The objective of the meeting was to conduct the National Self- Assessment of Needs and Priorities in order to acknowledge the standing of Lao PDR in respect of the measures that are currently being implemented and being prepared for Lao PDR to be ready to fully benefit from the agreements.
This was the second meeting to be organized following the first meeting held in 2009. At that time Lao PDR held the position of WTO observer which is a different standing from its current position of full member of the WTO. This means that Lao PDR has obligations it needs to accomplish under WTO commitments and, at the same time, Lao PDR will be able to receive the full benefits of technical assistance which is provided to WTO member countries that are Least Developed Countries.
Previously, Lao PDR has advanced significantly in terms of Trade Facilitation to comply with WTO regulations, in particular, with the contents of the draft on the Trade Facilitation Agreement by establishing the Trade Facilitation Secretariat in 2010 in order to develop together the coordinating mechanism and consultation among various sectors concerned with Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade and disseminate the Government’s guidance and policy on Trade Facilitation. Furthermore, the National Trade Facilitation Strategy for years 2011-2015 was officially endorsed in 2011 and one achievement was the development of the Lao PDR Trade Portal for creating transparency in running trade and business in Lao PDR. Several sectors concerned with trade facilitation have also made progress in various ways such as the Customs sector that improved the Customs Law to comply with international requirements and have started using the ASYCUDA automated system for customs clearance at international border checkpoints throughout the country. Further, the Customs sector has also been the key mover on the establishment of a National Single Window.
The sectors responsible for SPS, in particular, Plantations, Livestock and the Food and Drug sector have also improved various legal documents to comply with international standards and also improved import-export procedures.
Many achievements have been made but Lao PDR needs to continue improving trade facilitation. The latest meeting on the WTO Trade Facilitation National Self- Assessment of Needs and Priorities for Lao PDR was most significant as it will help Lao PDR with identifying the priorities on Trade Facilitation for Lao PDR and with identifying the needs for international support in order to achieve the mentioned target.
The meeting also heard about the progress on WTO Trade Facilitation from the Counselor, Economic and Commercial affairs of the permanent mission of Lao PDR to the UN office and other International Organizations in Geneva and also listened to presentations on international and regional technical assistance and the progress of trade facilitation of Lao PDR from the representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Additionally, the self-assessment this time underlined 3 categories, namely (1) Policy/Legal, (2) Border Procedures Involving/Impacting Multiple Authorities and (3) Customs Procedures and Control. Participants from concerned sectors were put into work groups with an assigned topic. The result of this self-assessment will be a key for the negotiations on a trade facilitation agreement that acknowledges the standing of Lao PDR in respect of the measures that are currently being implemented. Furthermore, it will enable Lao PDR to be ready to fully benefit from the agreements.
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