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Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
      On December 2, 2021, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavkizod Zavqi Amin met with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Dmitry Mariyasin and the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Switzerland Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger.
       Issues of economic cooperation between Tajikistan and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and Austria within the framework of the WTO and SPECA were discussed at the meeting. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin expressed gratitude for the mutually beneficial cooperation and asked for more assistance in the digitalization of the economy, digital trade, trade facilitation, agriculture and other priority areas, which was welcomed.
Participation of the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade in the 5th Istanbul Economic Summit
Participation of the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade in the 5th Istanbul Economic Summit
       On December 10, 2021, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon Safarali arrived in Istanbul, Turkey to attend the 5th Istanbul Economic Summit. The event was organized under the name "Green Economy" and included such topics as "The Importance of the Green Economy Sustainable Development Goals", "The process of change and transformation of global renewable energy", "The impact of ecotourism on the economy, social and cultural life". “Changing the Mobile Ecosystem and the Future of Our Autonomy”, “Electrification Transformation in the Automotive Industry”, “How are Green Appeal and Green Financing Rebalancing the Global Economy?” and "A New Balance in a Torn COVID-19 Supply Chain." In the relevant panels of Abdurakhmonzoda A. S. speakers provided the participants with specific information on 4 global humanitarian initiatives proposed by the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on water issues, in particular, the proposal of Tajikistan to declare the International Decade of Action "Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028”, as well as a proposal to declare 2025 the “International Year of Glacier Protection” and to establish a special International Glacier Protection Fund. At the same time, Abdurakhmonzoda A. S. informed about the significant achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of e-commerce and digitalization of the economy, and invited participants, investors and representatives of international organizations to participate in priority investment projects in the country.
The Republic of Tajikistan presented its First Trade Policy Review to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
The Republic of Tajikistan presented its First Trade Policy Review to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
        On December 6-8, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland, the first meetings of the Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan within the framework of the WTO were held with the participation of an official delegation headed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin and representatives from 164 participating countries.
         Chairman of the Committee on Food Security Faizullozoda M.U., Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Abdurakhmonzoda A.S., First Deputy Director of the Agency "Tajikstandart" Davlatzoda R., First Deputy Head of the Customs Service Tursunzoda A.Kh., Deputy Head of the Strategy Planning Department and reforms Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Mukaddazoda F. and others accompanied.
          Zavkizoda Z. A. emphasized that the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, identified the strengthening of export potential, diversification of exports and simplification of trade procedures as the priorities of the Government's economic policy in the field of trade.
          At the same time, Zavkizoda Z.A. noted that after joining the WTO, as a result of the measures taken by the government of the country, despite the influence of external factors related to the economic and financial crisis, trade disputes, economic sanctions and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, exports doubled, the production of industrial goods increased by 1.8 times, agricultural products by 2.1 times and agriculture by 1.3 times, as well as for the first time in the experience of the country "Single window" to simplify export-import and transit operations, as well as how the Tajikistan Trade Portal was introduced.
The head of the official delegation provided detailed information on the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in the economic sphere of the country for almost 9 years of membership in the WTO and answered more than 156 questions and comments from member countries, including Russia, the USA, the EU, China, Canada, India, Iceland, Singapore, Argentina, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Turkey and Kazakhstan.
           The meeting was chaired by the Ambassador of Botswana to the WTO and the Trade policy of the Republic of Tajikistan was discussed at these meetings for the first time. During its accession to the WTO, Tajikistan actively participated in global trade initiatives, achieving an average annual economic growth of 7% and an average annual trade growth of 10%.
           Representatives of member countries such as the Russian Federation, the United States, the European Union, the People's Republic of China, India, Turkey, Singapore, Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Ukraine and the Dominican Republic highly appreciated the achievements of Tajikistan over 30 years of independence, assessed the effectiveness of the WTO and described fulfillment of Tajikistan's obligations to the WTO. In conclusion, the Member States wished success and prosperity to Tajikistan for the further development of trade and participation in the international trade system.
Meeting of the official delegation of the country headed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin with the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebecca Greenspan
Meeting of the official delegation of the country headed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin with the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebecca Greenspan
       On December 7 in Geneva, Switzerland, an official delegation of the country headed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin met with the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebecca Greenspan.
       Chairman of the Committee on Food Security Faizullozoda M.U., Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Abdurakhmonzoda A.S., First Deputy Director of the Agency "Tajikstandart" Davlatzoda R., First Deputy Head of the Customs Service Tursunzoda A.Kh., Deputy Head of the Strategy Planning Department and reforms Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Mukaddazoda F. and others accompanied.
       At the meeting, the directions of economic cooperation of Tajikistan with the UN Conference on Trade and Development and the automated system of customs information were considered.
        Zavkizoda Z.A. expressed gratitude for mutually beneficial cooperation and asked to increase assistance in the digitalization of the economy, digital commerce, trade facilitation and other priority areas.
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavkizoda Zavqi Amin with the Director General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavkizoda Zavqi Amin with the Director General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
      On December 3, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavkizoda Z. A. met with the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ms. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala in Geneva, Switzerland.
       At the meeting of Zavkizoda Z. A. ñongratulating Ms. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala on her appointment as the Director General of the WTO, she noted that the Republic of Tajikistan during its membership in the WTO, according to the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, President Emomali Rahmon has achieved a number of significant achievements in the areas of development of foreign trade, strengthening the country's export potential, facilitation of trade procedures and in general, sustainable economic development. In particular, after joining the WTO, the number of trading partners increased from 90 to more than 110 countries, the volume of exports doubled, and the list of exported goods increased by 1.8 times. The Trade Portal of Tajikistan was also launched and a number of important trade reforms were implemented.
        At the same time, in connection with the high-level meetings of the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan within the framework of the WTO scheduled for December 6-8 this year useful proposals were made.
        The WTO Director General highly appreciated the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of trade in particular, the simplification of trade procedures and activities within the framework of this international organization and congratulated the Tajik side on these achievements.
        Zavkizoda Z. A. invited  Director General Tajikistan to take part in a high-level event on the interim results of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028", which will be held in the summer of 2022 in Dushanbe.
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
On December 2, 2021, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavkizod Zavqi Amin met with the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Dmitry Mariyasin and the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Switzerland Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger.

Issues of economic cooperation between Tajikistan and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and Austria within the framework of the WTO and SPECA were discussed at the meeting. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin expressed gratitude for the mutually beneficial cooperation and asked for more assistance in the digitalization of the economy, digital trade, trade facilitation, agriculture and other priority areas.
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavkizod Zavqi Amin with the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Mr. Taeho Lee
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavkizod Zavqi Amin with the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Mr. Taeho Lee
    On December 2, 2021, as part of the First Session of the WTO Trade Policy Review, which will be held on December 6-8 in Geneva, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Zavqizod Zavqi Amin, met with the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN and other organizations. In Geneva, Mr. Taeho Lee also met to discuss the First Commentary on Trade Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan with the WTO.
      At the meeting, issues of preparation for the first meetings of the First Review of the country's trade policy within the WTO were considered. It should be noted that Mr. Taeho Lee, in accordance with the requirements of the WTO, as the First Review of the Trade Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan at these meetings will evaluate and resolve issues related to the trade policy of the Republic of Tajikistan. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin thanked Taeho Lee for agreeing to discuss the First Commentary on the Trade Policy of the Republic of Tajikistan and his positive assessment of the country's achievements as a WTO member.

COVID-19 AND AGRICULTURE: A STORY OF RESILIENCE
•    The COVID-19 outbreak and its rapid spread caught many governments and agricultural producers by surprise, prompting immediate policy responses by WTO members. Many of the initial measures were expected to impact negatively on the agricultural sector. But agriculture has in fact shown resilience, with a trade performance that has fared better than other sectors.

•    The initial response measures were aimed at addressing members most urgent concerns: containing the virus to save lives, and ensuring food security at home. In addition to lockdowns, these measures included policies that both facilitated and restricted agriculture trade: new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and tariff reductions, as well as export restrictions. There was also an increase in stockpiling. Agricultural trade flows changed significantly, due notably to a sudden change in consumption patterns triggered by the measures put in place.

•    Initial measures focused on guaranteeing the immediate availability of food, have been followed by a second phase of policies seeking to mend broken supply chains and to help agricultural producers to cope with the “new normal” situation. While many governments have gradually relaxed lockdown measures, removed several export restrictions, and introduced domestic support measures to support the agricultural sector, the pandemic continues to spread in different parts of the world and is expected to continue to influence the demand for and supply of agricultural products.

•    Trade in agricultural products has been more resilient than overall trade. This reflects the essential nature of food and the resulting relative income-inelasticity of demand for it, as well as the fact that most agricultural trade (notably cereals and oilseeds) takes place in bulk marine shipments that have not been subject to major disruptions. While overall merchandise trade fell sharply in the first half of 2020, agricultural and food exports increased by 2.5 per cent during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2019, with an increase of 3.3 per cent in March, followed by a 0.6 per cent increase in April, although the preliminary data for May indicate a small decrease (-1.3 per cent) compared to 2019.

•    This overall picture conceals the fact that demand for certain agricultural products (e.g. non- food agricultural products such raw fur skins, wool or flowers) dropped dramatically, while increasing for others (e.g., staple food, processed fruits and vegetables) reflecting initial panic buying and increased home-based consumption. In April 2020, exports dropped also for several food products, notably for higher-value products, such as fresh produce, dairy and meat, which are generally more dependent on sales to restaurants, schools and the tourism sector than to households. In addition, high-value perishable products transported by air were hit harder by the sudden collapse in air passenger traffic, which diminished air freight capacity and raised costs.

•    Impacts have varied across regions. Asia saw its agricultural exports decline in March 2020, followed by Europe and North America in April. But some regions have seen exports increase compared to the same period in 2019, with the biggest increases in South America, driven by Asian demand for the region’s exports of products such as soybeans, sugar and meat.



•    Food prices were already on a downward trend at the beginning of 2020. The COVID-19 crisis exerted further downward pressure on prices, and therefore on producer revenues. Although June saw the first increase in world food prices since the beginning of 2020, prices are expected to remain at low levels amid the economic downturn.

•    While world food stocks and production levels for the most widely consumed staples – rice, wheat and maize – are at or near all-time highs, and lower prices in principle make food more affordable, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on jobs and incomes has increased the number of hungry people. According to the World Food Programme’s most recent estimates, 270 million people could be acutely food-insecure by the end of 2020, representing an 82 per cent increase from before the pandemic. Producing and storing enough food is not sufficient if it does not reach those in need. By contributing to the availability and affordability of food, trade remains a crucial part of the solution to countries’ food security concerns – particularly at a moment when people’s incomes are under pressure. It is therefore critical to keep trade flows open, and to ensure that food supply chains stay operational.

1.    TRENDS IN AGRICULTURAL MARKETS AND TRADE

Trade in food and agricultural products has been more resilient than trade in other products. Trade in agricultural products (Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) definition, value terms) even increased in March and April 2020 (by 3.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent, respectively) compared to the same period in 2019 (see Figure 1). Trade in agricultural products has been more resilient than trade in other products owing to several factors including, in particular, the relative income inelasticity of demand for food (given that food products are essential for survival) and the fact that most agricultural trade (notably cereals and oilseeds) takes place in bulk marine shipments that require less human interaction and have not been heavily disrupted by pandemic-related transport restrictions.

While total exports increased for many food products, other products saw their exports decrease, with the sharpest drop in exports for non-edible agricultural products (such as raw fur skins, wool, raw hides and skins, vegetable textile fibres, essential oils, live trees and other plants, and flowers). The agricultural products that registered increased exports in March included cereals, some meat products, edible nuts, oilseeds and oleaginous fruits, and fruits (fresh and dried). In April, however, exports of agricultural products dropped for most product groups with the notable exception of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits. The preliminary data for May 2020 seem to confirm the same trend, recording lower levels than in April 2019, with the exception again being oil seeds and oleaginous fruits.

The initial increase in exports for many food products, notably in March 2020, reflects in large part the rise in demand for retail products, representing the shift in consumption patterns away from restaurants and other public eateries and towards people’s homes. In addition to initial panic-buying by consumers, many governments have revived or increased stockpiling programmes (increasing demand notably for cereals) or have stepped in to procure unsold produce for distribution to populations in need. In April, total agricultural exports remained at a similar level to that of the previous year; however, exports of several individual product groups decreased as a result of reduced demand triggered by lockdown measures. The food products for which trade performance has suffered the most since the outbreak of COVID-19 are those that are most sensitive to transportation disturbances (particularly those requiring airfreight and containers) and/or those for which demand has fallen as a result of confinement measures and the economic crisis (such as high- value perishable products).

