WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/TPR/G/251 
24 August 2011 
 
 (11-4085) 
Trade Policy Review Body Original: French 
  
 
   
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
Report by 
 
GUINEA 
 
 
  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
(Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Guinea is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circ ulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Guinea. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 3 
 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
  Page 
I.  OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................... ....................... 5  
II.  ECONOMIC EN VIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... ..... 5 
III.  ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMY BY SECTOR..................................................................................... 6  
IV.  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES .................................................................................................. . 7 
 A.   GENERAL TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES  ......................................................................................... 7  
 B.   SECTORAL TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES  ....................................................................................... 8  
 (i)   Agriculture ................................................................................................................... . 8 
 (ii)   Energy ........................................................................................................................ ... 9 
 (iii)   Industry....................................................................................................................... . 10 
 (iv)   Mining ........................................................................................................................ . 11 
 (v)   Fisheries and live stock farming ................................................................................... 12  
 (vi)   Services ...................................................................................................................... . 13 
 (vii)  Transport .....................................................................................................................  14 
 (viii)  Telecommunications ................................................................................................... 17  
 (ix)   Tourism .......................................................................................................................  19 
 (x)   Crafts ........................................................................................................................ ... 19 
V.  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT REGIME .......................................... 20  
(i)  Imports ....................................................................................................................... ............... 20  
(ii)  Exports ....................................................................................................................... ............... 22  
VI.  LEGAL AND REGULATORY TRADE POLICY FRAMEWORK ...................................................... 23  
(i)  Domestic laws and regulations governing the implementation of trade policy ......................... 23  
(ii)  Formulation and review of trade policy .................................................................................... 23  
(iii)  Bilateral, multilateral, regional an d preferential trad e agreements ........................................... 24  
VII.  IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE POLICY .......................................................................................... 25  
(i)  Trade policy measures a pplied by Guinea ................................................................................ 25  
VIII. CURRENT TRADE LIBERALIZATION PROGRAMME .................................................................... 29  
IX.  ECONOMIC REFORM  PROGRAMME ................................................................................................ 29  
X.  IMPORT AND EXPORT TRENDS ...................................................................................................... . 30 
 (1)   IMPORTS  .............................................................................................................................. ....... 30 
 (2)   EXPORTS  .............................................................................................................................. ...... 30 
XI.  PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY GUINEAN PRODUCTS IN FOREIGN MARKETS ................... 31  
XII.  CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... ................... 31  
 Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
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 I. OVERVIEW 
1. The Republic of Guinea is situated in the s outh-west of West Africa between latitudes 7° 05 
and 12° 51 north, and longitudes 7° 30 and 15° 10 west, half way between the Equator and the 
Tropic of Cancer.  It is bounded by Liberia and Sierra  Leone to the south, Côte d'Ivoire to the east, 
and by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali to the north. 
2.    
3. It is a coastal country with a 300 km long Atlan tic coastline in the west.  Its relief is varied, 
and extends from the low-altitude coastal plains to  the mountainous areas in the interior of the 
country, reaching an altitude of over 1,500 metres in  places.  It is divided into four large natural 
regions, different in climate, topography and sub- soil.  They are Guinée Maritime, Moyenne Guinée, 
Haut Guinée and Guinée Forestière.  The climate is tropical, with alternating dry and rainy seasons.  
The country covers an area of 245,857 km2 and has a population of around 10,952,070 million, 
i.e. an average density of 44 inhabitants per km2. 
II. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
4. Following its second appearance before th e WTO Trade Policy Review Body in 
September 2005, Guinea pursued its implementation of  the reforms begun in 1986, under the different 
structural adjustment programmes.  The average an nual per capita income in Guinea is estimated at 
US$300 and is still low despite the country's enormous  potential in agriculture, mining, fisheries, and 
energy. 
5. Special emphasis has been placed on the poverty -reduction strategy as a means of ensuring 
improved living standards for the country's popula tion and preserving a climate of social peace and 
political stability. 
6. To that end, Guinea has set itself a number of  major objectives to be attained through its 
macroeconomic stabilization programme.  These objectiv es have been laid out in version 3 of its 
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). 
7. However, in spite of the measures taken to en sure economic growth and development, Guinea 
suffered a major economic crisis in the early 2000 s that severely upset the main macroeconomic 
balances.  This crisis, which aggravated the government budget defic it and led to a massive 
accumulation of domestic and external arrears, was caused chiefly by: 
(a) The prolonged deterioration of the terms of trade owing to the downturn in the world 
prices of Guinea's leading export products (including coffee, cotton and bauxite); 
(b) the consequences of the rebel attacks against Guinea, which generated significant 
security expenditure; 
(c) the burden of refugees (more than 10 per cent of the country's population); (d) the major energy crisis (water, electricity ), which caused a sharp contraction of the 
country's economic activity; 
(e) the total lack of external assistance over the past few years; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 6 
  
  (f) the general surge in the prices of staples, in  particular rice, sugar, flour, oil, cement, 
and above all, petroleum products; 
(g) recurring social and political turbulen ce in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 caused 
mainly by bad governance. 
8. To halt the steady economic and financial d ecline, the Guinean authorities launched an 
economic recovery process in 2002.  They decided to introduce adjustment programmes aimed at correcting the economic imbalances and spurring gr owth.  The following measures were taken: 
- Adoption of a sound policy for the management of public finances; 
- reduction in government security expenditu re, a measure made possible by the 
cessation of the armed conflicts along Gu inea's borders and the decrease in the 
number of refugees from neighbouring countries where peace had been restored; 
- partial solution of energy problems th rough the introduction of new equipment 
(thermal power stations and wells); 
- adoption of the harmonized WAEMU Common External Tariff; 
- support for the coffee industry by setting up a joint public/private-sector body to 
manage the sector; 
- broadening of the tax base; 
- introduction of the principle of a unified treasury for the purposes of implementing 
the government budget. 
9. In spite of their positive impact, these measures were not enough to fully overcome the crisis, 
as the relevant indicators have not improved sufficien tly.  Inflation has continued to rise, averaging an 
estimated 15.5 per cent at the end of 2010, an d the gap has widened between the official 
Guinean franc/US$ exchange rate and the parallel rate. 
10. In short, it must be noted in the socio-econom ic context that although Guinea's considerable 
efforts have achieved relatively en couraging results, much remains to be done to bring about even 
better results particularly in terms of macroe conomic indicators such as inflation and the budget 
deficit, if the standard of living of the Guinean people is to be raised. 
III. ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMY BY SECTOR 
11. Between 2005 and 2010, GDP grew at an averag e annual rate of 1.9 per cent, having peaked 
at 4.2 per cent in 2002 and reached a low of 1.2 per cent in 2003.  The average growth rate was below 
the population growth rate (3.1 per cent) and was therefore not enough to reduce poverty.  Indeed, the 
average per capita GDP growth rate was -0.3 pe r cent, reaching a maximum of 1.1 per cent in 2002 
and minimum of -1.8 per cent in 2003. 
12. Growth in the primary sector, which represents 18.3 per cent of GDP on average, fell short of 
the 5.8 per cent target, recording an average of 3.4 pe r cent.  This growth is essentially attributable to 
the fisheries subsector (5.5 per cent), although its share in primary sector value added is negligible 
(0.2 per cent). Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
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 13. Secondary sector value added (including mining)  represents 30.9 per cent of GDP on average.  
Its average growth rate of 3.4 per cent is attributable to the good performance of the mining sector (2.4 per cent).  Mining continues to play a leading role in the Guinean economy, accounting on 
average for 16.4 per cent of GDP and approximately 12,000 permanent jobs (8 per cent of the 
economically active population).  But while it account s on average for close to 78 per cent of the 
country's exports, its contribution to domestic government revenue re mains at 20.9 per cent.  Growth 
in the manufacturing sector is put at 3.5 per cent, with a roughly 4 per cent average contribution to GDP. 
14. The tertiary sector continues to account for th e bulk of GDP with an average share of 
46.9 per cent and average annual growth of 2 per cen t.  The import-export trade is still the leading 
contributor, making up 63.5 per cent of tertiary ac tivities and recording an average growth rate of 
1.9 per cent per year.  Its maximum level was 2. 8 per cent in 2004 compared to a minimum of 
1.1 per cent in 2003. 
IV. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES 
A. G
ENERAL TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES  
15. Guinea's trade policy and the strategy for implem enting its directives are a continuation of the 
country's general economic policy agenda through the various reforms introduced over more than 
20 years now and the creation of the Third Republic.  This strategy, which is clearly outlined in 
Guinea's PRSP, aims to make trade one of the engines of growth.  It rests on two main objectives: 
- Modernization of the trade professions to curb  the informal sector and establish a fair 
and healthy climate of competition; 
- promotion of Guinean exports, particularly in the non-mining sectors; 
16. The main components of Guinea's trad e policy can be summarized as follows: 
- Rehabilitating the domestic market; 
- securing regular and adequate supplies of c onsumer and capital goods for the country; 
- securing permanent markets for domestic products both at home and abroad; 
- helping to create commercial channels within  the country leading to high value-added 
products; 
- strengthening the role of national public  and private institutions responsible for 
supporting and promoting the private sector; 
- promoting new products for which there is  a demand in foreign markets and for 
which Guinea has significant potential a nd a real comparative advantage; 
- improving the international image of Guin ean foreign trade by promoting product 
quality; 
- pursuing the process of harmonizing domestic regulations with WTO rules; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 8 
  
