20/12/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 16 December, Canada ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), making it the 103rd WTO member country to ratify this agreement that was concluded during the 9th WTO ministerial conference in December 2013. The TFA contains a raft of rules to simplify and streamline customs procedures and increase the participation of developing countries in world trade. Seven further ratifications from WTO countries are now necessary to ensure the entry into force of this agreement. Once it has been fully implemented, it should prove possible to reduce trade costs by 14.3%, mainly to the benefit of developing countries, as well as increase the volume of world exports in merchandise worth $1 trillion a year. (EH)