Cotton is monitored closely at the WTO, given its importance to some of the poorest countries in the world. Cotton exports have dropped significantly since the beginning of the year due to declining
WTO members narrow field of DG candidates
WTO members narrow field of DG candidates
WTO members narrowed the field of candidates to be the next Director-General as General Council Chair David Walker of New Zealand and his co-facilitators in the selection process disclosed today (8 October) the two candidates advancing to the third and final round of consultations which will determine the successor to Roberto Azevêdo.

WTO members narrow field of DG candidates
General Council Chair David Walker (centre) accompanied by his two co-facilitators in the DG selection process, Amb. Dacio Castillo of Honduras (right) and Amb. Harald Aspelund of Iceland (left), on their way to a Heads of Delegation meeting where Amb. Walker announced the outcome of their second round of consultations with members.
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Director-General selection process
All documents associated with this meeting
From 24 September to 6 October, WTO members expressed preferences on five remaining candidates during consultations with Amb. Walker, Amb. Dacio Castillo of Honduras and Amb. Harald Aspelund of Iceland.

Based on the depth and breadth of preferences articulated to the facilitators, Amb. Walker told a Heads of Delegation meeting on 8 October that the two candidates who secured the broadest and deepest support from the membership and who should subsequently advance to the final round are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Yoo Myung-hee of the Republic of Korea.

The result creates an historic precedent for the WTO in that it assures that the 7th Director-General will become the first woman to lead the organization. These two candidates were chosen from a field of five(*) that had advanced to the second round of consultations.

As the members move to the final round of consultations, Amb. Walker emphasized, as he has at every stage, that the ultimate objective of this measured and clearly defined selection process is to secure a consensus decision by members on the next Director-General.

“Our aim continues to be to encourage and facilitate the building of consensus among members, and to assist in moving from this final slate of two candidates to a decision on appointment. As this is the final round of the consultation process, it should bring us to the point where we can make a recommendation to the General Council concerning that decision,” Amb. Walker added.

The General Council is the highest decision-making body of the WTO apart from the Ministerial Conference which meets every two years.

“As was the case for the first round, the entire membership remained fully engaged in and committed to this process. The facilitators and I are grateful for this very positive response. It is clear that all members attach great importance to this process,” Amb. Walker said.

The General Council Chair had warm words for those candidates who will not be progressing to the third round.

“On behalf of the entire membership, I would like to express deep gratitude for their participation in this selection process. It was clear that members consider them individuals of outstanding qualifications. I am sure you will all agree with us that in participating in the selection process, the candidates have all made a significant contribution to the standing and image of the WTO,” Amb. Walker said.

During the confidential consultations Amb. Walker of New Zealand, Amb. Castillo, chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, and Amb. Aspelund, chair of the Trade Policy Review Body, posed to each delegation a single question: “What are your preferences?” Members then submitted two preferences to the “troika” of ambassadors.

Amb. Walker said the third phase of consultations will commence on 19 October and run until 27 Octoberto afford members sufficient time to prepare their positions. Another factor in waiting a week for stage three to begin is the busy calendar of meetings next week, including a scheduled two-day session of the General Council, which Amb. Walker will chair. Amb. Walker's full statement is available here.

“During this period, WTO members will be asked in confidential consultation to express to the facilitators a single preference and based on these preferences, the troika will deliver their assessment on which of the two candidates is most likely to command a consensus of the membership and become the seventh Director-General of the World Trade Organization.  Following this third round of consultations, Amb. Walker will call another Heads of Delegations meeting at which the results will be announced to the WTO membership.

Amb. Walker would then call a formal General Council and present the troika's recommendation to the membership for a formal decision.”

The General Council agreed on 31 July that there would be three stages of consultations held over a two-month period commencing 7 September. As agreed, during these two months the number of candidates has been reduced from eight to five and then two. In trimming the roster of candidates from five to two, WTO members have concluded the second of these consultative stages.

The consultation process taken by the facilitators has been set by guidelines established by the General Council in a 2002 decision. According to these guidelines, the key consideration in determining which candidate is best poised to achieve consensus is the “breadth of support” each candidate receives from the members.

During the DG selection processes of 2005 and 2013, breadth of support was defined as “the distribution of preferences across geographic regions and among the categories of members generally recognized in WTO provisions: that is (least developed countries), developing countries and developed countries.” The Chair said he and his colleagues were guided by the practices established in these General Council proceedings and he further explained that the decisions made clear that “breadth of support means the larger membership”.

The process for selecting a new Director-General was triggered on 14 May when former Director-General, Mr Azevêdo, informed WTO members he would be stepping down from his post one year before the expiry of his mandate. He subsequently left office on 31 August. Amb. Walker immediately proceeded with the procedures for the appointment of the Director-General that were agreed under the 2002 guidelines. These guidelines require the General Council Chair to begin consultations with members on DG selection as soon as possible and “may establish expedited deadlines as necessary in consultation with Members”.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria; H.E. Yoo Myung-hee of Korea; Amb. Amina C. Mohamed of Kenya; Mr Mohammed Maziad Al-Tuwaijri of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Dr Liam Fox of the United Kingdom
Videoconference between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, and the Representative of the Department for Trade and Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the PRC in the Republic of Tajikistan,
Videoconference between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, and the Representative of the Department for Trade and Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the PRC in the Republic of Tajikistan,
In pursuance of the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, on July 22, 2020, a videoconference was held between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, and the Representative of the Department for Trade and Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Sun Yan.

During the meeting, a number of important issues were discussed, namely the dispatch of Chinese specialists to ensure the smooth operation of joint ventures, the construction and reconstruction of infrastructure projects in the transport, energy and social sectors, as well as the resumption of the work of the Tajik-Chinese Mining Company located in p. Zarnisor, Guliston, Sughd region.

At the same time, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade asked for assistance in simplifying the procedure for the transfer of goods in the Kulm border area by trailing containers, as well as assistance in completing the construction work of the Kulob-Sh.Shohin and Shkev-Qalayum sections project by the 30th day anniversary of the Independence Day Tajikistan.

The Chinese side announced that in August this year it will send 250 Chinese specialists to the Republic of Tajikistan, of which 150 specialists will be employed for the construction of the "New Parliament building and the complex of buildings for the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan" and the reconstruction of the Bokhtar-Kulyab intercity roads, including the Kulyab-Muminabad section and 100 Chinese specialists. for other projects in various fields.

The Chinese side expressed its readiness to cooperate and comprehensively provide technical assistance regarding these proposals.
The trilateral grant agreement is worth 18.6 million euros for the construction of the Sebzor HPP signed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade
The trilateral grant agreement is worth 18.6 million euros for the construction of the Sebzor HPP signed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade
In order to fulfill the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade as co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission of Tajikistan with the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Swiss Confederation attracted 55.2 million US dollars for the construction of the Sebzor HPP and its energy infrastructure in the Roshkala region of GBAO with a capacity of 11 MW.

July 22, 2020 Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Z.A. signed a trilateral grant agreement with the German Development Bank for the construction of the Sebzor HPP in the amount of 18.6 million euros, which is a grant provided by the European Union.

It should be recalled that on August 2, 2019, an Agreement on Financial Cooperation was signed between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, according to which Germany provided a grant of 17 million euros for the construction of the Sebzor HPP.

Also on December 2, 2019, between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Swiss Confederation to finance the construction of a 110 kV power transmission line "Sebzor-Khorog", an open switchgear 110 kV, measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, a grant agreement was signed in the amount of $ 9.55 million. USA

At the same time, the World Bank provided a grant of US $ 1.9 million to prepare a feasibility study for the 110 kV power transmission line Khorog-Ishkashim and US $ 3 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to conduct the necessary research and increase the capacity of Pamir Energy OJSC.

It should also be noted that an Agreement was signed on the allocation of funds to Tajikistan in the amount of 1 million euros to cover the needs of the republic in the fight against the new coronavirus COVID-19 from the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank - KfW.

As part of this ceremony, a grant agreement of 1 million euros was also signed for medical assistance, including registration of the disease and training of medical personnel to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Videoconference between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Liu Bi
Videoconference between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Liu Bi
In pursuance of the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, on July 14, 2020, a video conference was held between the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Liu Bin.

Various issues of trade and economic cooperation were discussed at the meeting, including the issue of mobilizing specialists from the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Tajikistan to ensure the direct work of joint ventures and the construction and reconstruction of infrastructure projects in the field of transport, energy and social significance, as well as a new parliament building. and the Government complex of the Republic of Tajikistan.

At the same time, the parties put forward proposals to hold the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission between Tajikistan and China, to create industrial enterprises in the Free Economic Zones of Tajikistan, to increase the export of fresh and dried fruits to Chinese markets, to develop the digital economy, and the issue of granting reliefs was also well received. on servicing public debt in connection with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in the countries of the world.

The Chinese side expressed its readiness to cooperate and comprehensively provide technical assistance regarding these proposals.
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Zavqizod Zavqi Amin, with the UN Resident Representative in Tajikistan, Ms. Pratibha Mehta
Meeting of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Zavqizod Zavqi Amin, with the UN Resident Representative in Tajikistan, Ms. Pratibha Mehta
On July 16, 2020, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin met with the UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan Ms. Pratibha Mehta.

The meeting discussed the implementation of a set of measures of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to prevent or reduce the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and further cooperation with development partners, in particular the UN Development Program, the results of the Medium-Term Development Program for 2016-2020. They discussed the medium-term development of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021-2025 and the draft "State Program for the Development of Export of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021-2025", the process of improving the system of modeling and macroeconomic forecasting.
The 10th meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures
The 10th meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures
On March 31, 2020, with participation of representatives of ministries, agencies, private sector and international organizations, the 10th meeting of the Coordination Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures (CCFTP) was held.
The Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon Safarali, chairing the meeting, noted that the main purpose of the 10th meeting of the CCFTP is timely and high-quality implementation of the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rakhmon, who in his annual address to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan instructed relevant departments to expedite the implementation of Single Window on export, import and transit procedures.
During the meeting, issues on the CCFPT action plan for 2020, the implementation process and the using guideline of the Single Window on export, import and transit procedures in the Republic of Tajikistan were discussed.
At the meeting, a free dialogue was held between representatives of public and private sectors, which would positively contribute to the implementation of strategic documents and the country's sustainable economic development.
At the end of the meeting were given relevant instructions to the responsible bodies to solve existing difficulties and protocol of the meeting was provided to the Members of the CCFTP.
The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the regional project "Central Asian regional economic cooperation on improvement of activities of the border agencies"
The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the regional project "Central Asian regional economic cooperation on improvement of activities of the border agencies"

Today, the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the regional project “Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation on Improvement of Activities of the Border Agencies” was held at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade in order to fulfill the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan,   H. E. Emomali Rahmon on acceleration of work to implement the Single Window on export, import and transit procedures in the Republic of Tajikistan.

Meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon Safarali with the participation of representatives of ministries and agencies, international consulting and software companies of the project and the private sector.

During the meeting, issues related to the implementation of the Single Window on export, import and transit procedures in the Republic of Tajikistan, the process of implementation of the Roadmap of the Steering Committee of the regional project “Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation on Improvement of Activities of the Border Agencies”, as well as existing problems during its implementation were discussed.

In accordance with the agenda of the meeting, the issues of assignment of project funds, provision of computer and software equipment to the ministries and agencies that are automated in the system and other issues were discussed.In addition, specific instructions were given to the responsible ministries and contractors of the project at the scheduled time.

At the end of the meeting, appropriate decisions were made, which will be provided to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for further instructions.
Celebration of Mother's Day at the Ministry
Celebration of Mother's Day at the Ministry

Celebration of the Mother's Day was conducted at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade today with the participation of the Minister, Deputy ministers and employees of the ministry and its subdivisions.

The meeting was opened by welcoming speech of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade - Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin and noted that with the initiative of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon officially celebrating  Mother's Day in the country is a clear evidence of the high status of women in our society.

The Minister also noted the significant contribution of women to all aspects of life, including the socio-economic development of the country , and noted: "We are proud to say that today a Tajik woman is a professional leader, educated teacher, qualified doctor, successful entrepreneur and of course a kind instructor and mentor."

At the end of the meeting, women were awarded with valuable prizes, and some of them received certificates.
New appointments
New appointments

The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held a meeting with the newly appointed government officials and officials of the General Prosecutor's Office, Security Council and Ministry of Defense as well as that of the Agency for Financial State Control and Combating Corruption.

During the conversation, the head of state called on the newly appointed officials to serve honestly and faithfully for the benefit of the people, the homeland and the state.

"The biggest security threats and challenges facing the world, in particular terrorism, extremism and its various forms, anti-human actions and violations of security and stability of people demands that every citizen be vigilant and loyal to the homeland, the sacred land of our ancestors and the glorious people of Tajikistan”, said President Rahmon.

