Minutes First session of the Coordinating Committee on Trade Facilitation (CCTF)

Minutes First session of the Coordinating Committee on Trade Facilitation (CCTF)

Minutes

First session of the Coordinating Committee on Trade Facilitation (CCTF)

Dushanbe                              #1                                           January 31, 2017

Chairman: Mr. Hikmatullozoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade

20 members of the Committee (out of 24) participated in the session. These members are approved by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, #529 as of December 24, 2016. Remaining four members of the CCTF (representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, andTransport and Tax Committee) did not participate at the meeting due to unknown reasons. Besides, 58 representatives of business community, public unions of Tajkistan as well as international organizations also participated at this meeting. The agenda included four topics:

1.     Discussion of the matters related to the CCTF functioning:

                               i.            WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (Presentation by the Head of Unit of Collaboration with CIS Countries,

                            ii.            Organization of work of CCTF (Presentation by the Head of Department of Collaboration with WTO – CCTF Secretary),

                         iii.            Approval of the CCTF members’ rotation procedures (replacement of representatives of organizations and agencies).

2.     Discussion and approval of the draft of Actions plan on compliance of Tajikistan’s legislation, law enforcement practice with the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and Plan of actions on ensuring of compliance of the national customs legislation with the provisions of the International convention on the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention).

3.     Discussion of the draft law of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan “On approval of further measures related to simplification of administrative procedure of export, import and transit of goods”

4.     Other issues.

Mr. Hikmatullozoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and CCTF Chair hadled the first session of the Coordinating Committee on Trade Facilitation. Representatives of the relevant national ministries/agencies – CCTF members, representatives of the private sector and international organizations took part in the session.

Following the agenda, first three issues related to the CCTF functioning (WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, Organization of work of CCTF and replacement (rotation) of the representatives of organizations and agencies) were presented for the discussion of CCTF members and participants of the session. In order to increase the level of awareness of the business community about the trade facilitation issues, it was suggested to conduct CCTF sessions in the regions.

Further, participants had reviewed and discussed abovementioned issues and suggested thatthe list of participants should be prepared before the beginning of the session. Moreover, CCTF members suggested including 12 members from among the representatives of business community and public unions. List of members has to be prepared and submitted to the Secretariat in the nearest future.

As for the draft of Plan of Actions on ensuring the compliance of Tajikistan’s legislation, law enforcement practice with the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and Plan of Actions on ensuring compliance of the national customs legislation with the provisions of the International convention on the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention) and draft law of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan “On approval of the further measures related to simplification of administrative procedures of the export, import and transit of goods,” CCTF members mentioned that they will review these two issues next time. Members will review these issues within two weeks and include theminto the next session’s agenda.

CCTF Chairman proposed that following the CCTF Statute, CCTF members that are not going to participate in the CCTF session due to a reasonable excusehave to inform CCTF Secretariat in advance in writing.

At same time it was proposed that in future, drafts of legal and regulatory acts and other issues related to trade facilitation and subject to review and discussion have to be presented to CCTF Secretariat one or two weeks in advance.

In course of the session it was proposed to establish subject-matter Technical Working groupsin order to promote issues related to Single window for export, import and transit procedures, to support industrial enterprises and export development, to ensure the compliance of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan with the provisions of the WTO Trade facilitation Agreement and aspects relatedto banking activities.

CCTF Chairman (Minister of Economic Development and Trade) had requested CCTF members to present their suggestions and proposals regarding the CCTF Work plan for 2017 to the CCTF Secretariat before the next session.

It should be noted that representatives of the business community and public unions of Tajikistan as well as representatives of the international organizations spoke and expressed their thoughts and ideas about the above-mentioned issues. CCTF has accepted expressed proposals.

Based on the review of the issues, CCTF has ordered following:

1.     Next CCTF session will be conducted after one month;

2.     Secretary together with CCTF members have to prepare and review CCTF Work Plan and present it for the review at the next CCTF session;

3.     List of representatives of enterprises, organizations and unions of Tajikistan for CCTF membership has to be presented for further approval;

4.     To approve the replacement (rotation) procedures of the representatives of organizations and agencies in the CCTF (with the consideration of suggestions and proposals);

5.     To establish Technical Working Group under the leadership of the representative of the Customs Service in order to promote issues related to the Single Window for export, import and transit procedures;

6.     Within two weeks, CCTF members have to present their suggestions to the CCTF Secretariat on elaboration of the draft of Plan of Actions on ensuring the compliance of Tajikistan’s legislation, law enforcement practice with the provisions of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and Plan of Actions on ensuring compliance of the national customs legislation with the provisions of the International convention on the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention) and draft law of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan “On approval of the further measures related to simplification of administrative procedures of export, import and transit of goods.”