Closer to World Trade

Standards Institution LIBNOR becomes ‘Enquiry Point’ for Technical Barriers to Trade

The Ministry of Economy and Trade launched the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Enquiry Point at the Lebanese Standards Institution, LIBNOR. The project was established through the technical support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Enquiry Point is a prerequisite for World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. It increases global accessibility to local trade regulations. The Lebanese government filed a formal request to join the WTO in 1999.

As a WTO/TBT enquiry point, LIBNOR will answer enquiries from other WTO Member States and other interested parties. It will also provide the relevant documents regarding adopted or proposed technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures.

The establishment of the TBT Enquiry Point is part of USAID’s three-year initiative, ‘Support for Lebanon’s Accession to the World Trade Organization’.

The $3 million program has assisted the Ministry of Economy and Trade in its efforts to build linkages to the global economy.