merrion street

The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D., today (11/12/13) congratulated the World Customs Organisation for its very positive and early response to the outcome of the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Bali last week – the Conference in Bali resulted in the first ever multilateral trade agreement in the history of the WTO. At its core is trade facilitation and the elimination of red tape and bureaucratic delays for goods shipped around the globe.

Speaking following a meeting of the WCO Policy Commission in Dublin Castle organised by the Revenue Commissioners over the last three days, the Minister for Finance stated:

“I welcome the resolution of the WCO, as the centre of excellence for Customs matters, to engage immediately with the WTO on the governance and future implementation of the WTO agreement and to make available its array of instruments and tools to support capacity building and trade facilitation.

The WCO, which has a global membership of 179 countries and a very active engagement with private sector economic operators, will bring enormous experience and expertise to the work of speedily moving towards implementation of the historic WTO agreement.”.

[Ends 11/12/13]

Note for Editors:

The Private Sector Consultative Group which comprises a group of some 30 significant global businesses or global business representative bodies met in parallel session during the WCO Policy Commission meeting in Dublin Castle this week.

The WCO Council and its Policy Commission are chaired by Ms Josephine Feehily, Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners.