http://mkaccdb.eu.int: http://mkaccdb.eu.int An indispensable interactive information resource for European Exporters


Market Access Database Presentation: Market Access Database Presentation


Agenda: Agenda Introduction to the Market Access Database Benefits of the Market Access Database for EU exporters Removal of trade obstacles by the European Commission Examples of trade barrier elimination Offline interactive visit


Introduction to the Market Access Database: Introduction to the Market Access Database


What is the Market Access Database?: What is the Market Access Database? Most important operational tool of the European Union's Market Access Strategy, supporting a continuous three-way exchange of information between: EU Institutions EU Member States EU business Development of the EU Market Access Strategy - Launch in 1996 - Key pillar of the EU’s Trade Policy which aims to reduce the obstacles faced by EU exporters of goods and services


The Market Access Database is a free, interactive, easy to use service providing:: The Market Access Database is a free, interactive, easy to use service providing: Information about Market Access conditions in non-EU countries Systematic way for the European Commission to follow up complaints from business Means of ensuring that our trading partners are abiding by their international commitments Input for defining the EU's trade policy objectives on further trade liberalisation in the framework of : - the World Trade Organisation (e.g. Doha Development Agenda) - new free trade agreements between the EU and preferential partners (e.g. EU – MERCOSUR)


Whose needs does the Market Access Database serve?: Whose needs does the Market Access Database serve? EU Companies who are Exporting for the first time Expanding the scope of their operations and their Advising partners Chambers of Commerce and Industry Associations Consultants Logistical partners Transport companies Agents Public authorities


Benefits of the Market Access Database for EU exporters: Benefits of the Market Access Database for EU exporters


The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in:: The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in: 1. Establishing whether or not a particular market is worth targeting 2. Selecting export markets and negotiating with local importers 3. Confirming that our major trading partners comply with their WTO obligations 4. Obtaining in-depth information on market access-related topics


The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in:: The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in: 1. Establishing whether or not a particular market is worth targeting Section “Sectoral and Trade Barriers” Export and investment conditions in non-EU countries, including all major EU trading partners Trade barriers affecting your area of activity in individual countries


The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in:: The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in: 2. Selecting export markets and negotiating with local importers Section “Applied Tariffs” Duties and taxes applicable based on HS code or product reference Basis for the calculation of a landed cost Section “Exporters' Guide to Import Formalities” Import procedures and documents required for importation based on HS code or product reference


The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in:: The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in: 3. Confirming that our major trading partners comply with their WTO obligations Section “GATS” Guide to the General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS) Service related commitments by country Section “WTO Bound Tariffs” Maximum import duties permitted under WTO rules based on HS code or product reference


The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in:: The Market Access Database helps EU exporters in: 4. Obtaining in-depth information on market access-related topics Section “Studies” Full text of reports concerning market access related studies referring to geographical areas, selected business sectors or relevant horizontal issues (e.g. labelling) Section “Statistical Database” Overview of trade flows between the EU and non-EU countries based on product reference, HS chapter or HS code


To sum up: as the main operational tool…: To sum up: as the main operational tool… … of the Market Access Strategy, the Market Access Database INFORMS YOU About export and investment conditions in non-EU countries HELPS YOU When your export market is protected by unfair trade barriers ALLOWS YOU To contribute actively to opening markets


Removal of trade obstacles by the European Commission : Removal of trade obstacles by the European Commission


How does the European Commission help?: How does the European Commission help? When you bring evidence of a market access obstacle to the attention of DG Trade, the European Commission: Posts it on the Market Access Database (Trade Barriers section) Analyses your problem Determines an appropriate course of action Implements the strategy chosen


How does the European Commission analyse incoming allegations in relation to trade barriers?: How does the European Commission analyse incoming allegations in relation to trade barriers? Assessment of leverage - Existence of relevant provisions in multilateral/bilateral trade agreements - Compatibility with the provisions of these agreements Preliminary assessment of the economic impact of the barrier for the EU industry


