IPPC collaboration with World Bank towards supporting effective implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in Malawi

Photo Copyright IPPC 2017: Malawian general notice advising travelers to declare agricultural commodities

A Trade Facilitation Agreement validation mission was conducted on 22-28 January 2017, in Lilongwe and Blantyre, Malawi with the participation of Ketevan Lomsadze, Agricultural Officer of the IPPC Secretariat, and several experts from the World Bank. The WTOs Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is an agreement which aim is to help lower trade costs and ease customs cooperation for its member countries. The IPPC Secretariat and the World Bank''s objective was to determine Malawi s current capacity and needs for effective implementation of the WTO TFA, and to assess the capacities of the Plant Protection Service of Malawi.

The group held meetings with senior Government officials from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), and senior officials from several Government Ministries and Agencies involved in trade facilitation and industry. These meetings gathered important insights into the challenges and workings of the current national phytosanitary system. The mission revealed a greater need for capacity development of the Plant Protection Service and SPS Agencies in general. Findings and conclusions of the mission will be discussed at the stakeholders meeting to be held later in this year.

For more information on the TFA click here