PROGRESS REPORT FOR FACILITATION OF INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING PROJECT (TPT 02-2000T)

LEAD ECONOMY: AUSTRALIA

Background

At its 15^th meeting in April 1999, the TPT-WG agreed that, subject to final funding approval (US$49,200) that action could be taken to implement the project in April 2000. The project proposal under the TILF special account was approved by BMC in July and endorsed by SOM III and by Ministers in Auckland in September 1999.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Study the impact of maritime policy reforms on international shipping services among APEC economies; and

• Develop a framework of policies that facilitate the development of international shipping services.

Study of the Impact of Maritime Policy

The research and analysis components of the project will be reported in the ‘Study of the Impact of Maritime Policy Reform’, it will comprise:

• an integrated qualitative and quantitative assessment of international shipping services;
• time series analysis of the impact of policy reform on shipping services and trade growth;
• an analysis of regulations and policies that have been implemented to promote maritime industry development.

Case Studies and the ‘Policy Framework’

Based on the outcomes of the Study the consultant will undertake case studies of economies whose maritime policy reforms have resulted in improving access to safe and efficient international shipping services. With the cooperation of APEC TPT-WG members, the consultant will encourage at least four (and possibly six) economies to participate in the case studies.

The consultant will work with economy coordinators to analyse maritime policy instruments that have effectively improved access to international shipping services. The outcomes of the case studies will be reported in the ‘Policy Framework’. The ‘Policy Framework’ will describe maritime policies that have been shown to facilitate efficient international shipping services.

Australia has contacted economies that provided initial contact points details at TPT-WG 16 and has advised economies that those wishing to participate in the case study should forward an expression of interest to Australia by emailing liesl.homes@dotrs.gov.au or simon.tratton@dotrs.gov.au or alternatively by sending a fax to +61 2 6274 7744. In addition a copy of the request for proposal (RFP) for the project will be circulated to all economies prior to TPT-WG17.meeting in Singapore.

Proposed Timetable

It has been necessary to revise the project implementation table at Attachment A as projects can only incur expenditure once TILF funding is available in mid May 2000.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the above progress report be noted and that economies wishing to participate in the case study put in an expression of interest and nominate who their economy coordinator of contact official will be.

Project Implementation Timetable

This page was last updated on 7 March 2000