Phnom Penh (FN), April 4 – Cambodia has implemented 40% of category A of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (FTA) with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Cambodia will seek WTO technical support for categories B and C, according to Minister of Commerce, Pan Sorasak.

The minister released the figures during a workshop focusing on implementing the TFA, which was co-organized by the Ministry of Commerce and USAID in Cambodia at the Raffles Hotel on Tuesday.

U.S Ambassador to Cambodia William A. Heidt also participated in the workshop alongside government officials, national and international advisors, as well as journalists.

WTO's TFA came into effect Feb. 22, 2017 after ratification by 112 country members, which is two-thirds of the WTO membership.

The TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues.

It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area, according to WTO’s website.

“TFA provides legal transparency, methods, and procedures as well as equality in making decision of agents in borders to ease administrative and paperwork barriers for trade movement”, said the minister.

“TFA implementation reduces global trade expenditure on average of 14.3% in which the developing and less developed countries (LDC) spend a great deal on trade,” he added.

Cambodia has become the 8th LDC and the 69th member of WTO to ratify TFA in Dec. 16, 2015.

The ratification reflected the commitment of the Cambodian government in promoting trade facilitation in regional and global frameworks by seeking faster transportation, customs facilitation, trade in goods, and transboundary transportation.
=FRESH NEWS