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Trade Liberalization

PURPOSE

Liberalization of trade  by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers stimulates economic growth.  Much of this is achieved by adopting the international standards of the World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, and other international bodies.  Businesses benefit from simplified trade policies and lowered trade barriers.   Ultimately, reducing tariffs and technical barriers to trade leads to improved enterprise competitiveness in regional and international markets.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are making major efforts to liberalize international trade and become more competitive on global markets. Both Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are currently negotiating their accession to the World Trade Organization, and Kyrgyzstan has been a member since 1998.  For the countries of Central Asia, greater compliance with international conventions and reducing trade barriers will provide access to new markets for their goods and services, and effectively promote their economic interests.

RTLC works with governments, private sector and regional institutions, to assist in creation of effective mechanisms for policy reform across the region.  The project's work involves technical support to ministries and agencies responsible for WTO accession and efforts to engage the private sector as stakeholders in formulating sound foreign trade policies and implementing WTO commitments.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Trade Liberalization, Component I of the Regional Trade Liberalization and Customs Project works to assist enterprises, exporters and countries to benefit from trade liberalization . These activities are designed to help Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan achieve the following results:

• Facilitate accession to the WTO for Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and fulfill post-accession WTO commitments for Kyrgyzstan
• Expedite the flow of goods between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and their global partners by simplifying import and export procedures

SUB-COMPONENTS

 Trade Liberalization includes two sub-components that provide support and technical assistance with respect to:

• Simplification of import tariffs, preferences and export barriers
• WTO accession and compliance

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