1 / 20

Trade Facilitation in the WTO

Trade Facilitation in the WTO. Samer Seif El Yazal Samer.seif@wto.org. Contents. Introduction Key issues Legal Framework Negotiating mandate. 1. Introduction – Singapore 1996. Four Singapore Issues Trade and Investment Trade and Competition Policy

prem
Download Presentation

Trade Facilitation in the WTO

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Trade Facilitation in the WTO Samer Seif El Yazal Samer.seif@wto.org

  2. Contents • Introduction • Key issues • Legal Framework • Negotiating mandate

  3. 1. Introduction – Singapore 1996 • Four Singapore Issues • Trade and Investment • Trade and Competition Policy • Transparency in Government Procurement • Trade Facilitation

  4. 1. Introduction– Doha 2001 • Doha Ministerial Declaration (Nov. 2001) Paragraph 27 Negotiations will take place after the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference on the basis of a decision to be taken by explicit consensus on modalities of negotiations. The CTG shall review and as appropriate clarify and improve relevant aspects of Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT 1994.

  5. 1. Introduction: TF in the context of the Doha Round TF as part of the Doha Round • Added in 2004: • General Council Decision, 1 August 2004 • Annex D: Modalities for negotiations • Part of the “Single undertaking” • Late start..... .... but same finishing line

  6. 1. Introduction -Objective • Making trade procedures as efficient as possible through the simplification, rationalization and harmonization of procedures, documentation, and information flows • Specific focus of work: Articles V, VIII and X of GATT 1994

  7. 2. Key issues Main problems for traders • Excessive documentation requirements • Burdensome border-crossing procedures • Lack of automation and scare use of IT • Lacking transparency and predictability • Lack of cooperation and coordination • Outdated legislation inhibiting change

  8. GATT 1994 3.Legal framework Existing WTO rules on TF GATT 1994: • Art. V • Freedom of Transit • Art. VIII Fees + Formalities connected with Importation & Exportation • Art. X • Publication and Administration of Trade Regulations

  9. 3. Legal Framework • Claimed shortcomings • Lack of clarity and precision • Lack of operationality • Lacking enforceability • Lacking transparency and predictability • Absence of requirements for cooperation and coordination amongst the various stakeholders

  10. Mandate: Negotiations!!! • Clarify and improve V, VIII, X • SDT - Longer transition periods • No obligation for infrastructure • Identify needs and priorities • Technical Assistance & support WT/L/579- Annex D

  11. State-of-play: Trade Facilitation • More than 25NGmeetingsso far • Substantive number of proposals • Progress towards a draft-text • Negotiations should bear overall outcome of DDA

  12. State-of-play: TradeFacilitation • Work Plan • Member-driven, covering all elements of the mandate in a flexible way • Participation of relevant international organizations on an ad hoc basis

  13. Trade Facilitation: Members’ Proposals • More than 150 submissions sponsored by more than 100 Members • Sponsored by developed and developing countries alike, with even LDCs presenting written proposals (teaming up with developed ones) • 3 main categories Related to the 3 GATT Articles Related to S&D, TA&CB and other elements Related to customs cooperation

  14. State-of-play: Trade Facilitation • Main areas addressed • Improvements/clarification of Art. V, VIII+X • Technical assistance and capacity building • Special and differential treatment • Needs and priorities assessment • Cost implications • Coordination and coherence

  15. Summary of Proposals • Simplification • Reduction of requirements • Harmonization (use of international standards) • Streamlining of procedures • Impartiality and Non-discrimination • Enhanced coordination & cooperation • Enhancement of transparency and predictability

  16. Trade Facilitation: Members’ Proposals Compilation (TN/TF/W/43.Rev.14) • regularly updated to reflect new input • Living (working) document

  17. WB Study- Conclusions • Six country studies – Identify additional needs and priorities for TA and capacity building support • Egypt, Paraguay, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal & Sri Lanka • No one starting from scratch • WTO TF agenda in line with existing modernization plans and strategies • Modest costs except for single window and one stop border stations • Customs ahead of other agencies • Some TA needed for effective implementation in key areas • Barriers to effective implementation not always responsive to TA regardless of its quality and quantity • Need for country specific needs assessments to ensure effective integration of WTO agenda into wider TF programs

  18. Why Self Assessment of Needs? • MANDATE – self assessment • Members’ Proposals • Move negotiations forward • Participate more effectively • Prepare for implementation

  19. Up-To Date Information www.wto.org • Trade Facilitation • Trade Facilitation Technical Assistance And Capacity Building Trade facilitation document code: TN/TF/

  20. Thank you for your attention

More Related