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Singapore is party to all major International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions on ship safety and marine pollution prevention. The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Act 2014 entered into force on 20 August 2013, which gives effect to the Maritime Labour Convention of the International Labour Organization. The Convention provides a framework of rights and minimum requirements for seafarer working conditions. The new regime applies to seafarers on board Singapore-registered ships and foreign ships calling at Singapore.

In 2011, the MPA (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore) pledged to invest up to S$100 million over five years through the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative (MSGI), which aims to reduce the environmental impact of the maritime transport sector. The MSGI comprises the Green Ship Programme (GSP) – qualifying Singapore-flagged ships benefit from registration fee reductions and an annual tonnage tax refund; the Green Port Programme (GPP) – ocean-going ships calling at the port of Singapore benefit from a 15-25% reduction in port fees; and the Green Technology Programme (GTP) – local maritime companies may qualify for grants on up to 50% of project costs capped at S$2 million for technologies resulting in at least a 5% emission reduction, and capped at S$3 million for technologies resulting in at least a 20% emission reduction. The MPA also provides support to maritime companies through the Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund and the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF), aimed at encouraging maritime R&D and manpower development. Funding of S$150 million and S$115 million has been allocated for the MINT and the MCF Manpower Development, respectively, until 2018.

Table A2. 1 Notifications submitted by Singapore, January 2012–January 2016
Products covered/subject Additional comments Document symbol Date
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
Diesel engines Compliance with emission standards G/TBT/N/SGP/14 21/09/2012
(...)
Air-conditioners and refrigerators Amendments to the Environmental Protection and Management Act, Environmental Protection and Management (Registrable Goods) Order and Environmental Protection and Management (Energy Conservation) Regulations G/TBT/N/SGP/16 01/05/2013
Washing machines Amendments to the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme G/TBT/N/SGP/17 17/06/2013
Single-phase televisions Amendments to Energy Conservation Act, Energy Conservation (Registrable Goods) Order and Energy Conservation (Energy Labelling and Minimum Performance Standards) Regulations G/TBT/N/SGP/18 17/09/2013
Single-phase clothes dryers Amendments to Energy Conservation Act, Energy Conservation (Registrable Goods) Order and Energy Conservation (Energy Labelling and Minimum Performance Standards) Regulations G/TBT/N/SGP/19 17/09/2013
(...)
Clothes washing machines Minimum water efficiency requirements G/TBT/N/SGP/22 06/11/2014
Lamps Inclusion in the Energy Conservation (Registrable Goods) Order and Energy Conservation (Energy Labelling and Minimum Performance Standards) Regulations G/TBT/N/SGP/23 04/02/2015
Miscellaneous products Amendments to the Environmental Protection and Management Act G/TBT/N/SGP/24 09/07/2015
(...)
Air-conditioners Amendments to the Energy Conservation (Energy Labelling and Minimum Performance Standards) Regulations G/TBT/N/SGP/26 13/01/2016
(...)

El Salvador's main trade policy objectives are to create jobs, attract foreign investment, increase exports, strengthen competitiveness and promote supply linkages. The aim is to provide the people of El Salvador with greater and better employment opportunities and thus raise the standard of living, with a view to achieving sustainable development.

Opportunities have also been identified in strategic sectors such as tourism, renewable energies and manufacturing. In renewables, El Salvador is promoting investment with a view to becoming the "energy hub" of Central America. In manufactures, not only does it seek to continue to promote the traditional textiles industry but also the footwear, auto parts, electronic and medical components industries; it is also looking to export these manufactures to its trading partners.

El Salvador prohibits the import of certain goods, and restricts the import of a considerable number of products for reasons of national security, public health, animal or plant health, or environmental protection. Permits, authorizations, certificates and/or approval must be obtained for their import. In April 2016, El Salvador submitted a notification to the WTO relating to the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.

El Salvador prohibits or restricts the export of some products, mainly for environmental or public health reasons or to comply with international commitments. Exports of sugar, natural gas and certain agrochemical inputs are restricted in order to ensure an adequate domestic supply. No taxes or other levies are imposed on exports.

The electricity sector is open to private participation, both domestic and foreign. A concession is required only in order to generate electricity from hydraulic or geothermal sources. Most electricity generation and all distribution are in the hands of private companies, while transmission is in the hands of a state owned operator. During the review period, El Salvador extended and relaxed its tax incentives regime for investment in renewable energy projects. The subsidy for industrial electricity consumption was abolished in 2009, and the subsidy for low residential electricity consumption was suspended in 2015. (...)

Tourism is a sector of increasing importance for the Salvadoran economy, and the Plan for Tourism 2014 2019 is seeking to turn tourism into a vehicle for sustainable development and social inclusion. Tariff and tax exemptions are granted for investments in the sector. There are no restrictions on foreign investment through commercial presence in hotels and restaurants, travel agencies and tour operator services.

In office since 1 June 2014, the present Government of El Salvador has formulated the Five Year Development Plan 2014 2019 laying out 11 specific economic objectives for the country in the years ahead. Each objective contains specific strategies that are being carried out through lines of action. Under the Five Year Plan, the foremost objective is to revitalize the domestic economy so as to generate opportunities and prosperity. This objective includes the following strategies: (...) giving priority to renewable and sustainable sources, (...) and developing sustainable tourism. (...)