The case of Saint Lucia IFC/World Bank Conference on Trade Logistics Washington DC - June 7, 2010 By Senator the Hon. Charlotte Tessa Mangal Minister for Commerce, Industry & Consumer Affairs

All facilities, arrangements and regulations must be satisfied in an efficient manner when moving goods and services from suppliers to consumers; Goal: An efficient link between suppliers and consumers

Relatively small market Two (2) Airports Two (2) Seaports A modern ICT platform and banking systems Automated Customs processing Standards and Licences regimes Functional business organizations Components of Trade Logistics in Saint Lucia

WTO compliance self-assessment done in December 2008 Compliant & partially compliant in 35 out of 49 areas Not compliant in 5 out of 49 areas Not applicable in 9 out of 49 areas Saint Lucia’s Trade Facilitation Self Assessment

Import alerts/rapid alerts Detention Use of international standards Acceptance of commercially available information and of copies; Harmonization/standardization for transit (acceptance of commercially available information and copies of transit); Phasing out mandatory use of customs brokers;

Co-ordination of activities and requirements of all border agencies (Internal Agency co-ordination) Improved co-ordination and co-operation for transit; Pre-arrival processing Separating release from clearance procedures Objective criteria for Tariff classification Strengthened non-discrimination

Publication and notification of trade regulators and of Provision

Provision of advance rulings Single window/one-time submission Authorized traders Establishment and publication of average release and clearance times Customs co-operation

Absence of administrative policy Resource constraints – human, technical and financial resources Constitutional constraints Lack of co-operation and co-ordination between agencies (absence of a single window) Lack of clearly outlined procedures in national legislation or administrative procedures.

Develop and implement policy, strategies and procedures Training and capacity building Legislative Review Enhance co-operation and co-ordination among agencies Sensitization of policy makers and private sector on issues related to trade facilitation

1. Policy Reform 1.1Fiscal 1.2International Standards Compliance (WCO, WTO 1.3Risk Management 1.4Information Technology 1.5Authorized Traders 2. Strategy for Communications and Information Management

3. Capacity Building: 3.1Legal Drafting 3.2Risk Management 3.3WCO time release study recommendations 4. Funding and Advisory Needs: 4.1Communications and IT 4.2 Capacity Building 4.3 Single Window implementation: equipment and services

1. Establishment of a National Trade Facilitation Task Force to: Ensure effective government and business dialogue Provide a forum to interact with the private sector to encourage their use of international standards and practices Develop an action plan to improve trade facilitation initiatives in Saint Lucia 2. Comprehensive effort underway to review and simplify processes, procedures and documentation 3. ASYCUDA++ presently installed at Saint Lucia Customs and project underway to introduce ASYCUDA World by July 2010.

The adoption of international standards and benchmarks Harmonization of regional Customs legislation Support of CARICOM initiative on Customs harmonization Compilation into one easy read volume of all Customs laws, regulations and other trade related laws Introduction of a fast track system for customs and trade laws within the legislative process Regular review of trade and Customs legislation Trade Facilitation Areas to Address

Simplify regulatory regimes Co-ordination between regulatory authorities Single window to enable interfacing between regulatory authorities Upgrade communication policies and practices to meet international benchmarks The establishment of an enterprise friendly trading environment that promotes: -Business awareness programmes for government officials -Enhanced knowledge of trade regulations by traders Lack of financial and technical resources to establish and operate electronic trade systems

Four (4) main ports of entry Customs, Immigration, Saint Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority Laws, Regulations, Licensing, Concession Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards Government – Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Consumer Affairs, Ministry of International Trade Business – Chamber of Commerce, SLISBA, Manufacturers, Coalition of Service Industries Banking – Bankers Association, ECCB Consumers – Consumer Affairs Department, National Consumers Association, Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards

Easy access to our market with no impediments Improving trade logistics for greater efficiency and economic benefit Accessing and utilizing international support Reciprocity and removal of trade prohibitions However, we must protect our farmers and livestock producers from unfair/subsidized US competition

THANK YOU THE END