WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/M/166 
29 August 2006 
 
 (06-4069) 
Trade Policy Review Body 
3 and 5 July 2006  
 
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
TOGO 
 
Minutes of Meeting  
 
Chairperson:  HE Ms Claudia Uribe (Colombia) 
 
 
 
Page 
 
I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 3  
II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TOGO 4  
III. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 5  
IV. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 6  
V. REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TOGO AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 9  
VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 12  
 
 
 
     
 
    
 
   
  
 
Note: Advance written questions by WTO Members and the replies provided by Togo are 
reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/166/Ad d.1 and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english /tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm  
  WT/TPR/M/166 
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  I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1. At the opening of the meeting on the second review of Togo's trade policy, held on 3 and 
5 July 2006, the Chairperson (HE Ms Claudia Urib e) welcomed the delegation of Togo, led by the 
Minister HE Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, and th e discussant Mr Gunther Sleeuwagen, who as usual 
would speak in his personal capacity and not as a representative of his country.  In accordance with 
the established procedures, he had made availabl e in advance a broad outline of the themes he 
intended to raise (document WT/TPR/D/142). 
2. The Chairperson recalled the purpose of Trade Po licy Reviews and the main elements of the 
meeting's procedure.  The report by the Gove rnment of Togo was contained in document 
WT/TPR/G/166, and that of the WTO Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/166.  Copies of advance 
written questions submitted by  Japan,  the European  Union,  Canada, and the United States had been 
transmitted to the delegation of Togo. 
3. The Chairperson observed that as highlighted in the documents prepared for the meeting, 
economic growth in Togo – a le ast developed country (LDC) – ha d been achieved thanks to its 
macroeconomic stabilization programme and a cert ain number of strutural reforms, including its 
important privatization programme.  However, this had not prevented the continuing decline in per 
capita income.  The main factors impacting the econo mic situation had been the deterioration in the 
fiscal balances as well as the fact that donors had been absent and domestic and foreign investment had declined.  Togo had not yet taken all of the me asures required to normalize  its relations with its 
development partners and to take advantage of a number of bilate ral and multilateral debt reduction 
initatives.  However, the macroeconomic stabilizati on and structural reform programme had enabled it 
to launch a number of privatization schemes. 
4. In 2000, Togo had adopted the WAEMU Common External Tariff, enabling it to reduce the 
average MFN applied rate from 16.5 per cent in 1998 to 12.2 per cent in 2005.  However, unprocessed 
agricultural products were subject to considerab le tariff protection, providing little incentive for 
processing such products locally.  Moreoever, a whol e series of other duties and taxes were applied, 
and Togo's participation in the multilateral trad ing system essentially remained limited to the 
ministerial conferences.  Togo did not have a miss ion in Geneva, and had tr ouble fully meeting its 
Uruguay Round commitments.  In that respect, it could benefit from a trade-related technical assistance programme as proposed by the Secretariat in its report. WT/TPR/M/166 
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  II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TOGO 
5. After expressing his thanks, the representative of Togo
 stressed that through its participation 
in the trade policy review mechanism, his country w as determined to contribute to the efforts of the 
WTO Secretariat to ensure greater  transparency, predictability, and justice in the multilateral trading 
system. 
6. Citing the different rounds of trade negotiations, he noted that the international community's 
goal was ever increasing liberalization of trade ac tivities through the progressive reduction of customs 
duties and non-tariff barriers so as to facilitate market access for everybody wi thin the framework of 
the multilateral trading system and globalization. 
7. He recalled the objective of the trade policy review, namely to help WTO Members to 
observe more closely the rules and principles set out in the WTO Agreement and to acquire a better 
understanding of each Member's trade legislation and practices.  The trade policy review also contributed to the proper functioning of the multilateral trading system on a transparent and predictable basis.  Each member had to undergo such  a review periodically in order to guarantee this 
transparency and predictability in the implementation of its trade policies and to assess the impact of 
those policies on the multilateral trading system. 
8. Togo's second review, initially scheduled for Oc tober 2005, had been postponed owing to the 
political events that had affected the country during th e first half of 2005.  This review aimed to make 
Togo's legislation, policies, practices, objectives and pr ospects in the trade area more readable.  As an 
original Member of the WTO, Togo was in th e process of consolidating the reforms already 
introduced, speeding up those that were under way, a nd endeavouring to adapt its trade legislation and 
practices to its needs in terms of development and eff ective participation in world trade.  To that end, 
Togo needed the support and technical assistance of WTO Members and of its development partners in order to complete the implem entation of the reforms undertaken.  WT/TPR/M/166 
 Page 5 
 