  - stepping up exports by an average of 12 per cent a year over the next five years; 
- ensuring smoother operation of trade-related judicial structures. 
B. SECTORAL TRADE POLICY OBJECTIVES  
(i) Agriculture 
17. With more than six million hectares of ar able land, Guinea's ag ricultural potential is 
considerable (agriculture, fisheries, livestock farm ing, and forestry).  However, only 15 per cent of 
that land is actually being cultivated.  Agriculture  provides employment to more than 70 per cent of 
the population.  Income distributio n in the agricultural sector is ther efore a key factor in eradicating 
poverty. 
18. Agriculture accounts for approximately 14 per cent of GDP, and its growth has generally 
outpaced that of other sectors of the economy.  It has nevertheless been adversely affected by the 
rebel attacks from Liberia and Sierra Leone, with  the result that growth in the sector was down 
6.1 per cent in 2000. 
19. Low yields from the sector have made the country increasingly dependent on food imports.  
Rice imports are estimated at 300,000 tonnes per an num.  The dominant features of the sector are the 
insufficiency of irrigation facilities, inadequate suppo rt for farmers, the shortage of agricultural inputs 
and improved seeds, and a low level of training amongst the players. 
20. Agriculture is the priority sector of Gu inea's development policy, as laid out, inter alia , in the 
country's PRSP.  This priority has been implemente d through the different editions of the Agricultural 
Development Policy Letter (ADPL) I (1991) and II ( 1998).  The latter is currently under revision.  
An annual growth rate of 6.2 per cent is being targeted for 2014. 
21. To that end, the Guinean Government is con tinuing to implement its vast programme for the 
development and modernization of agriculture with the active participation of the private sector and 
the support of its main development partners. 
22. This programme builds on the one presented in 1999 and aims to: 
- Improve production methods in rural areas in order to boost the output of farmers; 
- introduce systems for financing agriculture in rural areas; 
- improve the performance of the agricultural subsectors by creating and managing 
pilot plantations and using nurseries to pr oduce selected seedlings, for the benefit of 
farmers; 
- restore and extend the network of rural tracks and irrigation facilities; 
- promote the use of agricultural inputs; 
- promote the rational use of forest resources; 
- boost the efficiency of State and para-Sta te support structures and of agricultural 
development projects and programmes; Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
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 - make the agricultural sector one of the e ngines of economic and social development 
in Guinea; 
- shift progressively from subsistence farming to market-driven agriculture; 
- combat rural poverty through environmenta l protection and rational and sustainable 
management of natural resources; 
- it is also the Government's aim to ensure  food self-sufficiency in the short-term;  
consultation meetings with the farming co mmunity ended with mutual commitments 
being made, in particular with respect to support for farmers: 
 Irrigation schemes for small and medium-size farms; 
 provision of efficient equipment such as ploughs and animal-drawn 
implements, rotary cultivators, as well as inputs/fertilizer, improved 
seeds, etc. 
23. Whilst focusing on increased extension work a nd support for farmers, the Government also 
plans to put special emphasis on agricultural de velopment through international cooperation. 
(ii) Energy 
24. Electricity consumption is limited to a mere  18 per cent of households and access to drinking 
water is still difficult for the vast majority of  the population.  Poor resource management and 
governance problems in these subsectors over the past ten years have discouraged the inflow of new 
investments.  The equipment and distribution networ k remain obsolescent.  Of the seven generators at 
the Tombo power station, only one was operating in December 2010. 
25. Despite the major repair and maintenance wo rk carried out to deal with the numerous 
breakdowns at dams on the major waterfalls and th e Garafiri dam, there has been no noticeable 
improvement in electricity gene ration and supply.  The Government has therefore entered into 
negotiations with the development partners  (World Bank, AfDB, French Development 
Agency (AFD)) with a view to initiating the reforms essential to the revival of the sector. 
26. The Guinean Government's policy in this sector  targets comprehensive coverage of energy 
demand throughout the country under the best possible conditions. 
27. The following measures are planned with a view to reaching that objective: 
- Rehabilitation of existing production, trans port and distribution facilities and creation 
of new units, while at the same time en suring a regular supply of spare parts; 
- updating of the studies conducted under the Production and Transport Master Plan 
with a view to revising the national programme for investment in the sector; 
- improvement of technical, commercial a nd financial management in the sector; 
- improvement of the current institution al framework by establishing the necessary 
legal and financial conditions for introduc ing different types of private energy 
production; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 10 
  
  - development of a rural electrification programme; 
- continuation of the campaign to promot e new and renewable forms of energy; 
- a substantial increase in water and electricity supply over the medium term should 
make it possible to meet the needs of the population as well as industry;  the 
Government plans to build and interconnect  medium-size dams in order to harness 
the agro-industrial potential of the country's various regions; 
- over the long term, the need to process mine ral resources into metal locally will call 
for substantial investment in the major hydroelectric dams. 
28. The Government's target is to bring the level of access to drinking water to 90 per cent of the 
population by 2015 with an average of 150 litres per i nhabitant per day in urban areas and 50 litres in 
rural areas.  In addition to the further digging of  wells and boreholes in rural areas, the Government 
plans to undertake institutional refo rms to benefit both subsectors whilst paying special attention to 
improved service and business performance, thereby limiting the use of subsidies. 
(iii) Industry 
29. The Government's objectives in this sector fo cus mainly on reviving its programme for the 
industrialization of the country, beginning w ith support for private-economic operators. 
30. This policy will involve: 
- Helping some industrial units that have alr eady been privatized or  that are currently 
being privatized or sold off to revive their activities; 
- simplifying the formalities for setting up new enterprises; 
- creating serviced industrial zones in Conakry an d in the main cities in the interior of 
the country; 
- creating free zones in order to encourage the production and export of manufactured 
goods; 
- creating platforms for networking between Guinean and foreign operators. 
- The Government has put special emphasis on th e aim of reviving industrial units that 
have remained inactive as a result of privatizations that negatively impacted jobs. 
- A national campaign launched in January 20 11 to identify these units should make it 
possible to begin renovating and eventually  selling them.  To encourage foreign 
investment and ease the constraints associat ed with the creation of enterprises, 
a national investment promotion agency (API) has been established to replace the 
office for the promotion of private investment (OPIP).  The creation of a single 
window now enables investors to complete a ll the formalities in one week instead of 
three months as previously.  Improving th e legal framework for business in order to 
enhance competitiveness and bring it into line w ith international standards is regarded 
as essential.  The Government is keen to use fiscal instruments to promote productive 
investments that generate employment fo r young people.  It is expected that Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 11 
 
