. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/166 
21 June 2005 
 
 (05-2593) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM 
 
THE PHILIPPINES 
 
Arrangements for Review Meeting
 
 
Communication from the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body  
  
1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of 
the Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 5 a nd 7 July 2005 to conduct the third review of the 
trade policies and practices of the Philippines (WTO/AIR/2585). 
2. This communication sets out arrangements c oncerning the review meeting.  In this 
connection, attention is also drawn to the procedur es for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules 
of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6). 
I. QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING 
3. Members wishing to submit written questions to  the Member under review should do so at 
least one week before the review meeting to allo w time to prepare replies.  For the forthcoming 
review, such questions should therefore be with th e Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariat 
by Tuesday, 28 June 2005, at the latest.  All ques tions submitted will be made available to Members 
at the beginning of the meeting. 
II. ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW 
4. In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate 
that it intends to provide supplementary informa tion, in writing, on specific points raised.  Upon 
receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members. 
III. DISCUSSANT 
5. In consultation with the Member under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review 
Body may choose discussants who, in their pers onal capacity, will introduce the discussions in the 
Body.  H.E. Mr. Burhan Gafoor (Singapore) will act as discussant for the review of the Philippines.  A 
document summarizing the main points to be raised by the discussant will be circulated one week in 
advance of the meeting. 
IV. STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING 
6. Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings: 
(a) appreciation of the full range of the Member's trade policies and practices; WT/TPR/166 
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(b) relevant background:  wider economic a nd developmental needs, including the 
external environment; 
(c) impact of the Member's trade policies and practices on the functioning of the 
multilateral trading system;  and 
(d) general comments by way of assessment and evaluation. 
7. Meetings take place in two sessions.  The first sessi on is devoted to the opening statement by 
the Member under review and the discussant, an d remarks and questions from the floor.  The 
discussion in the second session, when the Member unde r review will reply to questions, is based on 
main themes identified after the opening meeti ng by the Chairperson, the discussant and the 
Secretariat in consultation with the Member. 
V. DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS 
8. Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following 
documents: 
WT/TPR/G/149   Report by the Philippines 
WT/TPR/S/149   The Philippines:  Report by the Secretariat 
9. The press embargo for the review of the Philippines will end at 12.00 GMT (14.00 Geneva 
time) on 5 July 2005. 
VI. MINUTES 
10. Minutes of the meeting will be circulated prom ptly and will be publishe d together with the 
reports by the Philippines and the Secretariat. 
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