By the presidential executive orders, Mahmadzoda Nasrullo who has served as the Prosecutor of Khatlon will now serve as the Secretary of the Security Council,  replacing Vatanzoda Mahmadali. Vatanzoda Mahmadali has been transferred to another job.

Rajabzoda Husniya, who has served as First Deputy Chairman of Murghob district of GBAO will now serve as the Chairman of Murghob district of GBAO, replacing Choshbaev Murzabay. Choshbaev Murzabay has been relieved of his position due to having reached the retirement age.  Murzamat Abdulkayum has been appointed to the post of First Deputy Chairman of Murghob district of the GBAO.

Likewise, by presidential executive orders, Saidzoda Shohin has been appointed Director of the Education Management Agency under the President of Tajikistan, and Idizoda Fayzali to the post of head of the Presidential Executive office's Science and Education Department.

By governmental decrees, Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon will be serving as the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Bobozoda Khisrav - Deputy Minister of Defense, Khojazoda Tohir - Rector of the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University, Azizzoda Hafiz - Chief of the Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense and Abdullozoda Umeda - Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under Government of Tajikistan.

Prosecutors of Khatlon and Sughd Provinces, Chiefs of structural unit of the Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defence, heads of departments of the Agency for Financial State Control and Combating Corruption in Dushanbe, GBAO and Sughd Provinces and its central office have also been appointed.

http://www.president.tj/en/node/22618
Director General of the World Trade Organization has ranked Republic of Tajikistan as an important initiator in the multilateral trade system
Director General of the World Trade Organization has ranked Republic of Tajikistan as an important initiator in the multilateral trade system

Roberto Azevedo –Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ranked Republic of Tajikistan as an important initiator in the multilateral trade system and congratulated Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin on his appointment as the Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

It was noted that Republic of Tajikistan has contributed to a number of WTO activities including trade facilitation, investments and dispute settlement, that have positive effect to the Sustainable development goals of WTO Member states.

Furthermore, Roberto Azevedo noted the need for participation of the Tajikistan’s delegation in revision of the issues in the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference,which will be held in June 2020 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

In the end, the WTO Director General wished the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan success in his important and responsible work and emphasized the development of the mutually beneficial cooperation with the Republic of Tajikistan.
03.03.2020
Signing of the Agreement on Simplification of Trade Procedures between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
Signing of the Agreement on Simplification of Trade Procedures between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
The signing ceremony of the Agreement on the Simplification of Trade Procedures between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) took place on February 19, 2020 at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with the participation of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin and Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Sabina Althof in the framework of the Agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Republic of  Tajikistan, which was signed in Berlin on March 27, 2003.

The Agreement was signed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The agreement is aimed at streamlining trade and transit procedures, improving the border management system, piloting and innovating activities to simplify trade procedures, as well as involving the private sector in decision-making regarding simplification of trade procedures.

It should be noted that the Agreement is of regional significance and its total value is 7 million Euros and covers four Central Asian countries, including the Republic of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

The project on simplification of trade procedures in Tajikistan will be implemented after signing the Agreement between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for 3 years, 2020-2023.
Tajikistan Trade Portal is recognized as the best example of 2019 in the publications of international organizations
Tajikistan Trade Portal is recognized as the best example of 2019 in the publications of international organizations
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development published the results of an assessment of trade and investment in Asia and the Pacific in 2019, where the Tajikistan Trade Portal was recognized as the best model and important achievement among the countries of the region.
The Tajikistan Trade Portal which was developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and International Trade Centre with financial support of the Government of Switzerland and other development partners, namely the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the United Nations Development Programme and publicly introduced on 26 April 2019 was highly ranked by the publication and described as an exemplary platform for reducing time and costs of export, import and transit, as well as making the non-tarrif measures simplified and transparent.
The experts of these organizations consider the importance of private sector’s participation in the development of Tajikistan Trade Portal and assess the public-private partnership as one of the key areas for sustainable economic development.
Currently, the Portal provides information on export, import and transit procedures of 51 groups of goods, including more than 1,500 goods, 19 export procedures, 30 import procedures and 2 transit procedures.
Tajikistan Trade Portal also contains statistic information on export opportunities of the country, trading partner countries and other legal documents regulating foreign trade activity.
Tajikistan's position on trade initiatives of the World Trade Organization (WTO) were presented in the 8th China Round Table
Tajikistan's position on trade initiatives of the World Trade Organization (WTO) were presented in the 8th China Round Table
On 4-6 December 2019 in Moscow, Russian Federation during the "8th China Round Table" the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin presented Tajikistan’s position on “Joint initiatives and accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO)” as a commentator of the event.
During the event the issues related to accession to the WTO, joint member initiatives on trade policy, economic integration and preparation for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, which is scheduled in June 2020 in Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan were discussed.
In the framework of this event Mr. Zavqizoda Z.A. had bilateral meetings with the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Mr. Maksim Oreshkin and Deputy General Director of the WTO Mr. Alan Wolff  and discussed the issues of economic and trade development.
The China Round Table organized annually by initiative of the Government of the People's Republic of China, the WTO Secretariat and one of the member country of this Organization.
It should be noted, that on June 1-5, 2015 the Republic of Tajikistan hosted the "Third China Round Table".
The 9th meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures was conducted
The 9th meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures was conducted
On 3 December 2019 with participation of representatives of ministries, agencies, private sector and international organizations, the 9th meeting of the Coordination Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures (CCFTP) was held. The meeting was conducted under the leadership of the First Deputy Head of Customs Services Tursunzoda Azim Haydar – the Deputy of the CCFTP’s Chairperson.
Within the framework of the meeting, issues related to the implementation of CCFTP protocol instructions, the action plan of the Committee for 2020 and the challenges of the private sector were discussed.
It was noted that noted that the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H. E. Emomali Rahmon during his annual address to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as at the meetings of the Government of the country, gives special instructions to the relevant departments to resolve issues of providing favorable conditions for domestic entrepreneurs, development of domestic and foreign trade by taking necessary measures to remove barriers to trade and services.
In addition the representatives of the private sector made presentations and their challenges were revised by the representatives of the public sector.
It should be noted that on the basis of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, in order to enhance dialogue between the private and public sectors, as well as to solve the problems of the business community, 4 CCFTP meetings are held annually.
The Republic of Tajikistan has requested financing from 3 launched regional projects of EU in Nur-Sultan
The Republic of Tajikistan has requested financing from 3 launched regional projects of EU in Nur-Sultan
On 27-29 November 2019 in Nur-Sultan City of the Republic of Kazakhstan the official delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin participated in the Conference «On Enhanced Integration for  Prosperity in Central Asia» which was held in the framework of the European Union’s Strategy for Central Asia.
European Union together with the Organization on Economic Cooperation and Development, European Council and International Trade Center announced the official launching of 3 new projects on trade facilitation, investment and economic development and rule of law with the total budget of 28 million Euros.
The delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan presented the achievements of the country in provision of macroeconomic sustainability and trade facilitation and for using the finance from the mentioned projects provided some requests.
Sides expressed their readiness to resolve the issues on removing technical barriers and development of trade between Central Asian countries on national and regional levels.
Some of the International Financial Organizations ranked the results of the Republic of Tajikistan’s trade facilitation as a successful experience in their presentations.
The 14th meeting of the Working Group on Trade of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) has been conducted under the leadership of the Republic of Tajikistan
The 14th meeting of the Working Group on Trade of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) has been conducted under the leadership of the Republic of Tajikistan
On November 19, 2019, the 14th meeting of the of the Working Group on Trade of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, under the leadership of the First Deputy Economic Development and Trade of Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin.
It should be noted that over the past years, the Republic of Tajikistan headed the SPECA Working Group on Trade and during the meeting issues of the SPECA Regional Strategy on trade facilitation, regional cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals, activities of the national committees on trade facilitation, Single Window, as well as non-tariff measures in trade were discussed.
Zavqizoda Z. A. provided information on the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in international trade, including the country's participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), facilitation of trade procedures, export development, acceleration of the process of diversification of export-oriented products, and noted that not all of the existing opportunities are being used between SPECA member countries.
Furthermore, on 20-21 November 2019 the High Level Economic Forum of SPECA 2019 and the Council of Heads of SPECA was held, during which the delegation of Tajikistan in order to protect economic interests of country introduced its achievements and current opportunities and with the aim of further development of economic cooperation a number of strategic documents including SPECA National Strategy for Trade Facilitation, sustainable trade principles and elimination of non-tariff barriers to trade were proposed to the SPECA members. These documents were adopted by the Council of Heads of SPECA.
The World Trade Organization expressed its readiness to provide technical assistance in order to conduct the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan on high level
The World Trade Organization expressed its readiness to provide technical assistance in order to conduct the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan on high level
On November 15-16, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland, the official delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin conducted meetings with the Director of the WTO Trade Policy Evaluation Division Willy Alfaro, WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation Institute for Continuing Education and Technical Cooperation Bridget Chilala, Senior Advisor of ITC for Trade Facilitation Muhammad Saeed and representatives of the UN Conference on Trade and Development and discussed issues of developing economic and trade cooperation.
During these meetings, representatives of the WTO and the UN highly ranked the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of trade facilitation, in particular, the official launching of the Tajikistan Trade Portal and Single Window for processing export, import and transit procedures, and in this regard expressed their willingness to provide technical assistance to the Republic of Tajikistan to carry out the First trade policy review in the WTO and to improve the qualifications of the specialists in the field of trade.
It should be noted that on the basis of the instruction of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Emomali Rahmon the First TPR of Tajikistan is planned to be held in April 2020 and in order to conduct this event on high level the relevant Action plan was validated by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
In addition, the delegation of Tajikistan participated and delivered a speech during the trade policy review of the Lao PDR.
Start of the pilot phase of Single Window implementation for Export-Import and  Transit Operations in the Republic of Tajikistan
Start of the pilot phase of Single Window implementation for Export-Import and Transit Operations in the Republic of Tajikistan
Today, November 8, 2019, the start of the pilot phase of Single Window implementation on Export, Import and Transit Operations in the Republic of Tajikistan was officially launched in Dushanbe, which was attended by representatives of ministries, agencies, private sector and development partners.
The event was opened by the Head of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Khurshed Karimzoda, who noted that in accordance with the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon, state agencies are obliged to take the necessary steps to speed up the process of introduction of modern information and communication technologies in their professional activity.
The speaker of the event, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin noted that the Single Window is a platform for the development of national sectors of economy, including trade facilitation, reduction of time and costs of subjects of foreign economic activity, increase of foreign trade and additional revenues to the budget will play a significant role.
Moreover, representatives of the private sector, in particular Asian Development Bank participated actively and delivered speeches at the event, whereas representatives of the contractual companies provided information through presentations.
Government decree of the Republic of Tajikistan dated December 31, 2008 ¹ 659 "Concept of Formation of Single Window on Export, Import and Transit Operations in the Republic of Tajikistan" and dated May 23, 2010, ¹222 “Program of Introduction of Single Window System for Export, Import and Transit Operations in the Republic of Tajikistan” were approved.
Also, for the purpose of organizing and effective functioning of the Single Window System by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan from December 3, 2010, No. 630 the State Unitary Enterprise "Single Window Center" was established which is under the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and is kept from the budget funds.
During this period, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Customs Service together with the Center carried out significant work on the effective implementation of this concept and program, which is the confirmation of the aforementioned.
Issues on trade development and economic cooperation of Tajikistan with the countries of Central Asia and the USA were discussed in Washington D. C.
Issues on trade development and economic cooperation of Tajikistan with the countries of Central Asia and the USA were discussed in Washington D. C.
On October 21-22, 2019 in Washington D. C., USA, session of the Council on Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and meeting with the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and American investors with participation of the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin were held.
Zavqizoda Z.A. highly ranked the mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States and Central Asian countries and provided information in the framework of the goals and priorities of the country's strategic documents, in particular on Tajikistan’s participation in TIFA, accelerating export development, facilitation of trade procedures, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and cooperation with TIFA member countries.
The parties also discussed issues on improving trade and economic relations between Tajikistan and the United States, including completed work on implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, prevention of the country’s re-inclusion in the “Special 301 Report” checklist, Tajikistan’s exclusion from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, usage of the Generalized System of Preferences GSP and increasing technical assistance from US.
On October 22, the country's delegation took part in the high-level panel “Economic Cooperation between the USA and Central Asian Countries” of the Uzbekistan and USA Annual Forum, during which the delegation provided answers to questions from US investors about investment opportunities in Tajikistan, digital economy and ways to develop trade and investment with the USA.
It was noted that the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan considers the improvement of economic and trade cooperation with Central Asian countries as a priority issue of the country's foreign policy, which proceeds from friendly relations and kind initiatives of the heads of states.
A meeting of the TIFA Council is held annually and within the framework of this meeting, issues of the current situation and forecasts of economic cooperation are discussed, including trade facilitation, regional trade development, the “Special 301 Report” checklist, intellectual property rights, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and digital commerce.
Revision of the Project of the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan in the World Trade Organization
Revision of the Project of the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan in the World Trade Organization
On 23-27 September 2019 in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan the project of the First Trade Policy Review (TPR) of the Republic of Tajikistan in the World Trade Organization (WTO) was developed by the official delegation of the WTO Secretariat and the representatives of the relevant ministries and agencies, private sector and international organizations.
It should be noted that on the basis of the instruction of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Emomali Rahmon the First TPR of Tajikistan is planned to be held on 22-24 April 2020 and in order to conduct this event on high level the relevant Action plan was validated by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Moreover, in accordance with the adopted Action plan a permanent Working Group on development of the project of the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan in the WTO was established.
In addition, on 27 September 2019 a meeting between the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Zavqizoda Z. A. and the official delegation of the WTO Secretariat on revision of the Project of the First TPR of the Republic of Tajikistan was conducted. During the meeting the issues on the further steps for high level conducting the First TPR of the Republic of Tajikistan in the WTO were discussed.
The thirteenth session of the SPECA Thematic Working Group on Trade was chaired by Tajikistan
The thirteenth session of the SPECA Thematic Working Group on Trade was chaired by Tajikistan
On July 4 of this year in Switzerland, in the framework of the High Level Seminar on Trade in United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was held the thirteenth session of the SPECA Thematic Working Group on Trade, which was chaired by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin.
The event focused on the possibilities and challenges of cooperation between countries, regional implementation plans, realization of the provisions of the WTO Agreement on facilitation procedures, exchange of experiences between countries, mutual assistance among countries of the region, strengthening of cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, NTMs and technical barriers to trade, simplification of trade procedures and Sustainable trade in Central Asia.
Mr. Zavqizoda presented the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of foreign trade, as a country's participation in the WTO, simplification of the trade procedures, enhancement of export, acceleration of the diversification of the export-oriented products and he noted that the existing capacities between SPECA’s members are not used completely.
In addition during the event, for the purpose of strengthening of the future trade cooperation between the SPECA’s member countries was developed the draft of "Regional SPECA trade facilitation Strategy" and relevant document on International Trade and Sustainable Development which sent to the Governments of the member states for approval.
It should be noted that the Republic of Tajikistan is chairing of the SPECA Working Group on trade.