 
  III. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
9. The discussant  drew attention to the relative importance of the sectors in Togo's economy, 
and provided an overview of its multilateral commitm ents.  He asked Togo what measures it intended 
to take in order to reduce its de pendence on foreign aid, and its vi ews on the future merger between 
the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Economic Community of West 
African States (ECOWAS). 
10. With respect to trade policy instruments, the discussant commended Togo for adopting the 
WAEMU Common External Tariff.  He asked for clarification concerning the import inspection system currently in operation.  He drew attention to the relatively high level of protection given to 
agricultural products to the detriment of their comp etitiveness, and he asked for further details on the 
operation of the free zone regime. 
11. The discussant pointed out the existence of  a special tax on beverage manufacture and 
marketing which favoured domestic products, and asked  if the authorities had any plans to eliminate 
this discrimination.  He called upon the authorities to  make firm commitments in favour of intellectual 
property protection. 
12. The discussant asked for clarifications on T ogo's agricultural policy goals.  He advocated 
diversification of the cotton, phosphates and electric ity sectors.  He noted that the authorities should 
make further commitments under the GATS, and that  sectors such as tourism and transportation could 
play a role in Togo's economic development. 
13. Finally, he stressed that this exercise would contribute to Togo's economic development.  He 
argued in favour of strengthening t echnical cooperation and asked the authorities to clearly articulate 
the key sectors involved and the country's technical assistance needs. WT/TPR/M/166 
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  IV. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
14. The representative of Japan
 highlighted his country's development aid to Africa under the 
Tokyo International Conference on African Deve lopment (TICAD), and its participation in the 
ministerial meetings of the African Union.  He drew attention to the de velopment initiatives launched 
prior to the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, wh ich not only offered production and marketing 
assistance, but also granted better market access.  He mentioned the technical assistance provided 
through official development assistance with the training of Togolese managers in trade and 
investment. 
15. The representative of Japan commended Togo for the structural reforms it had implemented 
and stressed the importance of trade for its economy .  He urged the authorities to finalize the Poverty 
Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) as quickly as po ssible so that Togo could be eligible for the 
enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.  Normalization of relations between 
Togo and donors, and socio-political stability, were  essential to the country's sustainable economic 
growth.  He asked for further information on the conformity of the special tax on the manufacture and 
marketing of beverages with Article III of the GAT T 1994, and of the charge for the inspection and 
verification of imported goods with Article VIII.  He encouraged the authorities to extend the 
coverage of Togo's tariff bindings, and requested  further information on the services sector (tourism 
and financial services in particular). 
16. The representative of the European Union (EU) congratulated Togo for having maintained its 
structural reforms and its economic stabilization pr ogramme in spite of the difficult period that the 
country was going through, and noted with satis faction the positive growth forecasts.  The EU 
encouraged Togo to further open up and to diversif y its economy, to improve its competitiveness, and 
to deepen its regional integration.  He also urged Togo to pursue its reforms with a view to 
consolidating its economic governance and to improving the private sector environment, the transport 
system (in particular ports and transit), and its financial and telecommunications systems.  These 
reforms should be conducted in the framework of  the ECOWAS and WAEMU integration process.  
Better implementation of the community provisions, particularly in areas such as competition policy, 
would facilitate the development of the Togolese econom y and the diversification of its export base.  
He stressed the need to strengthen trade-related institutional capacity and the judicial system, and 
noted that Togo only partially applied the rules of  the Organization for the Harmonization of African 
Business Law (OHADA). 
17. Togo, together with other West African count ries, was negotiating the Economic Partnership 
Agreement (EPA) with the EU.  It was eligible fo r the preferences granted under the "Everything but 
Arms" initiative.  The EU intended to strengthen tec hnical cooperation with Togo.  In spite of the 
suspension of financial cooperation, the EU cont ributed to a technical assistance scheme operational 
since April 2006, in the framework of a regional pr oject aimed at building the capacity of the ACP 
countries in the area of trade policy formulation, negotiation and implementation.  While aid was no 
substitute for trade and investment as the main dr iving force behind developm ent, Togo should launch 
the reforms needed to develop the proper conditions at home, particularly in the area of governance.  
It was important to incorporate trade aspects, partic ularly the diversification of exports, in the final 
version of the PRSP.  The EU representative asked Togo to describe the measures to ensure synergy 
between trade and sustainable development.  It was im portant to ensure that trade became a real tool 
for the promotion of economic growth , development, and poverty reduction. 
18. The representative of Benin  highlighted the efforts undertaken by Togo, as an LDC, to 
improve its legislative and regulatory framework a nd the investment climate.  He noted the main 
sectors (agriculture, mining, energy, finance, ba nking and insurance, telecommunications, industrial 
free zone, trade, and transportation) in which the pr incipal reforms had taken place.  He called for an 
increase in technical assistance and capacity-building programmes for Togo.  WT/TPR/M/166 
 Page 7 
 
