THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are currently reviewing the National Trade Facilitation Needs Assessment, seeking ways in which they can improve on that.This was according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett at the ministry’s end-of-year press conference recently.
Minister Birkett disclosed that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) had initiated the national trade facilitation needs assessment in September 2013 with the ministry.
She added that this initiative was set up by the WTO to perceive how Guyana’s Customs Administration operates: “Because our country is only [one] of many that at this point and time is in competition with others for investors,” said Birkett.
According to Minister Birkett, “How we do business will either add to the list of investors coming to Guyana or subtract from the number of investors coming to the country.”
Additionally, this is why the Government of Guyana requires this assessment so that more investors can contribute to the development of Guyana’s economy.

THIRD TRADE POLICY REVIEW
Meanwhile, at the same encounter with members of the media, Minister Birkett disclosed that preparations are under way for the third trade policy review.
She noted that the review which is carried out by the WTO is expected to conclude in September 2015.
Minister Birkett noted that Guyana is reviewed every six years; the two previous trade policy reviews were done in 2003 and 2009.
At a meeting earlier in 2014, Minister Birkett had disclosed that the trade policy review is not used for enforcing Guyana’s or any other country’s obligations under Agreements, but to ensure a smoother functioning of the international trade system, whether between one country and another, or among a group of countries.
Similarly, the review is neither intended to settle agreement disputes nor to impose new policy commitments on countries being reviewed.
She also divulged that the review is normally attended by other member countries, and questions are given before the session or are asked during the meetings. Guyana will have an opportunity to respond to those questions either immediately or within 30 days of the meeting.
The policy statement later produced by Guyana, which clearly defines the country’s future intentions in foreign trade, will be built up by the questions made and asked by other members attending the review meetings.

BENEFITS OF THE TRADE POLICY
Fully accepting the nature of the review, Minister Birkett stated that the Foreign Affairs Ministry maintains two goals: firstly, to build an effective trade policy that will advance Guyana’s interests with other countries and, secondly, to identify opportunities for developing new markets for exportable goods and services.
THE WTO
The World Trade Organisation acts as a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements and settle trade disputes. The organisation, which was established in 1995, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has a membership of 160 countries, which includes Guyana.

(By Navendra Seoraj)