 
 finalization of the various codes (investment, government procurement, mining, etc.) 
will pave the way for promoting and protecti ng investment.  By reforming the justice 
system, the Government intends to improve the business climate, ensure fair rulings and guarantee the rule of law.  National cons ultations on the justice system were held 
in May 2011. 
(iv) Mining 
31. For a long time to come, Guinea's economy will remain dependent on the mining sector, 
which alone accounts for more than one quarter of GDP and more than 75 per cent of export revenue.  
Thanks to its mining resources and its energy poten tial, Guinea is in a position to achieve genuine, 
sustained socio-economic development, driven unquestionably by the mining sector. 
32. A new mining policy involving bold reforms was initiated as a result of the economic 
liberalization and modernization programme adopted by the Government in 1985.  By promoting and 
reviving investment, this policy aimed to help the mining sector to contribute more effectively to 
socio-economic development and th e growth of State revenue through the development and local 
processing of mineral raw materials. 
33. Although appropriate, all the reforms to the mining sector failed to produce the positive 
impact on the national economy that had been hoped for.   This led the Government, together with the 
development partners, to develop a new mining po licy in 2005 based on liberalism as defined in the 
Basic Law of the Republic of Guinea. 
34. In conformity with the national poverty reduc tion strategy, the main objective of the new 
mining policy is to improve the mining sector's contribution to the national economy and its 
development.  It is governed by an attractive a nd stabilized legislative, regulatory and competitive 
framework designed to minimize any negative e nvironmental impact and favour sustainable 
development. 
35. To that end, the Government will be setting up  a system for the regular disclosure of the 
revenue generated by the mining sector, in keeping with the standards of the Extractive Industries 
Transparency Initiative (EITI). 
36. In consultation with the partne rs, the Government will see to the review of the different 
agreements and conventions and th e revision of the 1995 Mining Code.  It will also ensure that the 
communities in the vicinity of mining operations  share in the benefits deriving from them.  
Management of the mining sector has long been ch aracterized by bad governance, in particular 
involving the signing of contracts that fail to ta ke account of the interests of the State, which, 
moreover, are sometimes still not sufficiently safeguarded .  As part of the endeavour to bring order to 
the mining register, the revision of the code is bei ng finalized, together with a standard agreement.  
The new code will be in line w ith international best practices. 
37. Jointly with its bilateral and multilateral partners , the Guinean Government will be seeking to 
implement the following major value-added projects over the short-to-medium term: 
- The Sangarédi alumina plant, for which the agreement was signed and ratified in 
May 2005, with a capacity of 2.8 million tonnes of alumina per year; 
- the Kamsar alumina plant with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes, which may 
be expanded to 4.5 million tonnes; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 12 
  
  - the Dabola alumina plant; 
- the Dian Dian bauxite-alumina-aluminium complex; 
- expanding the capacity of the Fria alumina plant; 
- the hydroelectric dam on the Cogon; 
- working of the Mont Nimba iron ore deposits; 
- the Simandou iron ore mining project with the Rio Tinto company; 
- setting-up of diamond cutting plants; 
- organization and supervisi on of small-scale mining of precious materials, which 
provides more than 100,000 jobs for Guineans, and the routing of the entire output, 
particularly of diamonds, through official ma rketing channels in conformity with the 
requirements of the Kimberley Process. 
38. A policy of this kind, which focuses on projects th at are in essence capital intensive, calls for 
the mobilization of considerable financial resour ces, a concerted review of the legislative and 
regulatory framework, and the revitalization of re gulatory, control and promotional structures. 
39. Coherent implementation of the policy will enab le the mining sector not only to generate 
substantial revenue for the Government, but also, a nd above all, to induce knock-on effects in other 
socio-economic sectors, thus c ontributing to poverty reduction. 
(v) Fisheries and livestock farming 
40. The objective in this sector remains the maximization of economic and social benefits for the 
country from the exploitation of its fisheries and pastor al resources.  This take s account of the need to 
safeguard the balance of the ecosystem and the sust ainability of resource exploitation while seeking to 
increase the contribution of fisheries and livestock farming to food security, job creation, higher incomes for fishermen and livestock farmer s, as well as increased State revenue. 
41. Accordingly, the Government will continue to: 
- Set up an efficient system for the planni ng and rational management of resources by 
strengthening the monitoring and protection of fishing zones and by conducting 
research; 
- step up the fight against animal diseases and develop a livestock feed supply base; 
- strengthen basic infrastructures and improve the value added of fisheries and 
livestock products; 
- support the exportation of fisheries and livestock products; 
- encourage the emergence of domestic econom ic operators in the areas of small-scale 
fishing and industrial fishing; Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 13 
 
 
 - decentralize and improve the monitoring an d surveillance of Guinean territorial 
waters. 
42. To encourage the emergence of  SMEs capable of meeting the needs of the population, the 
Government plans to formulate and implement a policy to modernize and strengthen the sector's 
operating capacities. 
(vi) Services 
(a) Banking and financial services 
43. Thanks to the Government's reforms in this ar ea, it has been possible to liberalize the banking 
and financial sector by: 
- Restructuring and rehabilitating the Cent ral Bank as the currency-issuing agency 
responsible for monitoring and controlling the entire banking and financial system; 
- reforming the operating environment fo r banking, financial and micro-credit 
institutions, focusing in particular on m onetary policy, the legal framework for 
financial intermediation, the related tax sy stem, and the degree of State participation 
in the capital and management of banking and financial institutions; 
- liberalizing the foreign exchange market, developing the money market and savings 
and loan institutions, and introduci ng mechanisms to support SMEs and 
micro-enterprises. 
44. Other measures have entailed: 
 Raising the reserve requirements for deposit banks in order to mop up excess liquidity 
in the economy; 
 the strict application of currency exchange  regulations and the operation of currency 
exchange bureaux. 
45. The resumption of discussions with the interna tional institutions should lead to the adoption 
of a formal economic programme jointly with the Go vernment, allowing it in the long term to benefit 
from substantial debt cancellation as well as various typ es of budget aid that would enable it to meet 
the urgent financing needs of the economy. 
46. At present, 12 commercial banks, four insurance companies, and seven certified 
micro-finance institutions form the backbone of Guinea's banking and financial system.  With the 
exception of one bank and one insurance company, all banking and financial institutions are private 
and consist of foreign as well as private Guinean part ners.  The Insurance Code entered into force on 
12 June 1995. 
47. A new law on the supervision of banking activiti es was enacted on 4 July 2005, and another 
law on micro-finance institutions is currently  under discussion in the National Assembly. 
48. These various legislative texts provide the Gu inean banking and financial market with 
security and stability for depositors and in sured persons as well as for investors. WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 14 
  
