The Trade Agreements Sector (TAS) is now preparing in coordination with the WTO’s Trade Policy Review body (TPRB) for the fourth Trade Policy Review for Egypt. This fourth review will take place under the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Mechanism during July 2011. Previously, Egypt underwent  its trade policy reviews during 1995, 1999 and 2005[1].

In this regard, TAS has begun to address all the  relevant  authorities in order to gather the trade related information including laws, regulations, decrees, statistics, reports and publications which were issued since the last review of Egypt. Once received and compiled, TAS will forward such information to the TPRB to commence the report prepared by WTO in this regard.

It was agreed with the TPRB that such review will be conducted in accordance with the following schedule:

·        Sending a questionnaire to the Egyptian authorities by the WTO Secretariat before July 2010 to identify the required information for the commencement of preparation of its report.

·        The First Secretariat Visit to Cairo during the first half of October 2010 to collect the replies and information from the Egyptian side.

·        Drafting the secretariat report by March 2011.

·        The Second Secretariat Visit to Cairo during the first half  of October 2010, to gather the Egyptian Government’s comments on the draft Secretariat report.

·        Providing the Secretariat with the Egyptian Government report  before May 9, 2011.

·        Finalizing the Secretariat’s report in May 21, 2011.

·        Distributing  the  Egyptian Government’s report and  the secretariat report on 20/06/2011.

·        Final discussion in the WTO under Egypt’s fourth TPR on the  26^th  and 28^th of July 2011.