What is the Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division?
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office is responsible for coordinating the review and implementation of policies on Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs), Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) policies, and the costs of doing trade in Papua New Guinea.
They also coordinate the work on tariffs, NTMs, and services in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Trade Ministers’ Meetings. Additionally, the division facilitates the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies on Standards, Quality, Metrology, and Testing (SQMT), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Competition, and Consumer Protection in close consultation with lead agencies.
The division is also responsible for facilitating the development, implementation, and enforcement of accreditation policies, inspecting, issuing permits and licenses, and reviewing policies and procedures thereof. They coordinate the administration of trade remedies and dispute settlements to ensure that Papua New Guinea’s trade practices are in line with international trade regulations.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office has the responsibility to coordinate the review and implementation of policies related to Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs), Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), and Costs of Doing Business (CoDB) in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The division aims to identify and address any policy-related barriers to trade and provide solutions to ensure compliance with international trade obligations and agreements.
To achieve this, the division is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of policies related to NTMs, NTBs, TBTs, and CoDBs. It ensures that these policies are in line with international trade standards and best practices. The division is also responsible for ensuring that relevant stakeholders are consulted during the development of these policies and that they are widely disseminated to relevant government agencies, businesses, and the public.
In addition, the division coordinates the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) work on tariffs, NTMs, and services, and trade ministers’ meetings. It also facilitates the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SQMT), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), competition, and consumer protection. This is done in close consultation with the lead (key) agencies responsible for these areas.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division is also responsible for coordinating the administration of trade remedies and dispute settlements. It ensures that relevant stakeholders are aware of the available mechanisms for dispute resolution and the procedures for filing complaints. The division also inspects and issues permits and licenses and facilitates the review of policies and procedures related to these processes.
Furthermore, the division prepares financial and quarterly reviews, asset reports, and management plans, including the corporate plan, management, and annual reports, and provides ministerial support services. It also conducts performance-based staff appraisals and staff development and training services to ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their roles effectively.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office plays a crucial role in coordinating Papua New Guinea’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. APEC is a regional economic forum comprising 21 member economies that seek to promote free and open trade and investment, economic integration, and sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.
The Division coordinates PNG’s involvement in APEC’s work on tariffs, non-tariff measures (NTMs), and services trade, as well as the annual Trade Ministers’ Meetings. Specifically, the Division works with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders to identify and articulate PNG’s priorities and interests in these areas, and to develop and advance policy proposals and initiatives that support these priorities and interests.
The Division also facilitates PNG’s engagement with APEC’s various working groups and committees, which cover a wide range of trade-related issues such as customs procedures, standards and conformance, trade facilitation, and intellectual property rights. The Division ensures that PNG’s interests and perspectives are represented in these forums, and that PNG is able to take advantage of opportunities for capacity-building, technical assistance, and information-sharing offered by APEC.
Through its work on APEC, the Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division contributes to PNG’s broader trade policy objectives of promoting economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction through increased trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office plays a critical role in facilitating the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies on standards, quality management, intellectual property rights (IPR), competition, and consumer protection. The division works in close consultation with key agencies to ensure that these policies are developed and implemented in a coherent and effective manner.
One of the key functions of the division is to coordinate the development of policies on standards, quality management, and consumer protection. This involves working closely with other government agencies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology, to ensure that policies are aligned with international best practices and tailored to the specific needs of Papua New Guinea.
The division also plays an important role in enforcing intellectual property rights in Papua New Guinea. This involves coordinating efforts with other government agencies, such as the Intellectual Property Office, to ensure that laws and regulations are enforced and that violations are prosecuted.
In addition to these activities, the division also works to promote competition in the marketplace. This involves developing policies that promote fair competition and consumer protection and working with other government agencies to enforce these policies.
Overall, the Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division is responsible for ensuring that Papua New Guinea’s policies on standards, quality management, IPR, competition, and consumer protection are developed and implemented in a way that promotes economic growth and protects the interests of consumers and businesses.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office is responsible for facilitating the development, implementation, and enforcement of accreditation policies in Papua New Guinea. Accreditation is the process by which a conformity assessment body (CAB) is evaluated against internationally recognized standards to determine its competence and impartiality to carry out specific tasks such as testing, calibration, and certification.
