DUSHANBE, October 25, 2012, Asia-Plus -- Representatives of relevant ministries and agencies dealing with issues related to the WTO Agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) will visit Thailand to acquaint themselves with the activities and experience of Thai SPS and TBT related bodies from October 26 to November 04, 2012.

According to press release issued by Trade Promotion Program in Tajikistan, the representatives of the National Notification Authority (NNA) and National Enquiry Points (NEPs) for TBT and SPS, the Association of Exporters of Tajikistan, as well as the ITC national trainers on TBT and SPS and ITC project team member, in total 7 persons, will be provided with on-the-job training on actual operations, best practices and management techniques of  NNA and NEPs for TBT and SPS and private bodies dealing with dissemination of information on current and proposed standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and SPS measures.

The study tour is organized under the Trade Promotion Program in Tajikistan, implemented by the International Trade Center (ITC) and funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO).

Mr. Shyam Kumar Gujadhur, ITC International Consultant on TBT and SPS, says, the study tour aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the operations of the NNA and NEPs for TBT and SPS and enhance the capability of private organisations, working in partnership with these bodies, to fulfill their obligations under the transparency provisions of the WTO Agreements on TBT and SPS.  Mr. Gujadhur says, “The delegation will visit the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (NNA for TBT and NEP for industrial products), the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (NNA for SPS, NEP for TBT for food and agricultural products, NEP for SPS for food and agricultural products) and some private bodies dealing with dissemination of information on current and proposed standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and SPS measures.”

According to Mr. Gujadhur, Thailand was chosen due to the fact that its NNA and NEPs are fully operational, their structure can be a good model and they already have experience in hosting similar training.  He says: “During the visit Thai officials will show and explain to the visitors from Tajikistan their daily practice, i.e. on how to make notifications, to track notifications from other WTO Members, to answer enquiries, to communicate and promote their activities”.

The overall objective of the Trade Promotion Program in Tajikistan is to contribute to the sustainable expansion and diversification of SMEs’ exports in Tajikistan, by increasing the competitiveness of the textile and clothing industry and improving the quality management infrastructure of the country.  This project is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).