2-day workshop on implementing WTO Trade Facilitation in the OECS Union to be held 7th & 8th April

The Ministry of Trade, Energy and Employment will be hosting a two (2) day workshop from 7th to 8th April 2016, on Implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) in the OECS Economic Union.
 
This workshop is being held in collaboration with the OECS Commission, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
 
This Trade Facilitation Agreement, which was concluded at the 9th Ministerial Conference in December 2013, in Bali, Indonesia, outlines a set of trade-related measures for its Membership which are geared at improving the efficiency, expediency and transparency in Customs procedures and promoting cooperation amongst Customs Officials, other Border Control Agencies and the private sector.
 
According to a release, the National Trade Facilitation Workshop will seek to improve participants understanding and appreciation of the TFA, and its relevance to economic growth and development in Dominica and by extension the OECS Economic Union.
 
Participants are also expected to discuss Dominica’s efforts toward implementing the Agreement, and more specifically, developing a national strategy, action plan and proposal, for those measures which will require time, resources & technical assistance for operationalization.
 
As an active Member of the OECS, Dominica’s strategy will form part of a wider regional strategy, which will serve to enhance trade facilitation in the OECS Economic Union, and assist in facilitating the operations of the OECS Customs Union, and Free Circulation of Goods Regimes.
 
The Workshop will bring together stakeholders from the public and private sector, including the Ministries of Trade, Agriculture, Health, Justice, the Dominica Bureau of Standards, Customs, Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC), Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA), the Brokers Association, Tropical Shipping, the Hucksters Association and other Importers.