 
 WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 
WT/TPR/M/133 
12 August 2004 
 (04-3397) 
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
BENIN, BURKINA FASO AND MALI 
 
Minutes of Meeting 
 
Chairperson:  H.E. Mrs Puangrat Asavapisit (Thailand) 
 
 
Page 
 
I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 3  
II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF BENIN 4  
III. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRES ENTATIVE OF BURKINA FASO 6  
IV. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF MALI 7  
V. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 9  
VI. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 11  
VII. REPLIES FROM THE REPRESENTATI VES OF BENIN, BURKINA FASO 
AND MALI AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 19  
VIII.  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 28  
      
 
    
 
   
Note:   The written questions submitted in adva nce by WTO Members and the replies provided by 
the governments of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali are reproduced in document 
WT/TPR/M/131/Add.1, WT/TPR/M/132/Add.1 and WT/TPR/M/133/Add.1 and will be 
available online at http://www.wto.org/ english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
 Page 3 
  
 I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1. At the opening of the second trade policy review meeting for Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, 
held on 28 and 30 June 2004, the Chairperson welcomed the delegation of Benin, led by His 
Excellency Mr Fatiou Akplogan, Minister for Tr ade, Industry and Employment Promotion, the 
delegation of Burkina Faso, led by His Excellency Mr Benoit Ouattara, Minister for Trade, Business 
Promotion and Handicrafts, the delegation of Mali, led by Mr Mody N'Diaye, Secretary General of 
the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the di scussant Mr Gunther Sleeuwagen (Belgium).  As was 
customary, the latter took the floor in his persona l capacity and not as the representative of his 
country.  In accordance with the established rules, th e main points he intended to raise had been made 
available in advance (document WT/TPR/D/108). 
2. The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the tr ade policy review mechanism and the main 
elements of the procedure for the meeting.  The re ports of the Governments of Benin, Burkina Faso 
and Mali were available as doc uments WT/TPR/G/131, WT/TPR/G /132 and WT/TPR/G/133/Rev.1, 
respectively, and those of the WTO Secretariat as documents WT/TPR/S/131, WT/TPR/S/132 and 
WT/TPR/S/133, respectively.  The delegations of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had received copies 
of the written questions submitted in advance by Japan, the European Union, the United States, 
Switzerland and Canada.  If it was not possible to give full replies to those questions during the 
meeting, supplementary written rep lies would be provided later. 
3. Since their first review, the least-developed c ountries (LDCs) in question had continued their 
programmes of trade liberalization, structural reform  and macroeconomic stabilization.  The results of 
the agricultural seasons depended on  climatic conditions and world ma rket trends.  The development 
of the private sector (particularly industry) contin ued to represent a challenge, partly because of the 
high cost of certain inputs, which was explained by  the geographical situation of those countries, and 
partly because the regulatory framework seemed to  be in need of greater transparency and 
predictability.  The generous incentives offered to  investors in order to remedy the lack of 
competitiveness had not yet established focal points for foreign investment. 
4. Trade liberalization had been largely driven  by the full implementation of the common 
external tariff (CET) of the West African Econom ic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which had also 
been responsible, inter alia , for the monitoring of macroeconomic policy.  The progress achieved in 
the elimination of tariff barriers to trade among WAEMU member countries was also noteworthy.  
The members of the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) might also wish to obtain more detailed 
information on the subject of regional integration, pa rticularly as regards the new impetus given to the 
Economic Community of West African States (E COWAS), which had fifteen members, and the 
impact of the new preferences established.  Particip ation in the work of the WTO had been boosted by 
the sectoral initiative on cotton since,  in the absence of major efforts at diversification, that cash crop 
remained central to the economic activity of those countries. 
5. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had made trade the centrepiece of their strategic frameworks 
for poverty reduction (CSLP), which had been suppor ted by the international community.  Each of 
those countries had received and would continue to  receive trade-related technical assistance, the 
content of which would be more clearly defined as progress was made in the discussions to be held in 
the context of their trade policy reviews. 
6. 
She noted that the WAEMU Commission had been given observer status to attend the 
meeting of the TPRB. WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 II. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BENIN 
7. The representative of Benin noted that the main objectives of the economic programme 
undertaken since the first review in 1997 were to control public finances, consolidate the mainsprings 
of growth (primary sector, handicrafts, processing industry), develop human capital and 
environmental management, stre ngthen good governance and institu tional capacities, promote long-
term employment and build the capacities of the popul ation.  At the same time, the authorities had 
introduced some sectoral reforms (cotton, energy and water, trade, industry, telecommunications and 
public administration).  Improved economic performan ce was reflected in the average GDP growth 
rate, which had risen from 4.6 per cent for the period 1992-1996 to 5.2 per cent between 1997 and 
2002. 
8. Benin's formal foreign trade was characterized by the steady increase in the structural trade 
balance deficit and a high level of re-export activit y.  Imports consisted primarily of food products, 
capital goods, textiles, energy products and pharm aceuticals, while the chief exports were cotton 
fibres and seeds (70 per cent).  The rate of covera ge of imports by exports was roughly 45 per cent. 
9. The primary sector dominated the economy through its contribution to GDP (37 per cent) and 
to the employment of the active population (70 per cent), but its contribution to GDP growth was variable because of the vagaries of the climate.  Th e main crop was cotton.  Fisheries were subject to 
certain difficulties, while stock breeding had a great deal of potential. 
10. The secondary sector was not well developed because of the low level of investment.  On the 
other hand, the tertiary sector contributed 48.5 pe r cent, on average, to GDP.  Trade was the main 
activity in the sector, much of it concentrated in the informal sector.  Logistical services to trade 
(e.g. finance, transport, telecommunications, tour ism) had grown in volume.  They were largely 
liberalized and the Government of Benin intended to pur sue its efforts in that direction.  He noted the 
dominant position of the informal sector and the factors impeding the country's industrialization. 
11. Under the Government Action Programme (P AG) adopted in 2001, Benin undertook to 
stimulate growth by diversifying production, incr easing industrial density and reducing the size of the 
informal sector, in order to create added value fo r export products and reduce the current dependence 
on a single crop, cotton.  The following measures had been taken in the field of trade and industry:  
adoption and implementation of a na tional trade development policy;  promotion of an interface for 
foreign investors;  a special SME/SMI promotion programme;  implementation of a prudent monetary 
policy;  adoption of an economic policy that c onformed with macroeconom ic convergence criteria 
within the WAEMU;  reorganization of the State' s portfolio, strengthening of national financial 
institutions and streamlining the management of public enterprises;  improving the business environment;  strengthening the standardiza tion and quality control system;  continued 
implementation of the private sector revitalizati on programme;  consolidati on of reforms aimed at 
increasing State revenues;  implementation of the Government Procurement Code;  capacity-building 
for public investment projects;  development a nd reinforcement of micro-credit structures;  
implementation of the recommendations contained in  the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP);  
implementation of a policy to protect the most disadvantaged groups;  improvement of health 
indicators and promotion of basic education and vocational training. 
12. The legislative and regulatory framework for trade covered the following areas:  tourism, 
control of goods, competition, metrology, invest ment, banking and finance, trade activities and 
privatization.  Important measures had been taken to create an institutional and regulatory 
environment favourable to the development of trade.  Benin had also incorporated in its positive law,  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 through ratification, the WTO Agreements, the AC P-EU Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou, 
and the treaties establishing ECOWAS and the WAEMU. 
13. The CET comprised four rates (zero, 5, 10 and 20 per cent) applied according to the level of 
processing of products.  Benin had no export tax.  Va lue added tax (VAT) was applied at a single rate, 
18 per cent, on sales of goods and services apart fr om those covered by a community exemption 
(e.g. pharmaceuticals). 
14. Since 1990, Benin had opted for a system of economic liberalization.  In that framework, the 
various trade barriers had been eliminated and Benin was one of the most open trading countries.  
However, the benefits of liberali zation had still not made themselves felt.  Support was needed for the 
efforts to ensure improved participation in interna tional trade, so that it could contribute to reducing 
and indeed eliminating poverty.  JITAP and the Integrated Framework were appreciated, but the 
continued high level of existing needs made great er mobilization necessary.  The Government of 
Benin was committed to ensuring efficient implementa tion of all the measures and actions identified. 
15. Given the vital importance of cotton to Beni n, the economy was weak ened when revenues 
from that crop were slashed as a result of the subs idies granted by certain WTO Members.  The joint 
review under way concerned three of the four LDCs  which had started the cotton initiative.  All the 
African cotton-producing countries were committed to compliance with WTO rules and principles for 
the sake of a fair and equitable trading system. WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 III. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPR ESENTATIVE OF BURKINA FASO 
16. The representative of Burkina Faso said that his country was landlocked and deficient in 
natural resources.  The vagaries of the Sahelian clim ate (insufficient and uneven rainfall) had forced it 
to introduce a national programme known as "Operation Saaga" or "induced rain" to deal with the 
situation. 
17. In 2003, GDP growth had stood at 8 per cent (4.8 per cent for the period 1996-2003), with 
inflation under control.  In 2003-2004, cereal produc tion had amounted to almost 3.7 million tonnes, 
showing a surplus, and cotton production ha d reached a record of 500,000 tonnes. 
18. Since its first trade policy review in 1998, Bu rkina Faso had continued its reform programme 
which included liberalization of the cotton subsector .  Started in 1999 with the opening up of 30 per 
cent of the capital of the Textile Fibres Compan y (SOFITEX) to producers, the liberalization 
programme had been extended to the privatizati on of areas of production, and SOFITEX no longer 
held a monopoly on the development of the subsector. 
19. Exports continued to show little diversificati on, with cotton accounting for 60 per cent of 
revenues.  The structural trade deficit had worsen ed, mainly because of the decline in income from 
cotton fibre in CFAF francs, despite  the increased volume exported.  That was the reason for Burkina 
Faso's commitment to the sectoral initiative on cott on and to the denunciation of  the subsidies granted 
by the United States, the EU and certain devel oped countries, a commitment and initiative whose 
justification was confirmed by recent decisions of  the WTO Dispute Settlement Body.  The delegation 
of Burkina Faso welcomed the WTO's efforts to find a satisfactory outcome to the cotton issue. 
20. The introduction of the WAEMU's Common Exte rnal Tariff (CET) in 2000 had led to a 
substantial reduction and simplification of the custom s tariff, carried out on a unilateral basis.  The 
main commercial objective of the CSLP was to prom ote exports in order to enhance the country's 
potential in the primary sector. 
21. The opening of a permanent mission in Geneva in 2004 bore witness to Burkina Faso's desire 
to participate fully in the work of the WTO.  Burkina Faso continued to face major problems of 
competitiveness caused primarily by its landlocked position, the high cost of certain inputs and the continued deterioration of the terms of trade.  The following were the principal structural reforms 
undertaken to improve that situation:  creation and/or strengthening of supply in the fields of 
agriculture, stock breeding, management of natura l resources and the environment, transport and 
tourism, energy, mines, industry and handicrafts;  c ontinued programme of priv atization of public and 
semi-public enterprises, as well as of firms hol ding concessions for the provision of public services 
such as water, electricity and telephony;  creation of an investor-friendly environment favourable to 
the development of business;  promotion and divers ification of exports;  c ontinuation of multilateral 
trade negotiations;  establishment of a suitable standa rdization system at natio nal and regional level;  
improvement of the dialogue and consultation between the Government and the private sector. 
22. The Ministry of Trade, Business Promotion and Handicrafts was the main body responsible 
for industrial, investment, crafts and trade policy.  The Ministry had given priority to the development 
of the private sector.  This objective was underpin ned by a programme to support competitiveness and 
business development (PACDE), which had the following components:  creation of support 
infrastructure for enterprises, establishment and entry into operation of the Bu rkina Faso enterprise 
centre;  liberalization of the telecommunication sec tor;  improved functioni ng of commercial dispute 
settlement bodies;  capacity-building for th e monitoring and improvement of economic 
competitiveness at the institutional level.  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 IV. OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF MALI 
23. The representative of Mali noted that, since its first trade policy review in 1998, Mali had 
continued its reform programme.  The State's main aim was to withdraw from the key sectors of the 
economy, and at the same time to give impetus to the rural sector, particularly cotton growing, which 
had made Mali the leading cotton producer in Africa. 
24. Economic growth chiefly depe nded on trends in the primary sector, which was highly 
vulnerable to climate variations.  The average growth  rate in recent years had reached five percent as 
a result of the increased production of gold which ha d become the main source of export revenue.  
The Malian economy remained vulnerable to external s hocks, particularly fluctuations in the prices of 
major export products, such as cotton. 
25. Mali accorded most favoured nation (MFN) treatment to WTO Members and benefited from 
the provisions on special and differential treatment.  Particular importance was attached to economic 
and regional integration.  T hus, Mali had committed itself to strengthening the WAEMU and 
ECOWAS, building the African Union and impl ementing the New Partnership for Africa's 
Development (NEPAD).  The WAEMU was authorized  by its member countries to negotiate trade 
agreements and common positions in the WTO under  the common trade policy (CTP).  As far as 
ECOWAS was concerned, the integration process ha d been revived and accelerated with the opening 
of negotiations, in 2003, with the European Union wi th a view to concluding an Economic Partnership 
Agreement (EPA). 
26. At the domestic level, all price controls ha d been lifted.  Mali's trade policy consisted 
essentially in implementing the WAEMU regulations, th e main instrument of which was the CET.  A 
special import tax (TCI) was levied on sugar, but  its only purpose was to compensate for the unfair 
competition created by the substantial subsidies granted to third country exporters.  The WTO 
Agreement on Customs Valuation had been in for ce since 1 January 2004.  Reference values for 
certain products had been established to ensure he althy competition and in order to limit undercutting 
in supplier invoices, pending resolution of this issu e through the WAEMU's approach to the WTO.  
Mali had an operational standardization system a nd had established more than 100 national standards 
based for the most part on international sta ndards.  A regional accreditation programme was under 
consideration by the WAEMU, with a view to reinforcing quality control. 
27. Mali was a Member of the African Intellectua l Property Organization (AIPO) and of the 
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  Th ere were still problems in respect of piracy and 
the import of counterfeit goods, caused by the country's  lack of resources.  There were also difficulties 
in implementing the revised Bangui Agreement's annexes on integrated circuits and new plant 
varieties. 
28. Mali was committed to economic liberalizati on and had introduced numerous reforms in 
order to create an environment conducive to the de velopment of private initiative and to the opening 
up of its economy to the outside world.  Political reforms had made it possible to introduce democracy 
accompanied by decentralization, and judicial reform would produce a more secure business 
environment.  The reforms in different sectors of the economy were geared to establishing an efficient 
and competitive economy open to the outside world.  The aim was to secure Mali's transition, in the 
medium term, from LDC status to that of a mi ddle-income country, in particular through the 
development of agro-industry and trade, with the private sector acting as the main vehicle for 
development.  In this connection, the Malian Gove rnment had established a Presidential Investment 
Council, supported by the World Bank and the IMF,  which would provide a strategic think tank to 
advise the Malian authorities on the promotion of investment.  Exportable supply capacity remained WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
Page 8 
  