 
  19. The representative of Brazil  welcomed the progress made within the WAEMU, particularly 
the introduction of a common trade policy and the progressive liberalization of intra-Community trade.  He noted the importance of the Port of Lomé, which could transform Togo into a trade hub for 
West Africa and a centre for the production and export of various products.  His government was 
familiar with the problems facing Togo in its effo rts to integrate into the world economy and the 
multilateral trading system.  He stressed that tour ism and the extraction of natural resources could 
become important focal points for foreign direct investment, thereby contributing to poverty reduction 
and sustainable economic and human development.  He  referred to the cotton issue to illustrate the 
inequalities of the multilateral trading system, as we ll as certain trade practices which undermined the 
efforts made by the LDCs to strengthen and diversify their production bases, speed up their 
development, and combat poverty. 
20. The Brazilian representative pointed to the suppor t measures introduced by certain developed 
countries that continued to cause serious prejudice to the countries of Central and West Africa.  If the international community was to contribute to deve lopment, it had to open up its markets, and above 
all eliminate the massive subsidies affecting product s of particular interest to the LDCs, such as 
cotton. 
21. The representative Burkina Faso
 commended Togo for its effort s to overcome its difficult 
political and economic situation.  He stressed  the good-neighbourly and cooperative relationship 
between Togo and Burkina Faso and their comm on difficulties as LDCs and members of WAEMU 
and ECOWAS, and he appealed to the development partners for their support, particularly through 
technical assistance. 
22. The representative of the Separate Customs Te rritory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
(Chinese Taipei) noted that Togo's economic growth in real terms had been modest, with a decrease in 
GDP per capita and hence an increase in poverty.  Socio-political stability was needed in order to 
pursue the reforms required to bolster economic grow th and reduce poverty.  These reforms needed to 
be intensified if Togo was to achieve sustained grow th in priority areas such  as the agricultural sector, 
trade and investment.  They must also aim to boost productivity, promote good governance, and make 
Togo more competitive at the regional level.  The development of port services through privatization 
and the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework to enhance the transparency and 
predictability of the trade regime a nd diversify exports shoul d help to attract more foreign investment.  
After providing a number of statistics on bilateral trad e (between the two countries), he stated that he 
was convinced that cooperation (in particular in the areas of investment and market access) and trade 
between the two countries were bound to increase in the years to come. 
23. The representative of Cote d'Ivoire  stressed the importance of the trade policy reviews for the 
development of national trade policies.  He welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Togolese 
authorities to revive the economy, and reaffirmed the need to continue those efforts.  He highlighted the difficult situation that Togo was having to fa ce without financial aid from the international 
community. 
24. The representative of Senegal
 noted the links between Togo and his country and their 
common problems as LDCs and members of WA EMU and ECOWAS.  He urged the Togolese 
authorities to finalize and validate the PRSP in order to  be eligible for the enhanced HIPC initiative.  
He called for increased technical and financial assist ance to enable Togo to pursue its reforms and 
promote its economic and social development. 
25. The representative of the United States  noted that the socio-political  events of the past few 
years had hampered Togo's development.  He reca lled the economic consequences of these events and 
welcomed the organization, in 2005,  of a national seminar to seek so lutions aimed at revitalizing the 
economy in areas such as: good governance, public  administration, diversification of exports, WT/TPR/M/166 
Page 8  
 
