Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 1 Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organisations 31 October – 1 November 2006 Strengthening National and Regional Trade Facilitation Organisations 31 October – 1 November 2006

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat2 The Pacific Islands Forum Region 16 Countries are members of the PIF (14 of which are Island countries) 16 Countries are members of the PIF (14 of which are Island countries) PIFS delivers a range of regional public policy services – politics, law enforcement & economics (includes trade policy) PIFS delivers a range of regional public policy services – politics, law enforcement & economics (includes trade policy) Other than Australia and New Zealand, global trade is not significant Other than Australia and New Zealand, global trade is not significant Fish - biggest resources amongst island economies Fish - biggest resources amongst island economies

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat3 Trade Facilitation – Development & Objectives Mandate: Political Statement : Trade Ministers agree that TF is key trade policy issue Mandate: Political Statement : Trade Ministers agree that TF is key trade policy issue Establishment of National TF Committees (NTFC) essential Establishment of National TF Committees (NTFC) essential Partnership - an integral element of TF Partnership - an integral element of TF NTFC – to ensure trade facilitation polices consistent and seize the opportunities from regional/ international trade developments NTFC – to ensure trade facilitation polices consistent and seize the opportunities from regional/ international trade developments Challenge is to tailor national polices to the unique needs and realities of the individual country Challenge is to tailor national polices to the unique needs and realities of the individual country

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat4 NTFC Structure National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) SUB-COMMITTEES Government agencies, Quarantine, Standards, Customs, Market Access, Transport, Freight Forwarders, Insurers Shipping, Airline, Port authority, Brokers, other specialised or industry specific groups (wholly Private sector sub-committees). INTER- DEPARTMENTAL Policy Working Group GOVERNMENT and PRIVATE SECTOR Policy Working Group

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat5 National Trade Facilitation Committees - theory and practice Established by Ministerial Mandates Established by Ministerial Mandates Chaired by Ministers who can meet twice a year Chaired by Ministers who can meet twice a year Subcommittees established and who meet as required Subcommittees established and who meet as required Regular reporting Regular reporting Partnership between public and private sector Partnership between public and private sector Private sector related needs & priorities be driving force for formulation of solutions Private sector related needs & priorities be driving force for formulation of solutions Integrated approach of TF policy demands Integrated approach of TF policy demands Political commitment – regional/national Political commitment – regional/national Funding support – demand driven Funding support – demand driven

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat6 Regional Coordination Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) – a five year programme Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) – a five year programme Funded by Australia and New Zealand Funded by Australia and New Zealand Has four main components – Customs, Quarantine and Standards & Conformance and Coordination Unit Has four main components – Customs, Quarantine and Standards & Conformance and Coordination Unit Forum Trade officials and Ministers meet every two years to review progress Forum Trade officials and Ministers meet every two years to review progress

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat7 Funding and Sustainability Regional level – Regional Trade Facilitation Forum, annual national consultations & donor funded Regional level – Regional Trade Facilitation Forum, annual national consultations & donor funded National level – some countries establish NTFCs funded primarily by national govts and supported by Forum Secretariat National level – some countries establish NTFCs funded primarily by national govts and supported by Forum Secretariat Periodic review essential Periodic review essential The prerequisite cross-cutting reforms, programmes and activities drives the funding demand at this stage (funding for TF bodies are not the issue) The prerequisite cross-cutting reforms, programmes and activities drives the funding demand at this stage (funding for TF bodies are not the issue)

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat8 Supporting agencies & opportunities Oceania Customs Organisation Oceania Customs Organisation Pacific Plant Organisation Pacific Plant Organisation Donors Donors International Organisation International Organisation Harnessing support of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation Harnessing support of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat9 MERCI