 low and undiversified.  Mali's economic structure was fragile and the secondary sector's contribution 
was weak.  The implementation of the strategic fra mework for poverty reduction (CSLP) and the debt 
relief granted through the Heavily Indebted Poor  Countries (HIPC) initiative had removed some 
obstacles to development.  Genuine opportunities ex isted in Mali, particularly in the areas of 
agriculture, livestock and fisheries, agro-industr y, mining, tourism, handicrafts, culture, new 
information technologies and transport. 
29. Mali's economic growth was chiefly dependent on cotton, the leading agricultural export 
product.  The cotton subsector still had to contend with  the agricultural subsidies of the rich countries, 
which exacerbated Mali's marginalization in the mul tilateral trading system.  Fair cotton prices on the 
international market would assure Mali of sustai nable development and serve to reduce poverty.  
Cotton had a great future based on the promotion of  biotechnology.  An agricultural policy law was 
under consideration and would in stitutionalize the Higher Council for Agriculture whose objective 
was to establish conditions favourable for the econo mic development of the sector.  The law would 
pave the way for a transition to an industrial and commercial form of agriculture, thereby helping to 
increase the country's exportable supply capacity. 
30. Being aware that trade was an effective mean s of ensuring its development and combating 
poverty, Mali relied on the technical assistance of its partners in order to acquire a proper mastery of 
the mechanisms and rules of the multilateral trading system, to boos t its production capacity and to 
ensure proper implementation of the multilateral trad e agreements.  Mali placed great confidence in 
the capacity of the Integrated Framework and the JI TAP to contribute to its integration into world 
trade.  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 V. STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
31. The discussant noted that Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had introduced the WAEMU's 
Common External Tariff (CET), but the ECOWAS customs union was making slower headway.  
Intra-community trade in goods was gradually being liberalized.  Negotiations with the EU with a 
view to concluding an economic partnership agreement (EPA) were making progress.  Trade preferences were granted by the United States in th e context of the African Growth and Opportunity 
Act (AGOA) and by the EU under the "Everything But Arms" programme. 
32. The simple average of MFN rates actually applied under the CET of the WAEMU (including 
the statistical fee and the community levies) was 14. 6 per cent.  In the case of Benin, the introduction 
of the CET had led to a 6 per cent increase in tariffs since the first review of its trade policy, while 
there had been a dismantling of tariffs in the cas e of Burkina Faso and Mali (by 31.1 and 22.1 per 
cent, respectively, in 1997).  Burkina Faso a pplied a degressive protection tax (TDP) on certain 
products (refined vegetable oils, s ugar, cigarettes, matches, polypro pylene bags) and Mali applied a 
special import tax (TCI) on sugar.  The use of ot her trade duties and taxes also deserved mention. 
33. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had bound their customs duties (at 40, 40.9 and 42 per cent, 
respectively), and the levels of the MFN rates actua lly applied were higher th an the levels of tariff 
bindings in most cases (55, 56.4 a nd 53.4 per cent, respectively). 
34. The three countries under review had implemented the WTO Agreement on Customs 
Valuation, but only Burkina Faso ha d done so within the prescribed time-limit.  Benin did not apply 
reference values (except in the case of used cars), but Burkina Faso (33 lines) and Mali (76 lines) did 
so.  The WAEMU Commission was seeking a solution to this issue in the WTO. 
35. In the context of the AIPO, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had updated the regulatory 
framework for the protection of industrial property.  Mali had not yet updated its regime for copyright 
and neighbouring rights.  None of the three count ries was a party to the plurilateral Agreement on 
Government Procurement and none of  them intended to become an observer.  Mali and Burkina Faso 
applied a policy of giving preference to domestic en terprises for the financing of public contracts from 
the national budget. 
36. The three countries under review were the sponso rs of the sectoral initiative on cotton at the 
WTO.  The WTO had organized a regional workshop for African cotton-producing countries in Cotonou, in March 2004. 
37. Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had made co mmitments under the GATS with regard to 
tourism services.  Each of them had liberalized the telecommunication sector by granting mobile telephony licenses and through the ongoing pr ivatization of the incumbent operator. 
38. With regard to Benin, the fluctuations in r eal GDP growth rates were explained largely by 
macroeconomic imbalances, deep-seated structural w eaknesses and the decline in world cotton prices.  
Growth rates of 7 to 8 per cent would be needed  to double per capita GDP and effectively combat 
poverty.  Inflation was under control and stood at one  of the lowest levels in the region.  Benin 
satisfied all the convergence crite ria established by the WAEMU. 
39. The structure of Benin's economy had cha nged very little since the first review.  A 
considerable amount of economic activity and tr ade continued to involve informal channels 
(particularly with Nigeria).  Exports remained little diversified and the trade balance deficit had grown WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
Page 10 
  
