New NTB Clearing House to tackle trade barriers
Hon Todd McClay
Minister of Trade
24 March
2017
New NTB Clearing House to tackle trade barriers
Trade Minister Todd McClay says a new all-of-government approach to tackling non-tariff barriers (NTBs) imposed on our exporters will deliver real benefits to business.
The Clearing House, announced as part of Trade Agenda 2030 today, ensures that New Zealand exporters will be able to access the best information and support on trade barriers in a single place.
“We know non-tariff barriers can impose significant delays and costs on New Zealand exporters, making them less competitive, so the quicker we learn about and act on them, the better,” Mr McClay says.
Mr McClay says that MFAT had been trialling a Clearing House concept with NZTE for the NTBs that businesses raise with them.
“As part of this, we have set targets for NTB enquiries to be followed up within 48 hours,” Mr McClay says
"It is now time to make this service available to all
exporters he said. We will be creating an online portal for
businesses who have NTB concerns to more easily access vital
information and interact with government agencies,”
As
well as a centralised online point of contact for exporters,
the Clearing House will:
• Make it easier for exporters
to report issues, seek government advice and assistance with
NTBs and other export issues.
• Track and trace the
assignment and resolution issues across agencies on behalf
of the exporter.
• Provide the Government with an
accurate and up-to-date understanding of NTB and other
export issues facing exporters.
• Enable the collection
and interpretation of data regarding the NTB and other
export issues
• Ensure NTB enquiries are dealt with in
a timely fashion
The Clearing House and online
portal will be jointly developed by developed by Customs,
MFAT, MPI, MBIE, and NZTE, and is to be funded from
baselines.
More information can be found at www.mfat.govt.nz/tradeagenda2030.
ends