  privatization, and participation in regional initiatives under WAEMU and ECOWAS.  He asked for 
further details regarding the ongoing reforms to im prove economic growth, and hoped that the trade 
policy review would contribute to the efforts begun by the Togolese Government.  He congratulated Togo on its efforts to strengthen democracy, peace an d national solidarity, which were prerequisites to 
the success of its economic and trade reforms.  He mentioned Togo's assets (its abundant natural 
resources, its role as a transit country, its free zone s, and the port of Lomé) and noted that bilateral 
trade (between the two countries) had increased cons iderably over the past two years.  The same was 
true for regional trade. 
26. The US representative highlighted the determin ation of the Togolese authorities to develop a 
poverty reduction strategy, stabilize the economy, ma nage the budget more efficiently, and introduce 
structural reforms.  He went on to mention the computerization of more than 90 per cent of import 
transactions, and the elimination of export and import licensing as well as a certain number of quotas 
and prohibitions.  He sought clarifications on th e difficulties encountered in implementing these 
projects and on the progress achieved, as well as the fi nalization dates.  He wished to obtain further 
information on technical barriers to trade, sanitary  and phytosanitary measures, the application of 
different duties and taxes, customs valuation and pre-shipment inspection, and the protection of 
intellectual property rights.  Finally, he noted that positive results by Togo in the areas of transparency, good governance and the rule of law would be necessary before the United States could 
provide the requested assistance. 
27. The representative of the People's Republic of China
, citing figures, pointed to the rapid 
growth of bilateral trade (between the two countries) .  Chinese investment in Togo had also increased 
considerably, and stood at US$6.83 million.  In Ja nuary 2004, China had adopted a policy for the 
countries of West Africa, the aim of which was to re inforce cooperation, particularly in the areas of 
trade, investment, finance, agriculture, infrastru cture, tourism, energy, economic assistance, and 
integration in the multilateral trading system.  WT/TPR/M/166 
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  V. REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TOGO AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS 
28. After having thanked the speakers for their encouraging words, the representative of Togo  
pointed out that his country's trade policy revi ew, which had been postponed owing to the socio-
political crisis, had become possible once again follo wing the return to political stability.  The crisis 
had essentially resulted in economic stagnation, aggrav ated by the suspension of  financial assistance 
from abroad. 
29. Regarding the political and economic climat e, Togo had adopted a policy of social 
appeasement and sustainable national reconciliation to  which all of the political actors as well as civil 
society had committed themselves in order to achie ve a peaceful democracy.  While the road was 
riddled with obstacles and at times all progress appeared impossible, nothing could stand in the way 
of the absolute determination of the Togolese author ities and the political actors to achieve their goal.  
National dialogue was the last stage in the complete  restoration of cooperative relations, with the EU 
as the main partner, followed by the international financial institutions and the entire international 
community.  The statement of 8 May 2006 by the EU Presidency (which he had asked to have 
distributed to all participants) pr ovided an eloquent testimony to the progress achieved, particularly in 
implementing the 22 commitments assumed on 14 April 2004 by Togo, which had begun an adjustment process aimed at reviving growth coupled with poverty reduction. 
30. In November 2004, the Interim Poverty Reduc tion Strategy Paper had been adopted.  The 
final version was being prepared, this being one of the prerequisites to access to the enhanced HIPC 
initiative and to the assistance programme.  A nati onal seminar on economic re vitalization had taken 
place in 2005, affording an opportunity to make an overall diagnosis of the problems facing the 
economy and to propose appropriate solutions for el iminating the bottlenecks that were preventing the 
country from experiencing steady and sustainabl e growth.  The objective was to revitalize the 
economy in the short term through consumption, an d in the medium term through investment.  Good 
governance measures based on rigour and transparent ma nagement of public affairs had been taken, 
and reforms introduced in the public finance area in order to mobilize the necessary internal resources 
to finance development.  The fiscal transiti on programme which Togo had introduced through the 
WAEMU regional framework confirmed this need. 
31. In the trade area, an action plan would be est ablished to help develop and promote trade and 
to improve Togo's external competitiveness.  Am ong other things, this involved broadening and 
diversifying Togo's export base to cover new products  for which Togo had a comparative advantage.  
In order to consolidate investor confidence and to en able them to make their decisions with a certain 
amount of assurance, emphasis had been placed on pr iority measures to create a climate conducive to 
private investment.  Thus, in addition to the review  of the Investment Code, measures were taken to 
improve the business climate, inter alia  by:  strengthening the administration and the legal and 
judicial system;  setting up the National Competition and Consumption Commission;  and speeding 
up the process of State withdrawal.  It was important to stress that since 2000, Togo had been 
applying the OHADA uniform acts in order to provide a more secure investment framework. 
32. The various different reforms could not be isolated from the regional dynamics of which 
Togo was a part.  Because its domestic market was so small, Togo had made regional economic 
integration a priority for its development and, in particular, for its trade policy, which was naturally 
influenced by its geographical position in the subregi on.  In order to help incorporate its economy in 
the regional integration process, Togo was doing its utmost to implement all of the Community 
legislation of WAEMU and ECOWAS, whose coordi nation mechanisms had been institutionalized 
through a memorandum of understandi ng concluded between the two institutions in May 2004.  This 
memorandum of understanding highlighted the synerg ies between these two integration structures and 
called for the joint implementation of development programmes for member States as well as the WT/TPR/M/166 
Page 10  
 