The European Commission needs to know:: The European Commission needs to know: Trade restrictions not yet included in the database All available evidence of the obstacle The economic impact of the problem - Volume of exports/investment at stake - Operational consequences for your business Comprehensive information: a key factor for successful intervention


You need to know:: You need to know: The European Commission will ensure Confidential treatment of details of your company and sensitive commercial information The provision of information on key developments in each case brought to its attention


What are the possible courses of action for the elimination of barriers?: What are the possible courses of action for the elimination of barriers? Trade barriers regulation WTO dispute settlement WTO accession negotiations EU enlargement negotiations Implementation of existing bilateral agreements Negotiation of new free trade agreements Other trade consultations


How does the Trade Barrier Regulation (TBR) procedure work?: How does the Trade Barrier Regulation (TBR) procedure work? Formal complaint submitted to the European Commission by single companies, associations of companies or Member States on trade obstacles in non-EU countries Investigation and legal and factual analysis by the European Commission If allegation confirmed, consultations between the European Commission and the government concerned to remove the barrier If talks fail, resort to WTO dispute settlement


Examples of trade barrier elimination: Examples of trade barrier elimination


Overview Table: Overview Table


India: Balance of Payments Restrictions: India: Balance of Payments Restrictions Import prohibitions applied since 1960 to a wide range of consumer goods The European Commission has received complaints from business The European Commission raised the issue in the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Negotiations led to a progressive elimination of restrictions between 2000 (for priority products) and 2003 Expected additional turnover for EU industry: 2 Billion €


Korea: safeguard on dairy products: Korea: safeguard on dairy products Korea had imposed safeguard measures taking the form of quotas on skimmed milk powder preparations Negotiations and formal WTO consultations failed to find a solution The subsequent WTO dispute settlement procedure found these measures in breach of the provisions applicable to safeguards Korea informed the EU that it had revoked the illegal measure


Brazil: scope non automatic licensing: Brazil: scope non automatic licensing Brazil applies non-automatic licensing on a wide range of products This measure has also been used to implement minimum prices in certain sectors In the context of a Trade Barrier Regulation (TBR) procedure, the European Commission has obtained the removal of textile and certain steel products from the list subject to non automatic licensing and minimum prices


Chinese Taipei (Taiwan): discriminatory taxation of spirits: Chinese Taipei (Taiwan): discriminatory taxation of spirits Taiwan joined the WTO as a customs territory called Chinese Taipei in 2001 Taiwan has maintained over a long period a tax system discriminating EU spirits against similar US and Japanese products (taxes on EU products more than twice the level applicable to other products) In the context of its accession to the WTO Taiwan has agreed to eliminate this discrimination This Taiwanese commitment was fully implemented in 1998/99 before accession


Ukraine: discriminatory fees for pharmaceuticals: Ukraine: discriminatory fees for pharmaceuticals In April 1998, Ukraine set up fees for the registration of imported pharmaceutical products at 100 times the level applicable for domestic products This was in breach of the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) between the EU and Ukraine This system significantly impeded market access for EU industry and was also detrimental for health policy in Ukraine Following the initiation of a dispute settlement procedure under the PCA, the discriminatory fees were eventually removed in March 2000


Mexico: trade related investment measures in the car sector: Mexico: trade related investment measures in the car sector Mexico’s investment regime hindered access for EU car producers which were not manufacturing locally In the context of the negotiation of the free trade agreement with the EU, Mexico agreed to open substantial tariff quotas for these producers, pending the elimination of the regime in 2004 (in fact accelerated to 2002) This will provide for a more equitable market access


To sum up: The Market Access Strategy...: To sum up: The Market Access Strategy... Aims at removing trade barriers on a global scale Aims at achieving the largest economic impact in terms of additional trade and investment opportunities Aims at benefiting all sectors of EU industry Uses a main operational tool: the Market Access Database


Slide31: Discover the Market Access Database in this Offline interactive visit or go directly to the website http://mkaccdb.eu.int/