral policy is vital for catalysing national 
development.  The development of industrial polic y is very important for adding value to primary 
products through processing.  We welcome Mali's adoption of industrial development policies to 
strengthen the coupling between agriculture and in dustry and increase industry's contribution to GDP. 
221. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali produce and export cotton, cotton being one of their main 
exports.  Accordingly, the cotton question is very important for the economies of these countries, as it 
is for Mozambique and the other countries which pr oduce and export cotton.  We would therefore like 
to see the conclusion of the negotiations on cotto n within the context of the Doha Round.  The 
question is all the more important in that the main  WTO negotiators are importers of African cotton. 
222. Following the review of your respective trade policies in 2004, we welcome your 
commitment and ongoing efforts to develop your countries and urge you to continue to seek to 
achieve development and econom ic stability through trade. 
TOGO 
223. Togo, which has common borders with Benin a nd Burkina Faso and maintains economic ties 
with all three countries, cannot remain indifferent .  Burkina Faso and Mali, which have no access to 
the sea and have recorded high rates of growth, and Benin, which faces similar challenges, deserve to 
be applauded, encouraged and supp orted to enable them to mainta in and continue their successful 
efforts to implement reforms. 
224. It is often said that if the economy of one c ountry is doing well, its neighbours will benefit 
too.  This is the case with my country, and it is why Togo, a direct neighbour of Burkina Faso and 
Benin, supports and encourages all of these countries. WT/TPR/M/236 
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  V. REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BENIN, BURKINA FASO AND MALI 
AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 
225. Since 2004, the year of our last trade policy review, our respective governments have worked 
to ensure national economic growth.  Thus, duri ng the period 2005-2009, Benin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali recorded an average annual rate of growth of around 5 per cent.  Nevertheless, it must be 
acknowledged that this growth rate remains well below the target of 7 per cent set within the context 
of the WAEMU multilateral surveilla nce mechanism to reduce poverty in  our cities and rural areas.  
One of the reasons for this is the fluctuating pe rformance of agriculture on which our food security 
depends and which is vita l for our export earnings. 
226. To boost economic growth, our governments ha ve adopted various reforms to improve the 
business environment, in particular by introducing an  attractive investment regime that includes all 
the provisions necessary to protect investment, both domestic and foreign, with strict respect for 
mutual interests and the rules of inte rnational cooperation and good governance. 
227. At institutional level, to promote dialogue between the public and private sectors, our 
countries have set up an Investment Council, chaired by the President of the Republic, which helps to 
promote and improve the business climate for investment.  Moreover, there are other consultation 
facilities that allow the two parti es and civil society to exchange views on questions of economic 
governance and make the Community area more attractive. 
228. The investment in question is of two kinds.  Fi rstly, investment relating to the basic economic 
infrastructure, particularly in the following sectors:  water, energy, telecommunications and information and communication technology, trans port, human resources, and financial vehicles.  
Secondly, investment relating to the exploitation of potential in agriculture, including 
livestock-farming, mining, industry, and services. 
229. WAEMU and ECOWAS were established to promote regional economic and social 
development by harmonizing legislation, unify ing internal markets and implementing common 
policies in the key sectors of our economies. 
230. This integration reflects our desire to overcom e the obstacles due to the relatively small size 
of our domestic markets by enabling producers to achieve economies of scale and benefit from regional infrastructure projects, as well as to estab lish closer trade ties between our countries by 
effectively removing all barriers to the free moveme nt of goods and services and by harmonizing the 
relevant regulatory frameworks. 
231. Thus, WAEMU and ECOWAS have adopted a phased  regional approach in key areas such as 
tariff reduction and harmonization, reform of the legal and regulatory frame work, rationalization of 
payment systems, restructuring of the financial se ctors, harmonization of investment incentives and 
tax regimes, Community investment and competition frameworks, etc. 
