Least-developed countries to facilitate markets for products
The least-developed countries (LDCs) group at the World Trade Organization (WTO) presented an “elements for discussion” paper aimed at triggering an exchange on how members are responding to the 2013 Decision and, ultimately, identifying ways to facilitate market access for LDC products. The LDCs took the floor at the April 30, 2015, meeting of the WTO’s Committee on Rules of Origin to urge fellow members to move forward on implementing the December 2013 Bali Ministerial Decision on preferential rules of origin for LDCs, said an WTO official release. Members also agreed at the meeting to initiate an “educational exercise” to better understand the impact that national non-preferential rules of origin have on international trade. Speaking for the group, Bangladesh said it recognises that no single system of rules of origin used by preference-giving countries is better than the other. However, there is “unequivocal evidence” that, under certain conditions, the reform of rules of origin to reflect current global value chains and commercial realities can generate positive outcomes for LDCs. A paper from the group presented to the committee last October argues that reforms adopted by several preference-giving members have resulted in increased utilization of preferences, relocation of factories to LDCs, increased manufacturing capacity, and more skilled jobs creation in LDCs. The December 2013 Bali Ministerial Decision on preferential rules of origin for LDCs sets out guidelines for members to develop their own rules of origin arrangements applicable to LDC imports with the aim of facilitating market access for LDC goods. The Decision also calls on members to annually review developments in preferential rules of origin applicable to LDC imports. Several LDC Group members said preferential rules of origin was a priority for them in the WTO’s post-Bali work and that it was time to address implementation of the 2013 Decision.
May 4, 2015 | 12:32 pm IST.
to success.