trade policy review mechanism
Communication from the Chairperson of the Trade Policy
Review Body
Malaysia
Arrangements
for Review Meeting
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 3 and 5 March 2014 to
conduct the sixth review of the trade policies and practices of Malaysia (WTO/AIR/4235).
2.
This
communication sets out arrangements concerning the review meeting. In this
connection, attention is also drawn to the procedures for the conduct of
reviews contained in the rules of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body
(WT/TPR/6/Rev.3).
1 Questions in writing in advance of the meeting AND MAIN POINTS
3.
Members wishing
to submit written questions to the Member under review should do so at least
two weeks before the review meeting to allow replies to be prepared in time for
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., Monday 17 February 2014,
at the latest.
4.
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 Government report (with a reference to relevant
paragraph numbers); and other questions.
5.
The Secretariat
shall identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least
two 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 two-week
deadline give rise to significantly new issues. The main points may be found on
the Members' Website under "Forthcoming meetings: Documents for
Meetings".
2 Answers in writing by the MEMBEr under review
6.
Answers by the
Member under review should be distributed in writing; advance questions
submitted by the two-week deadline before the start of the TPRB review should
be answered in writing by the Member under review by the start of the meeting. Questions
posed subsequently should be answered, to the extent possible, before the start
of the second session of the 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 Members reviewing
a very large number of questions.
7.
In the course of
the discussions at the review meeting, the Member under review may indicate
that it intends to provide supplementary information, in writing, on specific
points raised. Upon receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document
containing this information to all Members.
3 Discussant
8.
In consultation
with the Member under review, the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body
may choose a discussant who, in her/his personal capacity, will introduce the
discussions in the Body. H.E. Mr.
Harald Neple (Norway) will act as discussant for
the review of Malaysia.
4 Structure of the meeting
9.
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 and 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.
10. Meetings take place in two sessions. The first session is devoted to
the opening statements by the Member under review and the discussant, and
remarks and questions from the floor. The discussion in the second session,
when the Member under review will reply to questions, is based on main themes
identified after the opening meeting by the Chairperson, the discussant and the
Secretariat in consultation with the Member.
11. The speakers list will follow the order in which questions are
received by the Secretariat with precedence given to Ambassadors present and
asking for the floor.
5 Documentation and press arrangements
12. Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained
in the following documents:
WT/TPR/G/292 Report by Malaysia
WT/TPR/S/292 Malaysia:
Report by the Secretariat
13. The press embargo for the review of Malaysia will end at 2.00 p.m.
Geneva time on 3 March 2014.
6 RECORD OF THE MEETING
14. 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.