WTO members note further progress on Trade Facilitation Agreement implementation

Source: WTO

WTO members discussed the latest progress in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at the 22-23 April meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation. An update on the rate of implementation of TFA commitments and on members’ technical assistance needs was provided by the WTO Secretariat.

For full details, please click here.

JAMAICA: Brokers urge amendments to proposed Customs Act

Source: Jamaica Observer

Customs brokers and freight forwarders are appealing to be relieved of some of the liabilities imposed on them under the proposed new Customs Act, and to instead have those responsibilities focused on clients who fall in breach.

The brokers made their case last Thursday at a meeting of the joint select committee reviewing the Customs Act of 2019 that will replace the current 1941 law.

Cabinet Approves Jamaica's Accession to Revised Kyoto Convention

Source: Jamaica Information Service

Jamaica will now accede to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, commonly known as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), following Cabinet’s approval.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, provided details at a virtual post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (March 10).

AUSTRALIA: Productivity Commission review gives additional focus into the supply chain

Source: Rigby Cooke Lawyers
Andrew Hudson
Customs & Trade Partner
E: [email protected]

On 19 February 2021, the Federal Treasurer requested the Productivity Commission (Commission) undertake an independent review (Review) “into supply chain vulnerabilities and risks” to “ensure that the Australian economy is prepared for “possible supply chain disruptions”.

A New Leader at the WTO

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African, has been confirmed as the new leader of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The selection of a new leader requires all WTO members to agree and the WTO’s 164 members unanimously selected her to lead the organization.

WCO Private Sector Consultative Group Contributes to the Review of SAFE Framework of Standards and AEO Guidance

Members of the World Customs Organization’s Private Sector Consultative Group (WCO PSCG) have submitted a paper to the WCO Secretary General outlining PSCG views on the AEO Implementation and Validation Guidance.  IFCBA is a member of the PSCG, and both Carol West and Jaime King have represented IFCBA in these discussions. Please click here for the paper.

World Economic Forum: What the future holds for world trade, according to 8 global leaders

Source: World Economic Forum

  • Her appointment comes amid uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of COVID-19 variants.
  • The international trade system was under the microscope at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda week.
  • Here are eight key quotes from world leaders and experts on how to make the system more sustainable and resilient.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has made history – becoming the first woman and the first African ever to hold the post of director-general of the World Trade Organization.

Publication of Joint WCO-ICAO Guiding Principles and Guidelines to enhance Air Cargo Security and Trade Facilitation

Source: WCO

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) released their Joint WCO-ICAO Guiding Principles for Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information and Joint WCO-ICAO Guidelines on Alignment of the Customs Authorized Economic Operator and Aviation Security Regulated Agent/Known Consignor Programmes. These Guiding Principles and Guidelines are a result of continuous joint efforts over the last 10 years, following serious threats and vulnerabilities to international trade supply chains.

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