The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade organised a 2 day seminar to review the findings of the 3rd Trade Policy Review, which was carried out in 2016.
A team from the Trade Policy Review Body of the WTO Secretariat in Geneva came over to Honiara for the 2 day event, to share the findings of the report and offer some guidance on how Solomon Islands can improve its compliance in preparation for the 4th review, which will take place in 2022/2023.
Participants included officials from the government, members of the private sector and the media, which attended the morning session of the 1st day. Presentations covered the relevance and general findings of the Solomon Islands Trade Policy Review, a review of aid and aid for trade coordination structures in Solomon Islands by the Ministry of Development, Planning and Aid Coordination, and updates from Customs and Excise Division and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration. MFAET presented on its reform priorities as well as highlighting some of the areas in which technical assistance and capacity building will be requested.
The follow up seminar was a great success; participants contributed and reaffirmed their commitment to support MFAET in its work including preparations for ongoing and future trade agreements.