U.S. and Paraguayan officials met last week in Washington to discuss ways to deepen trade ties between the countries under a trade and investment agreement that came into force in 2021, official sources reported.
In the statement released on Friday (16.09.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX), it was highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship, as well as joint work to deepen trade ties, promote post-pandemic recovery and improve the quality of life of its citizens, including labor standards, environmental sustainability, good governance, inclusion and equity, taking into consideration their respective national realities.
Among the aspects considered are:
⁃Agricultural trade: Both countries share priorities and interests, including sustainable agriculture, food security and science-based agricultural policies, including biotechnology. Paraguay is part of the Coalition on Sustainable Productivity Growth for Food Security and Resource Conservation, and is considering joining other initiatives on sustainable agriculture.
Both delegations discussed the ongoing process for authorizing the importation of beef products from Paraguay to the United States.
The Paraguayan delegation stressed that all necessary measures have been taken to comply with the standards required by the United States Department of Agriculture in order to access the US market as soon as possible.
They also exchanged views on the potential for expand agricultural trade, including sugar and non-traditional products from our country.
Paraguay reiterated its interest in renewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) retroactively.
⁃Intellectual Property:The delegations agreed to implement a Work Plan on Intellectual Property, agreed upon by their respective competent authorities in the matter, with the common objective of excluding Paraguay from the “Watch List” of the United States Special Report 301.
⁃Trade facilitation: Reference was made to the timely implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. The possibility of review their respective customs rates and procedures to reduce cost and time required by trading operators. On the facilitation of trade in agricultural goods, reference was made to the Trade-Facilitating Agricultural Systems and Technology (T-FAST) project and its work to modernize processes trade facilitation in Paraguay.
⁃Good Regulatory Practices (GRP): The principles of the BPR Declaration adopted at the Summit of the Americas in June 2022 were recalled. Information was exchanged on their respective BPR measures, and in particular on inter-institutional coordination processes and public consultations.
⁃Anti-corruption and transparency: There was agreement on the importance of measures to promote transparency and the fight against corruption in trade. The United States invited Paraguay to join the Inter-American Coalition for Ethical Practices in Business in the Medical Technology SectorOn the other hand, the Paraguayan delegation presented the progress and modifications of its legislation on public procurement to improve transparency and participation.
⁃Digital economy: There was agreement to continue progress on the WTO Joint Initiative on Electronic Commerce. They also agreed to work on other issues, including the incentive for confidence. in the digital economy by consumers, businesses and workers.
The respective delegations were coordinated by the Vice Minister of Economic Relations and Integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Enrique Franco, and the Deputy Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere, Daniel Watson.
For his part, the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Jayme White, spoke at one point during the meeting and welcomed the presence of the Paraguayan delegation in Washington DC, expressing the USTR's satisfaction with the holding of the first meeting of the Trade and Investment Council.
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