Trade facilitation workshop on Oct 11-12

The National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Bank, as a step towards boosting Sri Lankan trade, is convening a two-day workshop on October 11-12 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.

The workshop will help to prioritise the reforms required to implement the World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). It will also focus on coordinating implementation of the TFA, officials said.

Operationalising the TFA will have a positive impact on the private sector. Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are likely to benefit the most as the TFA would ease access to international markets and increase ease of cross border trade. Economic growth and more job opportunities are expected as a direct result of the increase in international trade. This workshop follows a mandate by the NTFC Secretariat to develop a detailed action plan for the implementation of Sri Lanka's Category B & C commitments under the TFA. Technical assistance is provided by the ITC and the World Bank. (QP)