D-8 and UNCTAD exchanged views on PTA and RoO in training workshop, Malaysia, 29-30 October 2007

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | November 04, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

D-8 Organisation has just completed the training workshop on D8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Rules of Origin (RoO) held in coperation with Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, and UNCTAD in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 29-30 October 2007.

The Training Workshop for D8 PTA Rules of Origin, which was held at the Dewan Nilam, Level 6, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was opened by the Deputy Secretary General (Trade), Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Dato’ Ooi Say Chuan, and proceeded by an overview of D8 Preferential Trade and Rules of Origin Negotiations, and trade structure in D8 countries by the Secretary General, H.E. Dipo Alam.

Including among the keynote speakers during the workshop was the economic affairs officer of UNCTAD, Ms. Michiko Hayashi, who discussed the experiences on Preferential Rules of Origin: Conceptual and Practical Issues, and Origin Criteria: the Lessons from the Work of UNCTAD GSP Committee. Ms. Hayashi also explained experiences on Procedural and Implementation Issues of Rules of Origin, by bringing in the comparison of LAIA, NAFTA and the EU Systems.

To add a more comprehensive regional dimension to the discussion, issues of experiences on Preferential Rules of  Origin (Conceptual and Practical Issues) of the ASEAN Organisation was also illustrated by the acting chief and Tariff Specialist, from the government of Philippines,  Mr. Ramon G. Lucero.

The program was also enriched by discussion about the experiences on Preferential Rules of Origin: Conceptual and Practical Issues from the WCO and WTO Context, by the expert on trade and economic policies UNCTAD, Mr. Thomas Matthew. The workshop went productively, with thorough discussion taking place among the member states.

According to the Secretary General, the PTA among D-8 countries is expected to be initiated as soon as possible, and during the course of time, other issues relating to operational certificate procedural and exchange of offer lists would be ironed out and finalized.

To see the pictures during the workshop, please click here.

Read Also

• Egypt signs training agreement with UNCTAD
• Secretary General’s Working Visits to Several Capitals in October 2007: Initiating Cooperation with International Organizations
• D-8 Looking Forward to Establish a Capacity Building Workshop on Organic Products
• UNCTAD, Japanese Bank Develop Plan for Nigeria’s Economic Vision
• The 24th D-8 Commission Meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to tackle strategic issues and future progress
• Indonesia re-elected as President COP of the GSTP-UNCTAD
• SOUTH-SOUTH TRADE: Paper by SG UNCTAD Secretary
• D-8 workshop on data collection concludes
• Vocational Training Conferences: Turkish Way to Support Investments
• Again, Malaysia Leads Islamic Finance to Promote Sukuk