2015年-世界发展银行全球_Kazakhstan_Trade_Report___Improving_the_Regulatory_Framework_for_Non-Tariff_Measures_40页_1mb

Kazakhstan Trade Report Summary

Core Content

This report, titled "Improving the Regulatory Framework for Non-Tariff Measures" (Report No. 96863-KZ), focuses on the challenges and opportunities associated with non-tariff measures (NTMs) in Kazakhstan. It analyzes the impact of NTMs on trade and economic diversification, identifies the most burdensome measures, and provides recommendations for reforming the regulatory system to enhance competitiveness and reduce compliance costs.

Main Points

1. Importance of Non-Tariff Measures

• NTMs are increasingly important: With accession to the WTO, Kazakhstan will reduce tariffs but face growing challenges from NTMs, which can be more burdensome than traditional trade barriers.
• NTMs affect competitiveness: They can hinder trade by increasing administrative costs, compliance burdens, and reducing efficiency, particularly for SMEs.
• NTMs include various types: These range from technical and sanitary measures to licensing, quotas, and registration requirements.

2. Impact of Customs Union (CU) on NTMs

• Joining the BKR-CU has led to new challenges: Five key challenges include stricter regulations, additional certifications, new state product registration, third country supplier registration, and the prevalence of quantitative controls.
• Regulatory complexity: The CU has aligned Kazakhstan with Russian standards, increasing the restrictiveness of the regulatory framework.

3. NTM Burden in Kazakhstan

• Intermediate level of NTM coverage and frequency: Kazakhstan has an intermediate level of NTM coverage and frequency compared to other countries, but the burden is significant.
• High proportion of products affected by multiple NTMs: 50% of products are affected by two or more NTMs, which is a concern for SMEs.
• Sectoral variation: Agri-food and chemical sectors have the highest NTM frequency and coverage ratios, while mineral products have the lowest.

4. Burdensome NTMs and Their Impact

• Conformity assessment and technical requirements: These are the most pervasive and burdensome NTMs for companies.
• Procedural obstacles: Time delays, excessive documentation, limited testing facilities, and informal payments are common issues.
• Private sector perceptions: The ITC survey highlights that businesses perceive SPS, TBT, PSI, and QC as the most burdensome.

5. Recommendations for Reform

• Simplify and reduce NTMs: Focus on streamlining conformity assessment, reducing PSI and QC measures, and minimizing the number of standards.
• Engage the private sector: Involving businesses in the regulatory process can lead to more efficient and less burdensome regulations.
• Build institutional capacity: Enhance the national quality infrastructure through training and laboratory development.
• Update the NTM database: Use it for further analysis to understand the economic impacts of NTMs.

Key Information

NTM Classification

• NTMs are classified into technical and non-technical measures.
• Technical measures include SPS (Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary), TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade), PSI (Pre-Shipment Inspection), and QC (Quantity Control).
• Non-technical measures include licensing, quotas, price controls, subsidies, and rules of origin.

Regulatory Bodies

• Four main ministries are responsible for 94% of NTMs: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, and Ministry of Industry.
• The report suggests that fewer ministries managing NTMs can lead to a more streamlined regulatory process.

Business Impact

• SPS and TBT measures are the most burdensome for exporters.
• PSI and QC are more prevalent in agro-based sectors.
• Conformity assessment involves multiple steps including inspection, certification, and product registration.

International Comparisons

• China and EU have the highest NTM frequency and coverage ratios.
• Chile and Japan have the lowest.
• Kazakhstan's NTM burden is higher than EU and Japan, but lower than China.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for Kazakhstan to simplify and reform its NTM system to enhance trade efficiency and support economic diversification. It advocates for transparency, coordination between ministries, and increased private sector involvement in the regulatory process. The establishment of a trade information portal and the use of regulatory impact analysis are recommended as key steps towards achieving these goals.

Annexes Overview

• Annex 1: NTMs Classification, Data Collection, and Pervasiveness
• Annex 2: Impact of NTMs around the World
• Annex 3: 2013 NTM Stock Taking
• Annex 4: CU List of Products Covered Until State Product Registration and Technical Regulation
• Annex 5: Sector Specific Impact of NTMs

Figures and Tables

• Figure 1: NTM Coverage and Frequency Ratios
• Figure 2: Frequency and Coverage Ratios of NTMs Vary across Sectors
• Figure 3: Variation in Frequency Ratios of NTMs is Similar to Comparator Countries in Major Sectors
• Figure 4: NTMs are Potentially More Burdensome in Kazakhstan
• Figure 5: Four Sectors Have the Highest Shares of Products Affected by Multiple NTMs
• Figure 6: Business Perceptions of Burdensome Regulations Correlate with the Findings of the NTM Database
• Figure 7: The Composition of SPS Measures Points to the Variety of Regulations Affecting Goods
• Figure 8: The Composition of Various TBT Measures Highlights Registration and Certification Requirements
• Table 1: Kazakhstan Uses More Burdensome SPS Measures Compared to EU and Japan

Box Highlights

• Box 1: The Early Effects of Joining the Customs Union

  • Tariffs increased significantly.
  • NTMs are being revised to align with Russian standards.
  • Reforming NTMs is essential to offset the negative impacts of the CU.

• Box 2: Good Regulatory Practices

  • Emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and competition.
  • The OECD provides nine principles for good regulatory practices, including transparency, non-discrimination, and the least trade restrictive approach.

• Box 3: What are Non-Tariff Measures?

  • NTMs are policy measures that can affect trade in goods.
  • They can be used for non-trade objectives like health and environment.
  • The report uses a slightly different classification from the CU Commission.

Summary of Key Findings

• Kazakhstan has an intermediate level of NTM coverage and frequency.
• 50% of products are affected by two or more NTMs.
• Conformity assessment and technical requirements are the most burdensome.
• The private sector perceives SPS, TBT, PSI, and QC as the most challenging.
• The report recommends simplifying procedures, reducing administrative burdens, and involving the private sector in regulatory design.