Implementation Issues Moldova - 12-13 June 2006 02/11/2019 Implementation Issues Workshop on Trade Facilitation Chisinau, Moldova, 12-13 June 2006 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Moldova - 12-13 June 2006 02/11/2019 The present situation NGTF meetings have been mostly devoted to discussions on substantive issues; The proposals for clarification and improvement of the three GATT articles have put forward more than 60 possible measures. If Members reach an agreement, some of the most relevant measures will be part of a WTO binding rule. 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation But… There has been limited discussion on needs & priorities with regard to the tabled proposals. Do developing countries have the capacity to implement the proposals? (para. 3) Will developed countries commit to adequately ensure support and assistance during the negotiations? (para. 5) Will assistance be provided after the negotiations to implement commitments in accordance with their nature and scope? (para. 6) What about transition economies? 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation A key issue To reach an agreement, developing country Members wish to know: what the rules will be? and to what extent they will receive the TA & CA necessary to develop their capacity to implement the rule? Only when the rule is known, they will be able to assess their needs, formulate TA &CB programmes and request S&D Treatment. 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

Proposed mechanism Time Year X Year X+Y Year X+Y+3 Signing the Single Undertaking Capacity self-assessment Notification procedure Entry into force of the Agreement Formulation of the Capacity Building (CB) plans Notification of CB plans Implementation of CB plans Verification of Capacity acquisition Notification of the acquisition of Capacity Full implementation of the Agreement Year X Transitional provisions outside TF agreement Year X+Y Year X+Y+3 Provisions of the agreement regarding S&D 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

A possible mechanism n n+3 Capacity Acquisition N&P and Gap analysis Moldova - 12-13 June 2006 02/11/2019 A possible mechanism  [Rule enforcement suspended]  [Commitment to enforcement]   [Time-limited assessment Period]   [S&D Individual Period ]  Capacity Self-assessment Capacity Building plans Implement CB plans Capacity Acquisition N&P and Gap analysis Formulation Creation of Capacity based on notified plans Verification Notification Notification Notification Procedure CB plans notified Capacity implemented Rules in force n n+3 Time scale 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Support from the EU Each Member establishes its own plans; No cut-off date for implementation; If implementation capacity is not developed, there is no commitment; Linkage between implementation capacity and TA & CB. 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

Pending issue: Assistance after Negotiations The scope of TA & CB after negotiations remains unclear. Required funds towards TA & CB in the area of TF are likely to increase. BUT….. Will these funds be sufficient to cater for the needs of developing countries? Will these funds be equally accessible to all requesting WTO Members? 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Do your « homework » Take the most relevant measures and review them with a critical eye: What have you already done ? What can you do yourself ? What could you do with proper TA ? How long it may take ? Assess your Needs and formulate your TA requirements and flexible SDT. 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

Effective implementation of any TF Agenda requires: Moldova - 12-13 June 2006 02/11/2019 Effective implementation of any TF Agenda requires: Broadest possible commitment from Government institutions. Collective and professional support from the Business community. Integration & coordination of trade-related assistance (among donors and among implementing agencies). Creating institutional changes takes time. 02/11/2019 Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

THANK YOU! Peter Faust (peter.faust@unctad.org) Maxence Orthlieb (maxence.orthlieb@unctad.org) Jan Hoffmann (jan.hoffmann@unctad.org) José Rubiato (jose.rubiato@unctad.org) Trade Logistics Branch Division for Services Infrastructure for Development and Trade Efficiency