 because of the decline in world cotton prices, the dete rioration of the terms of trade and the increase in 
imports (particularly of petroleum products). 
40. Benin had undertaken major reforms in the cott on subsector.  The high cost of the factors of 
production constituted a serious  obstacle to the country's development.  The port of Cotonou played 
an important role at the subregional level (Niger ia, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso) but there were 
noteworthy functional shortcomings. 
41. With regard to Burkina Faso, the structure of the economy had changed little since the first 
review and informal transactions continued to play  an important role.  The average economic growth 
rate had risen from 3.5 per cent in 1990-1995 to 4. 7 per cent in 1996-2002.  Exports were still not 
very diversified.  The main export was cotton fibre (55 per cent of the total) but the decline in the 
price of this product on world markets had increased the trade balance deficit. 
42. Since the first review, Burkina Faso had set up an interministerial structure for WTO follow-
up, with help from the JITAP.  No change was to be noted regarding the requirement of a notice of 
intent to import and the national conformity cer tificate, in the absence of national standards. 
43. The Government of Burkina Faso had c ontinued withdrawing from certain economic 
activities while maintaining the privatization prog ramme and overhauling the cotton sector.  Industrial 
development was hampered by high production costs (particularly transport), restricted access to 
funding, fiscal pressure on enterprises in the formal sector and competition from the informal sector.  
Industrial development and the programme to support competitiveness and business development 
(PACDE), launched in 2003, relied on promising subsectors served by assets in the area of agriculture 
(textiles) and stock-breeding (leather and hides). 
44. In the case of Mali, the gold mining boom had lifte d the average growth rate to 5.2 per cent in 
1998-2002, compared with 3.4 per cent in 1993-1997, but production was declining.  Gold had climbed to first place in the export rankings (72 pe r cent in 2002), and the revenue it generated had 
contributed to reducing the deficit in trade tran sactions.  The revenue from cotton (18 per cent) had 
fallen despite the increase in the volumes exported. 
45. The Malian State had also continued withdraw ing from certain economic activities by means 
of privatization, and it had started reforming the cotton sector.  It had accepted in principle the idea of opening up the capital of the Mali Textile Devel opment Company (CMTD) in 2006.  Government 
action in respect of rural areas had focussed on the development of infrastructure.  Mention should be 
made of the improvement in governance achieved inter alia  through reform of the Government 
Procurement Code.  There had been no change in th e requirement of a notice of intent to import or 
with regard to marking. 
46. The industrial sector was recognized as "one of the weak links" in the Malian economy.  Its 
development was hampered by high production costs (e nergy and transport in particular), restricted 
access to funding, fiscal pressure on enterprises in the formal sector and competition from the 
informal sector.  The mining sector's contribution to GDP had grown from 6 to 14 per cent between 1992 and 1998.  The Mining Code had been revised to enable the State to reduce subsidies for mining activity and concentrate them on prospection.  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 VI. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS OF TH E TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY 
47. Members were aware of the economic difficu lties faced by LDCs such as Benin, Burkina 
Faso and Mali, two of which had the additional handicap of bein g landlocked.  The countries under 
review were congratulated as LDCs on the commercia l, structural and macroeconomic reforms they 
had undertaken, which had led to accelerated growth  rates.  The authorities of each of the three 
countries were encouraged to continue on the path of reform in order to tackle the obstacles to 
competitiveness, including the high cost of inputs in particular.  Resolving that problem would promote the expansion of their trade and their integr ation into the multilateral trading system.  Several 
members spoke about the sectoral initiative on cotton and expressed support for the technical 
assistance programmes in favour of those countries. 
48. The representative of Japan welcomed the sustaine d efforts at reform made by Benin, Burkina 
Faso and Mali and the importance those three countri es attached to the WTO, and invited them to 
continue to participate constructively in WTO activities and negotiations.  Japan supported their 
efforts through the initiative of the Tokyo In ternational Conference on African Development 
(TICAD), the third edition of which had been held  in 2003, and which had support from the NEPAD. 
49. Concerning the cotton initiative, the regiona l workshop held in Cotonou in March 2004 had 
made a useful contribution to addressing that co mplex issue.  By way of follow-up, Japan had 
established an aid programme in favour of the cotton or agricultural sector in Benin.  Japan was a regular importer of cotton from all three countries,  and the programme would further strengthen those 
close ties. 
50. Japan hoped that Benin would succeed in cr eating a better economic and trade climate 
through the reform programme, the PRSP, and the new strategy to combat corruption.  Japan was also 
appreciative of the efforts at reform made by Bu rkina Faso, while recognising the major problems of 
competitiveness, a solution to which was to be e xpected.  Japan welcomed Mali's efforts at 
democratisation and reform, which should be steadf astly continued.  The three countries operated a 
joint programme for the efficient management and improvement of infrastructure, including the privatization and liberalization of key sectors, ma tters raised in the written questions submitted by 
Japan before the meeting. 
51. Japan's numerous economic coopera tion facilities were available to meet the needs of the 
countries under review in the trade sector.  For ex ample, consideration could be given to training 
projects in Japan for experts from Be nin, Burkina Faso or Mali, and to  Japanese expert missions to the 
countries in question, in order to build capacity for the elaboration of an appropriate trade policy.  
Equipment supply projects for the trade or related sectors could also be envisaged.  Greater coordination between trade officials and officials responsible for economic c ooperation in each of the 
countries was required in order to reprioritize such pr ojects.  Closer relations with the officials of 
donor countries would contribute to the success of the new projects.  A detailed survey was desirable. 
52. Japan sincerely hoped that the review would contribute to trade and economic development 
and to poverty reduction in the three countries, an d that it would also help to strengthen the WTO 
multilateral trading system. 
53. The representative of the European Union laid stress on the extensive partnership 
arrangements with the three countries under review , designed to reduce poverty and achieve social 
objectives.  Each of the three countries was endeav ouring to transform its planned economy into a 
market economy and to promote democracy.  Political  stability and the consolidation thereof were 
essential to the achievement of those objectives, using trade to stimulate growth and prosperity.  Trade WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
Page 12 
  
