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Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organisations. Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organisations 31 October – 1 November 2006. The Pacific Islands Forum Region. 16 Countries are members of the PIF (14 of which are Island countries)
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Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organisations Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organisations 31 October – 1 November 2006 Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
The Pacific Islands Forum Region • 16 Countries are members of the PIF (14 of which are Island countries) • PIFS delivers a range of regional public policy services – politics, law enforcement & economics (includes trade policy) • Other than Australia and New Zealand, global trade is not significant • Fish - biggest resources amongst island economies Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Trade Facilitation – Development & Objectives • Mandate: Political Statement : Trade Ministers agree that TF is key trade policy issue • Establishment of National TF Committees (NTFC) essential • Partnership - an integral element of TF • NTFC – to ensure trade facilitation polices consistent and seize the opportunities from regional/ international trade developments • Challenge is to tailor national polices to the unique needs and realities of the individual country Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL Policy Working Group GOVERNMENT and PRIVATE SECTOR Policy Working Group • National Trade Facilitation Committee • (NTFC) SUB-COMMITTEES Government agencies, Quarantine, Standards, Customs, Market Access, Transport, Freight Forwarders, Insurers Shipping, Airline, Port authority, Brokers, other specialised or industry specific groups (wholly Private sector sub-committees). NTFC Structure Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
National Trade Facilitation Committees - theory and practice • Established by Ministerial Mandates • Chaired by Ministers who can meet twice a year • Subcommittees established and who meet as required • Regular reporting • Partnership between public and private sector • Private sector related needs & priorities be driving force for formulation of solutions • Integrated approach of TF policy demands • Political commitment – regional/national • Funding support – demand driven Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Regional Coordination • Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) – a five year programme • Funded by Australia and New Zealand • Has four main components – Customs, Quarantine and Standards & Conformance and Coordination Unit • Forum Trade officials and Ministers meet every two years to review progress Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Funding and Sustainability • Regional level – Regional Trade Facilitation Forum, annual national consultations & donor funded • National level – some countries establish NTFCs funded primarily by national govts and supported by Forum Secretariat • Periodic review essential • The prerequisite cross-cutting reforms, programmes and activities drives the funding demand at this stage (funding for TF bodies are not the issue) Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Supporting agencies & opportunities • Oceania Customs Organisation • Pacific Plant Organisation • Donors • International Organisation • Harnessing support of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
MERCI Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat