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Trinidad and Tobago charts the way forward for EPA
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| Published on Thursday, October 29, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) continues to drive the effort to have this country reap maximum benefit from the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and CARIFORUM (CARICOM and the Dominican Republic), signed in 2008.
On Wednesday, 21 October 2009, the Ministry of Trade and Industry brought together stakeholders for the programme: CARIFORUM/EU EPA: Charting the Way Forward – An Information Session for Trade-Related Institutions (TRIs). The objective of the session was to update agencies involved in the EPA process about the Ministry’s gains and requirements under the EPA. Also on the agenda was a discussion of the development co-operation provisions available under the terms of the EPA.
The importance of the TRIs in the implementation process cannot be over stressed. While the MTI is responsible for negotiating and coordinating the implementation of all trade agreements, their active participation is required to create the infrastructure for agreements like the EPA to succeed.
Senator Mariano Browne, Minister of Trade and Industry who delivered the feature address, supported this policy.”… Under the Cabinet-approved Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) was designated as the Coordinator organization for EPA implementation. In accordance with this mandate, we are seeking to ensure that TRI’s activities with regard to the EPA are aligned in order to realize maximum benefits from our efforts to transition into this new Agreement.
A large degree of interconnectedness is required amongst TRIs to make trade happen. We recognize that trade across borders carries with it certain risks, hence the input required from agencies which fall under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. Effective trade must also involve goods of a certain standard, and this requires the supervision of the Bureau of Standards. Products must follow a common standard or basic best practice to move successfully across borders.
Government appreciates fully that as the front-line organizations in the implementation process, the TRIs must clearly understand the EPA and the specific roles that they will be expected to play. As I have stated before, the major difference between developed and developing countries is that the former have implemented systems and organized themselves to deliver within clearly defined structures.
We must begin to move in this direction and take responsibility for dismantling outdated practices, like the unfortunate tendency to co-exist in silos, working in isolation from one another, if this country is to achieve developed nation status. Trade is not just about goods and services crossing borders, it is also about arrangements between governments and different government agencies which support the movement process.”
Browne also revealed that he believes the EPA actually provides Trinidad and Tobago with the opportunity to harmonise trade processes. As an example, he pointed to the fact that the Agreement calls for the application of a single administrative document or electronic equivalent in the European Community and in CARIFORUM. He revealed that some of the underlying support structures to enable this would include modernized customs techniques, simplified procedures at import and export, post release controls and objective procedures for authorized traders.
Speaking of the Ministry’s newest initiative, he said: “In this regard, the Single Electronic Window (SEW) whose implementation was launched yesterday is a perfect tool to synergise these multiple, interdependent activities. We expect that the SEW will reform the nature and architecture of trade facilitation locally. The SEW promises to change the focus of authorities to facilitating trade, while ensuring the secure flow of goods and the efficient administration and collection of revenues in keeping with Vision 2020.
This will be achieved through application of a new ICT platform which enables all trade related agencies to communicate, share information and generate approvals. As a result our competitiveness should improve and we would have created an enabling environment for stakeholders involved in the import and export of goods.”
Norris Herbert, Director, Trade in the Ministry provided opening remarks. Also on hand to address the gathering was Trudy Lewis, Economist II –from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Two presentations were also delivered: the first on the ‘Relevant Chapters of Title I – Trade in Goods; Protocol I – Rules of Origin and Trinidad and Tobago’s Liberalisation Schedule. The second presentation examined the Development Co-operation Provisions in the EPA.
Agency updates were provided by: the Customs and Excise Division, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau off Standards. | | | | Reads : 426 | | | |
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