WTO Public Forum 2016 to discuss inclusive trade
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is to hold its Public Forum 2016 in September 2016 with the theme of inclusive trade. The Public Forum will discuss how a broader range of businesses and individuals can become involved in the world trading system
See MoreIMF Technical Note Considers WTO Tax Rules
A technical note published by the IMF on 29 March 2016 considers to what extent the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules affect the freedom of policy makers to frame their tax policy. The paper entitled Is the WTO a World Tax Organization? A Primer
See MoreUK: Customs Vision for 2020
On 22 January 2016 HM Revenue and Customs issued the Customs Vision for 2020 setting out the aspirations of UK Customs in the next five years. These include the aim to facilitate legitimate trade, protect society and grow the economy. UK Customs
See MoreWTO: Ministers Agree Nairobi Package
A number of measures have been implemented by Ministerial Decisions issued at the Tenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that concluded in Nairobi on 19 December 2015. Preferences for LDC services The waiver period
See MoreWTO Public Forum to discuss how to make trade work
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Public Forum for 2015 is to be held from 30 September to 2 October 2015. The Forum will include a high-level plenary debate on “Making Trade Work More Inclusively” looking at the contribution of trade to
See MoreUK: Research report on SME interaction with UK Customs
On 20 July 2015 the UK government published the results of research into the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from interaction with Customs when importing from and exporting to countries outside the European Union. The
See MoreWTO announces extension of the Information Technology Agreement
The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced on 24 July 2015 that an extension of the scope of the Information Technology Agreement has been agreed by 54 major exporters of these products. The scope of the agreement will be extended to cover new
See MoreWTO launches new phase of Enhanced Integrated Framework
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a new phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a program of support for the poorest countries on trade issues. The first phase of the program ran from 2010 to 2015 and a new phase was launched
See MoreWTO conducts trade policy review of New Zealand
On 29 June and 1 July 2015 the World Trade Organization (WTO) is conducting the fifth trade policy review of New Zealand. The review is based on a report submitted by the government of New Zealand and the report prepared by the WTO Secretariat. The
See MoreWTO conducts trade review of Canada
The World Trade Organization (WTO) conducted its tenth review of trade policies and practices of Canada on 15 and 17 June 2015. The review was based on a report issued by the Canadian government and a report by the WTO Secretariat. The WTO
See MoreWTO conducts trade policy review of Chile
On 23 and 25 June 2015 the World Trade Organization (WTO) conducted a trade policy review of Chile. The review was based on a report issued by the government of Chile and a report by the WTO secretariat. The WTO notes in its report that Chile was
See MoreWTO reports on G20 trade measures
The World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its thirteenth trade monitoring report on G20 trade measures on 15 June 2015. The report shows a slowing down in the implementation of new restrictive trade measures in G20 countries. It is not clear if this
See MoreIndia: WTO conducts trade policy review
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is conducting a trade policy review of India on 2 and 4 June 2015. The report on India’s trade policy issued by the WTO before the review and published on its website indicates that trade liberalization has
See MoreNew Customs Code of Uruguay
The new Customs Code of Uruguay was enacted on 18 March 2015 .The new Code was approved by the Uruguayan Parliament on 10 September
See MoreWTO -Summary of ongoing work for 2015
A Parliamentary Conference hosted recently by the World Trade Organization (WTO) was arranged by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the European Parliament. The WTO Director General addressed the group of parliamentarians on 17 February 2015 and gave
See MoreWTO Director-General addresses LDC Group Ambassadors and Experts Retreat
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General has noted in a speech to the Less Developed Countries (LDC) Ambassadors and Experts that in the coming months there is an opportunity to address some of the core issues affecting LDCs. There has
See MoreWTO concludes trade policy review of Brunei Darussalam
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has conducted its third trade policy review of Brunei Darussalam and has looked at progress since the previous review in 2008. The WTO noted that Brunei has simplified and liberalized its trade regime with the
See MoreCanada: Customs can seize foreign exporters’ devalued shipments
The new policy is wished to prevent exporters from devaluing shipments destined to Canada and it was declared in late January 2015. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has stated that goods destined for a Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) importer
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