The Kyrgyz Republic, being a WTO member since 1998, ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement on 22 November 2016.
The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement was adopted at the ninth Ministerial Conference held in Bali (Indonesia) from 3 to 6 December 2013. The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement entered into force on 22 February 2017, after two thirds of the WTO member countries had notified about their acceptance of this agreement.
The main goal of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement is to expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It clarifies and improves the provisions of Articles V, VIII and X of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
In addition, Article 23 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement “Institutional arrangements” states that “each member shall establish and/or maintain a National Committee on Trade Facilitation or designate an existing mechanism to facilitate both domestic coordination and implementation of the provisions of this Agreement”.
Besides, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement aims at effective cooperation between WTO member countries on trade facilitation and customs compliance, as well as assistance and capacity building support.
The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement aims to improve the following areas:
Article 1: Publication and availability of information
Article 2: Opportunity to comment, information before entry into force, and consultations
Article 3: Advance rulings
Article 4: Procedures for appeal or review
Article 5: Other measures to enhance impartiality, non-discrimination and transparency
Article 6: Disciplines on fees and charges imposed on or in connection with importation and exportation and penalties
Article 7: Release and clearance of goods
Article 8: Border agency cooperation
Article 9: Movement of goods intended for import under customs control
Article 10: Formalities connected with importation, exportation and transit
Article 11: Freedom of transit
Article 12: Customs cooperation
WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement download
Contact us:
Phone: + 996 312 62 05 35 (ext. 144) - specialist in charge of notification to WTO.
Working hours: 09.00-12.00 and 14.00-17.00.
e-mail: secretariattfa@gmail.com or supt.kg@mail.ru