  development of common positions on essential issues.  Moreover, Togo participated actively in the 
trading activities of the ACP group.  Togo's partic ipation in WTO activities was limited by the fact 
that it did not have a diplomatic mission in Gene va.  However, Togo tried to honour all of its WTO 
commitments, and would make a point of settling the arrears in its contributions to the Organization. 
33. Regarding trade practices, Togo had already la unched a programme to reform and modernize 
customs administration through automation and stream lining of customs procedures with a view to 
facilitating trade.  This involved, inter alia , migration from the current ASYCUDA computer system 
to a more efficient version, and the construction of juxtaposed customs offices on the frontiers in 
accordance with the standards of the World Cust oms Organization (WCO).  Such offices were 
currently being set up at the border with Bu rkina Faso, and would soon be inaugurated. 
34. Togo had been applying the GATT Customs Valuation Agreement since 2000 and observed 
the WAEMU Community requirements with respect to the CET.  A single window had been set up under the management of the Society for the Administration of the Free Zones ( Société 
d'administration des zones franches  - SAZOF) in order to make it easier to set up business in the free 
zones, together with a single window to simplify the formalities of setting up business in the customs 
territory, managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo ( Chambre de commerce et 
d'industrie du Togo  – CCIT).  At the same time, a project involving a single window to streamline 
trade procedures and formalities, bringing together the different actors involved in trade, was being 
finalized in the autonomous port of Lomé. 
35. The export processing free zone was helping to stimulate economic activities and reduce 
unemployment.  It operated in conformity with na tional, community and intern ational regulations.  In 
the area of government procurement, for reasons of  transparency, Togo published its calls for tenders 
in the national daily newspaper and in  international journals.  In orde r to enhance its participation in 
the negotiation of economic partnership agre ements (EPAs), Togo had set up a national 
EPA committee which participated actively in the work of the technical committee of the ECOWAS 
negotiating structure. 
36. Regarding sectoral policies, the government had set as its general agricultural policy objective 
the reinforcement of food security and the improve ment of the population's nutritional balance.  To 
that end, it had implemented a series of reforms i nvolving (i) liberalization of trade in, and prices of, 
agricultural products;  (ii) redefinition of the role of the State and the refocusing of State activities on 
its public service missions through the development a nd implementation of an agricultural policy, and 
withdrawal of the State from the productive sector. 
37. A Food Security Monitoring Centre ( Observatoire sur la sécurité alimentaire  - OSAT) had 
been set up to combat fraudulent sp eculation in agricultural staples, inter alia  grain (in particular 
maize) and thus to help regulate the market dur ing the lean season.  Regarding Togo's abundant 
mineral resources, the government had developed an  exploration and exploitation policy.  A Mining 
Code had been adopted which o ffered many tax advantages to potential investors in the sector. 
38. In the services area, the withdrawal of the State from production activities continued, 
particularly with respect to transportation, te lecommunications, electricity and water.  In the 
transportation sector in particular, the government planned, inter alia , to strengthen the 
competitiveness of the Togolese corridor for the transpor t of goods to the interior of the country and 
to the other countries of the subregion.  It also pl anned to create a dry port at Blitta, in the centre of 
the country.  This project had progressed consider ably, and had reached the fund-raising stage. 
39. The discussant  commended the Togolese Government for its intention to introduce reforms 
aimed at socio-political and economic stabilization.  He  noted that trade had an important role to play 
in national poverty reduction strategies, and wished  to know where Togo stood in this respect.  He  WT/TPR/M/166 
 Page 11 
 
