Depositing of Legal Instrument Concerning the Trade Facilitation Agreement to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by Antigua and Barbuda.
GENEVA, Switzerland — The Antigua and Barbuda government on Monday 27th November, 2017 through its Director of International Trade, Ms. Joy-Marie King deposited its legal instrument of acceptance inserting the Trade Facilitation Agreement into Annex 1A of Marrakesh Agreement to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Director General, Roberto Azevêdo.
According to Ms. King “this act not only emphasizes Antigua and Barbuda’s full commitment to the WTO and the multilateral trading system but the nation’s eagerness in reaping the benefits to be had from the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.” Some of which include significantly improving speed and efficiency of border procedures, trade costs reduction and enhancing participation in the global value chain.
The opportunity was also taken to highlight the main trade policy issue for the nation, that is, its unresolved WTO Trade Dispute with the United States concerning online gaming and a desire for a successful upcoming Ministerial Conference dubbed ‘MC11’ outcomes. King expounded “not only for the potential areas of harvest but establishing a pathway for future substantive outcomes, particularly, those that recognize and aid in the mitigation of inherent vulnerabilities plaguing small vulnerable economies in global trade.”
In accepting the legal instrument, the Director General of the WTO acknowledged the valued cooperation between the institution and Antigua and Barbuda, his pleasure in receiving the document and his support in the realization of the benefits to be had from the implementation of the agreement by members. He also offered words of comfort concerning the recent devastation experienced by Barbuda due to the passage of Hurricane Irma.
Joy-Marie King serves as Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of International Trade and delegate to the WTO within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who has the portfolio responsibility for WTO matters.
