Trade Facilitation Self-Assessment: Guide and Process WTO Negotiations on Trade Facilitation

Self Assessment Objectives More effective participation in the negotiations Determine overall compliance level Identify special and differential treatment needs – Measures needing more time to implement – Technical assistance needs National priority level of measures 2

Outputs Identify the specific ACTIONS you must take to comply with each measure Estimate TIME you will need to implement each measure Identify the external TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE you will require to implement each measure (if any) Estimate COST to implement … where possible 3

Needs Assessment Process/Schedule 4 Working Groups Plenary Session Presentation of Results + Closing Presentation of Results + Closing

Legal Text Explanatory Notes + Discussion Questions Guide Contents 5

Situational + GAP Analysis Chart Questionnaire 6

Working Groups Overview For each measure: Situational Analysis GAP Analysis Summarize Results 7

Working Groups Situational Analysis Step 1: READ legal text of the measure carefully – Review Notes – Ask questions, if doubts Step 2: DISCUSS your current situation in relation to this measure – Use the discussion questions to aid your analysis 8

Working Groups Situational Analysis Step 3: COMPLETE the first column of chart Describe fully your relevant procedures, institutional framework, infrastructure, etc. Use categories for your response Provide references to all relevant laws, rules, instructions, etc. Include ALL relevant agencies input 9

Account for all agencies: Describe Your Current Situation Barriers (Give Reasons for non- compliance) Actions/Resources Required & Cost (Number the Actions) TACB Resources Needed (Specify Action Number) A. Policy/Legal Framework: Customs: Customs Regulations Article 123 provides for... Agriculture: AG Law Art 345 provides for... Standards: Standards Reg. Art. 678 provides for... Food Safety: Operating Instructions require... 10

Working Groups GAP Analysis Step 4: IDENTIFY all reasons for non- compliance 11

Working Groups GAP Analysis Step 5: IDENTIFY the specific actions required to comply – Describe actions per category – Quantify, where possible, resources required for actions 12

Working Groups GAP Analysis Step 6: IDENTIFY which actions require external Technical Assistance/Capacity Building support – Describe support required 13

Working Groups Questionnaire Step 7: COMPLETE the questionnaire 14

Working Groups Excel Sheet Step 8: COMPLETE the Excel Summary Sheet Use the Drop-Down Lists, where provided 15

Final Summary Report 16

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18 Working Groups Each group: – Record findings on laptop viewed on Powerpoint Situational + GAP Analysis Questionnaire Excel sheet – When necessary borrow experts from other groups or make phone calls to the office – Periodically provide completed charts and Excel sheet to coordinator- definitely at the end of each day!!!

19 CONFIDENTIAL RESULTS Be detailed and honest The results are only for you and your negotiators

Definition of Legislation For purposes of this Guide, “legislation” should be understood to cover all provisions of general application enacted either by the legislature or by the executive and which are effective at the national level. This includes existing laws, regulations, rules and administrative instructions. 20

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