In an air cargo industry
looking for new markets, return on investment, and less time on the ground,
the World Trade Organization (WTO) initiative toward acceptance of a new
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is underway amidst hopes of ratification
by the WTO’s 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi this December
15-18, 2015.
To date, four of the 160 WTO members—Hong
Kong (China), Singapore, the United States, and Mauritius—have secured
domestic acceptance of the TFA, which was concluded at the WTO’s
2013 Bali Ministerial Conference.
But two-thirds of the WTO’s 160 members
will need to ratify the TFA in order for the agreement to enter into force.
Sources say the big hang up to securing
acceptance is amongst members, where local politics and domestic legislative
challenges need to be overcome.
Several members have already told WTO they
are not in a position to ensure ratification by the Nairobi meeting scheduled
for later this year.
There is no deadline for securing the two-thirds
threshold.
IATA Jumps
In
The International Air Transport Association
said it supports countries implementing TFA, the World Trade Organization's
Trade Facilitation Agreement, and put up a MOU agreement signed with the
United Nations.
“Aligning regulation and procedures
with global standards and best practices has the potential to deliver
major efficiency gains.
“Together with UNECE, we will work
with developing countries to simplify their procedures and enhance their
facilities,” IATA said.
Long Flight
To Speed Things Up
Already two years underway, the idea to
move ahead with TFA was concluded at the WTO’s 2013 Bali Ministerial
Conference. The TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release,
and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.
It also sets out measures for effective
cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade
facilitation and customs compliance issues.
It further contains provisions for technical
assistance and capacity building in this area.
The Protocol of Amendment inserting the
TFA into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement was subsequently adopted by the
General Council on November 27, 2014.
This in turn opened the door for members
to formally accept the TFA through their domestic legislative procedures.
More information on trade facilitation and
the TFA can be found at here.
Geoffrey
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