232. However, it should be pointed out that, unfort unately, the structure of the economies of our 
respective countries still bears the stamp of colonization.  These economies are not very 
complementary and poorly specialized.  All are orie nted towards OECD Member countries, which is 
why there is little intra-Community trade.  Con sequently, the notion of a locomotive economy is 
somewhat relative, whence no doubt the interest in  rethinking the paradigms of our integration, to 
which we are all very attached, indeed condemned. 
233. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are all three Members of WAEMU, which is composed of 
eight West African States that have formed a Customs Union.  The trade policies of our 
three countries are therefore linked to the common trade policy pursued and implemented at WAEMU  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 33 
 
 
  level.  In general, the objective of WAEMU's common trade policy has been to consolidate the 
regional market resulting from the Customs Union, wh ich came into effect on 1 January 2000.  The 
choices made in this respect are intended not only  to strengthen the regional integration process and 
perfect the operation of the Union market but also to  ensure the efficient and profitable participation 
of the WAEMU Member States in the multilateral trading system. 
234. The Customs Union contributes to this approach  with a free trade area, a Common External 
Tariff, and harmonized measures in a number of  areas (rules of origin, Community competition 
legislation, harmonization of customs procedures,  safeguard measures, harmonization of internal 
taxation and tax exemption regimes, etc.), as well as  with various actions aimed at developing trade 
relations between the Members of the Union and the rest of the world. 
235. Thus, the adoption of a Common External Tariff,  characterized by a simplification of the 
tax system (customs duty, statistical fee, Commun ity solidarity levy) and genuine tariff dismantling, 
bears witness to the desire of the WAEMU Member States to keep the markets of the Union open to 
the outside world.  Today, the global MFN import tax collected by the Member States of the Union, which reached a ceiling of 65 per cent in 1997, is 2 per cent for products of category 0, 7 per cent for 
category 1, 12 per cent pour category 2, and 22 per cent for category 3. 
236. True, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali have exce eded some of their bound rates, due to the 
application of the WAEMU Common External Tariff.  However, it should be noted that the introduction of the CET at WAEMU level has mainly  resulted in genuine tariff dismantling, with a 
regional average MFN tariff that now stands at about 13.5 per cent.  This is all to the credit of the 
Member States of the Union, which have thus em barked on a process of unilateral concession and 
demonstrated their intention to become part of the multilateral trading system. 
237. It should also be mentioned that, within the c ontext of the process of adoption of a CET by 
ECOWAS, to which the WAEMU Member States also all belong, it has been agreed to establish a 
fifth 35 per cent category, for products deemed to be highly sensitive.  The 15 ECOWAS Member 
States are still negotiating over the contents of the lis t of products eligible for this fifth category. 
238. Inasmuch as the adoption of a fifth category could result in some countries exceeding their 
WTO bound rates, it is intended, in conformity w ith the provisions of Article XXVIII of the GATT, 
that, in due course, negotiations should be opened within the WTO by all the ECOWAS States with a 
view to the revision of the initial bindings.  This process should also make it possible to find an appropriate solution to the current problem of the rates applied by the WAEMU Member States 
exceeding their bound rates. 
239. With regard to the WTO Customs Valuation Agr eement, it is, in fact, being implemented in 
our three countries, following the adoption by the WAEMU Council of Ministers of the Regulation of 25 May 1999 establishing a system for the determin ation of the customs value known as the reference 
value system. 
240. Under Article 3 of this Regulation, the Member States of the Union adopted, by 
Implementing Regulation of 11 March 2002, a common lis t of products eligible for reference values.  