Tajikistan presented to the Director General of the World Trade Organization Mr. Roberto Azevedo Instrument of Acceptance of the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization
Tajikistan presented to the Director General of the World Trade Organization Mr. Roberto Azevedo Instrument of Acceptance of the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization
On 2nd July 2019 during the meeting with the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Mr. Roberto Azevedo the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin has introduced the achievements of the country in international trade integration and trade facilitation in the framework of the WTO and also informed about the completed tasks on preparation of the Republic of Tajikistan to its first Trade Policy Review (TPR).
It was noted that on the basis of the instruction of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H. E. Emomali Rahmon the first Trade Policy Review of Tajikistan is planned to be held in April 2020 and in order to conduct it on high level the relevant Action Plan was approved by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
During the meeting Mr. Roberto Azevedo highly ranked the achievements and progress of the Republic of Tajikistan in the post WTO accession period.
At the end of the meeting, the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade presented to the Director General of the WTO the Tajikistan’s Instrument of Acceptance of the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.



Introduction of the Republic of Tajikistan’s trade sector achievements in the 53rd annual session of the Joint Advisory Group of International Trade Centre
Introduction of the Republic of Tajikistan’s trade sector achievements in the 53rd annual session of the Joint Advisory Group of International Trade Centre
During his speech at the 53rd annual session of the Joint Advisory Group of International Trade Centre (ITC) the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin has noted the achievements of the country in the post WTO accession period.
Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin has highly ranked the cooperation with the ITC and introduced the achievements of the country in the framework of implementation of strategic documents including participation of Tajikistan in the WTO, strengthening of the export development, acceleration of diversification of production of export oriented goods and facilitation of trade procedures.
In addition, implementation of the sectoral reforms led to the increase of the share of exports to the foreign trade turnover from 20% in 2015 to 25.4% in 2018. Tajikistan increased the trade partner countries from 90 to 110 and diversified the list export products from 150 to 480.
In the framework of technical and financial support provided by ITC, it was noted that during its cooperation with ITC, Republic of Tajikistan has achieved a number of significant accomplishments, including organization of seminars for more than 1200 employees of ministries, agencies and private sector, development of the Strategy on development of textile and clothing industry for the period of 2016-2025 and establishment of Tajikistan Trade Portal.
Participants of the Session highly appreciated the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in trade sector and its participation in the activities of the WTO and expressed their readiness for increasing support in these directions.

Protocol of the 7th meeting of the CCFTP
Protocol of the 7th meeting of the CCFTP

Dushanbe                    ¹7                                                    29    May  2019


Chairperson: Minister of the economic development and trade – N. Hikmatullozoda

The Members of CCFTP participated in the Meeting. In addition, development partners representatives, including ITC, UNDP, OSCE and IFC also participated in the Meeting.
According to the agenda of the meeting 3 items were discussed, including:
1. Report of the executive secretary of the CCFTP on implementation of the protocol instructions in 2018;
2. Challenges of the Private sector and given tax preferences in textile and clothing sector;
3. Acknowledgement of the RT certificates in other countries and reduction of list of products that are mandatorily being certificated.
Minister of economic development and trade – Chairperson of the CCFTP has stated the meeting and noted that the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Emomali Rahmon has given detailed instructions on providing favourable conditions for domestic producers and elimination of barriers for trade and services sector during the meetings of the Government of RT.
On 10th May 2019, a meeting of the Leader of the Nation and representatives of the finance, banking, tax, customs and investments sectors was conducted and relevant instructions on elimination of the existing problems were given. The CCFTP’s responsibility also includes elimination of the mentioned issues, including development of the new Tax Code.
During the meeting the executive secretary of the CCFTP has made a presentation on implementation of the 2018’s protocol instructions and noted that those instructions included implementation of the Roadmap of CCFTP, Categorization of TFA obligations, activation of the Tajikistan Trade Portal, implementation of the action plan on getting the legislation of the RT in line with TFA provisions, approval of the Program on development of transport services and selection of the new CCFTP Members from the number of representatives of the private sector.
CCFTP has validated the list of new CCFTP Members from the number of representatives of the private sector including the Union of Professional Consultants of Tajikistan and the Union of Private Sector Development.
Representative of the Union of Private Sector Development (UPSD) Mr. Muhammadiev Abdullo has made a presentation on challenges faced by the producers of textile and clothing sector. He has noted that these sectors face challenges on unhealthy competition brought by smuggling of uncertified and low quality products to the country.
Chair of the CCFTP added that during the meeting on 10th May, Leader of the Nation has given relevant instruction to the relevant border working agencies on elimination of smugglings to the country, provision of accurate statistics, proper customs and transportation procedures.
In addition, a representative of the Tax Committee has made a presentation on given preferences to the textile and clothing sector and its profits.
Head of the CCFTP noted that, currently an order on exemption from the VAT and customs duties of the raw materials that are not being produced in the territory of Tajikistan has been prepared and this document will ease some of the challenges of the producers of textile and clothing.
In addition, representative of UPSD has proposed to establish a Fund on support of the development of the textile industry under the Government of RT.
Furthermore, a representative of the LLC Lesinvest has made presentation on the challenges faced by the company. It was noted that the company is the only importer of the Red Bull in the country. Currently the company faces a lot of problems including smuggling of the Red Bull to the country and increasing the import customs duties for the energy drink. According to the new decree of the Government of RT “On import customs duties” Red Bull has customs duty of 20% but not less than 0,12 Euros for 1 Litre, which is relatively higher than it was before (0,07 Euros for 1 Litre).
Head of the CCFTP has given instruction to the WG on improvement of tariff and non-tariff measures to fully review this issue and report to the Secretariat on its results.
Representative of the Customs Service has noted their readiness to review the challenges of the company in accordance with legislation of the RT.
Next, a representative of Tajikstandart and Committee on Food Safety presented their reports on acknowledgement of the RT’s certificates in other countries.
It was noted that RT’s certificates are being acknowledged in accordance with the intergovernmental agreements, including the CIS Agreement from 13 March 1992. Also a report on reduction of list of mandatorily certificated products was presented to the participants.
Head of the Committee noted that more than 2500 of RT’s products are being mandatorily certificated which almost twice more than other countries.
Moreover, Head of the CCFTP noted that in order to implement requirements of the Law of RT “On foreign economic activity” and the 1 part, 2 paragraph of the action plan of Program of adjustment of economy of RT related to the WTO accession (31 October 2014, #691) a WG headed by the MEDT, with participation of specialists of ministries and agencies for development of normative legal act on implementation of special safeguard, antidumping and countervailing measures for the 3rd countries should be established.
Furthermore, he has noted that in order to simplify the import and export procedures of products a WG with participation of specialists of ministries and agencies for improvement of Tajikistan Trade Portal should be established.
Head of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Dushanbe noted that there are many opportunities for the development of the textile industry and SECO is ready to cooperate in this direction when a detailed project will be presented.
In addition, a representative of IFC has noted that currently a new project is being developed and it could provide new sources of financing for domestic producers and exporters.
Head of the Association of Customs brokers has noted her concern about challenges faced by the foreign economic participants’ during transportation of goods. She has also proposed to take into account the comments and proposals of the private sector during development of the Tax Code.
During the meeting discussions took place and members of the committee including Head of the committee, private sector representatives and the development partners shared their views on the agenda items.
At the end of the meeting, Head of the Committee noted that the protocol of the meeting should be prepared and the following decisions should be included to the protocol of the meeting:
1. Protocol instructions’ execution should be monitored by the Secretariat of the Committee;
2. Customs Service should send for revision of the Government of RT the draft Law on amendments to the Customs Code by the end of the second half of 2019;
3. Customs Service and Ministry of Transport should conduct import customs procedures in accordance with the destination of product and where the importer wants to complete the procedure. In addition a report on challenges should be presented to the CCFTP Secretariat;
4. Ministry of Transport should send for revision of Government of RT the Program on Transport Services development in the shortest period of time;
5. WG on improvement of tariff and non-tariff measures should completely revise the issue of the LLC Lesinvest and present a report to the Secretariat;
6. Committee on Food Safety and Tajikstandart should monitor the acknowledgement of the local certificates by other countries in accordance with intergovernmental agreements and present a report on this issue to the Secretariat of the CCFTP;
7. Within 3 months, Tajikstandart should prepare, get approval of ministries and agencies and send for revision of Government of RT a project of decree of the Government of RT “on amending the decree of Government of RT from 18 June 2012, #310 “ On the list of products that should be certificated mandatorily””;
8. Association of customs brokers of RT shall send a request to Ministry of Finance to join private sector in the development of the project of Tax Code;
9. A WG with participation of specialists of ministries and agencies for revision of textile and clothing sector challenges should be established;
10. In order to implement requirements of the Law of RT “On foreign economic activity” and the 1 part, 2 paragraph of the action plan of Program of adjustment of economy of RT related to the WTO accession (31 October 2014, #691) a WG with participation of specialists of ministries and agencies for development of normative legal act on implementation of special safeguard, antidumping and countervailing measures for the 3rd countries should be established;
11. In order to simplify the import and export procedures of products a WG with participation of specialists of ministries and agencies for improvement of Tajikistan Trade Portal should be established;
12. This protocol should be sent to the Members of the CCFTP, relevant ministries and agencies and private sector for revision and implementation of relevant instructions.

THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON FACILITATION OF TRADE PROCEDURES
THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON FACILITATION OF TRADE PROCEDURES

On May 29, 2019, the seventh meeting of  the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures (CCFTP) was held in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with the participation of representatives of ministries and agencies, private sector and international organizations.

Head of the Committee – Minister of Economic Development and Trade, distinguished Nematullo Hikmatullozoda noted that the main purpose of establishing the CCFTP is to solve the existing issues of the Private Sector and by discussing and dealing with the issues that are described during the meeting would directly accelerate the implementation of the strategic documents and further develop the economy of the country.

In order to implement the instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Emomali Rahmon, the issues of the textile and clothing sectors, tax preferences for the export and import of the mentioned sectors’ products, acknowledgment of the certificates of the Republic of Tajikistan in other countries, importers’ challenges and monitoring of the implementation of the 2018 protocol instructions of the CCFTP were discussed during the meeting. Moreover, the new Members from the number of the representatives of the private sector were introduced to the CCFTP.

The meeting provided a free dialogue between public and private sector representatives, during which proposals from the private sector were submitted to public sector representatives for revision.

By the end of the meeting, detailed instructions on solving the existing problems of the private sector were given for revision and implementation of the relevant CCFTP Members.

