By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Thursday April 09, commenced a workshop geared towards sensitizing stakeholders on the implementation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation agreement.
The end result of the workshop would see the establishment of a National Committee on Trade Facilitation that would see the adoption of the WTO agreement.
The WTO deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.
In December 2013, WTO members concluded negotiations on a Trade Facilitation Agreement at the Bali Ministerial Conference, as part of a wider “Bali Package”.
Since then, members of the global body have commenced a legal review of the text. In line with the decision adopted in Bali, WTO members adopted on 27 November 2014 a Protocol of Amendment to insert the new Agreement into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement. The Trade Facilitation Agreement will enter into force once two-thirds of members have completed their domestic ratification process.
The Trade Facilitation Agreement 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.
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has underscored the importance of international trade to Guyana’s economy given that there is only so much that can be done locally.
Dr Singh speaking at the launch of a workshop,pointed out that for Guyana’s economy to grow and expand, international trade would play an integral role.
He reminded stakeholders that they all have a role to play in promoting Guyana to the international community.
He said that GRA has made some significant strides with respect to centralizing its services to customers but there is still work to be done.
The Minister also touted the implementation of a single window for trade transactions coming from the government. He said that though the project is in its beginning stages it is something that the government sees as a necessity.
“Even as we implement the ultimate solution, I would like to charge you with the task of taking immediate steps to make yourself a more effective facilitator of trade relations,” the Minister underscored.
He said that by doing so, it would result in minimal complaints coming from local and international importers and exporters about the length of time it takes for business transactions to be concluded.
“An importer or an exporter should not have to go multiple times to an agency to lodge an application, lodge an entry come back chase it up, make a hundred phone calls, collect back their form go to somewhere else to pay, somewhere else to collect their receipt and somewhere else to collect their goods…time is money,” Singh noted.
