What is Trade Policy Review in the WTO?

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Surveillance of national trade policies is a fundamentally important activity running throughout the work of the WTO. At the centre of this work is the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM). All WTO members are reviewed, the frequency of each country’s review varying according to its share of world trade.

  1. What is Aid for Trade? 

Aid for trade is a multi-donor programme, which supports LDCs to be more active players in the global trading system by helping them tackle supply-side constraints to trade. 

The Ministry of Commerce, as the Focal Ministry of World Trade Organization (WTO) is trying to engage active participation in the multilateral trading system of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In 2013, Myanmar became one of the beneficiary countries of Enhanced Integrated Framework which is the WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative. 

Participation in Aid for Trade Global Review 

Representatives from Ministry of Commerce have to attend and participate in the discussion and panel session of the Aid for Trade Global Review held at the Head Quarter of WTO in Geneva, Switzerland. 

  1. What is Enhanced Integrated Frammework (EIF) Programme?

  2.     History of EIF

              The Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance for Least- Developed Countries – IF) was initially established at the WTO's High-Level Meeting held at the WTO Office in Geneva from 27th to 28th October 1997 with the objective of supporting least developed countries (LDCs) to better integrate into the global trading system and to make trade a driver for development.

              At the WTO 6th Ministerial Conference held at Hong Kong (China) in December 2005, the ministers agreed to restructure the program and endow it with additional resources and the task force recommended the Integrated Framework programme(IF Programme). In line with the Brussels Programme of Action, there has been significant work undertaken to create a more results-focused, accountable and responsive EIF programme. 

  1. Aims of EIF

              EIF aims to support LDCs' own drive to:

  1. Mainstream trade into national development strategies,

  2. Set up structures needed to coordinate the delivery of trade-related      technical assistance and 

  3. Build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply   side constraints        

  4. Phases of EIF

EIF Programme works in the following four phases:

  1. Pre Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (Pre-DTIS Phase),

  2. Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) Phase, 

  3. Capacity Building Phase (Tier-1 Phase) and 

  4. Implementation Phase (Tier-2 Phase)

  5. Myanmar’s Participation in EIF Programme

EIF Global Platform

The EIF Global Platform is a critical part of the consultative process for ensuring an inclusive and collective approach towards shaping the second phase of the EIF, based on knowledge sharing and in-country experiences.   

Expected Outcomes

  • Report included the 2nd phase of the EIF draft programme

  • Agreement for the process of ongoing engagement

Venue and Format

  • The three-day event 

  • at the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, 

  • EIF stakeholders with the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas (Participants may be requested to present in‑country case experiences)

Participation in EIF Global Platform

All EIF Focal Points, EIF National Implementation Unit Coordinators, EIF Donor Facilitators, Donors to the EIF Trust Fund and EIF Core Partner and Observer Agencies are invited. 

  1. Implementation on EIF Phases 
  2. Pre Diagnostic Trade Integration Study – Pre-DTIS Phase

          The Pre-DTIS phase of EIF program was implemented in 2014-2015. In order to implement EIF programs,systematically, the following steps were carried out;

  1. Establishment of National Implementation Arrangement-NIAs

  2. Assigning Ministry of Commerce as Focal Point-FP

  3. Forming of National Implementation Unit-NIU to support Ministry of Commerce

  4. Coordinating for EU as a Donor Facilitator-DF 

  5. Establishment of a National Steering Committee (NSC) that would provide policy guidance for the EIF program

  6. Conducting awareness workshops for private sector associations

  7. Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) and Action Matrix Phase

In order to implement DTIS level, the World Bank team with explicit international experience had been assigned as the Main Implementation Entity-MIE. The World Bank had been responsible for DTIS stage since 2015 and the Action Matrix to be carried out under Myanmar's economic reform process has been released in DTIS process.

  1. Capacity Building Phase (Tier-1 Phase)
Tier 1 project was started in August 2015 and completed in August 2019. The following outcomes were gained from Tier-1 project:

  1. a Donor Action Matrix for the cooperation of relevant ministries and development partners. 

  2. capacity building and workshops for the development of the trade sector, English language proficiency courses and Project Management training.

  3. Implementation Phase (Tier -2 Phase)

          Myanmar Services Trade Enhancement Project 

        Implementation of Myanmar Services Trade Enhancement Project was started  in June 2019 with the following ambitions:

  1. To form the newly Trade in Services Unit  in the Department of Trade which  will handle transparency in service trade statistics, services regulation and private sector dialogue for services liberalization.

  2. To develop a strategic framework for trade in services polices with the view to negotiating and implementing trade agreements in the services sector; and adopting best practices for the regulation of the services is developed.

  3. To access to laws, regulations, measures, procedures and forms which are necessary for business operation of trade in services and investment.

  4. To develop e-commerce strategy in line with Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan Goals, focusing on job creation in ICT and e-commerce services.

  5. To create new jobs through the strengthening of the Myanmar’s digital economy services in line with DEDC Strategy Frame work on Digital Trade.

Achievements & Publications of EIF Programme 

Achievements: 

  1. Services Trade Investment Portal

  2. Drafted E-commerce Strategy

  3. E-commerce Guidelines

Publication:

  1. Pamphlet for Enhanced Integrated Framework
  2. Guidelines of Aid for Trade
  3. Diagnostic Trade Integration Study Report
  4. Medium Term Programme Report
  5. Financial Management Manual
  6. Sustainability and Exit Strategy
  7. Capacity Needs Assessment Report 
  8. Capacity Needs Development Plan
  9. Regulatory Assessment for Services and Trade Investment Report 
  10. E-Trade Readiness Assessment Report 
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