Sheri Rosenow - WTO Trade Facilitation Section

94 self-assessments of needs & priorities (2007-2010) WTO Technical Assistance for National SELF Assessmentof Needs and Priorities on the Trade Facilitation Negotiations 94 self-assessments of needs & priorities (2007-2010) July 2012-Members request new needs assessment project WTO Members and Observers Update results or first time Funded by Trust Fund Project Description (WTO TF TACB website)

WHAT is a needs assessment? Situational Analysis- where stand Gap analysis- needed for compliance A.2 INTERNET PUBLICATION COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None___

Self Assessment Objectives Identify TA/CB needs/priorities for the implementation of proposed measures Identify SDT ABC categories Better determination of national negotiation position for each proposed measure Be better prepared for implementation Develop capacity to continue assessment of needs and priorities - support negotiators

WHY have new needs assessment? Update results from 1st assessment Reforms made Changes in negotiations Determine Special & Differential Treatment ABC Categories

Benefits: X-Ray of country situation Better understanding of role and status of various border agencies and private sector Better understanding of WTO TF and possible results of negotiations Better understanding of the proposed measures New personal relationships which will promote better cooperation provides transparency to the process In evaluations participants of NA have stated many other benefits that they gain during their participation Here some most common comments in the evaluations Based on evaluations of needs assessments.

WHERE is assessment conducted? National- in your country

HOW is assessment conducted? Updated Guide Follows Negotiating Text (W/165) +/- 40 proposed measures Charts Review results of 1st assessment

WHO will conduct assessment? Countries that make a request 45 to date National taskforce Geneva delegate Facilitators to guide the process Others: regional organizations, donor projects, etc.

Stakeholders – about 30 Negotiation Support Guide TN/TF/W/51 Geneva/Brussels/Capital negotiators Implementing agencies (Customs (5 or 6), Quarantine, Standards Board, Port Authority and Airport Authority, etc.) Attorney General/ Legal Department (legal reform, appeal) Ministry of Commerce (negotiations, competitiveness, trade flow, industry protection, consumer protection) Foreign Affairs (negotiations) Economy and Finance (trade flow, controls budget) Ministry of Agriculture and Animals (controls requests for SPS) Ministry of Food and Drugs (human health issues) Ministry of Environment (human health and wildlife conservation) Central Bank (foreign currency controls) Private sector (big/small, importer/exporter, carrier, cargo forwarders and owner, Chamber of Commerce, shippers association, cargo forwarders association, main industries, etc.) Negotiation Support Guide TN/TF/W/51

Facilitators WTO Secretariat International and Regional organizations Experts from national customs administrations In-country donor projects

Role of Geneva/Brussels Delegate Importance of TF and NA Coordinate with capital, WTO, facilitators Presentation on WTO and TF Encourage work groups – get what need Work with facilitators/coordinators Report to NGTF Follow-up questionnaire Ensure maximum results!

Path to Implementation Situation Analysis Gap Analysis Identify Resources Implementation Identify the measures with which you already comply, and those with which you will need to become compliant Identify the specific legal, procedural, and organizational changes that need to be made and the timeframe for implementation. Identify persons, resources, deliverables, and deadlines to resolve each of the identified gaps. Reform: Legislation Regulations Organization etc. To align to Kyoto standards, the Guide suggests a sequence of activities. First, there should be a “situational analysis,” where customs technical experts compare the national situation with the Kyoto standards and identify all the gaps. This stage is then followed by a more detailed “gap analysis”, where the Project Management Team (or persons appointed by them) identifies the specific changes that must be made to the Customs Act, to implementing rules, procedures and/or technical requirements (i.e., changes in ASYCUDA, if any). Once the gap analysis is complete, the Project Management Team should develop an action plan to identify what work must be done, in what sequence and by what timeframes, and by whom.

Stages SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS GAP ANALYSIS SPECIFIC ACTIONS REQUIRED RESOURCES NEEDED COST OF REQUIRED RESOURCES We have . . . We don’t have. . . Legal provision missing… Amend X articles of law n lawyer(s) Daily Rate (range) x Days (range) We do this . . . We don’t do this . .. No understanding of requirements… Training n trainer(s) Declaration processing system needs to be changed… 1. Analyze 2. Develop Software 3. Test software 4. Roll out n business analysts n software engineers n testers etc.   Not part of WTO Assessment

Calculation of Needed Resources Proposals more focused Improve on experience of first assessments Guide More guidance on what might be needed to implement Correct stakeholders Encourage accuracy of details

Results of the Week Chart for each measure with: Situational and Gap analysis Resources needed Implementation/TA needs Overall compliance level SDT ABC category Estimated time needed to implement Executive report compile/analyze results Results are confidential- for your use only

When? Provide preferred time period Appropriate facilitators available LDC priority

What WTO provides: Logistical/administrative arrangements Training for Geneva delegates Facilitators Guide and other Materials Complete kit: Model invitation letters, Powerpoint slides, instructions for secretary, certificates for participants . . . Quality control

COST$ Can you provide? Participation of Geneva Delegate Meeting room Coffee breaks and lunches You Shall provide: Meeting equipment, laptops, projector, etc. Secretary You provide if necessary: Interpretation Sit-in fees Travel of participants Secretary fees

How to Request Official letter requesting a WTO trade facilitation needs assessment Notification - electronic Geneva delegate Capital coordinator

Now! When to Request? But can apply anytime! Preparation time Better overall plan trust fund facilitators Get in queue But can apply anytime!

Status of Requests from Africa: Angola Lesotho Botswana Malawi Burkina Faso Mauritius Cape Verde Morocco Central African Republic Mozambique Democratic Republic of Congo Namibia Egypt Nigeria Ethiopia Sudan Gabon Swaziland Ghana Zambia Kenya Zimbabwe

www.wto.org – (easily found through A-Z list on main webpage)

Sheri Rosenow - WTO Trade Facilitation Section

National Needs Assessment Agenda Advance meeting- hi-level officials/private sector Day 1: facilitator & Geneva delegate presentations Background WTO and TF negotiations Guide Divide into working groups Day 2-4: Needs assessment in working groups Day 4: Review of initial assessment in plenary Day 5: analyze results & present to high-level officials and private sector

Results of the Week Completed chart for each proposal Summary report Powerpoint presentation Results are confidential- for your use only

Calculation of cost$ of implementation? Self Assessment Invite government specialists in costing Invite your donors Send results to your donors

Preparation Official request Notify WTO Identify Coordinators & Stakeholders Set dates Coordinate with WTO and facilitators

C.1 PROVISION OF ADVANCE RULINGS Basic Standard: A Member shall issue legally binding rulings in a timely manner, and in advance of the relevant trade transaction, at the request of an interested person who has provided the Member with all necessary information COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: . Current situation relative to the Basic Standard. Describe in detail. Barriers to meeting Basic Standard Actions needed to meet basic standard (Consider needs in legal framework, administrative policy, human resources, training, equipment, organization, change management. If possible include estimated costs and/or implementation times.) What can be done locally to address barriers? (Specify in detail) Is Technical Assistance or Capacity Building support needed? If yes, specify in detail. Priority for Technical Assistance: High: Medium: Low: None: . Comments: Lead agency or organization and other stakeholders that would be responsible for implementation of this measure: Stakeholders not participating in assessment of this measure(s) that should be consulted: Issues to note (any comments or recommendations for negotiators, etc.):

Results? Chart for each measure Situational analysis- where stand Gap analysis- implementation/TA needs in enough detail to estimate resources Overall compliance level SDT ABC category Estimated time needed to implement Executive report compile/analyze results ALL RESULTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL