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TradeCom II Support to the PIFs

Posted on: October 19, 2016

“Targeted Support to PIFS to build capacity for Mainstreaming Trade Policy Frameworks (TPFs) and overall Trade Agenda in the Pacific Region, and to Niue for the Implementation of its TPF” is a project designed by TradeCom II Programme in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Government of  Niue.

It is designed to support the PIFs trade mainstreaming agenda for the Pacific ACP states (PACP) through the effective use of the National Trade Policy Framework (NTPFs), using the case of the Government of Niue as a “good practice” for the PACPS in their implementation of respective NTPFs.

The Pacific Island states face trade challenges of small size, both in terms of population and domestic markets, distance from key markets, limited export opportunities and poor infrastructure for trade. Regional economic and trade integration is important to ensure the region’s ability to grow and prosper participating in the global economy.

Over the past years the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat-Hubs and Spokes Program has supported PACPS to formulate National Trade Policy Frameworks (NTPFs). These documents evaluate internal and external constraints on a country’s integration into the world economy, and recommend actions suitable to address those constraints. As such, TPFs provide invaluable support to coordinate PACPS’ efforts to increase trade; guide donors in designing their “Aid-for-Trade” (AfT) interventions, and helps PIC governments to mainstream AfT into national development frameworks.

In particular, the Niue NTPF 2016 was finalized in June 2016 and approved by the Cabinet in the same month. The NTPF 2016 aims to become the main government policy to drive delivery of the Niue National Strategic Plan (NNSP)’s goal on Economic Development. To do so, the high level recommendations of the NTPF need to be transformed in a series of practical action plans, and their implementation needs to be monitored and coordinated by effective mechanisms for trade governance. Moreover, by supporting implementation of selected NTPF’s recommendations on FTAs and customs reform, this project will directly contribute to deliver specific elements of the Niue’s trade development agenda.

The Project contributes to:

• promote the PAPCs trade mainstreaming agenda and the effective use of the National Trade Policy Framework to implement their various trade policy initiatives;
• support Niue to implement its National Trade Policy Framework;
• use the Niue case as a good practice for the PACPS in their implementation of respective NTPFs.

The areas of intervention contemplated under this project are two.

The first support area under this project aims to:

• Reinforce the Regional guidelines on trade mainstreaming and enhance the capacities of trade experts to implement the NTPFs, by:
  • reviewing the outcome of the survey on the TPFs in the PIF member states carried out by the PIF Secretariat;
  • Revising and updating the regional framework/guidelines for mainstreaming trade in the light of the work already done by the PIF Secretariat; and
  • Assisting PAPCS to draft or review relevant project proposals for donor funding to implement some of the TPFs action plans.
• Strengthen PACPS National institutional structures (National Trade Committees and related departments/agencies) for implementing the NTPFs through:
  • the organisation of a three-days –Regional training workshop;
  • the preparation a manual for PIF Secretariat and the Member States on how to reinvigorate the national trade committees for effective implementation of NTPFs;
  • the production of visibility and communication materials such as a Trade Mainstreaming video series on TPF implementation in Niue’s “good practice”, on the key components of the training workshop and the outcome of the project.

The second support area aims to Support Government of Niue to implement its NTPF by:

• designing action plans to implement the Niue’s NTPF recommendations including accession to FTAs;
• strengthening Niue’s institutions for trade governance; and
• identifying Key reforms of customs-related legislation and regulations.