Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the WTO Mrs. Dalia Kadišienė led a discussion of the Trade Policy Review of Solomon Islands
On 13 and 15 December 2016, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Mrs. Dalia Kadišienė led a discussion of the Trade Policy Review of Solomon Islands.
It is already the third review of the trade policies and practices of the Solomon Islands since 1996 when the country became a member of the WTO. The Permanent Representative of Lithuania underlined that since the last trade policy review (TPR) in 2009, the Government of Solomon Islands implemented a number of important policies that ensured economic stability, reduction of government debt and growth of population’s income. Solomon Islands, consisting of over 900 islands located in the Pacific Ocean, is heavily exposed to natural disasters and impacts of climate change: heavy floodings, cyclones, El Nino and earthquakes; the latest earthquake has struck the country a week before the TPR. Important achievements of the country bring Solomon Islands close to the threshold of graduation from the least developed country status. Members of the WTO commended the Solomon Islands Government on the efforts it has been making to improve the environment for business and to attract new investment. However, they have expressed worries regarding the over-reliance on tropical timber and unprocessed tuna exports and encouraged to take action against illegal lodging and IUU fishing. Countries stressed the need for better compliance with the WTO rules including notification requirements and commitments regarding applied tariffs rates, urged to take more action in the areas of competition policy, intellectual property rights, government procurement, transparency, illegal work, TBT and SPS. The EU pointed out that major world coral resources concentrated in Solomon Islands increase the attractiveness of the country for the development of the tourism sector. Also, Member States of the WTO underlined the need to diversify the economy and sources of export, emphasized the importance of transport, communications and tourism sectors when pursuing further economic development.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands Mr. Tozaka has acknowledged with appreciation the observations and recommendations from the Lithuanian Permanent Representative to the WTO Mrs. Dalia Kadišienė and Member States, which will be taken into account while continuing economic reforms in the countr
