Myanmar National Trade Portal and Trade Repository

Presented By

Department of Trade

Ministry of Commerce

Siem Reap, Cambodia December 8, 2015

5th NIU EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

Session 4: Best Practices in Aid For TradeMyanmar Result 1:

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Content

• Importance of Trade Portal and Trade

Repository

• How we made an initiative

• How we are Implementing

• Conclusion

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Importance of Trade Portal and Trade Repository

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Trade Portal and Trade Repository

Trade Portal

Trade Repository

Trade Information Database

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Objectives• Compliance with Article X of GATT

– Transparency of trade information• Future compliance with ASEAN Trade Repository (ATIGA, Article 13)

– (i) tariff nomenclature– (ii) MFN tariffs, preferential tariffs offered under this Agreement and other

Agreements of ASEAN with its Dialogue Partners– (iii) Rules of Origin– (iv) non-tariff measures (NTM)

(currently being collected and classified by all ASEAN members)– (v) national trade and customs laws and rules– (vi) procedures and documentary requirements– (vii) administrative rulings– (viii) best practices in trade facilitation applied by each Member State– (ix) list of authorised traders of Member States.

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Benefits

• Tangible cost savings for traders and other business– Less time to discover information– Less likelihood of rejection because of wrong procedures– Less opportunity for misinterpretation of laws, regulations

• Benefits for Government– Less time spent dealing with enquiries for information– Key driver for trade facilitation– Enhances transparency– Fewer errors by traders speed up agencies’ work

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How we made an initiative

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Starting Negotiation with Development Partner (USAID)

• We started negotiation with USAID for theestablishment of National Trade Portal inFebruary 2014 under Economic Reform andASEAN Integration Program.

• Mr. Luc Pugliatti involved as an IT expert for thisproject.

• We also discussed on benefits and challenges fordeveloping Myanmar Trade Portal andRepository.

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Planning• Designing the Plan• Establish Governance Structure

– Getting approval from high authority

• Establish Legal Basis – Getting Mandate as an instrument carrying greater weight

depending on the specific circumstances

• Establish Project Team– MNTR Manager, Webmaster, Content Coordinator, Data

Entry Operators

• Establish Project Office

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How we are implementing

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Drafting Implementation Plan

• MNTP/ NTR will store and display information relating to:– Laws, regulations, instructions, administrative procedures

and any other legal instruments relating to trade– Commodity classification (in the HS format) and associated

tariffs and taxes– Special non-tariff measures (NTM) applicable to specific

commodities or products, e.g. prohibitions or restrictions for SPS reasons

– Technical standards required for specific categories of products

– Information about Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that determine a preferential tariff or special requirements when trading with partner/member countries

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Drafting Implementation Plan

– Procedures and general instructions for discharging regulatory obligations

– Forms used to apply for permits, licenses and Customs clearance

– Lists of codes required in various documents, e.g. country codes, units of measurement, currency codes, etc.

– Publications (e.g. leaflets, newsletters) for distribution to the public

– News or announcements about matters relating to trade– Information about access to key markets to facilitate

Myanmar exporters– Useful information such as addresses and contact details

of various agencies’ offices or border stations

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Study Visit to Lao PDR

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Uploading the Data

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For example: Finding Salmonidae

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Example

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Conclusion

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Challenges for Developing MNTP/NTR

• Trade-related information currently originates from a number ofdifferent government agencies.

• Various ministry websites typically have different appearances andstructures that make it difficult for business to find information.

• Although MNTP/ NTR will provide a single website where all trade –related information can be consolidated and presented in an easilyaccessible, dynamic and comprehensive way, this will require thatinformation origination within each agency should be passed to theMOC in a timely and structured manner.

• Therefore we need a lot of cooperation and coordination fromgovernment agencies.

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Concluding Message

• This system is slightly different with the Single Window.

• It is mainly for exchanging information pro-actively, but need for the agreement on mechanism/funding for on-going operation.

• MoC expects to finalize this system end of this year and to launch in March 2016.

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Thank You!!

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