It was agreed that Member States wishing to apply the reference value mechanism to imports of these 
products would be required, in compiling their na tional list, to extract from the common list the 
products to which the reference value system needed to  be applied at national level.  They would then 
communicate their national list to the Commission together with the value level proposed for each product.  As of today, no WAEMU Member State has officially had recourse to the Commission for 
the purpose of applying reference values. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 34  
 
  241. However, the customs services of the three count ries sometimes have recourse to reference 
prices, under Article VII of the GATT 1994, in this case the fallback method.  This is mainly because 
some users are prone to tax evasion and because of the limited ability of customs administrations to 
verify declared values.  We acknowledge the difficu lties that countries have in rigorously applying the 
relevant provisions.  Thus, building the capacity of customs administrations to verify declared values 
would encourage the stricter observance of the WT O requirements concerning the application of the 
Customs Valuation Agreement and improve the functioning of these administrations. 
242. Within the context of trade facilitation, efforts are being made by most of our administrations 
to simplify customs procedures, in particular, by extending computerization to all customs offices and interconnecting them and by implementing the Revi sed Kyoto Convention on the Simplification and 
Harmonization of Customs Procedures. 
243. Moreover, in connection with the action being ta ken to remove the constraints on trade within 
WAEMU, significant progress has been made with the implementation of the Programme of Community Action for Road Infrastructure and Transport, in particular, by designing and building roads and facilities, in this case juxtaposed cont rol posts, as well as with measures to protect and 
maintain the existing road network, such  as the generalization of the road fund. 
244. Likewise, in the area of transport facilitation and road transit, it is worth mentioning, among 
other things, the establishment of the Irregular Prac tices Observation Centre and national and regional 
facilitation committees, as well as the adoption and application of various regulatory texts, in 
particular, the Axle Load Control Directive. 
245. Finally, in terms of prospects for strengt hening the process of regional integration and 
construction of the regional common market, th e WAEMU authorities have conducted studies which 
it is hoped will lead to the creation of a unified regional market.  One such study currently being 
conducted concerns the introduction of the free circul ation regime within WAEMU, with a view to 
putting an end to the double or multiple clearanc e of goods being released for consumption on the 
customs territory of the Union. 
246. To consolidate the progress made with the cons truction of a regional market, measures have 
been taken to reorganize the budget and improve th e management of government finance within the 
Union.  Thus, in June 2000, the Council of Ministers adopted a Directive on the Reform of Government Procurement in the eight Member States and another Directive on the Code of 
Transparency in the Management of G overnment Finance within the Union. 
247. The Directive on the Reform of Government Pr ocurement is intended, in particular, to 
improve the transparency, effectiveness and harm onization of the procedures for awarding public 
contracts in the Union and thus open up public cont racts to regional operators.  It puts in place a 
programme which the WAEMU Commission has been inst ructed to follow up with a view to seeking 
financing for its implementation, including, in pa rticular, the establishment of a regional government 
procurement observation centre for monitoring  the reforms and evaluating the quality and 
performance of the systems adopted by the individual States and for promoting a policy of regional 
integration of government procurement. 
248. Where the harmonization of sanitary and phytosan itary measures is concerned, the Regulation 
of 6 April 2007 on plant and animal health and food safety in the Union establishes the general 
principles, provisions and organizational procedures needed to ensure plant and animal health and 
food safety at Community and national levels.  It establishes structures a nd cooperation mechanisms 
for plant and animal health and food safety within the Union and applies to all stages of the 
production, processing and distribution of marketed plants, animals and food.  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 35 
 
 
  249. The Regulation establishes a precautionary principl e according to which where there is a risk 
of serious or irreversible injury in connection with  plant and animal health and food safety and in the 
absence of scientific data that a country coul d use to assess the risk that country may adopt 
provisional risk prevention measures until su fficient information becomes available. 
250. With a view to strengthening harmonization, each country is taking steps to bring its 
regulatory framework into conformity with th e international regulations on SPS measures (IPPC, 
Codex Alimentarius, FAO/WHO, WTO, etc.) and to modernize the infrastructure for administering SPS matters. 
251. With regard to intellectual property rights, we  are all Members of the African Intellectual 
Property Organization (OAPI), a regional intellectua l property organization, and accordingly we give 
the application of the Community legislation pr ecedence over national legislation.  A number of 
measures have been introduced at Community level to protect these rights.  They include filing a 
complaint with the OAPI (extraterritorial procedur e), an action for infringement and an action for 
unfair competition (within the context of title prot ection subject to proof), and border measures. 