 liberalization and market reforms were not enough, although they contributed to political stability.  
Privatization was an important means of st rengthening the economy and preparing for full 
participation in the global economy. 
54. The inclusion of trade in the development stra tegies clearly evidenced the recognition that aid 
could not replace trade as the driving force of development.  The conditions conducive to the 
development of trade and investment were a transparent import regime and a stable investment climate, as well as continued liberalization.  Th e countries under review could bind their customs 
duties, and undertake commitments within the fr amework of the GATS in respect of financial 
services, telecommunications and transport.  Referring to certain elements of the Doha Programme, he 
noted that more vigorous support for a trade liber alization programme woul d boost the development 
of the three countries under review. 
55. In the context of the EPA negotiations, the European Union would continue to open its 
market to ACP products and to dismantle other tr ade barriers.  The ACP countries, for their part, 
would implement appropriate policies to build su pply capacity, reduce transaction costs, gradually 
liberalize their markets and, above all, consolidate their own regional integration in order to establish 
a regional model of economic govern ance favourable to economic development.  To that end, the 
European Union had earmarked a budgetary envelope of 120 million euros up to 2007, and was also 
helping to devise projects concerned with transport in frastructure policy, in order to facilitate the free 
movement of goods.  It was essential that other count ries also continued to contribute to the overall 
aid package. 
56. The European Union was convinced that pr ogress would be noted in forthcoming policy 
reviews for the three countries.  Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali fully supported the WTO system and 
its continued development, since multilateralism was the most reliable means of promoting the 
interests of the LDCs. 
57. The representative of the United States welcomed  the reforms under way, particularly those 
undertaken in the context of the WAEMU, as we ll as those designed to promote private sector 
development, which were essential for establishing a sustainable basis for economic growth.  The 
privatization process needed to be intensified. 
58. Benin and Mali could claim eligibility for Un ited States aid under the Millennium Challenge 
Account, which would receive five billion dollars in funding in 2006, over and above the current level 
of other programmes.  Eligibility was not automa tic, as countries were selected according to their 
manifest commitment to democracy and economic  freedom.  The United States hoped that the 
programme would pave the way for a fruitful part nership with each of the governments of the 
countries under review. 
59. The United States welcomed the efforts made by Benin to promote trade and development 
and to bring itself into conformity with its WTO commitments.  They included reform of the customs 
tariff, implementation of the WTO Agreement on Cu stoms Valuation, the promotion of investment 
and the liberalization of services.  The continuation of structural reforms was encouraging, and the 
United States hoped to receive more detailed informati on on privatization, particularly with regard to 
the National Agricultural Promotion Company (SONAPRA). 
60. Those reforms had stimulated economic growth .  In March 2003, Benin had been granted 
external debt relief of the order of thirty-three m illion dollars under the HIPC initiative, in order to 
bolster its reform and macroeconomic stability progr amme.  Benin was eligible for the preferences 
accorded under the AGOA, but Beninese exporters  had encountered difficulties in using them.  WT/TPR/M/131 
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 61. As far as Burkina Faso was concerned, major reforms had also been implemented, 
particularly with regard to trade liberalization a nd the privatization of key sectors such as energy and 
telecommunications.  The United States welcomed the efforts made by the authorities in the field of 
customs valuation, the establishment of the Nati onal Committee to combat piracy of literary and 
artistic works, and the reform of the cotton subsect or.  The further extension of such measures was 
desirable.  The United States recognized that an increase in trade related technical assistance was 
necessary and invited the WTO Secretariat and the au thorities of Burkina Faso to work together for 
that purpose.  The United States would continue its own support efforts. 
62. With regard to Mali, the United States welcom ed the efforts made by the authorities to 
diversify production with a view to reducing de pendence on cotton, to pursue privatization, to 
improve transparency and equity in the award of public contracts, and to promote a climate more conducive to investment.  The privatization of  the CMDT was particularly important.  The 
United States supported the efforts of the Malian au thorities by various means, including preferences 
granted under the AGOA and programmes implemented by USAID. 
63. While significant gains had been noted, others  were needed for the achievement of open 
trading and economic regimes and the full implemen tation of WTO commitments.  The United States 
supported those efforts and pointed in particular to the extension of the AGOA until 2015 and of the 
textile provisions until 2007. 
64. The representative of Switzerland noted that, d espite the reforms undertaken, the economies 
of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali remained dependent  on the primary sector and thus vulnerable to the 
vagaries of climate. 
65. As far as Benin was concerned, despite the encouragement of the private sector and the 
improvement in governance, there were still problem s of competitiveness linked to the costs of the 
factors of production and the tax burden.  The Swiss delegation wished to be given further particulars 
of the national competition policy that was being devised to implement WAEMU legislation on the 
subject.  It was particularly interested in th e main provisions, the difficulties encountered in 
formulating the policy, its relationship with the WAEMU framework and the institutional mechanisms 
adopted in order to apply the provisions in a manne r consistent with WAEMU legislation.  It also 
wished to know whether it was possible for Benin to  extend the coverage of its tariff bindings and to 
obtain observer status on the Committee on Governme nt Procurement, where Switzerland was in a 
position to offer technical assistance. 
66. As far as Burkina Faso was concerned, the Sw iss delegation welcomed the reduction in the 
simple average of the customs tariff, but wished to receive information on the application of the TDP.  
There was also the question of th e impact on the national budget of subsidies for petroleum products 
of social interest. 
67. Regarding Mali, the Swiss delegation wished to  receive further information about the steps 
taken by the WAEMU Commission to establish a common schedule of tariff concessions and to start renegotiating concessions under Article XXVIII of th e GATT 1994.  She asked whether, given the 
current volatility in world oil prices, there was no risk of fiscal slippage due to the administered prices 
of electricity and hydrocarbons, and whether a change of policy in this area was envisaged. 
68. The representative of Mauritania observed that the joint review of three countries from the 
same subregion, West Africa, which belonged to th e same subregional integration organization, the 
WAEMU, demonstrated the importance the WTO attached to regional integration as a factor in strengthening the multilateral trading system.  Most of the three countries' trade policies were defined WT/TPR/M/131 
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 by the WAEMU, and WAEMU integration constitut ed a decisive stage on the path to African 
integration.  Mauritania had strong links with th e countries under review in the context of the EPA 
negotiations with the EU, the AIPO, the African  Union and the Interstate Committee for Drought 
Control in the Sahel. 
69. The thorough reforms introduced under structural adjustment programmes had contributed to 
improving the economic environment and accelerati ng economic growth, despite energy dependence 
and the difficulties faced by the cotton subsector.  His delegation invited Members and the international community to take account of those efforts through increased support for those 
countries.  With regard to cotton, the three count ries were suffering considerable prejudice as a result 
of the massive subsidies granted by certain developed countries to their cotton producers.  That situation demonstrated the inequity  of the multilateral trading system and the gravity of certain trade 
practices which totally cancelled out the efforts made  by the LDCs to strengthen and diversify their 
production bases, accelerate their development and combat poverty. 
70. The representative of Nigeria stressed that th e countries under review, like his own, were 
members of ECOWAS.  His delegation had noted the reforms undertaken since the first review in 
order to liberalize their economies and open them up to  competition;  it encouraged them to continue 
on that path.  The sectoral initiative on cotton would o ffer a means of resolving the issue of subsidies 
which adversely affected the countries in question as well as Nigeria.  His delegation hoped that a 
solution to the question would quickly be found in  the WTO, thereby bestowing credibility on the 
Organization. 
71. The representative of Canada noted the challenges that the LDCs had to face.  Liberalization 
and good economic governance had been iden tified as essential components of economic 
development in the NEPAD vision, to which Cana da had responded, with its G8 partners, by 
implementing a series of initiatives.  Canada's in itiative concerning market access for LDCs offered 
duty-free and quota-free access for imports from those countries, except in the case of certain 
agricultural products (dairy products, poultry and e ggs).  At the West African subregional level, 
Canada supported the harm onization of the various countries' legislative frameworks, which would 
lead to greater efficiency and lower costs for local producers and foreign investors. 
72. With regard to Benin, Canada congratulated the Government on its vigorous policy of action 
to stamp out corruption throughout the administration, and more particularly its campaign against 
corruption in the judicial system, which was eroding  the very foundations of trade.  The authorities 
had also been able to meet the economic convergence criteria of the WAEMU and to implement WAEMU reforms systematically.  However, important  functional shortcomings  continued to exist, 
particularly in the competitive tendering process, and the "fraud rings" operating out of Benin which 
were creating numerous victim s in Canada and elsewhere. 
73. As far as Burkina Faso was concerned, Ca nada welcomed the reforms undertaken and 
encouraged the authorities of the country to conti nue the reforms needed to reduce the costs of the 
factors of production, which constituted a real ha ndicap to economic competitiveness.  Canada also 
wished to draw the authorities' attention to corruptio n, a factor contributing indirectly to such costs, 
particularly in the award of public contracts.  Sm all and medium-sized enterprises and industries faced 
difficulties of access to financing.  Canada invited Bu rkina Faso, in view of its structural trade balance 
deficit, to resolve to adopt sustainable export polic y strategies based on its comparative advantages, in 
an effort to achieve competitiveness in its subregional and intern ational environment. 
74. Regarding Mali, Canada welcomed the reform s undertaken, which had made it possible to 
develop and diversify its economy.   Mali had been able to meet the objectives established by donors  WT/TPR/M/131 
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 and had also been able to obtain a B debt rati ng, which opened a new channel of access to private 
funding.  Canada encouraged the authorities to con tinue their macroeconomic and structural reforms, 
particularly in the area of privatization, rationa lization of government expe nditure and expansion of 
the tax base.  It was also desirable to make the competitive bidding system more transparent and to 
clarify and publicize the legislative framework for mining investments so as to limit the number of 
complaints and disputes regarding the exact scope of  certain clauses and their application.  Judicial 
reform was another objective, since respect fo r contractual undertakings and a credible and 
independent judicial system were the foundati ons on which both trade and investment rested. 
75. Cotton was a very important issue for the Members under review.  The difficulties 
experienced by African cotton producers clearly showed  the damage caused by subsidies.  They also 
illustrated the importance of obtaining results on th at subject at the WTO.  Canada supported the 
demand that domestic support a nd export subsidies be phased out as quickly as possible. 
76. The representative of Thailand noted that Thailand had a deficit on its trade balance with the 
countries under review.  He welcomed the fact that each of the three countries under review had 
reaffirmed its intention to continue the reform s under way, despite the major economic problems 
attributable, inter alia , to the deteriorating terms of trade for cotton, problems of competitiveness 
associated with the high cost of inputs, and the prov isional lack of headway in  industrial reform.  His 
delegation attached much importance to the determin ation to continue the reform process as a way of 
ensuring that poverty reduction targets were achiev ed, promoting economic efficiency and thereby 
securing more effective participation in the multilatera l trading system.  With the help of the partner 
countries, his delegation hoped that each of the countries under review could resolve its economic 
problems and achieve a sustainable recovery in order to alleviate the problem of poverty. 
77. The introduction of the WAEMU's CET was a positive step, but the question remained of the 
gap between the customs duty rates applied and th ose bound at the WTO.  His delegation wished to 
receive additional information concerning the ac tion taken by the WAEMU Commission to initiate a 
renegotiation under Article XXVIII of the GATT 1 994.  He wondered whether the countries under 
review had thought of reducing the applied rates in order to comply with the bound rates.  Concerning 
customs valuation, his delegation wished to know  whether Burkina Faso and Mali would reduce the 
