Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement
Asia–Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)a |
||
|---|---|---|
| Secretariat | UNESCAP Trade and Investment Division Bangkok, Thailand | |
| Official languages | English | |
| Membership | ||
| Establishment | ||
| - | as the Bangkok Agreement | 31 July 1975 |
| - | Renamed | 2 November 2005 |
| Website http://www.unescap.org/tid/apta.asp |
||
| a. | APTA | |
The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), previously known as the Bangkok Agreement[1] and renamed 2 November 2005,[2] was signed in 1975. It is the oldest preferential trade agreement between countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Its aim is to promote economic development and cooperation through the adoption of mutually beneficial trade liberalization measures. APTA is open to all members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, which serves as the APTA Secretariat. Members of APTA are currently participating in the Fourth Round of Tariff Concessions, which are expected to conclude in October 2009.[3]
Member nations
- Bangladesh (original member, 1975)[4][5]
- China (acceded in 2001)
- India (original member, 1975)
- Republic of Korea (original member, 1975)
- Lao People's Democratic Republic (original member, 1975)
- Sri Lanka (original member, 1975)
- Mongolia (acceded in 2013) [6]
Negotiations
Exchange of Tariff Concessions
The Third Round, entering into force on 1 September 2006, led to tariff concessions on more than 4,000 items.
The Fourth Round, launched in October 2007, is scheduled to be concluded by the Third Ministerial Council in October 2009. This Round aims to widen the coverage of preferences to at least 50 per cent of the number of tariff lines of each member, and at least 20-25 per cent the value of bilateral trade. It also aims to provide a tariff concession of at least 50 per cent (on average).
Framework Agreement
The Fourth Round of negotiations is extending into areas beyond the traditional tariff concessions in order to deepen trade cooperation and integration. APTA members are currently negotiating three framework agreements on trade facilitation, trade in services, and investments. In addition, APTA members are exchanging information on non-tariff measures.
Institutional arrangements
- Ministerial Council: The Ministerial Council represents the highest decision making authority. It provides overall policy direction for the future negotiating agenda of the Agreement, as well as supervision and coordination of the implementation of the Agreement. The Council meets at least once every two years, with the First Session held on 2 November 2005 in Beijing, China, and the Second Session held on 26 October 2007 in Goa, India. The Third Session will be held on 22 October 2009 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Standing Committee: APTA is administered by a Standing Committee. Each Participating State designates a national focal point and an alternate focal point responsible for handling this duty.
- Secretariat: The Trade and Investment Division of UNESCAP functions as APTA’s Secretariat.
See also
- Asia-Pacific Trade Agreements Database
- Asian Clearing Union
- United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade
- Free Trade Area
- Other trade agreements and organizations in the Asia–Pacific region
- ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
- South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA)
- South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)
- Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA)
- Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
- Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Agreement (CISFTA)
References
- ↑ WTO L/4668
- ↑ WTO WT/COMTD/N/22
- ↑ http://www.unescap.org/tid/apta/factsheet08.pdf, APTA Factsheet
- ↑ http://www.unescap.org/tid/apta.asp, APTA Website
- ↑ http://www.unescap.org/tid/BAfacts.pdf, APTA Facts
- ↑ http://www.unescap.org/news/apta-welcomes-mongolia-its-seventh-member, APTA website