缅甸

Myanmar is-a founder member of GATT-a signatory member of WTO-a member of Regional groupings -ASEAN-GMS-BIMST-EC-ACMECSInternational & regional organizations involved in Trade Facilitation-UNESCAP-UNCTAD-WTO-ASEAN-GMSMyanmar has been implementing the obligations of the above organizations related to TRADE FACILITATIONGATT Articles V, VIII, X•GATT Article V ( Freedom of Transit)•GATT Article VIII (Fees & Formalities connected with import & export)•GATT Article X (Publication & Administration of Trade Regulations)As a WTO member, Myanmar has been committed toimplement the above three GATT Articles;As an ASEAN member, AFTA has been implementedby generating the elimination of tariffs & NTBs to facilitatetrade;As regards to GMS, Agreement on Cross BorderMovement of Goods & People was signed and ratified bythe member countriesInitial implementation of TradeFacilitationsince early 1989, Myanmar has changed its economic course from centrally planned to market oriented systemseries of structural reforms had been introduced as initial trade facilitation measuresTrade Reforms▪encourage private sector development ▪allowing FDI▪institutional changes▪practiced new financial management ▪streamlining taxes & duties▪promote external trade by improving export/import procedures▪improving infra-structure supportGATT Article V(freedom of transit)transit trade has been allowedIn 1996, Department of Border Trade was formedOpen border check points along the border areas with neighbouring countriesone stop service (oss) has been established in 13border check points for simplified and standardized cargo clearance procedures in collaboration with Custom, Revenue Dept: Banking InstitutionMyanmar China Border CheckPointto be in line with international best practices, X-Ray machine is now underway to install for speedy inspection of cargodesignated two border posts as a pilot sites for implementation of SINGLE WINDOW INSPECTION;As a medium of exchange not only US $ has been allowed but also local currencies for border trade transactions;For speedy payment mechanism , branches of major bank has been opened at border posts.Since Myanmar became a member of the WCO in1991,it has introduced the reform measures in the customs administration in order to simplify and harmonize the customs procedures and documents.Custom Initiatives✓transformation of export and import division under the Customs Department into a one stop service station.✓application of Declaration Forms according to the UN Layout.✓simplification of customs clearance procedures.✓restructuring of cargo examination procedure.✓establishment of customs transit trade system.Major Initiatives(contd)✓adoption of the inward processing procedure as suggested by the Kyoto Convention.✓security initiative for containerized cargoes.✓establishment of Customs website in cooperation with ASEAN Secretariat.✓preparation for the ASEAN Single Window.(Fees & Formalities)❑need to apply export/import licenses❑export license fees is not payable❑import license fees is payable❑reasonable rate based on invoice value❑to cover document administration cost not as revenue ❑no quantitative restriction on export/import❑but import is allowed against export earnings❑the more they want to import, the more they have to export; it supports export promotion;(contd)❑Major export items are agro products, marine & forest products ❑required formalities are done according to the request of importing countries❑Main import items are capital goods, construction materials, machinery & pharmaceuticals❑documentation is simplified & reducing requirements❑However, due to FDA rules, for safety reason, imported pharmaceuticals are required to register❑Some food items like rice, cooking oil temporary quantitative measure has been applied due to domestic self sufficiencyGATT Article X (Publications &administration of trade regulations)•Since initial reform measures, publications on law, rules, regulations & procedures regarding investment, import, export, custom & taxation have been made;•align trade documentation format in line with UN layout key;•periodical notifications, orders, information are made transparency through MoC publications such as Trade News,Commerce journal and also on commerce website; http//.mm•.mm which is a Myanmar trade portal is now under constructionUNESCAP Project •UNSCAP initiated a project "Alignment of tradedocument of Cambodia, Myanmar & Vietnam" •publishing guide book and already relayed to departments concerned•use as a guide to align & simplify trade documentsPublication on Export/Import rules & regulationsSome PublicationsMinistry of Commerce websiteMyanmartradeNet websiteChallenges & issues in implementing trade facilitation •multiple cost of implementation to reduce the cost of trade;•major cost consuming sectors are;–infrastructure development–human resource development–development of mechanism for trade facilitation–institutional reformsChallenges & issues (contd)•inadequate capacity is a major challenge•requires assistance not in terms of technical but also financial•the assistances provided are only for awareness and acknowledgement of advantage of trade facilitation without practical implementation •Competitiveness is a big challenge faced by our exporters•supply side constraint; they much depend on few items of exportsWeaknesses•to identify new products to new markets Myanmar exporters have some weaknesses–limited capacity to produce for export;–lack of export diversification into high value-added,processed and manufactured goods;–stringent quality & standard requirements;–export produce not matched by market demand;–inadequate comprehensive foreign market information;–lack of skilled man power and institutional capacities;–lack of technological capacity & technical know-how–lack of financial & marketing capabilityISSUES•Freedom of transit, cannot be entirely facilitated due to political and social reasons by nature of our country. •Narcotic drugs and human trafficking is a major problem to facilitate freedom of transit both for goods and people.Myanmar would like to support the following request made by Least Developed Countries Group at the Zambia Ministerial Meeting to reach agreement at the Sixth Ministerial Conference:-"Full and faithful implementation of the Modalities for Negotiations on Trade Facilitation that ensure adequate financial and technical assistance and capacity building including support for infrastructure development of Least Developed Countries".。