We’re pleased to share USCIB’s updated advocacy paper outlining the market access concerns that USCIB members have identified as priorities for the OECD accession candidates. The paper has been shared with key policymakers in Paris and Washington, DC, to use in leveraging policy reforms. Visit our dedicated page on OECD activities for any upcoming updates.

The document outlines policy changes members would like adopted by the five OECD candidates – Brazil, Peru, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania – in areas such as agriculture, chemicals, regulatory reform, intellectual property and tax. Laws, regulations and practices in Brazil draw the most attention from members because of their large market impact, noted Alice Slayton Clark, VP for International Investment and Trade Policy. Specifically, members are seeking policy reform in Brazil with respect to connectivity in rural areas, digitalization of trade, regulatory streamlining, restrictive government pricing, and regressive taxes on medicines, among other concerns.

The OECD accession process will be rigorous and time consuming; nations that do not follow-through on specified policy reforms will not be invited to accede. As such, this provides an excellent opportunity for USCIB member companies to seek resolution to some of the most difficult impediments to trade and investment in accession countries, noted Clark. As the US national committee to Business at OECD, USCIB is in a unique position to directly influence all parties involved.

USCIB thanks the many members who contributed to the advocacy paper to ensure USCIB’s early input into this important process.