Workshop on Reducing the Costs of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) in North and Central Asia

The workshop will be held as a side event during the NTM Week 2018 hosted by UNCTAD on 9-11 October.

Session 1: Country experiences in North and Central Asia

This session will include 10-minute briefings by participating countries on their countries’ experience dealing with trade barriers arising from NTMs (both their own and those of trade partners) and national initiatives they may have taken in this area. The goal will be to identify best practices and remaining challenges that need to be tackled.

• Draft Programme [English]
• Draft Programme [Russian]

Some of the topics addressed will include:

1. How government agencies ensure transparency of the NTMs?

2. What are the processes of cost-benefit analysis of establishing NTMs?

3. How are the governments trying to reduce NTM-related burden for traders?

4. Infrastructure needs for SPS/TBT compliance

5. Efforts of harmonization

6. Regulatory and procedural barriers

Session 2: Way forward on Reducing the Costs of NTMs

This session will discuss the results of recent ongoing research, capacity building, and harmonization/mutual recognition initiatives on reducing the costs of NTMs and related procedural barriers in North and Central Asia.