The UK’s ambition to eliminate the bureaucracy from international trade was given a great boost today with the announcement that the Department of Trade and Industry has assured SITPRO’s future for at least the next three years.
As the UK’s trade facilitation agency, SITPRO is at the forefront of efforts to promote trade facilitation nationally and internationally. The three-year mandate reflects the important work that SITPRO is currently undertaking to secure a trade facilitation agreement within the World Trade Organisation and will ensure that SITPRO can remain a strong voice in support of a working multilateral agreement throughout the remainder of the Doha Round of negotiations.
During the DTI’s review process, which took place over the last six months, government departments and industry impressed upon the review team the importance of SITPRO being allowed to continue in its current form. They expressed exceptionally strong appreciation for the work that SITPRO has undertaken over the last thirty-five years.
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, The Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP, has accepted the DTI’s recommendation that SITPRO remains as a non-departmental public body funded by the DTI until the end of the Doha Round, in three to four years, when a further review will take place.
SITPRO’s Acting Chairman, Norman Rose, greeted the news enthusiastically, saying, “I am delighted that the department and key industry stakeholders have given such an overwhelming endorsement to the work that SITPRO does in promoting trade facilitation. A successful outcome to the current Doha Round is vital to UK business and SITPRO will be doing all it can to promote the successful implementation of a trade facilitation agreement in this round.”
SITPRO News Release - 11 February 2005
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