Customs DG-Commissioner Meeting on Trade Facilitation
Post-event Statement
This meeting was held in Tokyo on 13-15 February 2007, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Japan, the World Customs Organization, and ADB, attended by twenty-nine participants from twenty-three countries; that is, Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei; Cambodia; People’s Republic of China; Fiji Islands; India; Indonesia; Macau, China; Malaysia; Maldives; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Solomon Islands; Sri Lanka; Taipei,China;, Thailand and Viet Nam. This three-day high-level meeting focused on policy aspects of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation as well as practical trade facilitation ways, such as use of information and communication technology (ICT), partnership with private sector, and regional cooperation. At the opening of the meeting, Masahiro Kawai, ADBI Dean delivered the opening remarks. Other papers and presentations of the meeting are available on the ADB’s website. |
Purpose
To provide technical inputs to customs administrations of DMCs that are members of the WTO to help them develop a detailed plan for implementing the Agreement on Trade Facilitation.
Background
In November 2001, the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched a new round of multilateral trade negotiations known as the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), or Doha Round, to revitalize the world economy through the expansion of trade. As trade plays a key role in reducing poverty through faster economic growth, international institutions are invited to assist developing member countries (DMCs) in international trade. Capacity development is particularly essential, to integrate the DMCs into the WTO multilateral trading system, as called for in the statements of the Group of Seven (G7), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders? meetings, and WTO ministerial conferences.
In May 2002, the WTO and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) concluded a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in technical assistance in WTO-related issues in the region. At the request of the Government of Japan, made to the President on behalf of the APEC economies, ADB?s Economics and Research Department launched three WTO-related capacity development programs in 2002, 2003, and 2004. The responses to an evaluation questionnaire indicated that these activities have achieved the expected outcomes. Many participants also requested a focus on trade facilitation in future capacity development programs.
Objectives
- To discuss the political importance of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation
- To analyze the economic benefits from the implementation of the agreement
- To address key trade facilitation issues, such as partnership with the private sector,use of information technology and regional cooperation
- To introduce RETA 6355 (Capacity Development of Selected Developing Member Countries on the Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement of the World Trade Organization) to maximize its benefits to the DMCs
Outputs
Dissemination of information on the meeting in the ADB website.
Participants
Customs commissioners and directors general. Participation is by invitation only.
Language
English (interpretation will not be provided)
Cosponsors
(to be confirmed) ADB, Government of Japan, World Customs Organization
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