252. Filing a complaint with the OAPI, under the so-c alled extraterritorial procedure, offers a 
choice of two remedies.  The first is protection through legal proceedings, which may be either 
criminal or civil, the sanctions varying depending on whether it is patent rights or trademark rights 
that are being protected.  The second remedy is protection through administrative proceedings, in which case the sanctions are mainly saisie contrefaç on (investigation for infringement with possibility 
of seizure) plus additional sanctions, namely, de privation of the right to stand for election, 
confiscation and destruction of the products fraudul ently marked, and other border measures for the 
protection of trademark rights, i.e. suspension of  release into free circulation by the customs 
authorities. 
253. However, in some high-technology sectors such as the protection of integrated circuits, our 
countries are not in a position to provide effective pr otection.  To solve this problem, as our private 
sector lacks the necessary skills, we need techni cal assistance from the developed countries and 
international organizations such as the WTO and WI PO to strengthen the agencies responsible for the 
protection of intellectual property rights. 
254. Moreover, it is essential for our countries to develop the skills to permit the industrial 
application of thousands of patents that are free to be exploited, in particular those linked with our 
most promising sectors.  Thus, the concept of techno logy transfer will start to make sense and become 
a reality.  This will enable us to divers ify the productive base of our economies. 
255. Where the various sectors are concerned, it mu st be acknowledged that, despite our very 
limited resources, enormous sacrifices have been made to increase the national wealth and improve 
the living conditions of our people.  These efforts have been focused, in particular, on agriculture, 
mining, energy and services.  Thus, agriculture, th e pillar of our countries' economies, alone employs 
about 70 per cent of the population and, on average,  contributes around 30 per cent of export earnings.  
However, it is not very diversif ied and mainly based on a few cash crops such as cotton, cereals, and 
fruit and vegetables, together with  livestock and fishery products. 
256. Furthermore, the factors currently limiting ag ricultural production in our three countries 
include climatic factors, inadequate research, wea knesses in production technology, the high cost of 
production factors, poor water supply, and the inad equacy of the financial resources allocated to 
sectoral development. 
257. The difficulties of access to land and financing,  together with the predominantly family 
farming system, are also impairing the competitiven ess of our countries' agricultural production.  The WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 36  
 
  reforms undertaken and planned in the agricultura l sector should make it possible progressively to 
remove these constraints and ensure the str onger growth of production and productivity. 
258. In the specific case of cotton, acting together  with our partners in development, our 
three countries have privatized the subsector in or der to make it more competitive.  However, the 
domestic support and subsidies granted by the deve loped countries, plus the current impasse in the 
Doha Round, have led to a subs tantial decline in the contribution of cotton production to poverty 
reduction in our countries. 
259. One solution to the problem of cotton productivit y could come from the experimentation with 
transgenic cotton in our countries.  In this c onnection, WAEMU, the World Environment Fund and 
the World Bank have decided to establish a Community biodiversity framework.  The main objective 
is to supervise the use of biotechnologies in our area and reduce the associated potential risks.  The 
success of this Community experiment will depend on the involvement of all the Member States, 
which must first ratify the Cartagena Protocol a nd then introduce an appropriate national regulatory 
framework. 
260. Apart from this specific aspect, thought should also be given to (i) the further organic 
consolidation of our respective co tton companies and (ii) the relocation to our countries of the 
currently stricken European textile industry, to enable at least 25 per cent of cotton fibre production to 
be processed on the spot by 2025. 
261. The organization of other subsectors, the establis hment of industrial zones and free zones, the 
use of intellectual property assets and digital techno logies, the enterprise restructuring and upgrading 
programmes, the "quality" programmes and the promo tion of metrology are all factors that favour the 
development of industry in our countries and th us will enable them to exploit to the full the 
opportunities theoretically offered by the Doha Round, the EPA, AGOA, etc. 