scope of their respective reference value systems. 
78. The representative of Djibouti emphasized that Be nin, Burkina Faso and Mali, by virtue of 
their status as African LDCs, deserved special tr eatment within the TPRB and consequent indulgence 
from their WTO partners.  Those countries had made s ubstantial efforts to participate in the WTO, in 
particular by opening missions in Ge neva, which demonstrated their desi re to join and adhere to the 
multilateral trading system within the WTO.  They we re also doing everything in their power to abide 
by the WTO's rules.  His delegation welcomed the e fforts of the partner countries, particularly the 
initiative by Japan, the extension of the AGOA by th e United States, and the EU initiative in favour of 
the ACP countries.  The sectoral initiative on cotto n was a vital matter for the three countries under 
review. 
79. The representative of Senegal recalled that his own country, whose trade policy had been 
reviewed for the second time in 2003, was also a member of the WAEMU and ECOWAS.  Thus, its 
economic and trade policies were subject to the same  rules and convergence criteria.  Since the first 
review of their trade policy, the three countries ha d continued the process of privatization and sectoral 
liberalization, side by side with trade liberali zation and the streamlining of their customs systems 
within the WAEMU framework. WT/TPR/M/131 
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 80. The economies of the countries under review we re dependent on the primary sector and on 
cotton in particular.  Despite the increase in th e volumes exported, cott on-generated revenue had 
fallen.  This trend was all the more damaging as it affected rural populations that were dependent on 
agriculture, while the countries concerned were enga ged in poverty reduction strategies.  Despite the 
worsening deficit on their trade balance in goods a nd services, they had undertaken reform.  Mali had 
been able to make up for the loss in cotton revenues through the boom in gold mining. 
81. The multilateral trading system had a role to pl ay in the economic and social development of 
Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.  As much as those c ountries should continue their efforts, particularly 
with a view to diversifying their economies, equ itable trading rules would enable them to improve 
their performance in the cotton sector, thereby re leasing additional resources for injection into 
economic channels.  As LDCs, they could also e xpect efficient WTO follow-up of their needs with 
respect to building supply capacities, in par ticular through the Integrated Framework. 
82. The representative of Brazil said that his Government was well aware of the problems faced 
by the three countries in their efforts to beco me integrated into the global economy and the 
multilateral trading system.  It was necessary to stri ke a balance between the potential advantages of 
greater worldwide trade liberalization – hitherto  heavily biased against competitive export products 
from developing countries – and the benefits of greater domestic private sector competitiveness, by gradually opening up their economies to international competition. 
83. The WTO's contribution to development involved opening up markets and in particular the 
elimination of barriers faced by produc ts of particular interest to th e LDCs, such as cotton in the case 
of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.  That subsector could play a vital role in poverty alleviation and 
sustainable growth.  The support measures introduced  by certain developed countries had, however, 
placed the countries of West Africa at a disadvantag e.  Brazil fully supported the sectoral initiative in 
favour of cotton and also hoped that financial co mpensation would be granted to make up for the 
losses sustained by those three countries. 
84. The representative of Cuba stressed the vital signi ficance of the decline in world cotton prices 
and the deterioration of the terms of trade for the economies of the three countries under review, and 
hence for the achievement of poverty reduction objectiv es.  It was urgently necessary to resolve the 
problem of cotton, and that should be handled separately from the Doha Programme.  The three countries under review also needed addi tional trade-related technical assistance. 
85. The representative of Côte d'Ivoire noted that his country was also a Member of the WAEMU 
and ECOWAS, and therefore identified itself with th e statements made at the meeting.  The main 
issues were the establishment of the WAEMU's CET, the liberalization of certain economic sectors (particularly telecommunications) under the ausp ices of the Bretton Woods institutions, and the 
shared concern with regard to cotton. 
86. The representative of Gabon noted the importa nce of the opening of a Burkina Faso mission 
in Geneva, as well as of the missions previously opene d by Benin and Mali, in order to strengthen the 
presence of the African Group and the participation of the countries in question in WTO activities.  
His delegation noted that the concerns shared by  Gabon and the three countries under review included 
political stability, francophonie and membership of  the same financial community and of the 
Organization for the Harmonization of Business La w in Africa (OHADA).  He expressed the hope 
that a solution to the problem of cotton would be found as a matter of urgency. 
87. The representative of Egypt expressed the hope that the WTO and the Doha Programme, 
through fair treatment of the cotton issue, would provide support to the economies of the three  WT/TPR/M/131 
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 countries concerned, which remained dependent on that primary product and were therefore 
vulnerable. 
88. The representative of India referred to his count ry's bilateral trade links with the countries 
under review and noted their subregional approach to trade policy.  He emphasized their dependence 
on cotton, and hence their vulnerability, while e xpressing his country's support for an outcome from 
the agricultural negotiations. 
89. The representative of Morocco noted the historic  ties of friendship and cooperation that bound 
his country to Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.  In  April 2000, Morocco had cancelled all the debts of 
African LDCs and had lifted all customs barri ers imposed on imports from those countries, 
demonstrating the importance Morocco attached to the integration of the LDCs into a global economy 
governed by a system of fair and equitable rules and principles.  A trade agreement was currently 
being negotiated between the WAEMU and Morocco. 
90. The economic regimes of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali had many shared features, including 
their membership of the WAEMU, ECOWAS and the AIPO.  He welcomed the development of 
efforts by the WAEMU Commission to harmonize fiscal , customs and trade policies.  Despite being 
LDCs, each of the three countries had endeavoured to implement its WTO commitments at the national level.  His delegation wished to draw at tention to the commitment in favour of the LDCs 
made at the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001 and the commitment undertaken by 
developed countries to devote 0.7 per cent of thei r GDP to development assistance.  In the post-
Cancún context, the results of the Doha negotiations  should be balanced by a favourable response to 
the demands of the LDCs.  The cotton initiative was a legitimate and, above all, an urgent issue. 
91. The representative of Rwanda welcomed the comm itment of the three countries' authorities to 
strengthen the WAEMU and ECOWAS with a view to building the African Union and implementing 
the NEPAD.  The considerable progress recorded by the three countries had enabled relatively high 
growth to be achieved in a context of controlled inflation.  However, those countries, like all the 
LDCs, were on the fringes of the multilateral trad ing system.  Their dependence on cotton and the 
lack of diversity of their exports were major challeng es that needed to be met by efforts on the part of 
the entire international community and, in particul ar, the major trading partners.  The fall in world 
cotton prices was a major obstacle to the implemen tation of poverty reductio n programmes and thus 
constituted a significant barrier to development.  He r delegation hoped that a solution to that question 
would emerge from the negotiations under way.  It also hoped that the three countries would receive 
appropriate technical assistance to resolve certain implementation-related issues, including notifications (the scope of which was extended to all LDCs and certain developing countries) and the 
question of tariff bindings.  Her de legation asked the WTO Members to  contribute to the success of a 
renegotiation under Article  XXVIII of the GATT 1994. 
92. The representative of Chinese Taipei noted that the reforms undertaken by the three countries 
under review had enabled their trade regimes to be updated and brought into closer conformity with 
WTO rules.  The acceleration of economic growth proved that the reforms were on the right track.  
His delegation hoped that the ques tions raised by the sectoral initiative on cotton would be dealt with 
in an efficient and appropriate manner, in order to  give impetus to the Doha Programme and improve 
the state of trade and social conditions in the th ree countries.  His Government entertained good and 
close bilateral relations with Burkina Faso and drew  attention to the twenty one technical cooperation 
projects currently being implemented. 
93. The representative of Tunisia agreed with th e remarks made by the previous speakers 
concerning the reforms undertaken by the three countries under review with a view to ensuring WT/TPR/M/131 
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 improved integration in the multila teral trading system and achiev ing their development and poverty 
reduction objectives.  His delegation supported the in itiatives taken by those c ountries to ensure that 
their sectoral initiative on cotton was handled satisfactor ily within the WTO.  It invited the Secretariat 
to consider the possibility of providing further technical assistance.  WT/TPR/M/131 
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 VII. REPLIES FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE S OF BENIN, BURKINA FASO AND 
MALI AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 
94. The Chairperson said that the debate centr ed on three main topics:  the economic 
environment;  trade policy and structural analysis;  and sectoral policies.  The statements by the 
delegations of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali on each topic would be followed by those of other 
participants. 
(i) Economic environment 
95. The representative of Benin asked to have some replies provided by the representative of the 
WAEMU Commission and said that the answers to some questions asked by Canada and Thailand 
would be provided at a later stage. 
96. Regarding the provisions of the Investment C ode and the industrial free zone regime in 
respect of local content, he pointed out that there was no statutory requirement for local content in the 
production of goods and services. 
97. Concerning the privatization of SONAPRA, he e xplained that the option adopted was that of 
privatization by means of an invitation to tender fo r its industrial operations.  A technical commission 
was studying the tenders received. 
98. He confirmed that the draft law on competiti on was under consideration and that the main 
problems encountered in its drafting were the lack of  specialists, the lack of exchange of experience 
and the choice of the type of authority responsib le for competition matters.  The draft law included 
provisions relating to free pricing, anti-competitive practices, market transparency and unfair 
competition, individual restrictive practices and th e establishment of a National Competition Council.  
The community legislation of the WAEMU dealt exclusively with anti-competitive agreements, 
abuses of dominant position and State aid.  Each member of the WAEMU was required to align its domestic legislation with community legi slation, which was the case for Benin. 
99. The representative of Burkina Faso said th at his country was fully committed to the 
multilateral trading system.  He emphasized its support for the liberalization process within 
ECOWAS, particularly the establishment of an EC OWAS free-trade area in 2004 and the application 
of a common external tariff for the two blocks in 2007.  He confirmed the establishment of national 
mechanisms to facilitate implemen tation of the plan for economic a nd monetary integration between 
the WAEMU and ECOWAS.  The introduction of a lib eralization programme entailed revenue losses, 
but measures have been taken to compensate for t hose losses.  The establishm ent of the economic and 
monetary union within the African Union would fo ster the economic and commercial competitiveness 
of member States. 
100. Concerning the inclusion of trade in national de velopment policies, he explained that trade 
had in fact been integrated into the poverty reducti on strategy, as it played an important role in growth 
and development.  The Strategic Framework for Poverty Reduction (CSLP) served as a blueprint for 
all government action in this field.  It focused on four main themes:  acceleration of growth on an equitable basis;  guaranteed access for the poor to  basic social services and welfare provision;  
increase in employment opportunities and revenue-gen erating activities for the poor on an equitable 
basis;  and promotion of good governance.  In add ition, since 1991, institutional reforms had been 
introduced to liberalize the economy and create an at tractive regulatory framework for private sector 
operators. WT/TPR/M/131 
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 101. Given the importance of the Integrated Fram ework, Burkina Faso expected support from 
development partners in the areas of standardiza tion, customs valuation, weights and measures and 
quality standards.  Burkina Faso was also participating in JITAP II. 
102. The authorities intended to continue privatiz ing the Burkina National Electricity Company 
(SONABEL) and the Burkina Hydrocarbons Comp any (SONABHY), and to establish market 
regulation mechanisms.  As for the National Tele communications Board (ONATEL), in view of the 
lack of financial bids from prequalified enterp rises following two postponements of the established 
time-limit, a strategy for the future was under consideration. 
103. On the question of the revision of the Investment  Code, he noted that the revised Code would 
be adopted by the National Assembly in 2005.  The main amendments concerned the establishment of 