 
  asked Togo to specify clearly its trade-relate d technical assistance needs so that donors could 
contribute their expertise in that area.  He congratulated Togo for the measures taken to improve customs procedures, particularly the introduction of the single window.  These measures were not only very important for Togo's developm ent, but also for its trading part ners.  He drew attention to the 
putting up for consumption in Togo of products from the free zones.   He noted the importance of the 
services sector in Togo and highlighted the sector's potential, a great asset for the country.  However, 
he reaffirmed the need to develop a national polic y for the sector and to make broader commitments 
under the GATS in order to attract more foreign dire ct investment.  There was considerable untapped 
potential in Togo, and all that was needed to exploit that potential was a favourable environment. 
40. The representative of Nigeria
 commended Togo for its efforts to improve its macroeconomic 
policy and to adopt its Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, a prerequisite to access to the 
enhanced HIPC Initiative.  She drew attention to  the products destined for Nigeria which were 
smuggled in via Togo, and asked for clarifications on the measures taken by the Togolese authorities to combat this problem. 
41. The representative of Togo
 noted that his country had always favoured international trade.  
Nationals should be more involved in this activity, and his governme nt intended to grant assistance, in 
the form of guarantee funds and microcredits, for example.  Togo's participation in trade-related 
sectors was creating business and jobs, thereby also helping to reduce the burden of the informal 
sector.  Moreover, the creation of "chambers of trades", particularly in the crafts area, had led to an important revival of craft activities, and had proved efficient in combating poverty.  This type of 
structure also had its credit and loans cooperative, which helped with the replacement of tools and 
implements. 
42. Regarding the free zones, the guarantee of at least 80 per cent of production for export 
reflected the determination to favour the developm ent of industrial export activities.  A review of 
Togo's Investment Code was under way, pending ha rmonization of investment codes at the WAEMU 
level.  Regarding the calls for liberalization of  the services sector, the Togolese Government was 
examining the situation, and needed more time before taking position. 
43. On the problem of smuggling, he pointed out th at in Africa, borders were porous and the 
problem could only be solved through coopera tion between neighbouring countries.  A regional 
meeting was planned to discuss the massive and ille gal imports of petroleum products from Nigeria 
into Togo as well as other countries of the subregi on.  Technical assistance had been requested in 
order to combat smuggling and counterfeiting.  Standardization efforts had been made at the 
Community level.  Metrology was also an area where technical assistance was needed.  The same 
applied to crafts, which could play a very significan t role in the national poverty reduction strategy.  
He hoped that Togo would be considered as a candi date for the HIPC initiative, the Integrated 
Framework, and JITAP. 
44. The representative of the European Union
 (EU) noted with satisfaction the initiation of a 
dialogue with the Togolese authorities on 21 April 2006.   She recalled that the EU remained ready to 
support the efforts by the Togolese authorities to im plement the 22 commitments, in conformity with 
the Council Decision of 15 November 2004. WT/TPR/M/166 
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  VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
45. This second Trade Policy Review of Togo has reveal ed its reform efforts since its first review 