 

 Participation of the official delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Trade Policy Review of Trinidad and Tobago
Participation of the official delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Trade Policy Review of Trinidad and Tobago

On 22 May 2019 Trade Policy Review (TPR) of Trinidad and Tobago was held in the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. The official delegation headed by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin participated and presented Tajikistan’s position in the event.

The main purpose of participation of the Tajikistan’s delegation in the TPR of Trinidad and Tobago was introduction to the process and order of conducting this event, exchange of experience and holding discussions related to the conducting of the First TPR of the Republic of Tajikistan in the WTO with the focal points of the Organization.

It should be noted that on the basis of the instruction of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H. E. Emomali Rahmon the First TPR of Tajikistan is planned to be held in April 2020 and in order to conduct this event on high level the relevant Action plan was validated by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

In this order, with a view of preparing the TPR report of the Republic of Tajikistan, participation of the official delegation of the country in the TPR of Trinidad and Tobago in the WTO is highly important.

 

Meeting of the First Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Trade with the Director of the International Trade Centre
Meeting of the First Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Trade with the Director of the International Trade Centre
         On 21 May 2019 a meeting of the official delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Trade Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin with participation of the First Deputy Head of the Customs Services Mr. Tursunzoda Azim Haydar and the Senior Specialist of the Planning and Reforms Department of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Umed Mirzoev with the Director of the International Trade Centre Ms. Arancha Gozalez was held in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting bilateral and multilateral cooperation of the parties were discussed.
    Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin has expressed gratitude to the ITC for the mutually beneficial cooperation and introduced the achievements of the Republic of Tajikistan in the framework of implementation of the strategic documents’ goals and priorities including the participation of Tajikistan in the World Trade Organization, export development, acceleration of the diversification of the export-oriented products and trade facilitation.
    It was noted that as a result of the taken actions the share of the foreign trade turnover increased from 20% in 2015 to 25.3% in 2018 and the number of trading partners increased from 90 to 110 countries, export diversification increased from 150 to approximately 480 products.
    ITC has highly appreciated the accomplishments of the Republic of Tajikistan in trade facilitation and active participation in WTO works and declared its readiness for increasing the assistance and technical support for further development of the economy of the Republic of Tajikistan.





THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE TAJIKISTAN TRADE PORTAL
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE TAJIKISTAN TRADE PORTAL

On April 26, 2019, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan has officially launched a Tajikistan Trade Portal, which was developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and International Trade Centre with financial support of the Government of Switzerland and other development partners, namely the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the United Nations Development Programme. The event took place at the “HYATT Regency” Hotel with the participation of representatives of ministries and agencies, commercial organizations, public associations, international financial organizations and development partners, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps of foreign countries in Dushanbe.

In the opening speech by Mr. Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, it was noted that the Tajikistan Trade Portal was established in order to fulfill the orders and instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H. E. Emomali Rahmon to strengthen export potential and facilitate trade procedures.

Tajikistan Trade Portal is the first experience and tool in the country's foreign trade activity, which provides information to domestic and foreign entrepreneurs and other stakeholders on import, export and transit procedures of 39 product groups, which is equivalent to 1500 goods and products.
During the event, a video and presentation of the Tajikistan Trade Portal was presented to participants. Meanwhile, Mr. Zavqizoda Z. A. and representatives of the development partners in the Republic of Tajikistan, including the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan/SECO, the International Trade Centre, the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe, and the United Nations Development Program participated in the high-level panel discussion on the subject of “Digitalisation and trade facilitation for effective trade governance”.
At the end of the event, the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade officially launched Tajikistan Trade Portal and announced its full accessibility to the public.
In Dushanbe was held workshop on the first trade policy review of the Republic of Tajikistan related to the membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)
In Dushanbe was held workshop on the first trade policy review of the Republic of Tajikistan related to the membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)

On April 15-17 in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade held a workshop on the drafting Report of the First Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan related to the membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is scheduled on April 2020, in accordance with the decision of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

The Director of the WTO Trade Policy Review Department, Willy Alfaro, the consultants of this department and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of the republic participated in the event.

In order to conduct a high-level first review of the trade policy of the Republic of Tajikistan related to the membership in the WTO, during a workshop by the consultants of the WTO Secretariat were made presentations about the form and process of conducting a trade policy review by WTO members and government representatives on the achievements and development of certain sectors of the country's trade after joining the WTO.

It should be noted that, in accordance with the WTO principles developing members of WTO conduct trade policy review of their achievements and development of the country after membership in the WTO once every seven years.

Regional Geographic Indications Conference was conducted in Dushanbe
Regional Geographic Indications Conference was conducted in Dushanbe

On April 10 and 11, 2019 held the regional conference "The geographical location of goods in Central Asia" by the initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with the assistance of the Representation of the European Union in Tajikistan, Dushanbe.

The event was opened by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mr. Jurazoda Tojiddin and the EU Ambassador of Tajikistan Mrs. Marilyn Josefsson, during which more than 100 people were  participating and spoke from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the Dushanbe diplomatic corps.

Also, representatives of the private and public sectors of the Republic of Tajikistan participated in the event, including the Association of Farmers and Artisans, regional financial organizations and international donors.

It should be noted that such conference was held first time in Central Asia, where the issue was discussed about the geographical location of goods.

The purpose of the conference is to show the ways of developing rules for geographical location of goods in Central Asia to promote regional trade cooperation and trade facilitation, as well as the development of export potential in the region.

The event will support the country's goods and product competitiveness, while at the same time contributing for integration of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP +).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seminar on Authorized Economic Operators
Seminar on Authorized Economic Operators

On 11-13 March 2019, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan in cooperation with United Nation’s Economic Commission of Europe (UNECE) held a seminar on Authorized Economic Operators, which is an integral part of the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement with participation of representatives of relevant ministries, agencies, international organizations and private sector.

 The seminar started by the opening speech of the Head of the WTO Affairs Department Mr AbdurahmonovAbdurahmon who has expressed gratitude to the participants. It was noted that the discussed topics of the seminar are considered in the framework of implementation of WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.

Furthermore, representative of UNECE Maria Teresa and representative of ITC provided information on challenges and priorities of the Authorized Economic Operators.

During the seminar, specialists have presented presentations on Authorized Economic Operators and reliable foreign economic activity participants, cooperation with government authorities on the national and regional levels of reliable foreign economic activity participants, Roadmap of the Coordinating Committee for Facilitation of Trade Procefures including customs legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Moreover, during the seminar, exercises were conducted and the issues were discussed from the point of view of the international experiences.

Finally, certificates were given to the participants of the seminar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the preparation and development of the first draft report of the Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other relevant issues
The second meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the preparation and development of the first draft report of the Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other relevant issues


              On February 25, 2019 the second meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the preparation and development of the first draft report of the Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Tajikistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other relevant issues in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan was held under the guidance of the Head of WTO Affairs Department Abdurakhmonov A. S. the representatives of relevant ministries and departments (members of the group) attended the meeting.

           It should be noted that according to the consent of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon and the decree of the Head of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan dated January 5, 2019, No. 22/10, the date of the first review of the trade policy of the Republic of Tajikistan WTO will April 2020.

           In order to fulfill the decree of the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan dated December 18, 2017, No. 17382 (22-6) of the draft report on the review of the trade policy of the Republic of Tajikistan at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other relevant issues and in order to conduct a review, the Order The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of June 29, 2018, No. 42, established the Interdepartmental Working Group.

            Also, in according to WTO rules, WTO member states should submit a report on the review of their country's trade policy to the WTO Secretariat, in connection with further submission to WTO member states. The main purpose of reporting to member countries is to create a transparent and predictable business environment within the WTO.

            In this regard, the achievement of these goals is impossible without a regular review of trade policy. Member countries of the WTO should report the activities, achievements and progress of their country within the framework of the trade policy review mechanism.

             At the meeting, also from the part of the Head of the WTO Affairs Department, Abdurakhmonov A. S., an Action Plan was presented for preparing and writing a report on the trade policy review of the Republic of Tajikistan to WTO for information.

DG Azevêdo: EU leadership vital to strengthening trading system

           Addressing a meeting of European Union trade ministers in Bucharest, Romania, on 21 February 2019, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo welcomed the EU’s engagement in the conversations aimed at strengthening the WTO and called for their continued leadership to help address some of the key challenges in global trade, including current trade tensions and the impasse in the WTO’s dispute settlement system.
The Director-General said:
         “Strengthening the trading architecture is a critical element in improving prospects for global trade. WTO members are exploring possible reforms to the trading system that would help efforts to that end. This is very positive. We have struck a series of major new trade deals over the last few years, but we must do more to make the WTO faster and responsive to members' needs. I welcome the key role that the EU is playing here to help us meet these challenges and find positive ways forward.
          “There’s no doubt that we are faced, today, with an extremely difficult and complex range of challenges. But we also have the opportunity to put the trading system on a stronger footing for the years to come. Our best response is to tackle systemic issues head on, while also advancing wherever possible in our negotiating work and other issues which are of interest to members. On all of this, the EU's leadership will be essential.”
            The Director-General also commented on the current situation regarding the impasse in appointments to the WTO Appellate Body, urging all members to keep probing for possible ways forward. The meeting was chaired by Romania's Minister for Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship, Ștefan-Radu Oprea. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Bernd Lange MEP and Chair of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade also addressed the meeting.
           During his visit to Bucharest, DG Azevêdo also had a bilateral meeting with Romanian Vice Prime Minister Ana Birchall to discuss the outlook for global trade and Romania's continued integration into the global economy.

Belarus sets out ambitious target of WTO accession by next Ministerial Conference
Belarus sets out ambitious target of WTO accession by next Ministerial Conference

          Belarus stressed its strong commitment to conclude WTO accession negotiations by the 12th Ministerial Conference, which will take place in June 2020 in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the 11th meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Belarus on 15 February, members commended Belarus’ efforts to bring its trade regime in conformity with WTO rules but underlined that significant progress will be needed if such an ambitious target is to be met. The meeting was the fourth since the resumption of the Working Party process in January 2017.

       H.E. Mr. Andrei Yeudachenka, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, led a 30-person delegation in Geneva which included deputy ministers of the Ministries of Justice, Anti-monopoly Regulation and Trade, and Agriculture as well as high-level officials of various government agencies and the chief negotiator for the WTO accession of Belarus, Ambassador Vladimir Serpikov.

          "The year of 2019 is crucial for Belarus on its path to WTO membership. We’ve set an ambitious goal to agree on all modalities of our accession to the WTO before the 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2020 in Astana," Mr. Yeudachenka said. "We believe that the time has come to move from a 25-year-long review of the Belarusian foreign trade regime to finalizing the draft commitments’ language," he added.

            Mr. Yeudachenka cited some of the recent efforts undertaken by his government to bring the Belarusian legislation in conformity with WTO rules, such as: the cancellation of the foreign currency surrender requirement; the entry into force of a new Law on Anti-monopoly Regulation; and the introduction of amendments to the Law on Public Procurement. In addition, the Belarusian government was planning to introduce new legislation on natural monopolies, and protection of copyright and related rights, Mr. Yeudachenka stated. He also reported that Belarus had been granted observer status in the Government Procurement Committee and had submitted its draft Information Technology Agreement (ITA) schedule of commitments to the ITA Committee.

         The Working Party Chair, Ambassador Kemal Madenoglu of Turkey, noted: "The Belarusian government has clearly indicated that it is fully mobilized and committed – at both political and technical levels - to concluding accession negotiations by MC12. This is an ambitious objective. I hope that, collectively, we can rise to this challenge. It is clear that Belarus can only achieve its goal if key domestic policy reforms are implemented in the near future. This will send WTO members a signal that Belarus' ambitions are credible."

       "Over the next few months, I hope that we will see a genuine attempt by all parties to find common ground on key outstanding issues. Belarus has a lot to do and the ball is very much in its court. The Working Party needs to see tangible proof of Belarus' commitment to implement WTO-related reforms," he added.

      On the bilateral track, Belarus confirmed the finalization of negotiations with Argentina, Iceland, Switzerland and Chinese Taipei, and that overall 20 bilateral market access agreements have been concluded.

         On the legislative front, the Chair requested Belarus to keep the Working Party regularly informed of legislative developments by submitting translated copies of any new WTO-related legislation both at the national and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) levels. He also invited the Belarusian authorities to update its Legislative Action Plan for consideration at the next Working Party meeting.

           Members underlined the need for Belarus to advance its reform agenda and liberalize its trade regime. They asked Belarus for clarification on a wide range of issues, including the investment regime, state ownership, pricing and competition policies, industrial policy, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and intellectual property rights.

             The Chair said the timing of the next meeting will depend on the availability of the required inputs and on progress on the market access front. "A specific date will emerge in consultation with delegations and the Secretariat once the new inputs are circulated. Nonetheless, I trust that the next meeting could take place before the summer break," Ambassador Madenoglu said.

