Canadas Experience in Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in Trade Facilitation WTO Workshop on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in Trade Facilitation Geneva, May , 2001

2 Canadas work on Trade Facilitation Projects Approach: – Demand driven / practical assistance – Capacity building – Project based on plan – Partnership Objectives: – Enhance capacity & ownership – Ensure benefits sustained

3 Canadas work on Trade Facilitation Projects International, Regional, Bilateral WCO – Customs reform and modernization (e.g., Senegal/Vietnam) APEC – Valuation, Risk Management, Appeals CCLEC – Valuation/Risk Management CIDA – Outreach Program for fiscal reform (e.g., India, Cuba) FTAA – 8 point plan - Business Facilitation Measures (M.I.F. / I.D.B.)

4 Canadas work on Trade Facilitation Projects Examples of New Projects/New Partners Partnership with University Research Group for a comprehensive approach to capacity building in: – trade policy development – business & trade facilitation – customs reform Facilitating Customs and Finance Reform in Africa (Benin) for capacity development in: – tax policy – financial management – independent audit mechanisms – customs reform

5 Lessons Learned: 1 Need strategic framework/clear-cut objectives Identify means: bilateral, regional, international Secure commitment & support Involve other departments and business community Assist recipients to assess needs, priorities & targets Sustainable knowledge-transfer - i.e., train the trainer

6 Lessons Learned: 2 Up-front plan & follow-up crucial One-day seminars not the answer – need a step-by-step plan & hands-on approach Evaluation, Follow-up, Post-Implementation

7 Lessons Learned: 3 Evaluations must be conducted Why? – Confirm the viability of needs analysis – Assess technical assistance delivery – Identify and address deficiencies & obstacles – Provide fair results assessment How? – Results against objectives – Process

8 Lessons Learned: 4 Multiple Means: International Regional Bilateral – All are necessary

9 Regional Approach Benefits Commonalities between recipient countries Clearer identification of needs and follow-up Cost-effectiveness Ownership Partnerships Challenges Coordination Different levels of development Different languages Different legal systems

10 Conclusions International framework Focus on practical assistance and capacity building Demand driven/ownership Projects: – Needs/Priorities/Targets Evaluation/Follow-up/Post-implementation Coherence: – Bilateral, regional, international Keep improving