UNCTAD is calling for candidates for its first online training course on Non-Tariff Measures’ Collection and Classification Data Collection to be held in September and October 2014.
NTMs are policy measures, other than ordinary customs tariffs, that can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both.
The objective of the course is to provide participants with deep knowledge and tools needed to identify, classify and collect information about national NTMs, as part of the international effort to improve access and increase transparency with regard to these measures.
In today's globalized economy, the ability to gain and to benefit from market access opportunities depends increasingly on compliance with NTMs.
These measures represent a major challenge for exporters, importers and policymakers. It is therefore important for developing countries to understand the use of NTMs and their implications for the formulation and implementation of effective development strategies.
UNCTAD coordinates the international effort to improve access and increase transparency with regard to official NTMs, and trains experts globally to collect and classify information about these measures. The collection of NTM data is a resource-intensive task and requires specific technical knowledge.
In this context, UNCTAD's Trade Information Section and Virtual Institute have developed the training course to provide a comprehensive overview of the Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST) NTM classification and data collection approach. The classification developed by the MAST group (FAO, IMF, ITC, OECD, UNCTAD, UNIDO, World Bank, WTO) categorizes all non-tariff trade control measures into broader groups of technical measures (e.g. SPS, TBT) and non-technical measures (e.g. price-control measures) as well as sub-groups. The course is designed to equip policymakers, researchers and trade practitioners working with NTMs with the relevant knowledge and skills.
The course targets two specialized audiences:
Data collectors directly working with NTMs;
Government officials and researchers who want to strengthen their understanding of NTMs, use NTM data, and/or who are or may be involved in the design or negotiation of policies related to NTMs.
The deadline for applications is 24 July. To apply and find more information, visit UNCTAD Virtual Institute.
