May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 1

ECONOMIC POLICY PROGRAMME

TOWARDS AN ECONOMICALLY-VIABLE PALESTINIAN STATE:

The Regulation of External Trade

Monday May 23, 2005Grand Park Hotel, Ramallah

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 2

Towards a Sovereign Trade Framework:

TBT and SPS Issues

Ambassador Kari Bergholm

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 3

This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for

International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views

expressed are not necessarily those of DFID.

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 4

Directly: • Customs Duties• Licencing• Quantitative Restrictions

Indirectly:• TBT and SPS Measures

National Legislation Affecting International Trade

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 5

TBT and SPS Issues

Measures to ensure that products do not cause risks to human, animal or

plant health and life, or to the environment

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 6

• Provisions included in all trade agreements

• WTO TBT and SPS Agreements

Significant Impact on International Trade

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 7

Options for trade agreements with Israel

Foreign Trade Act

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 8

Comprehensive Plan

“Implementing the WTO TBT and SPS Agreements” - November 2003

• Review of The Agreements• Legislation• Regulations, Standards, • Conformity Assessment Procedures• Institutions• Training of Personnel• Recommendations

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 9

Technical Normative Infrastructure

Draft Law October 2003

• Technical regulations, standards, conformity assessment procedures, (metrology)• Framework law• WTO TBT Agreement• MNE and PSI• EU New Approach and Global Approach

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 10

Food Safety

“Food Safety Law for Palestine” - September 2003

• Framework Law• WTO SPS Agreement• Administration: Ministry of Agriculture• Co-ordinating Committee

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 11

• Laws on Animal and Plant Health• Decrees• Technical Regulations• Standards• Internationally recognised laboratories

Further Work“So Far Only a Good Start”

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 12

• Immediate benefits for Palestinian economy• Not depending on Israel• Strengthening Palestinian position

- towards Israel- in becoming associated with WTO

• Involvement of private sector

TBT and SPS measures

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 13

GOOD LUCK !

May 2005 Economic Policy Programme 14

ECONOMIC POLICY PROGRAMME

TOWARDS AN ECONOMICALLY-VIABLE PALESTINIAN STATE:

The Regulation of External Trade

Monday May 23, 2005Grand Park Hotel, Ramallah