 

WTO trade indicator points to slower trade growth into first quarter of 2019

       Trade weakness is likely to extend into the first quarter of 2019, according to the WTO’s latest World Trade Outlook Indicator (WTOI) released on 19 February. The simultaneous decline of several trade-related indicators should put policy makers on guard for a sharper slowdown should the current trade tensions remain unresolved.

         The most recent WTOI reading of 96.3 is the weakest since March 2010 and below the baseline value of 100 for the index, signalling below-trend trade expansion into the first quarter. Weakness in the overall index was driven by steep declines in the component indices, which appear to be under pressure from heightened trade tensions. Indices for export orders (95.3), international air freight (96.8), automobile production and sales (92.5), electronic components (88.7) and agricultural raw materials (94.3) have shown the strongest deviations from trend, approaching or surpassing previous lows since the financial crisis. Only the index for container port throughput remained relatively buoyant at 100.3, showing on-trend growth.

       Temporary factors may have influenced some of the indices. Front-loading of imports ahead of anticipated US-China tariffs may have sustained container shipping to some extent, while technical problems in the German automotive sector may have contributed to weakness in automobile production and sales. It should be noted that below-trend growth in an index does not necessarily imply a decline in the underlying data.

       This sustained loss of momentum highlights the urgency of reducing trade tensions, which together with continued political risks and financial volatility could foreshadow a broader economic downturn. The WTO downgraded its trade forecast last September amid escalating trade disputes and tighter credit market conditions. Trade growth is currently forecast to slow to 3.7% in 2019 from an expected 3.9% in 2018, but these estimates could be revised downward if trade conditions continue to deteriorate.  Nevertheless, greater certainty and improvement in the policy environment could bring about a swift rebound in trade growth.

        Designed to provide "real time" information on the trajectory of world trade relative to recent trends, the WTOI is not intended as a short-term forecast, although it does provide an indication of trade growth in the near future. It aims to identify turning points and gauge momentum in global trade growth. As such, it complements trade statistics and forecasts from the WTO and other organizations. Readings of 100 indicate growth in line with medium-term trends; readings greater than 100 suggest above-trend growth, while those below 100 indicate below trend growth.

 

 

DG Azevêdo in Mozambique: the trading system must support LDCs
DG Azevêdo in Mozambique: the trading system must support LDCs

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo was in Maputo, Mozambique, today (14 February), where he met President Filipe Nyusi. They discussed how to strengthen global trade cooperation for the future, through the WTO, so it can keep supporting the integration of Mozambique and other least developed countries (LDCs) into the global economy.

The Director-General also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Condugua António Pacheco and the Minister of Industry and Trade Ragendra de Sousa. In addition, the Director-General visited the National Institute for Standardisation and Quality. 

While in Mozambique, the Director-General said:

“I am pleased to be in Mozambique, following President Nyusi's visit to the WTO last year. This is an important occasion to build on our cooperation and ensure that trade plays its full role here in Mozambique.

“These are challenging times for multilateralism. We need to strengthen the global trading system to ensure that it is equipped to support a changing global economy, and that it continues to support the integration of Mozambique and other LDCs. As WTO members discuss how to modernize the organization and make the system more agile and responsive to economic change, Mozambique and the LDCs have to make their voices heard in this debate. Working together, we can ensure that more LDCs benefit from global trade, and that the global trading system is truly working for the common good.”

 

Protocol of the sixth meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures

Protocol of the sixth meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures

Dushanbe ¹6 «21» December 2018

Head of the Committee: Minister of economic development and trade - N. Hikmatullozoda


         From 24 Members of the Committee, that was established by the Decree of the Government of Tajikistan (24 December 2016, ¹529) only 19 members participated, however other members without any excuse did not participate in the meeting.
At the same time, from 12 representatives of the trade organizations and associations (Committee members) only 6 of them were present in the meeting, 6 members of the Committee did not participate in the meeting.
Moreover, representatives of International organizations and development partners participated in the meeting including ITC, UNDP, SECO, USAID, ADB, EU Delegation in Tajikistan and OSCE.
The list of participants is attached.

         According to the agenda of the meeting 3 main topics were discussed:

1. Results and actions of the permanent Working Group of experts on improvement of tariff and non-tariff tools for support of domestic producers and export development

2. Tajikistan trade facilitation information portal.

3. Report of ministries and agencies on the execution of orders of the 4th and 5th meetings of the CCFTP.

          Minister of economic development and trade – Head of the Committee, N. Hikmatullozoda has started the meeting by expressing gratitude to the Committee members and other participants.
It was noted that the activities of the Committee will lead to implementation of the strategic documents including National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period until 2030 and the National program on support of export and import substitution for the periods of 2016-2020 in order to facilitate trade procedures and increase export.
In addition, the Head of the Committee noted that the issue of bringing the favourable terms for foreign and domestic trade was addressed during the annual speech of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon to the Parliament of the Country on 22 December 2017.
           The First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and trade presented a presentation on the 1st item of the meeting’s agenda (Results and actions of the permanent Working Group of experts on improvement of tariff and non-tariff tools for support of domestic producers and export development).
He has noted that the Working Group already held 8 meetings, reviewed more than 44 types of products and relevant decisions for supporting domestic producers were made.
In addition, 109 suggestions from the private sector were prepared and 137-page report with the request of implementation of the given suggestions was sent to the Government of the country.
           Moreover, in the framework of the WG’s activities a number of significant tasks were completed:
- Project of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan «On import customs duty rates of the Republic of Tajikistan» was developed and approved from 8 August 2018, ¹399

- Project of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan «On amendments to the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan from 9 June 2018, ¹302» was developed and approved from 6 August 2018, ¹397

- 3 business entities have been supported by the amount of 15.3 mln TJS in order to establish and rehabilitate bird keeping entities

          On the 2nd item of the agenda the National consultant on development of the national trade facilitation Portal presented a presentation on the structure, usage and other aspects of the mentioned Portal.
It was noted that with the support of the ITC and other International Organizations the Portal was developed and it will assist and facilitate the export, import and transit procedures.
Furthermore, the data in the Portal was approved by the relevant ministries and agencies. Portal will also help to reduce unnecessary procedures and irrelevant payments.
          The Head of the IT and communication centre of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan (Mirzoyon Nodir Ramazoni) suggested to get the Portal in line with the requirements of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan from 10 July 2017, ¹344.
          Also a representative of the National legislation centre suggested that the name of the Portal should be approved by the Committee of language under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
           After that the Head of the Committee noted that the during the previous meetings of the committee the categorization of the Tajikistan’s TFA obligations were reviewed and sent to the Members of the Committee for further comments and suggestions. Members did not have any suggestions and the A, B and C categories obligations were approved. Head of the committee also instructed the executive secretary to send the A, B and C categories obligations via notification to the WTO Secretariat.
          In addition, Head of the committee also reminded that the Roadmap of the committee also was reviewed and sent to the committee members for their suggestions. The Roadmap was changed with the view of Members’ suggestions and would be sent for the revision of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Meanwhile, according to the agenda, the First Deputy Head of the Customs Service Tursunzoda A. H. presented a presentation on progress of implementation of action Plan in order to bring the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan in line with the requirements of the International Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention).
          After that Members of the Committee presented their reports on the implementation of the Action Plan in order to bring the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan in line with the requirements of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
      During the meeting discussions took place and members of the committee including Head of the committee, private sector representatives and the development partners shared their views on the agenda items.
At the end of the meeting Head of the Committee noted that the protocol of the meeting should be prepared and shared with the participants of the meeting.
           The following decisions were made and included to the protocol of the meeting:
1. Protocol instructions’ execution should be under monitoring of the Secretariat of the Committee;
2. Action plan of the A, B and C Categories obligations is approved and should be sent to the Secretariat of the WTO via notification;
3. Project of the Roadmap of the Committee should be sent to the Government of the country for their review;
4. Working Groups of the Committee should send reports on completed tasks to the secretariat of the Committee;
5. Working Group on improvement of tariff and non-tariff tools should take necessary measures in order to implement its’ protocol instructions and in this order support domestic producers and increase export;
6. Members of the committee should take necessary measures in order to fully implement the action plan on the compliance of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement;
7. Head of the WTO Affairs Department – the Executive Secretary (Abdurahmonov A.) should organize a meeting with the representatives of the Private sector in order to prepare a list of the new Members of the Committee from the number of Private sector representatives, which is going to be approved in the next meeting of the Committee;
8. Heads of the ministries and agencies, that are the members of the committee (Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, 24 December 2016, ¹529) should be warned that if they won’t participate in the next meetings of the Committee, relevant reports are going to be sent to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Director General Azevêdo meets ministers in Davos: discussions focus on reform; progress on e-commerce
Director General Azevêdo meets ministers in Davos: discussions focus on reform; progress on e-commerce

       

        Participating in a series of ministerial discussions during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos this week, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo reviewed the challenges and opportunities facing global trade today, and stressed that the trading system must evolve if it is to remain relevant.

       The meetings included the informal ministerial gathering on WTO issues hosted by the Swiss government on 25 January. This discussion largely focused on possible reforms to the trading system, with a range of different perspectives being aired. The need to address the impasse in appointments to the WTO's Appellate Body was a common theme, along with the need to make progress in a number of other areas.

     DG Azevêdo also participated, by invitation, in a Canadian-organised ministerial meeting on WTO reform which took place on 24 January; a meeting on 25 January where a group of WTO members issued a joint ministerial declaration setting out their intention to launch negotiations on electronic commerce; and a range of discussions organized by the World Economic Forum throughout the week.

          Speaking at the conclusion of his program in Davos, the Director-General said:

        "Trade has been at top the of the agenda in Davos. We had some very productive discussions this week across a range of meetings, and notably we've seen real progress towards negotiations that were announced on e-commerce. This is all very welcome. It is a sign of the strong and very widely-shared commitment to the global trading system. This is particularly vital now, as we face a number of significant challenges."

          "The current trade tensions pose a threat to the entire international community. The risks are real and have real economic effects. But the opportunities are real too. It is in everyone's interests that we improve prospects for global trade. It is vital for jobs, growth and development around the world. This is what the WTO is all about – so we are taking action."

         "First, by working urgently to ease tensions. We're facilitating conversations between members, complementing bilateral efforts. And we're helping members to resolve their disputes. Second, we are working to modernise and strengthen the global trading architecture to ensure that it can support a changing global economy. These are the key elements that we have been discussing here this week.

          "The word we keep hearing is 'reform'. Members are exploring possible reforms that would help to diffuse the current tensions, fix the impasse in appointments to the Appellate Body, improve monitoring and transparency in the system, and speed up our negotiating processes both on the longstanding issues and on other initiatives that been launched more recently."

       "We must do more to make the WTO work faster, and be more flexible and responsive to members' needs – building on the progress of recent years. The G20 leaders' declaration made this clear. It called for "necessary reforms" to the WTO so that it can keep playing its essential role in the global economy. All this has created a political window to modernize the WTO. We must seize that opportunity."

         "We are working hard on all of this. 2019 will be a crucial year for global trade and for the WTO. We have an opportunity to tackle the systemic challenges before us and strengthen the WTO for generations to come. Ultimately our success will depend on whether members are ready for the system to evolve."

          The meeting was attended by representatives from a wide range of WTO members, including representatives of the WTO Least-developed countries Group, the WTO Africa Group, and the WTO Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group. The joint statement on e-commerce was signed by 76 WTO members, which account for 90% of global trade.

 

Members kick off 2019 with first cluster of fisheries subsidies meetings
Members kick off 2019 with first cluster of fisheries subsidies meetings
 

      WTO members in the Negotiating Group on Rules held their first cluster of fisheries subsidies meetings for the year on 14-18 January. Some members indicated they were working on proposing new draft texts covering certain areas of fisheries subsidies disciplines that WTO members had committed to agree by end-2019.
    In line with the January to July 2019 work programme for fisheries subsidies negotiations agreed by the Negotiating Group, the week-long cluster of meetings was composed of a mix of bilateral talks, other member-organized discussions, and consultations open to all delegations.
    The work in open-ended consultations was organized around four main topics: subsidies to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; subsidies to fishing where stocks are overfished; subsidies contributing to fishing overcapacity and to overfishing; and cross-cutting issues which include special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed members, dispute settlement, institutional issues, and notification and transparency.
       Based on suggestions from members, the Chair selected four delegates to act as facilitators for each of these areas and they reported to the Negotiating Group their impressions of where the negotiations stood and what issues emerged during the week.
Some members indicated they were working with other delegations on drafting new language for certain areas of the fisheries subsidies disciplines, for consideration by the Negotiating Group. A number of delegations underlined the importance of receiving such new contributions as soon as possible.
         The next cluster of fisheries subsidies meetings will be on 25 February-1 March.

