TRADE FACILITATION
WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON PRIVATE SECTOR
Anational trade facilitation workshop that aims to enlighten the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Trade Facilitation Agreement was held yesterday. International Trade Centre senior trade facilitation adviser trade facilitation and policy for business, Mohammad Saeed said the workshop was essential for private sectors to understand their role stipulated in the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji CEO Hillary Kumwenda said the ratification of the Trade Agreement was also in line with the Fijian Trade Policy Framework which recognised the small and medium enterprises as the backbone of the Fijian Economy. “Countries like ourselves stand to benefit greatly through the implementation of this agreement and more importantly, the Micro, Small and Medium enterprises will have major direct or induced boost through value chains if most of the costs related to trade crossing borders are reduced or eliminated,” Mr Kumwenda said. “The Fijian Government strongly believes in collaboration between the private and public sector, hence these two days are crucial to social-
ise and familiarise yourselves with the TFA as well as presents an opportunity to closely interact and collaborate with border agencies present.”
The two-day workshop aims to help delegates identify measures in the Trade Facilitation Agreement that help resolve cross border inefficiencies, benefit from the strategies and measures stipulated in the agreement for Fiji and determine how to become part of the regulatory and implementation
process of the agreement.
Benefits of the Trade Facilitation Agreement for Fiji
Mr Kumwenda said: “On the broader level, if most of Fiji’s current and potential trading partners implements the TFA, this would greatly facilitate access of Fiji’s imports and exports into the global market, as well serve to facilitate our trade within the Pacific region.
“In Fiji, the implementation of the TFA will further reduce the cost of doing business by increasing efficiency, and trade volumes and reducing cost and delay through better coordination and improved logistics.
“It will also have positive multiplier effect in the medium to long term on the Government overall SME development program which is set to produce a number of champions of the industry. “The implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement will have significant impact on Fiji’s border agencies. Significant changes will need to be made to the systems, procedures, standards, laws, and where possible fees and charges structure, just to name a few.”
Mr Kumwenda added the agreement was in line with the reforms underway and those already undertaken by the Fijian Government to improve Fiji’s ports, airports, connecting roads as well as directing resources towards improving trade-related infrastructure. The workshop that ends today was organised by the Biosecurity of Authority of Fiji in collaboration with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and the International Trade Centre.