BEVERLY HILLS, October 11, (THEWILL) – The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a new import licensing database, after four years of information collation on the project.
The new platform, which was launched on October 9 at WTO Secretariat, gathers together import licensing information, analysis and reporting and streamlines notification procedures for WTO members.
The new database was presented at a meeting of the Committee, chaired by Dr Mohammad Irfan of Pakistan.
Deputy Director-General Yi Xiaozhun provided opening remarks to mark the launch of the new platform, recalling that the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures is one of the oldest agreements in the history of the WTO.
He stressed that as one of the most frequently used trade policy instruments applied by almost all governments, the use of import licensing has extended from enforcing quantitative restrictions and collecting trade statistics to safeguarding product quality, the environment, consumer welfare, public health and national security.
“Transparency makes trade more inclusive and predictable. Enhanced efficiency, achieved through easy access to information, further reduces trade costs of both exporters and importers.
“I fully believe that the new WTO import licensing database will significantly improve transparency in this important field and will benefit all members, especially those developing members who have capacity and resource constraints, as well as SMEs and MSMEs,” DDG Yi said.
The new database is a comprehensive information centre containing all members’ legislation, procedures and product information relating to import licensing. Offering a user-friendly interface, the platform will allow members and the business community to find import licensing information more efficiently and to make better use of the information contained in members’ notifications.
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With the technical support of the WTO’s Information Technology Solutions Division (ITSD), staff at the Market Access Division designed the structure of the new platform, reviewed and analyzed all import licensing notifications submitted by members since 1995 and uploaded profiles of 134 members.
They also verified over 2,500 pieces of legislation to make sure all links lead to the relevant information and to ensure accuracy regarding more than 1,000 products and procedures.
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