National Trade Facilitation Committee meet with key stakeholders in its 14th meeting since its inception in 2015
April 23, 2024
The National Trade Facilitation Committee of Seychelles held its 14th meeting in April. The purpose and scope of the Committee are to ensure domestic coordination, consultation, and monitoring of the implementation of measures on issues related to trade facilitation. The committee also serves as a forum to advise on regulations and policy related to trade facilitation and its interlinkages to other national committees related to trade facilitation.
During the 14th meeting, discussions centered on trade facilitation issues, covering logistical and supply chain aspects relating to clearing and delivery of import and exported goods, opening hours of operating agencies, access to border control and main points of entry, and trade facilitating laws and regulations.
The committee acts as the National Monitoring Committee (NMCs) for monitoring the elimination of unnecessary Non-Tariff Measures (NTMS) and make recommendations towards the development and adoption of solutions to barriers to trade.
Currently, the Seychelles’ Committee serves as the National Monitoring Committee under the auspices of COMESA and SADC.
The key members and partners of the Committee include Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Government directly involved in trade facilitation, and Private Sector Representatives.
The aim and objectives of the meetings are to continuously engage and apprise the members on the status of numerous policy, legal, and project-based interventions undertaken under the auspices of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) concerning trade facilitation measures, both locally and internationally.
In addition, the meetings serve as a forum for discussions and dialogue amongst the members, allowing for healthy debate and discussions pertaining to trade facilitation concerns raised, with recommendations and solutions and to seek the committee’s advice on legal and policy interventions pertaining to trade facilitation.
The National Trade Facilitation Committee of Seychelles is incepted as per Section III, Article 23: Institutional Arrangements; of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Seychelles established its National Committee for Trade Facilitation in September 2015, as a requisite prior to the ratification of the new Trade Facilitation Agreement on the 11th January 2016.