  49. The Government's main objectives in this area are still the improved management of foreign 
exchange reserves and the stabilization of the external value of Guinea's currency. 
In this context, the Governme nt will continue to ensure: 
 
- The control of money circulation by promoting efficient use of the banking system in 
the economy; 
- tighter supervision of banking and financ ial institutions through the introduction of 
instruments, procedures and methods that meet international standards; 
- enhanced security and modernization of pa yment systems and means in the banking 
and financial institutions in accordance with the objectives set by the second West 
African Monetary Zone (WAMZ); 
- the strengthening of mechanisms to facilitate investment and investment financing; 
- further liberalization of the money and exchange markets; 
- the creation of a financial market as a tool  for collecting savings with a view to 
supporting public and private investment. 
50. A two-window micro-credit agency has been set up to revive employment in the financial 
sector.  The windows have been endowed with GF 20 billion and GF 10 billion to encourage female 
entrepreneurship and youth employment respectiv ely.  A national development agency has been 
created and a bank for SMEs is envisaged. 
(vii) Transport 
51. Transport infrastructure (roads, airports) has b een falling into an increasing state of disrepair 
in recent years for lack of maintenance.  Vessels ar e finding it difficult to  access the port of Conakry 
owing to the presence of numerous wrecks.  The Government has begun to modernize airport and 
harbour infrastructure. 
52. The main objective in the area of transport (a ir, maritime and land) is to improve traffic 
conditions in order to facilitate travel and prov ide greater safety for passengers and their luggage. 
(a) Air transport 
53. The following measures have been taken in this subsector: 
- Opening of Conakry International Airport to round-the-clock traffic; 
- coordination of security services at Conakry Airport; 
- streamlining of formalities for passengers and for goods transit; 
- increasing the traffic at Conakry International Airport by more than 30 per cent; 
- implementation of the Yamoussoukro Deci sion concerning the liberalization of 
access to air transport markets in Africa; Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 15 
 
 
 - multiple designation of instruments for the operation of traffic rights; 
- allowing airlines to operate on several frequencies; 
- granting of fifth-freedom traffic rights to airlines of the subregion on the basis of 
reciprocity; 
- liberalization of commercial air transport activities; 
- preparation and adoption of implementi ng texts for the Civil Aviation Code. 
54. In the short, medium and long term, the obj ectives for the subsector are the following: 
- Rehabilitation of the airports at Kankan, Labé and N'Zérékoré so that they can 
operate day and night; 
- revision of expired aviation agreements; 
- bolstering of human, financial and material  resources to build up the institutional 
capacity of the subsector's structures; 
- revival of the activities of domestic air tran sport operators by promoting local private 
airlines; 
- continued implementation of the master plan  for the development of Conakry Airport 
with a view to increasing incoming and outgoing traffic. 
55. The Government plans to bring regional airpor ts into operation and to build an airport to 
modern standards.  Negotiations are under way w ith several companies to improve service to the 
country. 
(b) Maritime transport 
56. With more than 300 km of coastline, Guin ea is dependent on maritime transport for 
approximately 95 per cent of its foreign trade. 
57. The short-term objectives for the maritime transport subsector are to: 
- Improve the performance of the Autonomous  Port of Conakry (PAC) and increase its 
goods traffic activities through the Third Port Project; 
- develop transhipment, internationa l transit, and domestic cabotage; 
- build up the subsector's management capacity; 
- restructure the Maritime Navigation Agency (ANAM), and partially privatize the 
Guinean Shipping Company (SNG); 
- revive river transport on the Niger and Milo rivers; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 16 
  
  - involve national carriers in shipping activities on the basis of partnership with 
a foreign shipping company; 
- create an appropriate specific regulatory framework; 
- draft and adopt all the implementing te xts of the Merchant Marine Code; 
- apply the International Ship and Port F acility Security Code (ISPS Code), which 
entered into force on 1 July 2004. 
58. The agreement signed between the Autonomous Port of Conakry and the Bolloré group 
envisages the building of a new container terminal, on which work has already started, a railroad and 
a dry port in Kagbelen that will decongest the city of truck traffic. 
(c) Land transport 
59. In the short and medium term, the general objectives are to improve the organization of 
Guinean land transport with a view to enhanci ng its performance and taki ng advantage of the new 
opportunities that have emerged in the West African subregion.  Accordingly, the following measures 
are envisaged: 
- Organization and development of road corridor s to promote inter-state transport with 
a view to subregional integration; 
- improvement of the fluidity of road traffic in the city of Conakry; 
- build up the subsector's management capacity; 
- computerization of the management of the country's vehicle fleet and the system for 
the issuing of transport documents (driving licences, registration documents, transport 
authorizations, etc.); 
- enhancement of road safety; 
- preparation and introduction of an action pl an for the gradual improvement of the 
quality of the vehicle fleet; 
- establishment of a system for the collection and processing of statistical data on road 
accidents; 
- creation of a national transport observatory. 
60. The Government has resumed road projects in the capital Conakry and in inland towns.  It 
plans to repair the entire national road network over the medium term. 
(d) Rail transport 
61. Rail transportation on the 662 km-long Conakr y-Kankan line was halted in 1995, chiefly 
because of the obsolescence of the track and rolling stock. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 17 
 
 
 62. Since then the activity of the National Railways Authority of Guinea (ONCFG) has been 
confined to maintaining its property (buildings, locomotives, track).  Its liabilities were settled on 
31 December 2003.  To facilitate  the movement of people, a passenger train (Conakry Express) 
linking the city of Kaloum to the Kagbelen dist rict in the Dubréka commune began operating in 
June 2010. 
63. The chief objective in this subsector remains the revival of rail transport activities with a view 
to facilitating trade and the transport of persons. 
64. To that end, the following activities are planned: 
 In the short and medium term: 
 
- Rehabilitation of the first 36 km with a view  to building a dry port at mileage point 
PK 36/38. 
 In the long term: 
 
- Rehabilitation of the Cona kry-Kankan railroad (662 km2). 
(viii) Telecommunications 
Guinea is one of the few countries not to be c onnected to a fibre optic network, which would 
bring down the cost of telephone communications.  Th e Government has launched a project to link up 
the country to such a network and this is expected to be completed in the very short term.  It has 
started consultations with the stakeholders in th e telephony subsector with a view to improving the 
quality of the service. 
65. The Government's objectives in the field of telecommunications are, inter alia : 
- To improve broadcasting and the use of pos tal and telecommunication tools as well as 
information and communication technologies (ICTs); 
- to provide a public service throughout the c ountry to all segments of the population in 
order to contribute to economic and social development; 
- to promote a policy of wave-band liberalization while ensuring that all technical 
prerequisites for managing and controlling th e use of frequencies allocated to public 
and private radio and televisi on operators have been met; 
- to provide the national economy with mean s of communication based on constantly 
evolving technologies in order to increase its  openness and integration into the world 
economy; 
- to enhance the efficiency of the administrations by modernizing their operations, 
facilitating the establishment of administra tive formalities, and providing citizens 
with more information; 
- to strengthen the educational system thr ough distance learning and computer-assisted 
instruction; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 18 
  
