WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/TPR/296 
19 June 2012 
 (12-3047) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
 
SINGAPORE 
 
Arrangements for Review Meeting 
 
Communication from the Chairperson of  the Trade Policy Review Body 
 
 
1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and A nnex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of 
the Trade Policy Review Body is sch eduled for 24 and 26 July 2012 to conduct the sixth review of the 
trade policies and practices of Singapore (WTO/AIR/3944). 
2. This communication sets out arrangements c oncerning the review meeting.  In this 
connection, attention is also drawn to the pro cedures for the conduct of reviews contained in the 
revised rules of procedure of the Trad e Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3). 
3. Members' attention is drawn to Singapore' s use of the "alternative" timeframe for 
submission of written questions and responses (see below).  
I. QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS 
4. Members wishing to submit written questions  to the Member under review should do so 
at least four weeks before the review meeting to allow replies to be submitted one week prior to 
the first session of the meeting .  For the forthcoming review, such questions should therefore be with 
the Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariat (tprd@wto.org) by 5.30 p.m., 
Tuesday, 26 June 2012 , at the latest.  All questions submitted will be made available to Members one 
week prior to the meeting. 
5. In line with the results of the 4th Appraisal of the TPRM (WT/MIN(11)/6, paragraph 27.2.b 
and Annex 2), Members are reminded that they should group their written questions into the 
following three categories so as to facilitate responses :  those related to the Secretariat report (with a 
reference to relevant paragraph numbers);  those concerning the G overnment report (with a reference 
to relevant paragraph numbe rs);  and other questions. 
6. The Secretariat shall identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least 
four weeks before a review meeting, post them  on the Members' Website one week before the 
meeting, and distribute a revised list of main points during the first session of a review when 
questions received after the four-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues.  The main points 
may be found on the Members' Website under "WTO Resources". 
II. ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW 
7. Answers by the Member under review should be distributed in writing;  advance questions 
submitted by the four-week deadline before the start of the TPRB review should be answered in WT/TPR/296 
Page 2  
 
  writing by the Member under review one week prior to the start of the meeting (17 July 2012).  
Written answers will be made available on the Members' Website four working days prior to 
the meeting (18 July 2012) .  Questions posed subsequently s hould be answered, to the extent 
possible, before the start of the second session of th e meeting.  Questions left unanswered at the end 
of the second session should be answered in writing no later than one month after the meeting with 
some latitude in the Chair's discretion for Memb ers reviewing a very large number of questions. 
8. In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate 
that it intends to provide supplementary informa tion, in writing, on specific points raised.  Upon 
receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members. 
III. DISCUSSANT 
9. In consultation with the Member under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review 
Body may choose discussants who, in their pers onal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the 
Body.  H.E. Mr. John Adank (New Zealand) will act as discussant for the review of Singapore.  
IV. STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 
10. Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings: 
(a) appreciation of the full range of the Member's trade policies and practices; 
(b) relevant background:  wider economic a nd developmental needs, including the 
external environment; 
(c) impact of the Member's trade policies and practices on the functioning of the 
multilateral trading system;  and 
(d) general comments by way of assessment and evaluation. 
11. Meetings take place in two sessions.  The first session is devoted to the opening statements by 
the Member under review and the discussant, an d remarks and questions from the floor.  The 
discussion in the second session, when the Member unde r review will reply to questions, is based on 
main themes identified after the opening meeti ng by the Chairperson, the discussant and the 
Secretariat in consultation with the Member. 
12. The speakers list will follow the order in which que stions are received by the Secretariat with 
precedence given to Ambassadors present and asking for the floor. 
V. DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
13. Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents: 
WT/TPR/G/267   Report by Singapore 
WT/TPR/S/267   Singapore:  Report by the Secretariat 
14. The press embargo for the review of Singapore  will end at 2.00 p.m. Geneva time on 
24 July 2012.  WT/TPR/296 
 Page 3 
 
 
  VI. RECORD OF THE MEETING 
15. The record of the meeting will be circulated as a draft to Members for comments on their own 
statements and placed on the WTO website. 
__________