262. For two of our countries mining is the leadi ng sector for export earnings.  Thus, for Mali and 
Burkina Faso, gold is the foremost export product before  cotton.  In recent years,  there has been a real 
boom in gold mining in Burkina Faso, while prospecti on and exploration are very advanced in Benin.  
The three countries have a huge, still unexploited mining potential, making this sector a genuine 
sector of hope and promise. 
263. Generally speaking, there is a serious energy de ficit in our respective countries.  To alleviate 
this shortfall in the energy supply, interconnecti on projects are being undertaken, new hydroelectric 
dams are being built and clean energy is being expl oited.  The Regional Sustainable Energy Initiative 
is the strategy adopted by the WAEMU Conference of Heads of State and Government in 2008 to find 
a lasting solution to the energy crisis which the Union has been experiencing for almost a decade. 
264. Studies carried out in 2008-2009 made it possible to draw up an inventory that revealed a 
severe energy deficit with the following characteristi cs:  electricity costs in the Union are among the 
highest in the world;  the generating system is old and the losses very considerable;  the national 
electricity markets are too small to attract private in vestment;  the public electricity operators are in a 
precarious financial situation and are placing a hea vy burden on government finances;  and the energy 
supply is uncompetitive, thus blocking economic emergence. 
265. The inventory also revealed that, even if th e projects now scheduled were completed on time, 
although they would significantly improve the supply, they would not be sufficient to ensure the permanent eradication of the deficit. 
266. The challenges for the Member States of the Un ion are, in the short term, the need for a 
massive and urgent catch-up on investment and, in the longer term, the absolute necessity to change  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 37 
 
 
  the energy paradigm, starting immediately, with a view to achieving durability and sustainability.  
That means, first of all, taking more systematic demand-side action, often the cheapest way of meeting the need for energy, and, secondly, the mobilization of all energy resources, notably 
renewables, especially solar and wind power. 
267. The vision that underlies this strategy is that , by 2030, all WAEMU c itizens will have access 
to low-cost energy, within a vast  market for trading electrical ener gy integrated and harmonized on a 
West African scale, producing clean energy and ba sed on a dynamic public-private partnership.  It 
would therefore be useful to envisage generating electricity from the subregion's uranium production, whence the interest of a regional initiative to gene rate and distribute clean and cheap nuclear energy 
on an African scale. 
268. Where services are concerned, inspired by the saying "The road to development passes 
through the development of the road", our countries ha ve invested heavily in transport infrastructure, 
particularly in building new asphalted roads, mainta ining existing road networ ks, and modernizing the 
airport, maritime and rail infrastructure.  However,  rail transport should be regarded as the strategic 
option for the future, inasmuch as it will make a larg e contribution to the global competitiveness of 
our economies and the reduction of road maintenanc e costs, while helping to extend the life of the 
roads. 
269. To ensure the competitiveness of our communication services, our countries have undertaken 
important reforms within the context of the autonom ous liberalization of the sector.  By improving the 
competitiveness of our countries' economies, this open ing-up process has helped to reduce the cost of 
communications. 
270. In view of the difficulties in obtaining access to traditional bank loans, our countries have 
developed a microfinance system suitable for financ ing income-generating activities for the benefit of 
the poorest.  These are playing a significant part in the reduction of poverty in our countries.  The 
activities of the microfinance sector are subject to common regulations adopted by WAEMU, whose 
authorities have recently demonstrated their in tention to supervise them more strictly. 
271. Generally speaking, in our countries banking services are underused;  this applies in particular 
to the investment banks which could have replace d the former development banks that disappeared 
with the adoption of economic reform programmes in most LDCs. 
DISCUSSANT 
272. This two-day review has show n that Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are very committed 
Members with a strong desire to fulfil their obligatio ns with respect to the advancement of the world 
trading system.  Economic integration, at both regiona l and global level, is being taken very seriously. 
