Ukraine set to enter into an Agreement on Informational Technology (ITA)
On 6 November 2007 during a meeting of the WTO committee pertaining to trade of IT products, Ukraine proposed that the participants officially approve and enter into Agreement on Informational Technology by eliminating tariffs on IT products in the framework of entering into the WTO. It also pledged to be bound by terms of the ITA effective the date of its accession. Ukraine's schedule of tariffs on IT products should be circulated to member participants of the accord. Ukraine would become 44th member of ITA if there no objections to its membership within two weeks of the circulation of the country's ITA tariff schedule.To join the ITA, the WTO member country must adhere to three basic principles: 1)all goods listed in the Ministers’ Declaration on Trade in Information Technology (Singapore, 1996) must be included; 2)all tariffs on the above mentioned products must be eliminated; 3)all customs duties and taxes related to import of these products must be put to zero.
According to V.Baluta, Head of the Trade-Economic Mission of Ukraine in Geneva, entering the ITA would assist Ukraine in creating new conditions for the development of informational exchange networks, modern connection technologies and all related service sectors, which utilize IT.
www.ebskiev.com © 2007