in 1999, and the challenges it faces, as a least devel oped country, in particip ating in the multilateral 
trading system.  Our discussions have benefited grea tly from the full engagement of the delegation of 
Togo, led by HE Mr Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove, Mini ster of Trade, Industry and Handcrafts, insightful 
contributions by the discussant, Mr Gunthe r Sleeuwagen, and comments by participants. 
46. Members congratulated Togo on its reform effo rts, in particular the advance of its 
privatization programme.  Nevertheless, the privati zations of the flagship phosphate and electricity 
companies were reversed.  Subsequently, cement  overtook phosphate as Togo's leading export.  
Despite rising volumes, cotton export receipts have b een adversely affected in recent years by weak 
world prices, as well as the appreciation of the euro .  Because of socio-political turmoil, the business 
environment has not been sufficiently compelling to  attract significant investment.  These factors, 
together with the suspension of foreign aid (on which Togo is heavily dependent), and the high costs of inputs (including petroleum products), have led to sluggish economic growth, causing per capita 
income to decline and poverty to become more significant. 
47. Members commended Togo on the trade liberalization that has taken place in the context of 
the establishment of the Common External Tariff of  the West African Economic and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU).  They sought information on the full establishment of the free-trade area component of 
both WAEMU and the wider Economic Community of West African States, as well as on the plan for their merger.  Members enquired about Togo's use of the trade preferences avai lable to it, and about 
its current and future participati on in bilateral trade agreements.  They encouraged Togo to further 
integrate its trade policy into its overall economic po licy for the purposes of further exploitation of its 
comparative advantages (the deep-water port of Lomé, substantial reserves of phosphates, and 
significant cotton-producing capacity);  sustainabl e development;  and re duction of poverty and 
unemployment. 
48. Noting that, in addition to customs tariffs, va rious other duties and charges also apply to 
imports, Members enquired about the conformity of the value-based inspection and verification 
charge with Article VIII of GATT 1994, and of the special tax on beverages with Article III.  They 
encouraged Togo to improve its multilateral co mmitments by reducing bound tariff rates, and 
enlarging the coverage of its commitments on goods and services.  Members also sought clarification 
on a number of issues, notably:  customs procedures and valuation, and the transit regime;  TBT and 
SPS measures;  export processing zone and investment  regimes;  public procurement;  protection of 
intellectual property rights;  agriculture (food security  and foreign exchange earnings);  and tourism, 
financial and telecommunications services. 
49. Members appreciated the responses provided by the delegation of Togo. 
50. In conclusion, I congratulate Togo on its liberaliz ation efforts, and encourage it to pursue its 
reforms and its agenda for political changes.  The reforms, together with socio-political stability, 
should enable Togo's access to debt-reduction initiatives, liberate resources for the purpose of poverty 
reduction, and enhance the confidence of and s upport by development partners, including through 
trade-related technical assistance.  Such assistance  would have a significant role in sustaining the 
momentum of the reforms and strengthening Togo's adherence to WTO principles as well as its ability 
to participate in the WTO, notably the Doha Development Agenda.  
__________