100 likes | 113 Views
Results of WTO Trade Facilitation Self Assessment of Needs – Chinese Taipei –. WTO/World Bank Workshop on Needs Assessments July 21 , 2008. Background Information. Time: 31 March – 3 April, 2008 Venue: Taipei Facilitators: 2 Participants: 39 Participating parties: 14
E N D
Results of WTO Trade Facilitation Self Assessment of Needs – Chinese Taipei – WTO/World Bank Workshop on Needs Assessments July 21, 2008
Background Information • Time: 31 March – 3 April, 2008 • Venue: Taipei • Facilitators: 2 • Participants: 39 • Participating parties: 14 • Coordinating Agency: Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA • Cost: USD9,100 (excl. airfares)
Participating Parties – Public Sector • Council for Economic Planning and Development • Ministry of Transportation and Communications • Council for Agriculture (Quarantine ) • Department of Health (Food Safety) • Ministry of Finance (Customs, Treasury) • Ministry of Economic Affairs (Trade, Standards, Negotiating Office)
Participating Parties – Private Sector • Association of Importers & Exporters • Customs Brokers Association • Airfreight Forwarders Association • Trade-Van Information Services Co. • International Cooperation and Development Fund
Overview of Findings 44 proposed measures were considered (TN/TF/W143/Rev.1) Preparedness- Already Compliant with 22 (50%) Partially compliant with 15 (34.09%) Not compliant with 0 (0%) Not applicable with 7 (15.91%)
Most Difficult Measures USE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: • Lack of accessto international standards • Not involved in the standard-setting process SINGLE WINDOW/ONE-TIME SUBMISSION: • Difficult to integrate the existing three systems • Difficult to harmonize data elements required by different agencies • EXPEDITED SHIPMENTS: • Lack of facilities for non-intrusive inspections • Doubts about fair competition between integrated express carriers and ordinary airlines
Other Trade Facilitative Measures Horizontal initiatives • Centralized legislation database • Single government Gazette • De minimus threshold for imports • Relief of petty duties IT Applications: • Container tracking system • Transaction-status tracing system • Web-based declaration & payment system • Mobile clearance and enforcement system
Make the Most of Our Taskforce Management and Operation • Confirm coordinating agency and stakeholders • Establish contact list with alternates • Call on meetings regularly (three-tier system) • Findings to be reviewed and updated Link between capital and Geneva • Sharing meeting conclusions and suggestions • Direct contacts or via a domestic single window • Timely Q&A via email, phone meeting, etc.
Few Suggestions • Identify measures needing Financial assistance • Compile statistics of non-(partial) compliant items • More experience sharing in addressing difficult measures
Thank you Arthur YANG arthur.yang@taiwanwto.ch