The WTO Public Forum was held on 1 to 3 October 2013. The third day of the meeting was devoted to discussion of issues that were relevant to the OPEC summit in Bali. These issues included trade facilitation as well as economic development issues and matters surrounding agriculture. A presentation by the World Bank and the OECD emphasized trade facilitation as an opportunity for promoting economic development. The World Bank has dedicated substantial funds to supporting developing countries in commitments that could arise in respect of agreements on trade facilitation.
A tool presenting trade facilitation indicators was explained to the Forum by the OECD. This tool is an aid for policy makers by helping them to identify the areas that require their attention and action. The costs of cross-border trading may be greatly reduced by simplification of documents and procedures. The most important element in trade facilitation is human resources and the provision of adequate training for staff. Other measures in respect of simplifying customs procedures may be implemented with relatively little cost.
The World Bank noted that in addition to resources and assistance from international organizations in the area of trade facilitation there is an increasing tendency for countries to coordinate their efforts to improve capacity. This type of south-south cooperation in trade matters is evident among regional groupings of developing countries which meet to share knowledge and experience and thereby strengthen the capacity of their personnel and government organizations.
There was also discussion at the Forum of the trade aspects of agriculture. This is an area where the developing countries have an interest in obtaining reductions in tariffs, quotas and subsidies but where Europe and North America continue to distort trade by continuing subsidies to producers in their regions. In addition to these trade issues there was also discussion of important non-trade issues such as food security that are important to developing countries.