General Council Chair appoints facilitator to address disagreement on Appellate Body

           General Council Chair Junichi Ihara of Japan has appointed Amb. David Walker of New Zealand to assist him in working with WTO members to resolve differences on the urgent matter of the functioning of the organization’s Appellate Body.
             At the 12 December General Council, WTO members agreed with Chair Ihara's proposal to launch an informal process to overcome the impasse on the selection of Appellate Body members. Normally, there are seven members of the Appellate Body but the deadlock has prevented the appointment of new members to fill vacancies created when a member's term expires. As a result, there are currently only three sitting AB members, the minimum required for any appeal.
             Following the General Council, Chair Ihara met with 25 delegations to hear their views on how he should proceed. He told an informal Heads of Delegation meeting on 17 January that these consultations revealed most delegations believed the issue of the Appellate Body needed to be addressed "very urgently", that the immediate outcome of the informal process should be the unblocking of the selection process and that discussions between members should be solution-oriented, focused and issue specific.
        Chair Ihara said in looking for a facilitator he sought an ambassador with "thorough knowledge and practical experience" in WTO dispute settlement, someone who had chaired a WTO body and someone familiar with WTO informal processes. Amb. Walker accepted the chair's invitation and spoke to members at the 17 January meeting where he led the discussions.
During the meeting, WTO members debated three proposals on reforming the Appellate Body. While significant differences between members remain, there was a high level of engagement between ambassadors and all delegations showed willingness to intensify their efforts to finding a solution.
          "I believe we had a good kick off to this process," said Amb. Walker. "I will reach out to members and discuss with them how to take the process forward, always in a solution-oriented spirit."

Members mark 10th year of WTO monitoring of cotton development assistance, trade trends

        At the WTO’s cotton days, the major milestones achieved in the past ten years in monitoring cotton development assistance were welcomed by members and the Cotton 4 — Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali. Members also took stock of progress over ten rounds of dedicated discussions on cotton trade. Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff underscored the dynamic and project-focused approach that underpins WTO work on cotton development assistance. Ambassador Ford of Guyana recalled trade achievements which “demonstrate members’ determination and ability to deliver results on cotton”.
           Cote d'Ivoire attended the cotton days for the first time as a Cotton 4 (C4) observer country following its application for observer status at the C4 ministerial meeting in N'Djamena, Chad.
          At the two-day meeting, known as the WTO “cotton days”, WTO members discussed both the latest developments in cotton trade and the assistance provided to developing countries. At the end of the two days, WTO members endorsed the joint initiative of the WTO, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to enhance the economic potential of cotton by-products.
                                                                          Development assistance

       According to the latest version of the Director-General's Evolving Table on Cotton Development Assistance (WT/CFMC/6/Rev.25, 15 November 2018) prepared by the WTO Secretariat to keep record of all cotton-related development assistance projects, 29 active cotton-specific projects have been recorded, benefiting 32 countries. This reflects an increase in development assistance in this area. Three new projects were recorded from GIZ-Germany and Switzerland. This is the 10th year that the evolving table exists in its current form (see flyer).
         Members examined the Cotton 4’s "Cotton Roadmap Project" (WT/CFMC/W/73 and presentation by Amb. Laourou), including two country-specific projects from Mali and one from Benin. The Cotton 4 selected Mali to carry out two new pilot projects to address high soil acidity and improve yields. If successful, the model will be replicated in other countries. Benin proposed a project looking at the possibility of improving organic matter in soils by introducing more diversified crops. The estimated cost will be evaluated on a country-by-country basis.
          The Brazilian Cooperation Agency presented its activities on cotton. Since 2015, Brazil has started a new trend of working with international organizations, such as the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization to assist African countries in the development of the cotton sector. Thirty-six projects have been implemented, mostly in Africa and Latin America, and various new technical missions will start in December 2018.
                                             Business sheds lights on how to tap into the cotton markets

         Since the Cotton Day meeting of June 2018, the Consultative Mechanism has taken a pragmatic approach by bringing the private sector into the discussion. This time Mr Ryota Karube, President of the Japanese trading company Toyoshima Inc., introduced its business model and its role in linking African cotton producers to the international market. Toyoshima called for African farmers to build relations with trading companies and stressed the importance of developing strategies to exploit the increasing consumer-driven opportunities offered by cotton such as the Better Cotton Initiative and Cotton made in Africa.
           Emphasizing the ministerial mandate on cotton development assistance, DDG Wolff, Chair of the Consultative Mechanism on behalf of Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, underlined the importance of "effective assistance" and invited beneficiaries to "continue identifying their needs linked to cotton or related sectors, including on a regional basis".

                                                   Discussions on cotton policies and negotiation prospects

           WTO members noted that the WTO cotton initiative, launched in 2003, has seen many historic moments over the past ten years, including:
• the 2013 Bali Ministerial Decision on Cotton, which introduced “dedicated discussions” twice a year for WTO members to address the trade-related developments that underpin cotton negotiations
• the 2015 Nairobi Ministerial Decision on Cotton, which committed members to abolish agricultural export subsidies for cotton as of 1 January 2017, with developed members and developing members with the capacity to do so agreeing to grant duty-free and quota-free market access for exports of cotton and cotton-related products from least-developed countries
• the launch of a joint WTO/ITC cotton portal at the 2017 Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference, with the aim of helping cotton producers, traders and policymakers better harness market opportunities in the cotton sector.

SIXTH MEETING OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE FACILITATION OF TRADE PROCEDURES
On 21st December 2018, the sixth meeting of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures was heldin the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with the participation of representatives of ministries and agencies, private sector and development partners.
Head of the Committee – Minister of Economic Development and Trade, distinguished NematulloHikmatullozoda noted that by discussing and dealing with the issues that are described during the meeting directly support implementation of the strategic documents and further development of the economy of the country.
Moreover, during the meeting, a presentation on results and actions of the permanent working group of experts on improvement of tariff and non-tariff tools for support of domestic producers and export development was presented by the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade distinguished Zavqizoda Z. A.
In addition, during the meeting other issues including the National Trade Facilitation Portal, reports of the relevant ministries and agencies on complying the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement were reviewed.
At the end of the meeting, aprotocol with relevant instructions was sent to the Committee Members to address the discussed issues.

Protocol of the fourth and fifth meetings of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures
Dushanbe                  ¹4 and ¹5              «  29  » October 2018

    Head of the Committee: Minister of economic development and trade - N. Hikmatullozoda  

    From 24 Members of the Committee, that was established by the Decree of the Government of Tajikistan (24 December 2016, ¹529) only 10 members participated, however other members without any excuse did not participate in the meeting (First Deputy Head of Customs Service, Ministries of finance; industry and new technologies, agriculture, health and social protection of population, State committee on investment and state property management, tax committee).
    At the same time, from 12 representatives of the trade organizations and associations (Committee members) only 7 of them were present in the meeting, 5 members of the Committee (AIATT, Association of banks of Tajikistan, Association of financing organizations, Association of logistics of Tajikistan, Public organization of veterinaries of Tajikistan) did not participate in the meeting.
    Moreover, representatives of International organizations and development partners participated in the meeting including ITC, UNDP, SECO, USAID, EU Delegation in Tajikistan and OSCE.
    The list of participants is attached.

    According to the agenda of the meeting 3 main topics were discussed:



    1.    Increasing the effectiveness of the Committee’s work
1.1. Presentation on the Committee’s completed tasks and establishment of the Permanent Secretariat of the Committee

1.2. Presentation on the Project of the Roadmap of the Committee

2.    Results of analysis on improvement of implementation of the Republic of Tajikistan’s obligations under the WTO.
    2.11Presentation on prioritization and sequencing of the A, B and C Categories measures of the TFA

3.    Transit and international transport development
3.1 Presentation on the completed tasks of the Working Group on preparation of researches for international conventions and agreements in the transport and transit sectors and proposition of the Program on transport services development
3.2. Presentation on the transporters’ position for the terms of passage through the border checkpoints
3.3. Presentation on the working terms of the border checkpoints with the Republic of Uzbekistan
3.4. Presentation on implementation of the project “transport route: Uzbekistan – Tajikistan – China” in order to detect opportunities and transit benefits for the Republic of Tajikistan

    Minister of economic development and trade – Head of the Committee,         N. Hikmatullozoda has started the meeting by expressing gratitude to the Committee members and other participants.
    It was noted that Committee’s work is under constant control of the President and the Government of the country in order to promote appropriate terms for the domestic and foreign trade. The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon has underlined development of export of the country during his annual speech to the Parliament of the Country on 22 December 2017 and instructed the related ministries and agencies to take measures in order to increase exports, diversify exports, develop processing of agricultural goods, including cotton, fruits, vegetables, metals and precious stones.
    Till this period on the basis of the protocol instructions of the Committee, number of tasks were completed and in order to further facilitate the work the Permanent Secretariat was established.
    Head of the Committee noted, that establishment of the Committee will catalyze the implementation of strategic documents of the country including National Strategy on development of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period until 2030, Midterm Program on development of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period of 2016-2020, State Program on support of export and import substitution of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period of 2016-2020 and instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.
After that the First Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Trade Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin made a presentation on the first item of the agenda – completed tasks of the Committee and establishment of the Permanent Secretariat of the Comiittee.
    He has noted that in collaboration with the members of the Committee, relevant ministries and agencies, development partners and the private sector 10 draft decrees of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan were developed, 5 were adopted, 1 is being reviewed by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and 4 are under revision of the ministries and agencies.
    To adhere the decisions of the Committee, 6 Working Groups on different issues were established.
The Action Plan for reduction of time and expenses of enterprises for export, import and transit of goods was developed and approved by the relevant Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (31 May 2018, ¹286).
The Customs Service was appointed as a coordinating body for the transit actions (Decree of the Government of Tajikistan from 25 December 2017, #580).
Meanwhile, in order to timely publish normative legal acts on customs activities and to appoint responsible economic manager, amendments to the Customs Code have been prepared and circulated among ministries and agencies.
    In order to support export and increase competitiveness of domestic products, the draft Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On the Support of Export and Increasing Competitiveness" was developed and currently is under revision of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Furthermore, First Deputy Minister noted that with the aim to support Committee’s activities and it’s Working Groups, with the support of ITC and UNECE the permanent secretariat was established with a relevant order of the Ministry of economic development and trade. 3 people have qualified through the interview and now they are working in the mentioned secretariat.
Firs deputy minister made another presentation on the project of the Roadmap of the Committee and noted that this roadmap will assist in further work of the Committee.
During preparation of this project the obligations of the country within the  WTO’s TFA and other strategic aims were taken into account. The project consists of 5 parts and 35 measures, that foresee reforms for the following aspects: improvement of trade procedures facilitation normative legal acts base; decrease of customs procedures; improvement of international transportation system; increase of domestic production; supply chain integration.
With a view of importance of this project, it was agreed to get comments and proposals of the Committee members in the period of 20 days. The project will be amended with the comments and proposals of the committee members, reviewed and approved during the next Committee meeting.
First deputy minister presented another presentation on Tajikistan’s obligations under the WTO’s TFA according to the categories A, B and C.
It was informed that, with the support of the ITC and SECO a National Seminar on “Prioritization, sequencing and strategizing the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement” with participation of the Members of the Committee, representatives of the Private sector and development partners was held from 14 – 16 August 2016 in which the project of the Categories A, B and C measures and their implementation periods were prepared.
In the end, it was agreed to get comments and proposals of the Committee members on the project of the A, B and C Categories measures in the period of 10 days.
    After that the third item of agenda on transit and transportation development was reviewed. It was noted that the Working Group on preparation of analysis on implementation of international conventions and agreements on transport and transit sectors is one of the most active Working Groups, which has already completed a number of tasks.
    A presentation on completed tasks of the Working Group and proposition of the Program on development of transport services was presented by the first deputy minister of transport – Mirzoev Suhrob.
    It was noted that implementation of the action plan of the project will lead to develop the transport services and support transformation of Tajikistan into transit country.
    After the presentation of the project, discussions took place and the representative of the Ministry of foreign affairs proposed to include the air transport services in the action plan as well.
    Head of the Committee has specially noted that, the National Development Strategy’s one of the main goals is to break in the communication deadlock and transformation into transit country. In this regard taking measures to achieve these goals is highly prioritized.
    On the position of transporters on the terms of border checkpoint passage a presentation was shown by the representative of the private sector – Head of the Professional consultants union of Tajikistan, Kislyakova L. P.
    This presentation contained the problems faced by the transporters, for example corruption elements at the border authorities.
    On this matter the Head of Committee has given special instructions to related authorities and also obliged the Head of the Working Group on improvement of tariff and non-tariff tools to fully review the mentioned problem in the next meeting of the working group.  
    Moreover, the representative of the Customs services has given a presentation on the working terms of the border checkpoints with the Republic of Uzbekistan and noted that with the contribution of the Government the necessary measures are being taken in order to increase the services in the border checkpoints.
    Head of the Committee proposed the customs service to work in the framework of the acting legislation of the country and deal with the current border checkpoints’ problems.
    After that according to the agenda representative of the Ministry of transport has shown a presentation on “Transport route: Uzbekistan – Tajikistan - China” During the meeting discussions took place and members of the committee including Head of the committee, private sector representatives and the development partners shared their views on the agenda items.
    At the end of the meeting Head of the Committee noted that the protocol of the meeting should be prepared and shared with the participants of the meeting.
    The following decisions were made and included to the protocol of the meeting:
1.    Protocol instructions should be under control of the Secretariat of the Committee;
2.    Secretariat should send the projects of the Roadmap and the A, B and C Categories measures to the committee members and participants of the meeting;
3.    Committee members and the participants of the meeting should send their comments and proposals on the project of the Roadmap both in electronic form and by official letter to the Committee’s secretariat in the period of 20 days;
4.    Secretariat should change the project of the Roadmap by including the comments of the Committee members in order to review and approve it in the next meeting of the committee;
5.    Committee members and the participants of the meeting should send their comments and proposals on the project of the A, B and C Categories measures both in electronic form and by official letter to the Committee’s secretariat in the period of 10 days;
6.    Committee members and the participants of the meeting should send their reports on the implementation of the Action plan on getting the legislation of the country in line with the WTO’s TFA requirements, which was approved by the decision of the Committee in its second meeting (5 April 2017) to the Committee’s secretariat in the period of 10 days;
7.    Customs service should send their reports on the implementation of the Action plan on getting the customs legislation of the country in line with the provisions of International convention on facilitationa and harmonization of the customs procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention), which was approved by the decision of the Committee in its second meeting (5 April 2017) to the Committee’s secretariat in the period of 10 days;
8.    Ministry of transport by the end of 2018 with the support of the Committee members should send the Program on transport development for revision to the Government of the country after it has been reviewed by the relevant ministries and agencies;
9.    Working Groups of the Committee should send reports on completed tasks to the secretariat of the Committee;
10.    Head of the Working Group on improvement of tariff and non-tariff tools during the next meeting of the Working Group with participation of the representatives of the border control authorities should fully review the problems mentioned by the private sector and make a report in the next meeting of the committee;
11.    Heads of the ministries and agencies, that are the members of the committee (Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, 24 December 2016, ¹529) should be warned that if they won’t participate in the next meetings of the Committee, relevant reports are going to be sent to the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.


