Article 1 of the TFA obliges WTO members (and therefore all interested parties) to promptly publish information related to international trade, so that WTO members (and, accordingly, all interested parties) can familiarize themselves with the rules to ensure a transparent and predictable environment for international trade. WTO Members are encouraged to provide access to trade-related information via Internet and establish or maintain enquiry points (EP).
Currently, in the Republic of Uzbekistan, work is underway to bring national legislation in line with the requirements of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
In accordance with paragraph 1.3 of Article 1 of the TFA (“Enquiry points”), each WTO member must establish or maintain one or more EPs to process and respond within reasonable time to requests from governments, traders, and other interested parties on issues and documents related to foreign trade. EPs must provide information as required by paragraph 1.1 of article 1 of the TFA regarding the publication of a specific set of information on a non-discriminatory basis and in an easily accessible form.
The Agreement does not regulate the form and features of these EPs. The Agreement does not specify whether the EP should be a special state body, an auxiliary structure subordinate to existing bodies, or a non-governmental organization authorized to provide information to organizations engaged in trade, or an automated system.
Within the framework of the WTO, EPs are considered as centers to which any interested individuals and legal entities can apply to obtain information about the laws in force, administrative rules and orders in the area covered by the activities of the EP.