  - to create jobs in the provinces as a means of halting migration from the countryside to 
the capital, by encouraging the dissemination of ICTs throughout the country; 
- to further develop the supply of telephone services, ICTs and postal services, and 
facilitate the broadest possible access to  postal and telecommunications services, 
particularly in rural areas; 
- to develop and diversify the activities of the postal services and consolidate their 
financial viability by introducing appropriat e reforms (modernization of management 
methods, formation of partnerships , and human resources development); 
- to encourage the development of a new ITC-based postal and telecommunications 
services industry capable of responding to  the increasingly diversified needs of 
enterprises, for which the quality of the services supplied and the availability of 
innovative services represent productivity factors. 
66. This will require action to: 
- Strengthen the public service by developing universal access through; 
- individual fixed lines; 
- private telecentres; 
- multi-service community telecentres; 
- mobile phones, prepaid in particular; 
- post offices in rural areas; 
- extend the territorial coverage of postal and telecommunications network 
infrastructure, taking into account the evolution of technologies and the specific 
needs of each category of users; 
- digitalize and boost the capacity of the main transmission lines linking the capital 
with provincial towns; 
- modernize existing telecommunications system s on the basis of the new international 
standards to offer a wide range of services at the lowest possible cost, while ensuring 
a performance level in keeping with the expectations of customers; 
- improve the quality of the services offered to customers by the different network 
operators and service suppliers in order to br ing Guinea's services to the level of most 
other countries in the region; 
- ensure the inter-operation of services and ser vice quality with the rest of the world; 
- improve international internet connectivity; 
- link Guinea to the international informa tion highways, including via submarine 
cables; Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 19 
 
 
 - encourage infrastructure sharing by comp eting operators in order to avoid the 
redundancy of infrastructure, thereby reduc ing overall fixed costs and helping to 
lower the rates for customers; 
- ensure that users and the State are able to  enjoy the full benefits of competition by 
monitoring the operators and making cer tain that their performance matches 
pre-established specifications; 
- provide mandatory telecommunications and expedited mail services throughout the 
country at rates to be determined freely, in  keeping with the public service principle. 
(ix) Tourism 
67. In addition to its considerable potential in mining, energy and agriculture, Guinea also has 
much to offer in the field of tourism.  Noneth eless, tourism remains one of the country's least 
developed activities. 
68. Tourism development is therefore one of the G overnment's priorities.  The Government is 
keen to make Guinea into the W est African destination par excelle nce, hence the need to create a 
hotel and road network that meets the requirements of modern tourism.  The few hotels in operation 
do not meet such standards owing to lack of ma intenance or poor manage ment, and others have 
simply closed down.  The Government has started c onsultations with private partners with a view to 
refurbishing existing facilities and building establishm ents to international standards.  Its main 
objectives in this field are still to see the tourism indus try really take off thanks  to the development of 
an integrated tourism package that conveys a be tter image of destination Guinea and improves the 
sector's contribution to the acceleration of national growth. 
69. The other objectives include: 
- Increasing the contribution of tourism to speedier growth by creating jobs and 
mobilizing foreign exchange; 
- encouraging professionals in the sector to invest in Guinea; 
- human resource training; 
- generating jobs with a wide distribution of incomes; 
- encouraging and developing to urist sites and access roads throughout the country. 
(x) Crafts 
70. The Government's objective in this area is to implement the Crafts Development Policy 
Letter . 
71. The Government's promotional activities in this sector remain: 
- The encouragement of initiatives for the creation of trade chambers; 
- implementation of the Crafts Code; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 20 
  
  - implementation of a policy to encourage the creation of crafts villages; 
- increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the Guinean crafts sector; 
- organization of sales exhibitions of Guinean crafts both at home and abroad; 
- creation of stable productive employment. 
V. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT REGIME 
72. Since the State's withdrawal from all economic activities after 1986, the trade sector has 
remained completely liberalized.  Import and expor t operations have been f acilitated and transferred 
to the private sector. 
(i) Imports 
73. On 31 December 2004, the import guarantee progr amme that had been entrusted to the 
Société Générale de Surveillance  (SGS) was terminated.  A new procedure for import and export 
transactions entirely managed by the Guinean national customs administration was adopted by Order No. A/N/2005/00126/MEF/CAB issued on 31 January 2005 by the Minister of the Economy and Finance, and is currently in force. 
74. A service known as the Descriptive Import Application Window ( Guichet Demande 
Descriptive d'Importation ) was thus created within the National Customs Directorate. 
75. For all goods imports of a value exceeding the Guinean franc equivalent of US$2,000, 
a Descriptive Import Application ( Demande Descriptive d'Importation  (DDI)) must be produced. 
76. The DDI Window is responsible for issuing and following up the DDIs. 
- A fee must be paid for the filing of a DDI, the amount of which is determined by 
order of the Minister of the Economy and Finance. 
77. The amount of the fee for filing a DDI for petrol eum products is set at 0.5 per cent of the 
f.o.b. value. 
78. The following imports are exempt from payment of the DDI fee: 
1. Explosives and pyrotechnic products; 2. live animals; 
3. local products and traditional crafts from the ECOWAS countries; 
4. donations by foreign government s or international organizations; 
5. imports by mining companies; 6. imports in connection with gove rnment procurement and projects; 
7. imports by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 21 
 
 
 79. The following imports are exempt from the DDI requirement: 
1. Works of art; 2. current newspapers and periodicals; 3. personal effects and household articles; 
4. postal packages and commercial samples; 
5. gifts and supplies for diplomatic or c onsular missions, as well as United Nations 
agencies; 
6. precious stones and precious metals. 
80. DDIs are valid for a period of six months. 
81. The procedure for filing a DDI via the Nationa l Customs Directorate's DDI Window is as 
follows: 
- Submission of the DDI application form; 
 
- The importer or the importer's approved cust oms agent submits the application form 
signed by the importer to the DDI Window, together with the following documents: 
 A detailed pro forma invoice; 
 the importer's tax registration certificate (NIF code); 
 a bank receipt for payment of the application fee. 
- Admissibility of the application; 
 
- Once the application has been submitted, th e documents are examined by a specialist 
who, if the application is admissible, signs  the form and hands over the file to the 
Head of the Window, who is responsible for the final authorization.  If the application 
is rejected, it is returned to the customer. 
- Preparation of the DDI; 
- The DDI must be completed in six copies: 
 The original; 
 the "importer" copy; 
 the "bank" copy (as appropriate); 
 the "Ministry of Trade" copy; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 22 
  
   the "Customs Administration" copy; 
 the "file" copy. 
- Signing of the DDI; 
- The completed DDI is signed by: 
 The importer; 
 the servicing bank for DDIs involving a financial settlement; 
 the Head of the DDI Window. 
- Registration of the DDI and distribution of the copies; 
 
 The signed DDI is registered by the examining specialist, who immediately 
turns over the original and the "i mporter" copy to the customer; 
 the "Ministry of Trade" copy is sent to  the National Directorate for Trade and 
Competition by mail; 
 the "Customs Administration" copy is mailed to the customs import office for 
assessment and settlement; 
 the "file" copy is placed in the file opened for the purpose at the DDI 
Window. 
82. DDIs are required for imports of goods with an f.o.b. value exceeding US$2,000.  Goods 
whose f.o.b. value exceeds US$5,000 are subject in a ddition to pre-shipment inspection of quantity, 
quality and price. 
83. As in all other countries, the import into Gu inea of products that are hazardous to human 
health is prohibited.  The import of strategic goods  linked to State security (firearms, ammunition, 
explosives, etc.) is subject to a special authorization. 
(ii) Exports 
84. As in the case of imports, export licences, wh ich had been mandatory, have been abandoned 
and replaced by Descriptive Export Applications ( Demandes Descriptives d'Exportation  (DDE)).  
Thus, all Guinean goods exports, whatever their dest ination, have been liberalized since the major 
reforms launched in 1986.  They are exempt fro m all taxes with the exception of mining products, 
which are subject to the payment of the duties speci fied in the individual agreements concluded with 
the mining companies. 
85. As regards products such as coffee, exporters pa y their federations a fee of US$13 per tonne.  
This fee is used to finance sectoral-promotion activities. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 23 
 