273. The discussions and the contributions by Member s have shown that there is a sensitivity to 
the region and, in particular, to the development of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali and, through them, 
of the region as a whole.  We have noted 19 statemen ts that have recognized the continuous growth in 
the three countries, despite the adverse global conditions since the last review. 
274. Members' questions and comments have also re vealed a major concern associated with the 
three countries' heavy dependence on the agricultural sector, which is subject to market volatility and 
the deterioration accompanying climate change. 
275. A few Members have noted that their recent po licy of zero tariffs for products coming from 
the three countries has not yet led to any marked increase in exports.  It remains to be seen how the WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 38  
 
  three countries could improve their competitiveness in order to take great er advantage of these 
promising overseas markets. 
276. Aid for Trade should increasingly become the ch ief means whereby the three countries align 
partners' aid in order to achieve their priority deve lopment objectives.  As various statements confirm, 
partners are necessary to attain these objectives. 
277. With regard to the economic framework, we have not ed two things in particular.  First of all, 
the lack of economic diversity which the three co untries have very frankly acknowledged.  This 
frankness will enable us to explore this  question further and, I trust, l ead to action as well.  It is an 
essential basis for the partnerships that could ge rminate from awareness of these situations.  The 
second aspect to strike us is the commitment of  the three countries to the regional cooperation 
advocated for so long at the theoretical level and wh ich, finally, can now be seen to be taking shape 
after, it must be said, though without passing judgment,  much delay.  Your initiative in raising at the 
multilateral level your serious concern with respect to  cotton will serve as an example.  It shows that 
even small countries are capable of getting placed on the agenda what for them is an existential 
problem, if that problem is presented with objectiv ity and with the appropria te diplomatic means. 
278. I note that progress is being made with economic  integration.  Having two organizations in 
parallel may not be ideal from the theoretical point of view and one day, perhaps, a merger could 
complete this mission of regional cooperation, so as to simplify the proceedings and avoid two-speed 
progress. 
EUROPEAN UNION 
279. We have a few comments and a few follow-up questi ons to raise.  The first comment is that it 
seems that our question 1 is not fully replied, and we would like to clarify that the objective of this 
question was to clarify views of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, how they view social and labour 
aspects on their regional trade negotiations.  The second comment is on the reply that we received on 
our question 14 on export restrictions, and it seems that this reply contradicts the West African 
Economic and Monetary Union Treaty which aims to eliminate all export restrictions.  Therefore we 
would kindly ask the three countries under Review to  comment on how export restrictions are in-line 
with Article 76 to 79 of that Treaty. 
280. And finally as additional questions we would like to raise a few questions concerning the 
investment regime in the case of Benin and Mali and one question on the industrial free regime with 
respect to Mali.  According to the practice we w ill submit them in writing and will expect replies in 
due course. 
CHAD 
281. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are LDCs with economies based mainly on agriculture.  Their 
production is dominated by cotton, followed by f oodstuffs and a few cash crops.  The agricultural 
sector is the key to the economy whose performance depends on the results ob tained for agricultural 
products.  Consequently, agricultu ral policy is of primary importance for these governments, which 
are endeavouring to meet the following challenges:  to ensure the food and nutritional security of their 
populations;  to ensure the sustained growth of the rural sector as a contribution to the struggle against 
poverty;  to improve productivity and competitiv eness in the agricultural sector and the rural 
environment;  to promote a sustainable, modern and competitive agriculture. 
282. The economies of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, which are very undiversified, are mainly 
centred on agriculture and livestock;  their depe ndence on cotton is particularly marked.  Thus, 
economic performance continues to revolve prim arily around crop yields, which are themselves  WT/TPR/M/236 
 Page 39 
 
 
  determined by the weather.  The effects of climat e change on the agricultural sector in Burkina Faso 
and Mali, countries of the Sahel like our own, incl ude soil degradation and in frequent rainfall, which 
reduce yields and raise food prices. 
