News Update

US Presidential Poll: Tall promises by Hopefuls elbow economy closer to tax-doom-loop!Sourav Ganguly goes to Police against cyberbullyingYadav calls for development of sustainable, Inclusive low-carbon transport systemsFed lives up to global expectations; cuts interest rate by 0.5% - first cut in last 4 yearsMandaviya chairs meeting to provide Social Security to Gig and Platform WorkersCus - Import of Areca Nuts - Department did not follow procedure laid down by CBEC for verification or testing/re-testing, to establish true origin of goods; Nuts imported from Sri Lanka otherwise meet requirements for duty-free import under Notfn No 26/2000-Cus: CESTATCAQM announces revised GRAP schedule for Delhi-NCRChina to be on top of agenda at Quad meeting: White HouseCus - No proper evidence is found towards Customs Officer's involvement in fraud, the allegation that appellant has actively colluded with Customs officials cannot legally sustain, penalty imposed on appellant also cannot sustain: CESTATIndia's position is of a 'Vishwa Bandhu' in global world order: CDS Gen Anil ChauhanST - The contracts being composite in nature and demand having been raised under Construction of Residential Complex Services, demand of service tax cannot sustain for the period after 01.07.2010 also: CESTATGovt organises 'FAME's Success in Transforming India's EV Landscape: From Vision to Reality'Death toll rises to 21 in second wave of blasts in Lebanon - it was Walkie-Talkie after pagerI-T - Miscellaneous income such as commission, discount charges, sale of wastages and diesel sales are to be treated as income derived from industrial undertaking: HCGermany halts exports of weapons to IsraelI-T - If any statute has been enacted, there cannot be insertion of any word beyond the contents of the statute: HCI-T - Contributions to PF/ESI paid before the due date u/s 139(1) of the Act are allowable as deduction: ITATBaltimore Bridge collapse: US seeks USD 100 mn compensation from Singapore-based ship ownerI-T - No license is granted under Income tax Act to misuse presumptive scheme of taxation and camouflage undisclosed income from unexplained sources under guise of turnover/gross receipt: ITATI-T - If no return of income is filed by tax-payer, then appeal can only be admitted by CIT (A) only when tax-payer has paid advance tax which was payable by him: ITATFaux cybercrime platforms busted in global operations; 51 arrested by EuropolI-T - Dismissal of assessee's appeal in limine by CIT(A), without going into merits of issues, solely due to non-appearance of assessee, is unsustainable, being in direct contravention of Section 250(6): ITATI-T - CIT(A) has powers co-terminus with those of the AO and is permitted under law to make own inquiry or direct AO to inquire into the matter, in case of assessee's absence : ITATIMF pauses Mission to Moscow after Kyiv protestsCabinet okays National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects & GamingCabinet accepts recommendations of High-Level Committee on Simultaneous ElectionsCabinet gave approval for CHANDRAYAAN-4 MissionIncome tax collections till Sept 15 up by 16%After Moon and Mars, India sights science goals on VenusCabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram AbhiyanISRO to develop launch reusable vehicle with high payloadJapan, France to ink military pact by year-endFM holds 2nd review meeting on Capex for Ministry of RailwaysCyber fraud - posing as CBI officer - Railway staffer loses Rs 9 lakhGlobal Renewable Energy Meet: Investment commitments of Rs 32.45 lakh Cr poured: JoshiProvisional Attachment - Precaution, Persecution, Penury?Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra expands export services with automated IGST Refund facilityThe Delay Dynamics
 
WTO - Govt officials attend workshop on SPS control, Inspection & approval procedures

By TIOL News Service

GENEVA, JULY 16, 2018: More than 150 government officials attended a Workshop on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Control, Inspection and Approval Procedures in Geneva last week. The workshop provided a forum for discussions and experience-sharing on developments, challenges and practices in implementing Article 8 and Annex C of the SPS Agreement relating to these procedures.

Through presentations, practical case stories and discussions, the workshop aimed at expanding members' understanding of the relevant provisions and jurisprudence on SPS control, inspection and approval procedures, providing guidance from various standard-setting bodies, and sharing regional and national experiences. Presentations and discussions also highlighted the economic rationale for strengthening the implementation of Annex C in order to reduce trade transaction costs, and addressed how the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) links to, and complements, the SPS Agreement.

The workshop looked at SPS controls, inspections and approvals through the lens of trade facilitation in order to define ways to promote safe and efficient trade. Presentations by the World Bank, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) drew on actual experiences, provided estimates on SPS-related trade transaction costs, and identified win-win opportunities to facilitate safe trade, such as interagency collaboration and increased transparency.

Several members shared their experiences. In the field of food safety, the European Union presented its approach to a systems-based audit procedure, as opposed to individual inspections, for the implementation of EU legislation; the United States and Canada reported on their risk-based approaches regarding procedures and inspections; and China updated participants on its reforms in inspection and supervision systems for food imports.

The workshop also benefited from presentations by Turkey on its inspection system for animal and animal products; by Zambia on its interagency collaboration for phytosanitary controls and document checks; and by Belize on its experiences with third party certification to access export markets. It was recognized that although the resources allocated to SPS controls, inspections and approvals vary greatly between countries, innovative and cooperative approaches can result in entirely functional and effective systems. E-certification was addressed in a dedicated session of the workshop. Overall, participants recognized the widespread benefit of e-certification, such as reduced costs, improved security and expedited clearance.

The workshop ended with a roundtable, in which representatives from the World Bank, UNCTAD, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) discussed their ongoing trade facilitation capacity building programmes.


POST YOUR COMMENTS
   

TIOL Tube Latest

TIOL Tube brings you an interview with former US Secretary of Treasury, Mr. Larry Summers who was recently in Delhi.

AR not Afar by SK Rahman



Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Hon'ble 14th President of India, addressing the gathering at TIOL Special Awards event.