 
 VI. LEGAL AND REGULATORY TRADE POLICY FRAMEWORK 
(i) Domestic laws and regulations governin g the implementation of trade policy 
86. The economic reforms carried out in Guinea since the end of the 1980s represent an 
irreversible commitment to the full liberalization of  Guinean trade.  Export, import and distribution 
activities therefore remain deregulated. 
87. The Government's determination to transfer all trade activities to the private sector is clearly 
reflected in the different legal texts. 
88. The Constitution is the supreme law in Guinea.  Legislative power is vested in the National 
Transitional Council, which passes laws pending the par liamentary elections to be held at the end of 
the year.  The President of the Republic promulgates and ratifies them.  He is also vested with the 
authority to negotiate and conclude  international agreements.  He ma y delegate that authority to a 
minister or to any other member of the Executive. 
89. Where there is a need to amend legislation in order to bring it into conformity with the 
provisions of an agreement, it is the National As sembly that passes a law authorizing such an 
amendment. 
90. In Guinea, as in a number of other countri es, trade policy is implemented by several 
institutions and executive bodies of the Government. 
91. The Ministry of Trade is the main body in charge  of trade policy in Guinea, and is responsible 
for submitting the relevant draft laws where necessary.   Since Guinea is a signa tory to the instruments 
of the Organization for the Harmonization of Busi ness Law in Africa (OHADA), all laws governing 
trade in Guinea have been harmonized with t hose determined by OHADA, more specifically: 
- The law on free competition and pricing policy; 
- the law on weights and measures; 
- the law on tourism. 
(ii) Formulation and review of trade policy 
92. The Ministry of Trade is responsible for th e planning, formulation, implementation and 
administration of Guinea's trade policy.  Trade laws  are drafted by this Ministry (in cooperation with 
other ministries), then submitted to the le gislature for consideration and a vote. 
93. The Ministry of Trade prepares trade policy measures in consultation with: 
- The private sector as represented by its different support and promotion bodies 
(Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Craf ts of Guinea;  National Chamber of 
Agriculture of Guinea;  Guinean Nationa l Employers Council;  Guinean Traders' 
Association;  Guinean Foreign Investor s' Club;  National Union of Guinean 
Industrialists, etc.); 
- the other competent institutions, i.e. th e Ministry of the Economy and Finance 
(National Customs Directorate);  Ministry of Planning;  Ministry of Cooperation;  WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 24 
  
  Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Water Resources and Forests;  Ministry of 
Fisheries and Aquaculture;  and the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea; 
- the Guinean National Committe e for International Trade Negotiations, which advises 
the Government on negotiations; 
- civil society through its various structures, i.e. the National Council of Civil Society 
Organizations (CNOSC), research centres, and universities. 
(iii) Bilateral, multilateral, regional and preferential trade agreements 
94. Having opted for a liberal economy, Guinea is continuing to create the conditions necessary 
for its harmonious integration into the world economy by developing its trade relations and 
diversifying its trading partners. 
95. To that end, it has concluded the following agreements: 
- The Agreement Establishing the WTO; 
- the ECOWAS Treaty;  and 
- the Mano River Union. 
96. Guinea is a signatory to the Cotonou Econom ic Partnership Agre ement between the 
European Union and the ACP countries.  Like the ot her countries of the West African Region, it is 
currently negotiating the economic aspects of th e Agreement through the economic partnership 
agreements (EPAs) which provided for the establishment of a free-trade area between the ACP countries and the European Union as of 2008. 
97. However, pending the entry into force of th is Agreement, Guinean goods exports to the 
EU market and the OECD countries continue to en ter on a non-reciprocal duty- and tax-free basis. 
98. As an original Member of the WTO, Guinea attaches to its membership the importance it 
deserves.  It remains convinced that the WTO Agreements will serve as a basis for increasing the 
share in global trade of developing countri es in general, and of LDCs in particular. 
99. Hence, Guinea sincerely hopes that the Doha Round negotiations in the WTO and the 
EPA negotiations with the EU will ultimately succeed  in boosting the share of developing countries in 
general and of LDCs in particular in world trade,  as this is the only way of reducing poverty in these 
countries. 
100. This means that the development dimension must  be placed at the centre of the negotiations.  
It also means that the developed country partne rs must fulfil all the commitments they have 
undertaken in favour of the developing countries in  terms of special and differential treatment and 
comprehensive implementation of all the WTO Agreements.  These commitments must benefit the 
economies of developing countries, and the declinin g number and erosion of all the other preferences 
acquired by these countries must be reversed. 
101. With this in mind, Guinea intends, through the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related 
Technical Assistance to LDCs, to adopt a stra tegy aimed at building up its capacity to supply 
internationally competitiv e and exportable products. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 25 
 
 
 102. Guinea is also a founding member of the Economic Community of West African 
States (ECOWAS).  However, for more than a decad e now this organization has been hampered by 
geographical instability in the subregion, and its  role as a vehicle of economic integration has 
consequently been overshadowed by concern fo r stability and the mainte nance of peace in the 
subregion, and continues to be so w ith the recent outbreak of new conflicts. 
103. The same is true for the Mano River Union, but with the end of the war in Sierra Leone and 
Liberia, its contours and activities are gradually being restored.  In the circumstances, Guinea's objective is to ensure that economic priorities retu rn to the forefront of subregional concerns as a 
matter of urgency.  To that end, Guinea is seeking to revive the political will needed to restore the 
raison d'être  of these two groupings and their role as vehicles of economic integration. 
104. This is all the more important in that the EPA s currently being negotiated with the EU must 
be concluded with a united West African Regi on established as a customs union with common 
policies in all areas of economic activity. 
105. It should also be noted that Guinea has conclude d standard bilateral trade agreements with a 
number of countries.  These agreements provide  for most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment and do 
not grant any particular tariff preferences.  Th e countries in question are Guinea-Bissau, China, 
Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, the Gambia, Iran and Ukraine. 
106. In April 1997 Guinea concluded a trade and tari ff agreement with Morocco providing for total 
exemption from tariffs and taxes with equivalent effect for certain Guinean and Moroccan products 
traded between the two countries and included in Sc hedules 1 and 2.  The products covered by this 
agreement are those originating entirely in one of the two countries or having undergone a degree of 
processing of at least 40 per cent. 
107. Guinea was also one of the first countries to accede to the Global System of Trade 
Preferences (GSTP) Among Developing Countries.  In  addition, it signed the Agreement Establishing 
the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) as well as the International Coffee Agreement (ICA).  It is 
among the 37 countries of sub-Saharan Africa that  are eligible under the African Growth and 
Opportunity Act (AGOA). 
VII. IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE POLICY 
(i) Trade policy measures applied by Guinea 
108. The new Guinean customs tariff is aligned with the Common External Tariff (CET) of the 
West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). 
109. In the context of the gradual integration of its economy into the subregional economy and the 
world economy, Guinea adopted the harmonized WAEMU CET in January 2005. 
110. Unlike the former customs tariff, the new ta riff is based on the 2002 version of the World 
Customs Organization's Harmonized System. 
111. It includes an entry column for impor ts and an exit column for exports. 
112. The levies covered by these columns are the fiscal import duty (DFI) upon entry, and the 
fiscal export duty (DFE). WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 26 
  
  113. The goods are grouped into four categories: 
- Category 0 , with a 0 per cent tax , which concerns basic commodities of a social 
character (health, education, culture and information) as well as equipment and inputs 
for agriculture, livestock farming, and fisheries; 
- Category I , with a 5 per cent tax , which concerns staples, unprocessed raw 
materials, and capital goods; 
- Category II , with a 10 per cent tax , which concerns semi-finished products and 
industrial inputs; 
- Category III , with a 20 per cent tax , which concerns final consumer goods not 
included in the preceding categories, such as luxury goods. 
114. The DFE rates are as follows: 
- 0 per cent  for all agricultural and industrial  goods harvested or manufactured in 
Guinea; 
- 3 per cent  for gold and diamond exports; 
- 2 per cent  for re-exports of goods of foreign origin previously imported against 
payment of import duties and taxes in Guinea. 
115. The DFE rates applied to mining products are set forth in the individual agreements signed 
with the mining companies. 
116. The new tariff includes permanent levies and temporary levies. 
- Permanent levies:  regardless of the DFI applicable, goods imported into Guinea are 
subject to the following permanent levies: 
(a) a processing and assessment fee (RTL) of 2 per cent; (b) a supplementary tax ( Centime Additionnel ) for the Chamber of Commerce, 
Industry and Crafts of Guinea and the National Chamber of Agriculture, amounting to 0.25 per cent; 
(c) value added tax (VAT) at a rate of 18 per cent; 
(d) the ECOWAS community levy (PC) of 0.5 per cent; 
- excise duty for certain items considered to  be luxury goods or the consumption of 
which is discouraged by the State under its public health policy.  The excise duty is a 
consumption tax.  It is payable on both lo cally produced and imported goods.  Excise 
duty rates vary between 5 and 45 per cent.  A list of products subject to excise duty 
has been published. 
- Temporary levies:  under the heading of temporary duties (DT), the new Guinean 
tariff includes the degressive protection tax (TDP) and the special import tax.  The Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 27 
 
 
 TDP aims to encourage and protect domestic  industrial production endeavours.  Thus, 
based on the objective capacity of certain i ndustrial units to cover a certain proportion 
of domestic demand, the products manufactured  by such units are subject, in addition 
to the regular duties and taxes, to an import tax ranging from 10 to 15 per cent 
depending on the product. 
117. The list of products subject to the TDP and th e special import tax has also been published. 
118. The new tariff also provides for special treatme nt of certain products, which are exempt from 
VAT upon importation, namely: 
- Rice; 
- wheat flour; 
- edible and industrial vegetable oils; 
- equipment and inputs for agriculture, fisheries and livestock farming; 
- school supplies; 
- medicaments; 
- wheat. 
119. Pursuant to the provisions of agreements or c ontracts concluded by States, Guinea's new tariff 
allows total or partial relief from customs duties fo r certain clearance operations.  The main categories 
of exemption currently applied by Guinea in this respect are: 
- Customs and tax concessions under the Invest ment Code;  taxes under the Code are 
assessed as follows: 
- Raw materials :  single import duty, 6 per cent;  RTL, 2 per cent;  VAT, 18 per cent; 
- equipment :  RTL, 2 per cent;  registration fee, 0.50 per cent. 
- tax and customs concessions under the Mining Code. 
120. Here, a distinction is drawn between three phases:   prospecting, investment, and exploitation. 
 Taxes are assessed as follows: 
 
- Prospecting :  total exemption or free temporary admission against payment of a 
simple administrative fee; 
- investment :  payment of the registration fee of 0.50 per cent and the administrative 
fee only; 
- exploitation :  payment of the single import duty, at a rate of 5.6 per cent; WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 28 
  
  - externally financed government procurement and projects ; 
In this area, the RTL (2 per cent) and VAT (18 per cent) are paid by the selected 
tenderer.  The other duties and taxes are pa id by the State through a Special Series 
Treasury Cheque (CTSS). 
- Donations to the State or its authorities ; 
In-kind donations to the State are fully exempt. 
- Donations to refugees ; 
Donations to refugees are fully exempt. 
- Imports by NGOs ; 
NGO imports are subject only to the RTL (2 per cent) and VAT (18 per cent). 
- Bilateral trade agreements ; 
Guinea has a trade and tariff agreement with  Morocco only.  Under that agreement, 
goods originating in Morocco that are listed in the schedule annexed to the agreement are subject, upon importation into Guinea, only to the RTL (2 per cent) and VAT (18 per cent). 
- Pre-shipment inspection and customs valuation ; 
Pre-shipment inspection of goods being imported into Guinea, formerly carried out 
by the SGS, has now been abolished. 
121. The competent authorities have already taken th e necessary steps to apply, in Guinea, the 
WTO transaction value to imports.  This involved th e creation of a valuation office with a valuation 
file, staff training, and regulatory and legislativ e amendments.  Thus, instead of the Brussels 
Definition of Value (BDV), Guinea now applies the transaction value. 
 (a) The new Guinean customs tariff, ali gned with the WAEMU CET, will have an 
unquestionable impact both at the national le vel (social, economic, budgetary), and at 
the regional level. 
 (b) Indeed, the new tariff gives priority to the social sectors (health, education, 
information, and culture), classifying the re levant products in Category 0 with a DFI 
of 0 per cent. 
122. From an economic standpoint, the new tariff c ontributes to the harmonious development of 
the industrial and agricultural production sectors, with a domestic industry protection tax in keeping 
with the relevant WTO provisions. 
123. The documents required for customs transactions are the Tax Statement (BDT), the purchase 
invoice, the bill of lading or the airway bill, the DDI or the DDE, the certificate of origin and, where applicable, the phytosanitary certificate. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 29 
 
 
 VIII.  CURRENT TRADE LIBERALIZATION PROGRAMME 
124. The policy of trade liberalization, introduced in 1986 - a year of major economic reforms in 
Guinea - as one of the first measures taken by the Go vernment, has been pursued  since Guinea's first 
WTO Trade Policy Review in 1999.  The progra mmes for the privatization of State-owned 
commercial enterprises have continued to the point where today, there are practically no commercial 
enterprises in the State's portfolio and the transfer to the private sector of all commercial functions 
formerly exercised by the State can be said to be complete. 
125. To further liberalize trade, the Guinean G overnment has enacted a law on competition and 
free pricing.  The law aims to monitor any infringe ments of free trade practices, such as agreements, 
mergers, takeovers, withholding of  stocks, monopolies and oligopolies. 
IX. ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAMME 
126. During the years that followed its first WTO Trade Policy Review in 1999, Guinea continued 
to deepen its economic reforms in cooperation with  its main bilateral and multilateral development 
partners.  This enabled it to move  forward in improving its macroec onomic results in comparison with 
the pre-1999 period thanks to reforms implemente d pursuant to its commitment to liberalization 
clearly expressed by the President of the Republic, General Lansana Conte, in his historic keynote 
address of 22 December 1985. 
127. Thus, in an endeavour to stabilize the economy and achieve sustainable growth, improve the 
payments situation, and in general to provide the people of Guinea with a high standard of living in 
the years ahead, the Prime Minister used his 2011 keynote speech to establish as the Government's 
development policy priority the restoration of the major macroeconomic balances disrupted by the 
severe crisis that hit Guinea in 2003.  This is to be achieved by: 
- Improving the performance of public wate r, electricity and telephone services; 
- improving governance and fighting corruption; 
- combating HIV/AIDS. 
128. To attain these objectives, th e Government will seek to: 
- Restore public finances by re-establishing monetary and budgetary discipline; 
- take the requisite measures to reach the completion point under the HIPC Initiative so 
that Guinea can benefit from the cancellation of its foreign debt; 
- adopt the measures needed for the resump tion of budget aid, in particular the 
cooperation programmes with th e Bretton Woods Institutions; 
- control inflation and the depreciation of th e Guinean franc against foreign currencies. WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
Page 30 
  