THE FOURTH AND FIFTH MEETINGS OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON FACILITATION OF TRADE PROCEDURES
On October 29, 2018, the fourthand fifth meetings of the Coordinating Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures was held in the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade with the participation of representatives of ministries and agencies, private sector and development partners.
At this meeting, different issues on increasing the efficiency of the Committee’s work, improvementof implementation of the Republic of Tajikistan’s obligations underthe World Trade Organization (WTO)and development of transit and international transport were discussed.
Minister of economic development and trade, distinguished Nematullo Hikmatullozoda noted that establishment of the Committee will lead to realization of strategic documents including National Strategy on development of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period until 2030, Midterm Program on development of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period of 2016-2020, State Program on support of export and import substitution of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period of 2016-2020 and instructions of the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.
Moreover, the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, distinguished Zavqizoda Zavqi Amin, made presentations on the work of the Committee, the creation of a permanent secretariat of this Committee, the implementation of measures of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the draft Roadmap of the Committee.
At the same time, the meeting provided a free dialogue between public and private sector representatives, during which proposals from the private sector were submitted to public sector for revision.
At the end of the meeting, appropriate protocol with relevant instructions was sent to the Committee Members to address the discussed issues.
It should be noted that the Committee on Facilitation of Trade Procedures was established by the relevant decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on December 24, 2016, ¹529 with the aim of harmonizing the public and private sectors, identifying and solving problems of this sector, as well as increasing and diversifying exports of domestic products.
Azevêdo: Food security is of paramount importance to all members
Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, on 31 May, opened a Workshop on “Delivering Development in the 11th Ministerial Conference” aimed at looking at the roles of public stockholding and the Special Safeguard Mechanism in achieving food security.
Trade Facilitation Agreement

Special and Differential Treatment for Developing Countries

The New WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

In December 2013 WTO Members concluded negotiations on a new Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/MIN (13)/36) aimed at expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit, and at improving customs cooperation.
WTO-UNCTAD launch new guide to trade policy analysis

A new book on trade policy analysis was launched today (15 November) by the WTO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). “An Advanced Guide to Trade Policy Analysis: The Structural Gravity Model” outlines one of the most successful tools for the analysis of trade policy and provides practical guidance on how to apply this tool to trade policy making.

Iceland ratifies Trade Facilitation Agreement
Iceland has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), becoming the 96th member of the WTO to do so. WTO ambassador Högni S. Kristjánsson submitted his country’s instrument of acceptance to WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo on 31 October.
DG Azevêdo welcomes Kazakhstan’s ratification of WTO trade facilitation deal in Astana

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo is in Astana, Kazakhstan, today (26 May) to meet with President Nursultan Nazarbayev to discuss the country’s recent accession to the WTO and its prospects for further integration into the global economy. DG Azevêdo also met with Prime Minister Karim Massimov and was presented with Kazakhstan’s formal instrument of acceptance of the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which will take the total number of ratifications so far to 80.

Global Review of Aid for Trade
Global Review of Aid for Trade
27% of foreign trade turnover of Tajikistan, or 1.5 billion US dollars, is made with the South-South platform countries, while the export to these countries makes 18.5%, or 181.3 million US Dollars.
UNDP SUPPORTS THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE IN COORDINATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN WITHIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
Dushanbe, 15 April 2015.   Today, under the chairmanship of Mr. Nazriev Saidrakhmon – the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan¬– the first meeting of the expanded Working Group on the coordination of activities of international organizations and state bodies for the  implementation of obligations of the Republic of Tajikistan in the World Trade Organization was held.
Insurance company reportedly ready to support Tajik migrant workers
Tajik insurance company, Mehnat (Labor), has announced its readiness to support Tajik labor migrants working in Russia through making available all the necessary information and practical consultation on the procedure of getting health insurance for working in the Russian Federation
Tajik experts attend forum to discuss the Eurasian economic integration issues
Two Tajik experts – Islamic Revival Party (IRP) leader Muhididn Kabiri, who is also member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), and Professor Ibrohim Usmonov, representative of NGO “Dialogue of Civilizations” in Tajikistan – are participating in a public forum entitled “Eurasian Economic Integration” Achievements and Problems” that opened in Kazan, Russia today
Tajikistan asks Qatari companies to rehabilitate the Safedorak skiing resort
Maliksho Nematov, Head of the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs (Committee) under the Government of Tajikistan, has met here with visiting representatives of Qatar Holding, Nabras (phonetically spelled), and Al-Ta’din, according to Committee department for international cooperation
1.248 bln kWh of electricity generated in Tajikistan last month
According to the report for November 2013, Monitoring and Early Warning in Tajikistan, total electricity generation in October 2013 was 1,248 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) or an average of 40.3 million kWh per day.  Electricity generation in October decreased by 11.6% (45.6 million kWh) compared to September 2013
Investments in Tajikistan’s economy reportedly rise 16.5
Investments in Tajikistan’s economy rose 16.5 percent in a year to October 31, 2013, reaching 3.6144 billion somoni (equivalent to 759.1 million USD), according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT)
Tajik Communist leader attends 15th IMCWP in Lisbon
Tajik Communist Party leader Shodi Shabdolov, who is also member of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament, participated in the 15th International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties (IMCWP) that took place in Lisbon, Portugal on November 8-10, 2013
Focus Humanitarian Assistance successfully completes its 7th DIPECHO project
The geography and topography of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan make them high-risk countries for natural disasters.  This is especially true of the isolated mountainous communities of Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in Tajikistan and Alai and Chon Alai in Kyrgyzstan, which are subject to frequent hazards such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), avalanches, landslides and earthquakes.
Air crash kills 50 in Russia

International media sources report that a Boeing 737 airliner crashed on Sunday in the Russian city of Kazan, killing all 50 people on board

International air show opens in Dubai
International media sources report that the biennial Dubai Airshow opened Sunday at the new Al-Maktoum International airport with about 1,000 exhibitors from the global civil and military aviation industries showing off their newest technology
2,120 kilograms of gold produced in Tajikistan in Jan-Oct 2013
Over the first ten months of this year, gold producing companies operating in Tajikistan have produced 2,120 kilograms of gold, which was 220 kilograms or 23.7 percent more than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industry (MoEI)
Tajikistan’s banking system still far from ideal, says Tajik central bank head
Tajikistan’s banking system, which is still at the stage of formation, is far from ideal, the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) head Abdujabbor Shirinov stated this here on November 14 during the Presentation on the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook (REO)
World Bank recommends actions for creating more jobs in Europe and Central Asia
Unemployment in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is high and job creation is  weak,  despite  impressive reform efforts in many countries of  the region  and  a decade of strong economic growth before the 2009 crisis,  says a  new World Bank report  “Back to Work: Growing with Jobs in Europe and Central Asia”
FAO expects more balanced food markets
Food commodity markets are becoming more balanced and less price volatile than in recent years thanks to improved supplies and a recovery in global inventories of cereals, according to UN Food and Agriculture (FAO)'s Food Outlook report published on November 7
Tajik central bank, German Commerzbank AG discuss cooperation issues
Issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) and Commerzbank AG (Germany) were discussed at a meeting of the NBT head Abdujabbor Shirinov with the member of the Commerzbank AG Executive Board Christoph Metz that took place here on November 7
Tajikistan plans to reduce the number of inspecting bodies
A Working Group (WG) has started drafting the law on inspection of activities of economic entities in Tajikistan in new edition, according to the State Committee on Investments and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest)
Tajik parliamentary speaker receives group of Europarl members
On Tuesday November 5, Shukurjon Zuhurov, the head of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) met here with a group of members of the European Parliament (Europarl) who arrived in Dushanbe to monitor the 2013 presidential election
Tajikistan’s auto imports reportedly increase
Over the first nine months of this year, Tajikistan has imported 45,449 vehicles, which was more than 10,000 vehicles more than in the same period last year, according to the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan
IFC sees up to $1 trillion climate-related investment potential in EMENA
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has published proprietary research highlighting up to $1 trillion of investment potential in renewable energy, resource efficiency, and climate change adaptation across Emerging Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa (EMENA)
U.S. Federal Reserve Board issues redesigned $100 note
On October 8, the Federal Reserve began supplying financial institutions with a redesigned $100 note that incorporates new security features to deter counterfeiters and help businesses and consumers tell whether a note is genuine, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said
Tajikistan lifts ban on coal exports
Tajikistan has lifted ban on coal exports following its World Trade Organization (WTO) entry, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Saidrahmon Nazriyev, told journalists in Dushanbe on July 30.
Tethys announces strategic acquisitions in Georgia
Tethys Petroleum Limited (“Tethys”), the oil and gas exploration and production company focused on Central Asia/Caspian Region, has announced the conditional acquisition of interests in a number of production sharing contracts (“PSCs”) in Georgia
Child labor robbing millions of health, education and growth, UNICEF says
On the World Day Against Child Labor, UNICEF yesterday called attention to the millions of children around the world who are engaged in some form of hazardous or exploitative work, usually at the expense of their health and education, and overall wellbeing and development, pres release issued by the UNICEF Country Office n Tajikistan said
Tajikistan to open its mission to the WTO
Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament has ratified an agreement on Tajikistan’s admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
ADB will support Tajikistan as it strives to capitalize on WTO membership
Tajikistan has just been admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the much awaited news, while highly encouraging, has undoubtedly added urgency to the need to accelerate reforms in the energy, transport, finance, agriculture, and water sectors. Improving physical infrastructure is another priority,” a statement released by Mr. C.C. Yu
CIS executive secretary welcomes Tajikistan’s accession to WTO
Tajik Ambassador to Belarus Qozidavlat Qoimdodov, who is also Tajikistan’s Permanent Representative to the CIS Institutions, informed participants in a meeting of the Council of the Member-Nation Permanent Representatives of Tajikistan’s joining the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Tajikistan joins WTO
Tajikistan has been officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Tajikistan has gone the complicated path to join WTO, says WTO official
On Wednesday November 21, Mr. Shukurjon Zuhurov, Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) received Mr. Chiedu Osakwe, Director, Accessions Division, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, Director, Accessions Division, WTO Secretariat and Mr. Dimitar Bratanov, Secretary, the Working Party on Tajikistan’s accession.
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