DIMEX’s Project Implementation for 4-10/2016 and Work Plan 2017 Ministry of Industry and Commerce Department of Import and Export (DIMEX) DIMEX’s Project Implementation for 4-10/2016 and Work Plan 2017 Presented by Sonemala Nouanthasing Department of Import and Export

Content II. Problems issues to be discussed III. Suggestions Progress and Achievement (4-10/2016) TF Secretariat NTMs LTP E-CO II. Problems issues to be discussed III. Suggestions IV. Work plan 2017 Today, my presentation will cover 03 main point: 1 progress and achievement that would cover Information dissemination, Research and study, The resolution to the issues raised by private sector, Policy and regulation development, Capacity building, International coordination and The implementation progress of FY 2014 – 2015 2. I will talk about what we have learned and what to need to improved and finally I will conclude with the proposal for further development

I. Progress and Achievement The implementation progress of 06 months 2016 (4-10/2016) Approximately 70 percent of approved work plan are implemented; 30 percent of approved work plan can not be implemented such as TF, CP, LTP and NTMs meetings and workshop; Maintain good coordination and cooperation among related agencies;

Progress and Achievement TF secretariat 5th Trade Facilitation Secretariat meeting. Completed meeting on reviewing trade facilitation in nationwide, to review the implementation progress of the TF action plan and to discuss about the establishment of TF focal point in provinces. International Trade Facilitation Specialist has been hired for 6 months

Progress and Achievement NTMs NTMs Working Group has been set up by ministerial decision on 31 August 2016 Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA): DIMEX has initiated for import licensing of vehicles & petroleum, Has developed a new licensing template and streamlined the filing and approval procedure for import license at central and provincial level. Has achieved to consult with Department of State Assets Management (Ministry of Finances) and Department of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) to streamline their procedures for the exportation of wooden products by removing their respective export licenses/permits. A NTM advisor is finalizing the RIA guideline for concerned government officials to understand how to undertake RIAs for their NTMs. DIMEX has streamline some measures under the management of DIMEX (the automatic licensing) by moving from manual issuance electronic issuance and synergise with the implementation of Lao National Single Window which will be pilot with import license for Vehicle (domestic distribution); Conduct internal discussion with Department of Forestry (MAF) and Department of States Asset Management (MOF) to streamline their procedures for export finish wooden products. Conclusion: Department of Forestry agreed to abolish their procedure, while Department of States Asset Management will reduce some of their procedures; Drafting the Guideline questionnaires to conduct the RIA Consultation meeting with focus group both public and private sector to identify issue and prioritise NTMs for piloting the RIA and Streamlining procedure.

Progress and Achievement Lao Trade Portal Laws and regulations dissemination: 180 legal documents have been uploaded in website of the Lao Trade Portal; Number of visitors to LTP significantly increased from 8,614 people in 2012 to 214, 000 in September 2016. There are more than 1,500 people registered as members of LTP and more than 317 specific queries were received and replied. Improved the appearance and key functionality of LTP. Produced an new edition of LTP handbook to be used as a tool for training public and private sector nationwide. Training on the use of Lao Trade Portal for focal piont in Vientiane Province.

Progress and Achievement E-CO System of Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO) was launched in April 2016 and the number of users has been steadily increased. At present these are more than 600 forms issued by the system (data from 24.10.2016 as http://ecolao.gov.la/).

II. Problems issues to be discussed The reasons: Internal Delay for finding Inter TF consultant Not effective international NTM. Not enough justification for some activity. Overload on routine work it may lead to delay activities External Miscommunication between NIU and IAs for example the selection process for hiring International consultant. Collect information on TF issue is very difficult esp. with private sector because TF is very broad.

III. Suggestions Improve coordination between NIU and IAs in order to work more effectively. Encourage to support AIs to joint workshop or meeting internal and external that related to DIMEX Be aware to assist DIMEX to organize work shop at provincial level in order to the local authorities and private sector get more involves. Improve the accuracy of the approved activities as planned; NIU should advise immediately if something gone wrong on the process such as procurement or another thing.

IV. Work plan 2017 Trade Facilitation NTMs LTP More request TFS meeting. Draft action plan on TFA implementation. Capacity building on TFA measures for TFS member and other relevance agencies. NTMs Streamlining NTMs with line agencies Conducting RIA Capacity building for NTMs focal point. LTP Dissemination on LTP Update look and information

Trade Facilitation Follow up on specific issues on TF. Meeting on public private dialogue on TF issues nationwide Regular Trade Facilitation Secretariat meetings 2 times per year. Dissemination workshops on TFA, Border Trade, Import-Export Procedures and other TF related regulations to public and private sector at provincial level in the Northern/Southern Provinces. Meetings for implementing TF measures A,B,C Contingency budget for solving private sector issues nationwide.

NTMs Meeting on NTMs impact analysis of respective departments (key ministries) to follow up the progress of undertaking RIAs and discuss options for NTMs streamlining; NTMs reform meeting - Revising or eliminating laws or regulations with Ministry of Justice and relevant agencies Capacity building workshops/trainings on NTMs (identification and classification) for officials from relevant line agencies Public & Private consultation on NTM review agenda/priorities. Adoption of an action plan to address NTMs faced by Lao exporters

LTP 2017 Continue uploading of trade related documents with their translation from Lao to English in LTP. Hold review meetings of all focal points for facilitating information flow to LTP. Training on the use of Lao Trade Portal for both public and private sector in Southern Provinces. Continue promoting website LTP through public awareness campaign. LTP focal points review meeting in Vientiane province.

Capacity Building and e-CO Translation curriculum Organize the workshop for government official in central and provincial levels. Work plan e-CO Workshop for concern authorities and private sector for implementation e-Co. - Improve e-CO system to integrate with ASEAN SW.

Thank You Ministry of Industry and Commerce Department of Import and Export (DIMEX) Thank You