  X. IMPORT AND EXPORT TRENDS 
(1) I MPORTS  
129. It must be recognized that Guinean imports of  different products have continued on a strong 
upward trend since the liberalization of trade in the country.  This trend is primarily due to the fact 
that most of the country's consumer needs are bei ng met through imports, but it is also fuelled by the 
Government's trade liberalization measures such as th e elimination of exchange controls and of import 
licensing. 
(2) E XPORTS  
130. The continued policy of promoting and developi ng Guinean exports remains one of the main 
thrusts of the new trade strategy developed in the framework of Guinea's implementation of Phase II 
of the pilot project under the Integrated Framewor k for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to LDCs. 
131. Indeed, Guinea has been able to  enjoy the financial benefits of this cooperation programme 
among the six international agencies - the World Bank, UNDP, IMF, ITC, WTO and UNCTAD - through: 
 (a) The conduct of a diagnostic study of the competitiveness of the Guinean economy, 
which led to the establishment of a priority action matrix to help identify the chain of 
constraints to be overcome in orde r to promote and develop exports; 
 (b) the identification and implementation of three priority projects involving: 
- the strengthening of Guinea's negotiati ng capacity in order to facilitate its 
participation in the multilateral trading system; 
- institutional support for th e development of exports; 
- the development of agricultural e xports with a high poverty reduction 
capacity. 
 (c) In addition to these projects, the developm ent partners have already started to finance 
other projects identified in the action matrix , notably in the areas of trade facilitation 
(support for the Guinean Customs in acquiring ASYCUDA++ and for the 
Autonomous Port of Conakry in stepping  up port security), and standardization. 
132. For the Guinean Government in cooperati on with its development partners, these 
three projects together with other programmes are now crucial in supporting its poverty-reduction 
strategy. 
133. The actions identified in this action matrix have  now been incorporated in the PRSP in order 
to enable the trade sector to contribute  more effectively to  poverty reduction. 
134. Alongside the implementation of these three pr ojects, the Government is continuing to 
coordinate with donors in an effort to mobilize the financial resources needed to carry out all the 
priority actions identified in the Integrated Fram ework diagnostic study on the competitiveness of the 
Guinean economy. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
 Page 31 
 
 
 XI. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY GUINEAN PRODUCTS IN FOREIGN MARKETS 
135. Guinean exports are more than 85 per cent dependent on mining products and are seriously 
affected by: 
- Price fluctuations affecting such products in  foreign markets.  The same applies for 
coffee and cocoa, which are Guinea's main exports after mining products; 
- the regulations and standards (sanitary a nd phytosanitary as well as other technical 
barriers to trade) applied by some of Guinea's trading partners; 
- the deficiencies in economic infrastructure and human resources. 
136. Special mention should be made of cotton in this connection.  Indeed, the impact of the 
decline in international cotton prices is incr easing poverty levels among the population of the 
Haute Guinée region, owing to its heavy dependence on cotton growing. 
137. The fall in world cotton prices triggered a 60 per cent decline in Guinean cotton output 
between 2000 and 2004, which in turn led to the disappearance of a number of producers' cooperatives.  Of the 8,000 that existed in 2000, only about 1,800 are left today.  What we are seeing, 
therefore, is a slow and inexorable demise of cotton farming in Guinea. 
138. To compound matters, Guinean poultry farming,  which was largely dependent on cotton 
by-products (in particular cottonseed cake as poultr y feed), has had its own share of difficulties. 
139. Guinean poultry farmers must now import cott onseed cake from Mali to feed their poultry 
because there is not enough available locally to c over their needs.  These problems have compelled 
many Guinean farmers to abandon their activities and forced them into poverty. 
140. Unfortunately, it is not easy for these cotton farmer s to switch to other crops because the soil 
in these Sudano-Sahelian regions is not suited to a ll crops, and the Government lacks the wherewithal 
to carry out such a conversion without massive aid from its development partners.  These factors have 
dealt a blow to the poverty reduction strategy. 
141. Rapid fulfilment of the commitments and promises  made by the various development partners 
regarding the development aspect of cotton during the WTO trade negotiations could contribute to a 
lasting settlement of the issue. 
142. Although Guinea has been granted preferential treatment by the countries of the North under 
the GSP, these benefits rarely compensate for the damage caused by certain restrictive domestic measures taken in respect of Guinean exports. 
XII. CONCLUSION 
143. This trade policy report provides ample ev idence that Guinea has been unremitting in 
pursuing its economic liberalization programme sinc e it first appeared before the WTO Trade Policy 
Review Body in 1999.  It is determined to cont inue implementing that policy with a view to its 
successful integration into the global economy.  Its key objectives in this respect are to regain the 
international market share once held by Guinean products, ensure the rational organization of 
domestic trade, and improve the country's foreign trade image on the world economic stage.  This 
must all take place in the framework of an open partne rship that is mutually beneficial to all parties. WT/TPR/G/251 Trade Policy Review 
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  144. To that end, it will consistently forge ah ead with the implementation of the various 
programmes drawn up with its development partners in  order to ensure that, in the near future, the 
standard of living in Guinea is among the highest in the region. 
145. The Government will ensure proper mana gement of the country's economy while 
strengthening democracy, respect for human rights, the fight against corruption, and good governance. 
146. Clearly, the challenges facing Guinea are many and complex.  Stringent but necessary 
measures will have to be put in place if they are to be solved. 
147. With this in mind, Guinea intends to take fu ll advantage of all the increased market access 
opportunities offered by the developed countries unde r the different international agreements, in 
particular: 
- The regional and subregional trade ag reements and arrangements (ECOWAS, 
Mano River Union, Organization for the Deve lopment of the Senegal River, etc.); 
- the Cotonou Agreement, through its economic component, i.e. the Economic 
Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union; 
- the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a United States law on 
development and opportunities for Africa; 
- the Agreement Establishing the WTO; 
- the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP); 
- the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP), etc. 
148. To that end and with the support of its  development partners it is seeking to: 
- Build up its production capacity and exportable supply; 
- improve its mechanisms for enforcing the qua lity standards and regulations in effect 
in the importing countries; 
- introduce substantial economic reforms ai med at properly liberalizing the trade 
sector; 
- mobilize the investment needed to build capacity for competitiveness; 
- eliminate the constraints hampering trade growth; 
- build up the capacity of human resources and supporting institutions; 
- develop basic socio-economic infrastructure (water, electricity, roads, 
telecommunications, etc.); 
- act in concert with other countries in the framework of the ongoing WTO and 
EPA negotiations to maintain and conso lidate the preferences already acquired. Guinea WT/TPR/G/251 
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 149. These objectives will require a level of financial support that exceeds the 
Guinean Government's current possi bilities.  Guinea is therefore requesting trade-related technical 
assistance from all its development partners so that it can build up its export capacity by implementing the activities identified in the priority  action matrix of the Integrated Framework for 
Trade-Related Technical Assistance to LDCs.  In th e long term, this will lead to an increase in the 
trade sector's contribution to the creation of wealth and the eradication of poverty in Guinea, which is 
the gateway to strengthening the foundations of democracy in the country. 
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