Angola Customs improves its Rules of Origin capacities
Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Regional Training Center (RTC) Kenya and the Angola Revenue Administration (AGT), held a national training workshop on rules of origin for Angola Customs. The workshop was held in Luanda, Angola, from 24 to 28 June 2024 with the objective to assist Angola in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin. The training is part of a workplan established with the RTC for competency development for several countries in the ESA region.
European Union initiates compliance proceedings over Colombian duties on frozen fries
The European Union has requested WTO consultations with Colombia to address measures taken by Colombia to comply with an earlier WTO panel ruling and arbitration award regarding Colombia’s anti-dumping duties on imports of frozen fries originating in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The request for consultations was circulated to WTO members on 4 June.
WTO members consider four regional trade agreements
At the meeting of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) on 2 July, WTO members reviewed four RTAs involving Cambodia, Iceland, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Ambassador Salomon Eheth of Cameroon, the new CRTA chair, also provided an update on RTAs still to be considered by the Committee.
South Africa seeks panel reviews of EU measures affecting imports of citrus fruit
South Africa has requested the establishment of two dispute panels to review European Union measures affecting the import of South African citrus fruit into the EU. The request was considered at a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 24 June. This is the first time that South Africa has requested the establishment of a panel under the WTO’s dispute settlement system.
Registration opens for public hearing in US-Argentina dispute regarding tubular goods
At the request of the parties in the dispute “United States — Anti-Dumping Measure on Oil Country Tubular Goods from Argentina (DS617)”, the panel has decided to open to the public its first substantive meeting on 10 and 11 July 2024. The live screening will take place at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva and remotely via livestreaming.