1. Experience of Bhutan in drafting the National Trade Facilitation implementation Plan
By Pema Thinley
Trade Officer
Department of Trade
Ministry of Economic Affairs
Royal Government of Bhutan

2. Outline Introduction Trade Facilitation efforts in Bhutan
Experience of Bhutan in drafting the NTF
Conclusion

3. Introduction
Trade is an essential part of the economy –engine of growth
Bhutan being LDC - duty-free and quota- free access to European and US markets etc.
Bhutan’s trade constraints–small domestic market, and difficulties in transportation-supply side constraint
Need to increase our trade efficiency to enhance export competitiveness and market

4. Trade Facilitation(TF) efforts in Bhutan
Trade Policy - focus on creating conducive and enabling environment for trade
TF is an integral part of FYP
Economic Development Policy – encompasses a mix measures and is intended to foster trade
Diagnostic Trade Integration Study(DTIS)2012- charts out constraints and opportunities and course of action to remedy constraints and seize opportunities:
- Trade Regulations and Customs
- Transport infrastructure and services
Accession to Revised Kyoto Convention by 2014
Development of Web based system in customs clearance
Establishment of National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC)- ADB Project

5. Experience of Bhutan in Drafting the National TF Implementation Plan
Bhutan being Landlocked - Trade Facilitation is important
Fact finding mission to Bhutan was carried out in May,2012 from UNCTAD
With assistance from UNDP office in Bhutan a consultant was recruited for drafting the TF Implementation plan report.
Several consultation was held with government agencies,Pvt.Sectors and NGO for mapping of Bhutan’s trade facilitation issues and the current status.

6. Cont.
National Validation workshop was held on December,2012 with financial assistance from UNCTAD
The finding of the report was – One third of TF Measures are currently implemented (12 of 37 measures)
9 measures was categorized as B (need time for implementation)
16 measures was categorized as C (external technical and financial assistance required for implementation)

7. Expected Role of National Trade Facilitation Committee
Recently established through an executive order with Finance Secretary as a Chair and various stake holder as a members
To ensure whole of government coordination in the field of trade and transport facilitation
To continuously review the procedures required in international trade
To pursue the simplification and alignment of trade and transport documentation
propose and review the laws of customs and other stakeholder that creates barrier to trade
To address, as a national consulting body, questions related to the institutional de­ velopment of intermodal regional and international transport

8. Conclusion
Geo Politics- inhibits the development of an effective intra regional multimodal transport arrangements along the trade transit corridors.
Poor infrastructure facilities – transport vehicles, limited human and financial resources
Bhutan is committed to take the follow up action on the implementation Plan

9. Thank You