1. Presented by Department of Import and Export
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Department of Import and Export
Trade Facilitation Support and Non-Tariff Measures Review and Rationalization and plan for Quarter III & IV Fiscal Year
Presented by
Department of Import and Export

2. Content Progress and Achievement (10/2015-3/2016)
TF Secretariat
NTMs
LTP
Capacity building
E-CO
Problems/issues to be discussed
Suggestions
Work plan April-September 2016
Today, my presentation will cover 03 main points: 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 we need to improve and finally I will conclude with the proposal for further development.

3. Progress and Achievement
TF secretariat
Consultation meetings held with 06 northern provinces on Monopoly in export document for Agricultural products such as watermelon, banana, corn and millet to the People’s Republic of China in Vientiane Capital;
Review of the implementation of trade facilitation strategy
Organized a joint meeting with ERIA and WB for “Building Effective Institution for Trade Facilitation”

4. Progress and Achievement
Completed a draft of TFA work plan to be used as guidance for TFA implementation.
The transit of banana from Lao PDR to China via Vietnam,
Cassava’s export to Thailand

5. Work plan for Q3 and Q4 Follow up on specific issues on TF.
Meeting on public private dialogue on TF issues in Northern provinces
Semi-annual Trade Facilitation Secretariat and TFS round V meetings to review the implementation progress of the TF action plan.
Dissemination workshops on TFA, WTO, Border Trade, Import-Export Procedures and other TF related regulations/guidelines to public and private sector at provincial level in the Northern Provinces.
Contingency budget for solving private sector issues nationwide.

6. Progress and Achievement
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;
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.
Participation at international workshops on NTMs in Indonesia.
DIMEX has streamlined 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 piloted 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 its procedures, while Department of States Asset Management will reduce some of its procedures;
Drafting the Guideline questionnaires to conduct the RIA
Consultation meetings with focus group both public and private sectors to identify issue and prioritise NTMs for piloting the RIA and Streamlining procedures.

7. Progress and Achievement on NTMs
Internal NTM review
245 NTMs were identified and classified based on UNCTAD’s NTMs classification.
All NTMs can be viewed by public under Lao Trade Portal
Some NTMs were linked to ATR website ( NO
UNCTAD Code
NTM TYPE
NUMBER OF NTMs 1 A
SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 43 2 B
TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE 59 3 C
PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION AND OTHER FORMALITIES 30 4 E
NON-AUTOMATIC LICENSING, QUOTAS, PROHIBITIONS AND QUANTITY-CONTROL MEASURES OTHER THAN FOR SPS OR TBT REASONS 6 5 F
PRICE-CONTROL MEASURES, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL TAXES AND CHARGES 53 P
EXPORT-RELATED MEASURES 54
TOTAL
245
Before there were 283 NTMs. However, under the efforts of DIMEX team, new NTMs were identified and there are 243 NTMs now. All NTMs were uploaded into Lao Trade Portal Website and can be viewed by public.

8. Progress and Achievement
13 line ministries are in charged of these NTMs NO
Ministries
# of NTM
Percentage 1
Ministry of Health 60
24.69 2
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 59
24.28 3
Ministry of Industry and Commerce 40
16.46 4
Ministry of Finance 24
9.88 5
Ministry of Information, Cultural and Tourism 21
7.82 6
Ministry of Post and Telecommunication 13
5.35 7
Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment 10
4.12 8
Ministry of National Defense
2.06 9
Bank of Lao PDR
1.65
Ministry of Mine and Energy
1.23 11
Ministry of Science and Technology 12
Ministry of Public Security
0.82
Ministry of Public Work and Transportation
0.41
Total
245
 100%

9. Work plan for Q3 and Q4
In-depth Training and Capacity building on methodology and How to conduct a risk impact assessment to NTMs
Conducting Risk Impact Assessment (started with Vehicle and Petroleum)
Consultation with Focus group of participants to prioritise the NTMs (both public and private sectors)
Outreach and awareness program on NTMs to public and private sectors
Drafting 2 report sets: NTMs Data collection and recommendations for NTMs streamlining

10. Progress and Achievement
Information dissemination – Lao Trade Portal
Laws and regulations dissemination:
224 legal documents, 384 (245 is NTMs, 144 is voluntary national standard) NTMs measures, 21 Import and Export regulations, Notifications, News, Articles, publications are uploaded in website of the Lao Trade Portal;
LTP focal points review meeting in Vientiane Capital
LTP Promotion campaign to rise LTP awareness to public through publication activities such as brochure, press release, TV program, poster and other publications;
Here is first achievement on information dissemination such LTP. It is indicated that there are approximately viewers visited LTP.
The Lao PDR Trade Portal is the single stop point for all information relating to import and export into and from Laos. Currently, there are 224 legal document , 384 NTMs measures, Import and Export regulations, Notifications, News, Articles, publications are uploaded in website of the Lao Trade Portal; and LTP has updated daily.
LTP has well recognized in global it shows that
Lesotho and Myanmar asked permission for source code in 2013 and 2015 respectively, and now able to replicate Lao PDR’s example.
In addition, there are many nations still want to learn experience from Laos.

11. LTP statistic

12. Work plan for Q3 and Q4
Digitization and translation of trade related documents for uploading on the Lao Trade Portal (Website).
Training on the use of Lao Trade Portal for Private sector in Northern and Southern Provinces.
Fact Sheet writing Workshop for Focal point Lao PDR Trade Portal in Thalath, Vientiane province
Promotional activities/ materials for the LTP

13. Progress and Achievement
Capacity Building
Training module on trade facilitation was produced;
Six trainers on trade facilitation were selected;
48 government officials were trained on trade facilitation;
Books on import-export statistics were produced.

14. Progress and Achievement
E-CO
Purchased equipment for e-CO
Completed setting computer to ensure launching e-CO.
Completed training for pilot project with 10 companies.
Work plan
Workshop for concerned authorities and private sector
for implementation e-Co.
Improve e-CO system to integrate with ASEAN SW.

15. Progress and Achievement
The implementation progress of 06 months FY 2015 – 2016
(10/2015-3/2016)
More than 40 percent of approved work plans are implemented;
60 percent of approved work plans cannot be implemented such as TF, LTP and NTMs meetings and workshop;
Having a better coordination and cooperation among related agencies;

16. Challenges
Confusing still occurs in obtaining approvals: 3 mth activities, work plan.
Delay in implementing of some activities.
Difficulties in looking for qualified candidate who has both experience and qualification that meet the task of TF International Consultant causing in delay in filling up this position.
Limited number of officials

17. Suggestions
Continuing to organize workshop on capacity building activities for responsible officials on administrative and technical aspects of the project.
Ensuring new IAs receive sufficient training/coaching on the project implementation manuals and guidance to ensure a clear coordination and procedure; and regularly provide any update to all IAs if any.
Further strengthening coordination between NIU and IAs by various tools: retreat, sport activities, etc .

18. Additional Budget Required

19. Thank You Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Department of Import and Export
Thank You