283. Thus, climatic variability and climate change can  undoubtedly be regarded as one of the most 
serious threats to sustainable development and poverty reduction in our respective countries, which 
depend mainly on agriculture. 
284. Apart from the vagaries of the climate, the difficulties of our cotton subsectors, which have 
been reduced to a precarious state by the fall in cotton prices brought about by the huge subsidies granted to northern producers, have recently in creased, which has led to the cotton growers becoming 
disaffected and a fall in production. 
285. There can be no doubt that cotton occupies a strategic position in our countries' development 
policies and poverty reduction programmes.  For all our countries, cotton production is a determinant 
of poverty reduction policy and a primary factor in en suring political and social stability.  It is an 
essential link in our countries' development due to its effects on the promotion of infrastructure, 
education and basic health services. 
286. Our countries have shown that cotton growing c ould enable some fifteen million farmers in 
the subregion to banish the spectre of famine and pover ty if the rules of international trade were fairly 
applied. 
287. The sectoral initiative in favour of cotton has been  and continues to be symbolic in that it 
constitutes an unprecedented example of the involve ment of vulnerable countries in the multilateral 
trading system.  It is an exemplary instance of th eir contribution to the establishment of and respect 
for rules that promote the elimination of distortiv e practices in international trade and encourage 
States to take due advantage of their comparativ e advantages and make trade a genuine means of 
wealth creation, an engine of developmen t and a tool for the reduction of poverty. 
288. Moreover, it is unanimously acknowledged that  the C-4 have succeeded in making the 
initiative an essential part of the Doha Developmen t Programme and there is now general agreement 
that the Doha Round cannot be brought to a conclusi on without first dealing with the cotton question, 
which has become a test case fo r the multilateral trading system. 
289. We also reaffirm our desire to reach a settlement  that takes into account:  the pressing need to 
find a solution to the crisis in the African cotton sectors;  the setting of a deadline for the reduction 
and total elimination of subsidies;  the urgent establishment of a rescue fund for cotton producers to 
prevent the cotton sector from disappearing, wh ich would involve a human catastrophe on an 
unprecedented scale, for millions of people w ho depend on the sector for their livelihood. 
290. The three countries have undertaken courage ous structural, institutional and regulatory 
reforms designed to promote the emergence of a prosperous and competitive economy for the purpose 
of improving integration into the multilateral tradi ng system with a view to taking full advantage of 
trade.  The only way in which this impetus can be maintained is for an ambitious, rapid and specific 
solution to the cotton question to be found within the WTO. 
291. The three countries need technical  assistance to meet the challenges that face them, including 
the establishment or strengthening of accredited laboratory capacity, the development of promising 
subsectors with a view to intensifying and divers ifying agricultural output and expanding the export 
offer, the improvement of the value chains of th e subsectors identified, particularly cotton, the 
development of agro-industry, and support for the countries in developing a strategy for attracting FDI 
into promising sectors. WT/TPR/M/236 
Page 40  
 
  292. It remains to acknowledge the substantial cont ributions made by Brazil, China and India to 
the South-South cooperation platform and to invite th e other development partners to follow their lead 
by assisting the three countries to implement their reforms aimed at facilitating their integration into 
world trade. 
NIGER 
293. Niger would like to compliment the delegations  of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali for the 
frank and constructive way in whic h they have described the context of their economic and trade 
policies.  Niger has no specific points to raise inasmuch as it faces the same challenges as the three countries reviewed. 
294. In many respects, Niger shares not only the cha llenges but also the solutions.  And it is from 
this perspective that Niger wishes to reaffirm its  support for the action plans defined together with 
Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and many other ECOWAS and also WAEMU countries.  Moreover, Niger shares the convergence criteria defined as a means of facing these challenges together. 
