Tonga Accession.pdf

Tonga's accession to the WTO involves various areas, including economic policies, foreign trade, and trade-related intellectual property. The country has implemented or plans to implement legislation to give effect to WTO regulations and has requested technical assistance in areas like customs valuation and SPS notification. Tonga's economic reform program includes fiscal, public service, financial sector, and private sector reforms, with a focus on improving service delivery and establishing a performance-oriented civil service. The country applies price controls to certain products, which are set at the retail level and include tariffs, taxes, and other charges. Tonga is committed to observing WTO provisions regarding price controls and customs procedures. The country's trade regime includes policies on tariffs, licensing, and trade-related investment measures, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Tonga has also established a framework for making and enforcing policies affecting foreign trade in goods and services.