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SACU-EFTA AGREEMENT. Xolani Nqaba Directorate: International Trade. Content. Background Overview of the Agreement Specific benefits and opportunities MFN Rates vs Preferential Rates Market Access Requirements/Procedures Contact Details. Background.
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SACU-EFTA AGREEMENT Xolani Nqaba Directorate: International Trade
Content • Background • Overview of the Agreement • Specific benefits and opportunities • MFN Rates vs Preferential Rates • Market Access Requirements/Procedures • Contact Details
Background • European Free Trade Association (EFTA): intergovernmental organisations set up for the promotion of free trade and economic integration. • EFTA membership: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. • Major net-importers of agricultural products. • EFTA an important trading partner of SACU.
Overview of the Agreement • EFTA - SACU negotiations launched in 2003. • The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in June 2006 and entered into force on 1 May 2008. • Agreement to be gradually implemented over nine years.
Overview of the Agreement Cont… • Trade in Agricultural Products • Processed agricultural products included in the Main agreement (as Annex III). • Primary/Basic agricultural products covered in separate bilateral agreements between individual EFTA countries and SACU. • Lists of products for which the partner countries grant preferences to one another found in the annexes of the agreements.
Specific benefits and opportunities • For processed agricultural products EFTA States grant SACU products preference that is not less favourable than that accorded to the European Union. • Bilateral agricultural agreement with Switzerland: • SACU will have better market access for canned oranges, mandarins and apricots. • Duty free access for canned peaches, grapefruit and lemons. • Cider apples and apples for distilling duty free within the limits of a market access quota. • Bilateral agricultural agreement with Norway: • SACU will face duty free access for certain types of canned fruit: - i.e. certain Pineapples, Pears, Apricots, Peaches and Mixtures of certain fruits of heading 0803 – 0810.
Specific benefits and opportunities Cont… • Bilateral agricultural agreement with Iceland: • SACU secured duty free access for all canned fruit, fruit juices, wine, grapes, citrus and apples. • Further liberalisation through a review clause in all the three bilateral agreements.
Market Access Requirements/Procedures • Compliance with: • Rules of Origin (RoO) • Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, etc • The administration of export permits for quotas - Directorate Marketing.
Contact details • 1. For SACU-EFTA FTA visit: • www.sars.gov.za and follow the links: - • Customs and Excise; Trade; Trade agreements • 2. Joyce Letswalo or Xolani Nqaba • Directorate: International Trade (012) 319 8007 or 319 8020 • Thank you