295. Niger also notes that the question of electricity  is essential to the development of the countries 
of the subregion.  Niger will make its contribu tion, within this context, by organizing and 
implementing a nuclear power programme which will make it possible, in due course, to meet not 
only Niger's needs but also those of the countries of the subregion. 
UNITED STATES 
296. On behalf of the US delegation I would like to extend our appreciation once again to all 
three delegations for the comprehensive replies.  We did not receive some of the revised responses 
until this morning, so they are still under review at  capital, and for procedures we will follow up some 
additional questions for our joint benefit in writing. 
TUNISIA 
297. I would like to congratulate Minister Diallo a nd, through him, the three delegations on their 
observations, which reflect the efforts and espec ially the commitment of these countries in an 
international context characterized by numerous cr ises.  My delegation would also like to thank the 
three delegations for their additional replies.  May we take this opportunity to express Tunisia's 
unfailing support for their commitment during the period that lies ahead. 
NIGERIA 
298. I would like to congratulate once again the thr ee delegations for the successful conclusion of 
their TPR.  Our questions have not been fully answer ed by H.E. Minister Diallo but that is not a 
problem.  We look forward to continuing to collabora te with the three countries at the bilateral and 
multilateral levels.  WT/TPR/M/236 
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  VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
299. This second joint Review of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali has allowed the TPRB to assess 
developments since 2004 in their trade and related polic ies, and to enquire about future priorities.  I 
would like to thank Minister Diallo and the three de legations for their hard work in preparing for the 
Review, their written replies to the questions, and thei r full and open participation in this meeting.  I 
am also grateful to our discussant, Ambassador Wasescha of Switzerland, for his farsighted 
observations. 
300. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali have experien ced positive economic growth since 2004, but at 
a moderate rate due to unstable weather conditi ons, rising world prices of oil and food, and the 
relatively modest foreign direct investment flows th at are needed for their economic diversification.  
Noting that the three economies remain primarily de pendent on agriculture, especially cotton, most 
Members called for cuts in cotton subsidies that di stort world markets.  Questions were asked about 
initiatives to increase domestic food production so as to alleviate poverty, and about the low 
utilization of tariff preferences.  Benin, Burkina Fa so and Mali were urged to pursue their structural 
reforms, to adopt appropriate solutions to their energy crisis, and to further improve their business 
environments, with a view to attracting foreign investment.  Further improvement of their GATS 
commitments, including on telecommunication services, would help. 
301. Members commended Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali on their active participation in the 
WTO, despite their limited resources.  The thr ee countries are beneficiaries of the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework, and have  benefited from a wide range of  WTO trade related technical 
assistance activities. 
302. They are also members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and 
of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  Many rates of the WAEMU Common external tariff exceed the WTO bound levels .  The proposed introduction of an additional 
35 per cent tariff band under ECOWAS would further aggravate the situation.  Members therefore 
encouraged the three countries to take steps to meet their WTO tariff binding commitments. 
303. Members expressed concern about slow and cumb ersome border procedures, with transit, 
inspection, valuation and clearance subject to multip le charges and irregularities, and encouraged the 
three countries to implement a comprehensive tr ade facilitation programme, at both national and 
regional levels.  Such efforts, particularly by Be nin, would greatly assist its landlocked neighbours.  
Participants also noted inefficiencies and overlap in SPS and other technical controls at borders, and 
considered that such controls could be made more efficient through increased regional coordination 
and harmonization.  Questions were asked rega rding the IPR regimes and their enforcement. 
304. In conclusion, I believe that this Review h as given us a comprehensive update on the changes 
that are taking place in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, and on the challenges that lie ahead.  I 
understand that the WTO Secretariat is planning to undertake the next TPR of these three countries in 
conjunction with the other WAEMU members.  I encourage Benin, Burk ina Faso and Mali to 
continue working closely with other Members of th e WTO to integrate their trade policies into their 
development strategies, and ask Members to take a ppropriate steps, including through Aid for Trade, 
to assist them. 
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