The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently held a workshop aimed at enhancing capacity on import licensing and notifications. In her opening remarks, Ms. Tyesha Turner, Chairperson of the Committee on Import Licensing, emphasized the importance of transparency within the multilateral trading system. She noted that import licensing has been on the global trade agenda since the 1970s and became part of the WTO's multilateral agreements after the Uruguay Round.
Ms. Turner said that increasing attention to import licensing is driven by its citation in trade disputes, raising its profile for both the business community and policymakers. She also highlighted concerns regarding compliance with obligations under the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. "Some members have not submitted any notifications since joining the WTO," she said. "Others have not updated their import licensing notifications for years or have only partially met their notification requirements."
The Committee on Import Licensing, supported by the WTO Secretariat, has worked to identify and address reasons contributing to low compliance rates. Ms. Turner acknowledged that capacity constraints, complex notification procedures, and the absence of standard templates were some challenges raised by developing members regarding notifications. “This workshop is one such activity geared at building national capacity to comply with transparency obligations under the Agreement," she noted.
Ms. Turner introduced the Import Licensing Notification Portal as a practical solution to streamline the notification process.
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in discussions on objectives of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures, including its relationship with other WTO agreements and notification requirements. They also participated in practical exercises designed to help them prepare notifications under various articles of the Agreement.
During an experience-sharing session, officials from Mauritius, Myanmar, Thailand, and The Gambia provided an overview of difficulties they encounter in meeting import licensing notification requirements. The discussion served as a platform for exchanging best practices, with some officials indicating how previous participation in workshops had significantly enhanced their notification processes.
Participants emphasized that while initial steps in making notifications can be challenging, experience gained from training sessions is invaluable. They encouraged other members to leverage support available from the WTO Secretariat and pursue additional training opportunities. They underscored ongoing assistance and knowledge-sharing as crucial for overcoming barriers to effective compliance with import licensing obligations.
More information on import licensing is available here.