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V. MULTILATERAL TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS, AND DOMESTIC POLICY
FORMULATION
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D. Existing status
The accession of Tonga to the World Trade Organization would mean that
it must adopt a number of international agreements and standards, before
which Tonga must understand how standards will affect both exports and
imports. At present, the only importing standards are those outlined in
the Quarantine Regulations which provide for the health of plants and animals
entering the country. They do not extend to covering the environment. As
for exports, these abide by the rules of the country of destination and
is left to the discretion of the exporting business.
The promotion of export and the administration of multilateral trade
agreements, with the exception of Lome, is the responsibility of the Ministry
of Labour, Commerce and Industries. A Tonga Trade Section within the Ministry
has recently been established in order to facilitate trade activities in
Tonga, particularly the promotion of exports and to facilitate marketing
activities. The main functions of Tonga Trade are: market development;
trade information; promotional activities; trade policy; research and development.
The two main multilateral trade agreements that the Ministry administers
are South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement and
Tonga's current application to the World Trade Organization.
The Lome Convention is the exception as it is administered by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs through its National Authorizing Officer who is responsible
for the administration of all European Union assistance to Tonga.
IEAs of a general nature are administered by the Ministry
of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources through the Environmental
Planning Section. The Environmental Planning Section is in a complex situation
as the concept of the environment is all-encompassing and touches all sectors
of Tonga, including fisheries, agriculture, health and industry. Each and
every sector and their activities impinge on the environment. Coordination
of activities becomes crucial. However, the current legislation is fragmented
and all the Environmental Planning Section can do is to solicit cooperation
amongst the sectors. Cooperation is thus purely on a voluntary basis. At
the same time, accession by Tonga to international Conventions and treaties
is coordinated and implemented through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
There are a few organizing bodies in the private sector. The Tonga
Chamber of Commerce is the main coordinating body for private sector activities
and the business community. The Langafonua
`a Fafine Tonga is the umbrella organization for women's groups and women's
business activities, particularly handicrafts. The Tonga Association of
Non-Government Organizations is an umbrella organization for NGOs.
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