a free-zone regime and the alignment of the disp ute settlement provisions with the texts of the 
OHADA. 
104. Concerning technical assistance, he took note of the cooperative attitude and programmes of 
certain development partners (particularly Japan) in terms of meeting needs in several fields. 
105. The representative of Mali said that all public enterprises in key sectors had been or were 
being privatized.  The Mali Telecommunicati ons Company (SOTELMA), the Mali Shipping 
Company (COMANAV), Mali Airports (ADM) and th e Mali Cotton Oil Mills (HUICOMA) were to 
be sold in the near future.  With regard to SOTELM A, the level of private sector participation had not 
yet been determined. 
106. On the question of investment, he pointed out  that only industrial and mining enterprises 
required official approval.  Such approval was not an  authorization to engage in activity, but an act 
enabling enterprises to receive certain benefits, partic ularly in the fiscal field.  He explained that 
purely commercial enterprises in Mali were taken to be those that bought and sold merchandise and 
goods to the State. 
107. Apart from the import of weapons and amm unition, no other commercial activity was 
specifically reserved for Malian nationals. 
108. Concerning competition, Benin had already replie d to questions on the regional aspect.  The 
national legislation on trade and free pricing, in  force since 1992, dealt with other aspects of 
competition.  The authorities planned to consolid ate national and community legislation in a single 
text, in order to make it more user friendly. 
109. With regard to hydrocarbons, the authorities em ployed a price determination mechanism.  A 
commission (State, consumers and private sector) anal ysed the price structure in order to establish an 
indicative price.  As it was not a fixed price, distributors normally sold at lower prices. 
110. In the electricity sector, a legally independent regulatory body set prices without State 
intervention.  Mali had companies producing energy for their own use. 
111. The WAEMU Commission would reply to questions  on the regional strategy.  Bilateral free 
trade policies were a stepping stone towards small countries' integration into the multilateral trading 
system.  Such policies were limited in duration and facilitated the upgrading of weak economies.  
They were thus not incompatible with th e objectives of the multilateral trading system.  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
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 112. Regarding the inclusion of trade in national de velopment policies, he said that trade was an 
element of the Strategic Framework for Poverty Reduction (CSLP).  The Integrated Framework and 
the JITAP would make it possible to update trade development objectives and integrate them into the 
CSLP when it was revised.  The authorities expect ed support from developmen t partners in those 
fields. 
113. The discussant requested further information on the process and mechanisms established by 
Benin in order to integrate its trade policy into  the PRSP, as well as on its trade-related technical 
assistance needs. 
(ii) Trade policy 
114. The representative of Benin said that consu ltations and preparations for an ECOWAS 
common external tariff were under way.  Scheduled fo r introduction in 2007, the external tariff would 
be based on that of the WAEMU.  The new tariff would be responsible for customs revenue losses.  
His government planned to reduce customs duti es as a proportion of total revenue by increasing 
domestic taxation. 
115. The MFN customs duties imposed by Benin on certain products (fish and fish products, milk 
and dairy products, soap, plastics, cotton, tex tiles and others) would reach a level of up to 
22.5 percentage points above the bound rates.  He  provided details of the composition of customs 
duties and of the value added tax (VAT) rate and product exemptions.  He emphasized that since the 
establishment of the WAEMU's CET, it had not b een possible to negotiate Benin's customs duties 
individually.  A supplementary reply concerni ng tariff measures would be presented by the 
representative of the WAEMU Commission. 
116. Concerning costs and procedures in the port of  Cotonou, the authorities intended to resolve 
the problems of security, incidental costs and administrative delays.  The authorities of Benin and Niger planned to sign a mutual assistance protocol with a view to the real-time exchange of 
information on goods unloaded in Niger in accordance with the cargo manifest.  That system would 
gradually be extended to all the other countries using the port of Cotonou. 
117. With regard to human capacity building in the area of government procurement, he welcomed 
the offer of cooperation from th e representative of Switzerland. 
118. On the subject of standardization, he said that Benin envisaged joining international 
standardization organizations, and a WAEMU commun ity project was currently being implemented. 
119. Concerning the privatization of State-owned commerc ial enterprises, he said that restructuring 
schemes were being implemented in the telecomm unication, electricity and water sectors and at 
SONAPRA.  The State currently operated only th e port of Cotonou and the Benin Port Handling 
Company (SOBEMAP), the future strategy for which was under consideration. 
120. On the subject of intellectual property, he  said that annexes IX (lay-out designs 
(topographies) of integrated circuits) and X (new plant varieties) of the revised Bangui Agreement 
would enter into force following pr ogress in negotiations at the WTO. 
121. The representative of the WAEMU Commission was invited to respond to specific questions 
concerning common policies.  He explained that the preparation of a common schedule of tariff 
bindings for all WAEMU members, pursuant to Article XXVIII of the GATT, was still under WT/TPR/M/131 
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 consideration in the Commission.  Two techni cal missions had been dispatched to the WTO 
Secretariat on that subject. 
122. He confirmed that the rates applied on certai n products exceeded the bound rates.  However, 
he emphasized that the establishment of the CET ha d resulted in a genuine dismantling of tariffs, as 
the MFN tariff average at regional level ha d fallen from 65 per cent to 22 per cent. 
123. The degressive protection tax (TDP) was desi gned to compensate for the considerable 
decrease in protection associated with the establishmen t of the CET.  Initially scheduled to remain in 
force for four years, it should have been termin ated on 31 December 2002, but had been extended 
until the end of December 2005.  Supplementary protection measures could be envisaged in the 
context of the implementation of the ECOWAS CET. 
124. Concerning the application of a reference value system by WAEMU members, he said that 
the system had been in existence since 1999.  A common schedule of produc ts to which reference 
values could be applied had been adopted on 11 March 2002.  Members wishing to apply that 
mechanism were required to draw up their nati onal schedule of products taken from the common 
schedule and to set the proposed value.  He pointed  out that Members could not apply that mechanism 
unless they had obtained a WTO waiver. 
125. The community legislation on competition had b een in force since 1 January 2003.  It 
prohibited certain practices such as cartels, busin ess association agreements and decisions, and abuse 
of dominant position.  The main elements of the le gislation had been adopted as regulations and were 
directly applicable by Members, without needing to  be incorporated in their national legislation. 
126. As far as community anti-dumping legislation was concerned, a code on the subject would 
come into effect as from 1 July 2004. 
127. In the area of government procurement, guidelines on the reform of the sector (to improve the 
efficiency and harmonization of procedures for the award of public contracts) and on the code of 
transparency had been adopted in June 2000. 
128. The ECOWAS integration process was being reinvigorated.  A new timetable had been 
adopted.  The free-trade area should come into opera tion by the end of 2004, and the CET by 2007.  
The latter would be based on the CET of the WAEMU, possibly with some slight modifications.  He pointed out that the WAEMU and ECOWAS secretariats  had entered into intense consultations with a 
view to harmonizing the two integration processes. 
129. The representative of Burkina Faso  said that each member State's list of reference values was 
approved by the WAEMU and based on the actual pr ices charged by manufacturers (invoices).  The 
list could be revised every six months. 
130. Regarding the customs value applied by Burkina Faso, he explained that the definition used 
was that of the WAEMU.  The value was defined as one based on cost, insurance and freight rather 
than entry into the territory, whic h could explain a discrepancy in the reference prices for the same 
product among Members.  Moreover, the WAEMU regulations identifying products to which 
reference values could be applied did not specify any value. 
131. Burkina Faso used the transac tion value except in the case of certain products that were 
subject to reference values (minimum values).  Th e reference values had been notified to the WTO on  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 10 October 2002.  During the first quarter of 2004, a mission from Burkina Faso had visited the WTO 
Secretariat to obtain information on the rules governing maintenance of the system. 
132. The establishment of the customs union and of a common schedule of concessions should 
entail renegotiation of customs duties under Article XXVIII. 
133. The TDP was still applied at a rate of 5 per cent, but it was to be phased out in 2005. 
134. He explained that the national conformity cer tificate (CNC) was used for both imported and 
domestic products.  Prior to the introduction of  WAEMU regulations, it enabled the authorities to 
control product quality in a non-discriminatory manner.  The WAEMU Commission had not objected 
to the fee which was collected upon issue of th e CNC for products deemed eligible under the 
WAEMU community preferential regime.  Since 18 May 2004, those products had been exempted from the fee.  Moreover, Burkina Faso had introdu ced a strategy to improve infrastructure quality in 
specific industrial sectors (agro-industry, construc tion and civil engineering, health, textiles and 
chemicals) and two programmes were being impl emented (a regional programme of the United 
Nations Industrial Development Organizati on, and a WAEMU quality assurance programme). 
135. Regarding government procurement, statistics on the award of contracts for the years 2002 
and 2003 had been presented at the meeting.  The pr eference of 10 per cent granted to local suppliers, 
or of 15 per cent if the offer included local added value, was designe d to develop national 
competencies.  In the short term, it was not planned to revoke that measure, which had been integrated 
into the new Government Procurement Code.  Mo reover, it was planned to publish invitations to 
tender on the Internet. 
136. The new Government Procurement Code had been inaugurated in July 2003 under the 
supervision of a Ministry of Finance working group.   A training plan for all the actors in the sector 
(administrative departments, economic operators, ass ociations, NGOs and civil society) had been put 
in place.  In order to facilitate recourse to the co mpetent authority in the event of a dispute, it was 
planned to implement an action plan for reform of  the judicial system through the support programme 
for consolidation of the democratic process, th e rule of law and good governance (PADEG).  The 
discussant noted the Government's commitment to es tablishing commercial courts and an arbitration, 
mediation and conciliation chamber.   Regarding the problem of extremely slow administrative 
procedures, he said that steps would be taken to improve the situation. 
137. On the subject of notifications concerning St ate-owned enterprises, he explained that the 
authorities planned to apply the notification procedures. 
138. With regard to intellectual property, the entr y into force of Annexes IX (lay-out designs 
(topographies) of integrated circuits) and X (new plant varieties) depended on the AIPO as the depository of the Bangui Agreement.  Once they came  into effect, those annexes would be integrated 
directly into national legislation.  Concerning th e implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, he said 
that Burkina Faso conformed to AIPO requirement s.  The obligations concerning patented products, 
which were to be implemented in 2005, c ontinued to be handled within the AIPO. 
139. Law No. 32/99/AN of 1999 governed copyright.  Burkina Faso applied the revised Bangui 
Agreement which had been harmonized with the TR IPS Agreement in 1999.  The Berne Convention 
and the Treaty Establishing the WIPO had been ratified. 
140. The specific strategies for curbing piracy involved improving controls on the import of works 
into the national territory and making consumers aware of the consequences of piracy.  Concerning WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 anti-piracy measures on the domestic market, he said  that the National Committee to Combat Piracy 
of Literary and Artistic Works (CNLPOLA) was to be made responsible for implementing the law but 
was not yet operational.  That function was currently discharged by the Burkina Copyright Office 
(BBDA).  The international instruments were inte rnational standards, hence their application was 
directly (Bangui Agreement) or indirectly (WIPO Treaty, TRIPS Agreement) binding on States, which were required to adapt their legislation on the subject. 
141. Concerning the scale of technical assistance required to modernize the intellectual property 
regime, he said that it was necessary to build capacity for a better understanding of the 
TRIPS Agreement, to provide the technical services with equipment to afford a better mastery of the 
Agreement, and to provide logi stical support to the CNLPOLA. 
142. The representative of Mali said that his country  had been applying the WTO Agreement on 
Customs Valuation since 1 January 2004.  The WAEMU Commission had replied to the questions 
concerning reference values.  However, he wished to  point out that the notification procedures would 
be put in hand on his delegation's return to Bamako. 
143. The WAEMU Commission had replied to the qu estions concerning tariff bindings.  His 
delegation was in favour of a renegotiation of  tariffs under Article XXVIII of the GATT. 
144. Concerning the special import tax (TCI), he said that it was applied only to sugar. 
145. Concerning the implementation of the Anti-Dump ing and Safeguard Code  of the WAEMU, he 