The division coordinates with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to develop and implement accreditation policies that ensure the safety and quality of goods and services in the country. They work to ensure that conformity assessment bodies operating in Papua New Guinea are accredited according to international standards and are competent to carry out the tasks for which they have been accredited.
The division also provides support to conformity assessment bodies seeking accreditation and ensures that accredited bodies are regularly assessed to ensure ongoing compliance with international standards. This includes monitoring the performance of accredited bodies and taking appropriate action where necessary to maintain the integrity of the accreditation system.
By facilitating the development, implementation, and enforcement of accreditation policies, the division helps to improve the quality of goods and services in Papua New Guinea, which can ultimately benefit the country’s economy by increasing consumer confidence and improving access to international markets.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office has a crucial role in inspecting and issuing permits and licenses related to trade in Papua New Guinea. The division is responsible for ensuring that all trade-related activities comply with national laws and regulations, as well as international standards and agreements.
To carry out this responsibility, the division must conduct regular inspections and audits of trade-related activities, including import and export processes, to ensure that they comply with established regulations. The division also facilitates the review of policies and procedures related to trade, to ensure that they are up-to-date and effective in meeting the changing needs of the industry.
In addition, the division is responsible for issuing permits and licenses for trade-related activities, including licenses for import and export, permits for the transport of goods, and licenses for businesses engaged in trade. These permits and licenses are issued in accordance with established policies and procedures, and are designed to ensure that trade-related activities are conducted safely and legally.
The division also works closely with other government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that policies and procedures related to trade are properly enforced. This includes working with the lead agencies responsible for areas such as health and safety, environment, and customs to ensure that trade-related activities comply with relevant regulations.
Overall, the role of the Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division is to ensure that trade-related activities in Papua New Guinea are conducted in a safe, legal, and sustainable manner, and that all relevant laws and regulations are upheld.
The Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division of the National Trade Office plays a crucial role in coordinating the administration of trade remedies and dispute settlements. This involves overseeing the implementation of policies and procedures related to the resolution of disputes between Papua New Guinea and its trading partners. The division also coordinates the investigation and resolution of trade disputes, as well as the enforcement of trade remedies.
Trade remedies can be taken by a country in response to unfair trade practices by another country, such as dumping, subsidies, or safeguard measures. The division ensures that these remedies are administered in accordance with international trade laws and regulations. This includes conducting investigations, determining appropriate measures, and monitoring the implementation of these measures.
The division also coordinates the administration of dispute settlements, which can occur when there is a dispute between Papua New Guinea and one of its trading partners regarding trade policies or practices. The division works closely with the legal department of the National Trade Office and other relevant agencies to provide technical assistance and support to resolve disputes in accordance with international trade agreements.
Overall, the Trade Enforcement & Compliance Division plays an important role in ensuring that Papua New Guinea’s trade policies and practices are in compliance with international trade laws and regulations. By effectively administering trade remedies and dispute settlements, the division helps to promote fair and open trade practices, which can ultimately benefit the country’s economy and its citizens.
There are several ways that the National Trade Office creates a conducive trade policy environment:
Engaging with government officials and policymakers: The NTO work with government officials and policymakers to advocate for policies that are favorable to trade. This might include lobbying for the removal of trade barriers, the establishment of favorable tariffs, or the creation of new trade agreements.
Providing information and education: The NTO provides information and education about the benefits of trade to government officials, policymakers, and the general public. This can help to build support for trade and create a more favorable policy environment.
Building partnerships and networks: The NTO builds partnerships and networks with other organizations and stakeholders, such as trade associations and chambers of commerce. These partnerships can help to build support for trade and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas.
Facilitating trade negotiations: The NTO also plays a role in facilitating trade negotiations between different countries. This might involve working with government officials to negotiate trade agreements or providing support to businesses seeking to enter new markets.
Overall, the goal of the National Trade Office is to create a policy environment that is conducive to trade and that supports the growth and development of the domestic economy.