pointed to the existence of a training deficit.  Serious difficulties had also been encountered, 
particularly with regard to the means of establis hing evidence in cooperation with third countries.  
The authorities planned to implement appropriate training schemes and expected support from the 
development partners in that field. 
146. Regarding technical standards, he explained th at Mali had applied a system of compulsory 
particulars (in the form of labels) on certain products , regardless of origin (imported or local), since 
1993.  That procedure was being reviewed to make it more straightforward. 
147. With regard to sanitary and phytosanitary me asures, increased technical assistance was 
required from the development partners.  He emph asized that the relevant standards constituted 
effective consumer protection measures, but that certain developed countries used them as barriers 
against exports from third countries. 
148. In the area of government procurement, th e mechanism to combat corruption had been 
strengthened and court proceedings had been ins tituted.  Mali would provide the WTO Secretariat 
with answers to the questions concerning statis tics on public contracts awarded in 2002 and 2003. 
149. On the subject of State trading, he said th at the State had totally withdrawn from large 
enterprises and that the OHADA was the regime under which private management was implemented. 
150. Regarding intellectual property, Benin had re plied to the questions concerning the Bangui 
Agreement.  Copyright was protected by Malian legi slation and international agreements.  The AIPO 
was analysing the issue of obligations relating to unpatented products, with a view to their 
implementation in 2005.  Mali applied the internatio nal agreements in the same way as national laws. 
151. The discussant requested further particulars a bout the implementation of Benin's plan to 
reduce dependence on fiscal revenue from customs duties through increased domestic taxation.  He  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 noted Burkina Faso's interest in bringing its re ference value system into conformity with WTO 
provisions.  He also emphasized the importance of the notification procedures of all WTO Members, 
particularly with regard to national standards, for the sake of improving the transparency of the 
multilateral trading system.  Transparency could en sure that those standards were not designed as 
export barriers. 
(iii)  Sectoral policies 
152. The representative of Benin explained that, in the cotton subsector, importers and distributors 
of inputs supplied producers on credit.  Repayment w as effected when the seed  cotton was marketed.  
Thus, the SONAPRA privatization plan had no bear ing on the possibility for growers to choose the 
suppliers from which they would obtain financing for inputs. 
153. Since the 2001-2002 season, the Government ha d ceased to fix the prices of seed cotton, 
tobacco, coffee, cocoa, groundnuts and palm nuts.   The prices for tobacco, coffee, cocoa and 
groundnuts were freely established.  The price of cotton was now fixed by cotton producers and 
ginners, with arbitration by the Interprofessi onal Cotton Association where necessary.  The 
Government had no pre-established policy on the subject of price support.  Price support for 
purchases by cotton producers in the 2001-2002 season was an "exceptional measure". 
154. A study was under way on the introduction of a price-fixing mechanism for cotton purchases, 
which would take account of real trends in the inte rnational market.  It was planned to establish two 
prices:  one price in March-April on the basis of i nvestment rates for the period, in order to enable 
producers to make a choice;  and a second definiti ve price in October-November, established on the 
basis of actual sales, to give producers the bene fit of any improvements recorded on the market. 
155. With regard to policies for the supply of cotton seed grinding factories he said that only 
surplus cotton seeds were exported so as not to  jeopardize the survival of the oil mills. 
156. The main characteristics of the reform under wa y in the cotton subsector were the sale of 
cotton inputs to producers at a single price throug hout the country and the purchase of seed cotton 
from producers at a single price negotiated with the ginners. 
157. Regarding the electricity sector, the Benin El ectricity and Water Company had been divided 
into two separate entities:  one for electricity distri bution, the other for water.  The authorities planned 
to set up a technical regulatory authority for the energy sector. 
158. Concerning the telecommunication sector, he ment ioned the liberalization of fixed telephony 
services through the establishment of a new company.  Work was in hand to achieve those objectives.  
A regulatory body had been established in  2002, but was not yet operational. 
159. With regard to anti-competitive practices in the cellular telephony sector, he referred to 
discriminatory price practices among operators.  The WAEMU Commission was studying the matter, 
since such practices were prohibited by  the community Code on Competition. 
160. In the business services sector, there we re no restrictions on foreign suppliers. 
161. The representative of Burkina Faso, referring to  current privatization policy in the cotton 
sector, noted that a selection procedure had been impl emented by means of an international invitation 
to tender issued in 2003 with th e support of the World Bank.   Eight companies had submitted bids, 
five of them had been prequalified and only two had been selected in June 2004.  In July 2004, they WT/TPR/M/131 
WT/TPR/M/132 WT/TPR/M/133 
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 would take charge of their respective areas ( centre and east) and from November 2004 they would 
participate in the seed cotton marketing campaign.  A permanent secretariat had been set up to monitor the liberalized cotton subsector. 
162. Three cotton companies were to provide producers with agricultural inputs.  They would be 
required to purchase all seed cotton from producer s in their respective ar eas.  Producers would 
continue to receive financing (loans) from banks and micro-credit institutions. 
163. The purchase price for seed cotton was fixe d annually by a management committee (the 
majority of whose members were producers), taking into account trends in world prices at the 
beginning of each season.  Prices for the current  season were up 16.2 per cent compared with the 
previous season. 
164. Since 2003, experiments had been conducted on th e cultivation of biotech cotton (transgenic 
cotton).  In addition, Burkina Faso had ratified th e Cartegena Protocol in 2003 and had recently, in 
June 2004, adopted safety rules in respect of biotechnologies. 
165. The subsidies for petroleum products (fuel o il, kerosene and butane gas) applied since 2002 
did not cover production and represented three per cen t of budgetary expenditure.  The purpose of the 
subsidies was to enable the most disadvantaged soci al groups to have access to low-cost energy and to 
combat desertification. 
166. Concerning the accreditation of banks and credit in stitutions, he explained that applications 
were approved by the Ministry of Finance with th e concurrence of the Central Bank of West African 
States (BCEAO).  Under the single accreditation proce dure, the authorizations granted were valid in 
all WAEMU Member States. 
167. He pointed out that the Code of the Inter-Afri can Insurance Market Conference (CIMA) did 
not authorize direct branching from abroad in resp ect of insurance services.  Cross-border insurance 
services were authorized, if they observe d the provisions of the CIMA Code. 
168. In view of the country's landlocked situation, the transport sector played a vital role.  He 
provided details of two sectoral adjustment plans (PASEC-T (1992-2000) and the Sectoral Transport 
Programme (2004-2008)), and of the projects planned under NEPAD. 
169. With regard to the telecommunication sector, he said that the mobile telephony segment had 
been liberalized since 2002 and a regulatory authorit y was in place.  Fixed te lephony would be opened 
up to competition from 1 January 2006.  There was genuine competition between Internet access 
providers.  Burkina Faso had not yet entered into any commitments concerning information 
technology and related services.  The authorities ha d requested support from the WTO Secretariat for 
the preparation of offers to be submitte d for consultations at national level. 
170. The tourism sector was an important factor in social and economic development and in 
combating poverty.  Among other things, the development of that sector took account of 
environmental protection requirements.  New legi slation to promote the sector, which was being 
considered for approval by the Council of Minister s, abolished restrictions on foreign suppliers. 
171. Concerning the distributive (retail) trade, he sa id that derogations from existing legislation 
were planned to enable foreigners to  participate in that type of trade.   In certain areas of management 
counselling (chartered accountants, notaries and la wyers), access by foreign service suppliers was 
regulated.  WT/TPR/M/131 
 WT/TPR/M/132 
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 172. The representative of Mali said that the restruct uring of the cotton sector should result in the 
establishment of two or three new cotton compani es in addition to the incumbent operator, the 
CMDT.  The CMDT had withdrawn from the marketing of fertilizers (partially transferred to 
producers) and from transportation and the maintenance of rural dirt roads.  It was uncertain whether 
2006 would set the seal on the effective privatiza tion of the CMDT.  There was no link between the 
ongoing privatization process and subsidization practices. 
173. The prices of seed cotton were not fixed by the St ate but by the actors themselves, in the light 
of trends in world prices and seed cotton price levels  in neighbouring countries.  The authorities were 
endeavouring to have more cotton processed locally, since Mali processed less  than one per cent of 
domestic cotton output.  Mali was now promoting organic cotton growing. 
174. The electricity sector had been fully liberali zed, and a regulatory body was responsible for 
setting prices. 
175. As far as the AGOA was concerned,  the textile visa had been issued in December 2003.  The 
authorities were seeking to obtain the visa for category 9 articles (hand-woven textiles). 
176. With regard to financial services, Burkina Faso  had already replied to questions concerning 
authorization requests for the establishment of  financial institutions and branch offices. 
177. The telecommunication sector (fixed and mobile telephony and the Internet) had been fully 
liberalized since 1999.  Since 2002, with the en try of the private operator (IKATEL), effective 
competition had been introduced in both the fixed and mobile telephony segments. 
178. In the area of tourism, there were no restrictions on providers of foreign services.  A 
programme to promote the sector had been adop ted and was being implemented.  Information 
technology and related services were fully open to co mpetition.  Mali had not yet submitted offers in 
these fields under the GATS in the cont ext of the negotiations under way. 
179. The discussant underscored the quality of the qu estions asked and answers given, as well as 
the significant level of participation by delegations  in the TPRB meeting.  That facilitated the smooth 
running of the multilateral trading system and improved the transparency of Members' trade policies.  He requested the authorities of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali to transmit to the WTO Secretariat the replies to the questions put to them  that they had not yet answered. WT/TPR/M/131 
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 VIII.  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
180. This second trade policy review of Benin, Burk ina Faso and Mali has allowed us all a far 
better understanding of recent developm ents in their trade and related policies and in the challenges 
they face.  Our dialogue has been thorough and comprehensive, stimulated by the full and open 
engagement of the high-level delegations, the in sightful comments by the discussant and the many 
interventions by Members. 
181. Members commended Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali for their concerted efforts at 
macroeconomic stabilization and for their structural reforms in the period under review.  They noted 
that sustainable development and poverty allevi ation remained a challenge, as did elements of 
governance and certain structural disadvantages.  In this connection, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali 
were encouraged to move ahead with their refo rm programmes, including privatization and market 
and product diversification. 
182. Members were appreciative of the efforts made by the three countries to simplify their tariff 
structure, through the implementation of the WAEMU common external tariff, reducing unilaterally 
the average MFN tariff of two of the three Memb ers under review.  Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali 
confirmed their commitment to the multilateral syst em and to the WTO.  Some Members suggested 
that the countries under review should seek to narrow the gap between their bound and applied rates.  
Members also noted the imposition of additional bo rder levies and charges, as well as the use by 
Burkina Faso and Mali of WAEMU-agreed administ ered prices for customs valuation purposes, and 
progress made recently on this matter. 
183. Members emphasized trade as a development t ool and underlined the importance of the 
Integrated Framework and other c ooperation initiatives.  Benin, Burkin a Faso and Mali did not benefit 
fully from their WTO membership, as their own res ource constraints did not always allow them to 
identify and/or exploit opportunities.  Several Members indicated that, despite their direct or indirect 
contribution in providing technical assistance to a nd promoting trade with the Members under review, 
the progress in their integration into the multilatera l trading system had been slow.  Many Members 
underlined their commitment to continuing to prov ide trade-related technical assistance to the three 
countries. 
184. Members noted the dependence of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali on cotton and other 
agricultural commodities.  They raised several quest ions in this respect, wh ile recalling recent cotton-
related developments in the WTO.  Some expressed  support for the gradual elimination of the cotton-
support practices of certain developed countries. 
185. Members sought further clarification on: 
 Investment incentives; 
 
 inter-regional integration process; 
 
 renegotiation of tariff bindings; 
 
 anti-dumping regulations and competition policy; 
 
 technical barriers to trade; 
 
 state-trading enterprises;  WT/TPR/M/131 
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 government procurement pr actices and prospects; 
 
 intellectual property rights; 
 
 issues relating to financial services, telecommunications, energy, transport and 
tourism. 
 186. Members expressed appreciation for the replies provided by the delegations of Benin, Burkina 
Faso and Mali and looked forward with inter est to further responses and clarifications. 
187. In conclusion, the Chairperson said that the re view had enabled Members to take note of the 
progress made by Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali since their first review, and of the development 
problems they faced.  The impressive participation by delegations in the meeting, the number of questions posed and the lively discussion demonstrat ed the importance attached to this trade policy 
review.  She encouraged Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali to continue implementing their reform 
programmes with a view to enhancing the transparen cy, predictability and credibility of their foreign 
trade regimes and confirming their adherence to WTO principles.  But that observation had to be put 
into context.  Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali faced real resource constraints:  technical assistance was 
required from the WTO and other competent organizations.  The needs had been clearly identified in the Secretariat reports and efforts should be made to meet them.  In addition, the trading partners 
could contribute by ensuring that their markets we re open to products from Benin, Burkina Faso and 
Mali, and by further exploring opportunities to assi st them in achieving their development objectives. 
__________ 
 
 