1. WTO Symposium, GENEVA,08 November, 2011 Study of Trade Facilitation Initiatives in Pakistan Implementing trade facilitation reforms: Aligning national plans with multilateral and regional commitments UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

2. Purpose of this Study Part of UNCTADs Ongoing Pakistan Trade & Transport Facilitation Project Work Program Part of UNCTADs Ongoing Pakistan Trade & Transport Facilitation Project Work Program Support for Pakistan in WTO TF Negotiations Support for Pakistan in WTO TF Negotiations Identify areas of non-compliance Identify areas of non-compliance What needs to be done to achieve compliance What needs to be done to achieve compliance Determine need for Technical Assistance Determine need for Technical Assistance Areas where additional support/funding may be necessary Areas where additional support/funding may be necessary Input to an Updated and Expanded National TF Strategy Input to an Updated and Expanded National TF Strategy

3. Perspective of the Study Not Official Government Position (views of individuals) and Does Not Represent Any Commitment by Government Not Official Government Position (views of individuals) and Does Not Represent Any Commitment by Government No Attempt to Categorize Measures in the Context of TFA Negotiations No Attempt to Categorize Measures in the Context of TFA Negotiations Did Not Try to Identify Specific Implementation Costs Did Not Try to Identify Specific Implementation Costs Findings Remain the Property of the Government of Pakistan Findings Remain the Property of the Government of Pakistan

4. Methodology Consultations with Annex D Partners Consultations with Annex D Partners Consultations with CBSG, TTFP Counterparts in Pakistan & Mission in Geneva Consultations with CBSG, TTFP Counterparts in Pakistan & Mission in Geneva Questionnaire Developed & Used as Basis for Survey Questionnaire Developed & Used as Basis for Survey Template prepared by UNCTAD and approved Template prepared by UNCTAD and approved Background/additional research including 2008 Needs Assessment Background/additional research including 2008 Needs Assessment Desk Research /Analysis Desk Research /Analysis

5. Methodology (cont) Survey/Interviews conducted by UNCTAD in Pakistan June 2011 Survey/Interviews conducted by UNCTAD in Pakistan June 2011 On-site visits where possible On-site visits where possible Only involved Public Sector stakeholders (in this phase) Only involved Public Sector stakeholders (in this phase) Key Finding presented at domestic stakeholder conference for Validation Key Finding presented at domestic stakeholder conference for Validation

6. Key Findings Pakistan Well Placed to achieve compliance with TFA, No measures beyond reach Pakistan Well Placed to achieve compliance with TFA, No measures beyond reach TF is not an alien concept (principles well understood) TF is not an alien concept (principles well understood) Significant Progress Since Needs Assessment (2008) Significant Progress Since Needs Assessment (2008) Many Measures are implemented, but not institutionalized Many Measures are implemented, but not institutionalized Measures may require fine tuning or add- ons to Achieve Compliance with the final text Measures may require fine tuning or add- ons to Achieve Compliance with the final text Need to identify Lead Agency to drive change Need to identify Lead Agency to drive change

7. Key Findings (cont) Automation (rationalization/stability) remains a key challenge to achieving progress and providing the enabling environment necessary to support other measures Automation (rationalization/stability) remains a key challenge to achieving progress and providing the enabling environment necessary to support other measures Most T.A. necessary will be in form of Capacity Building to assist in development and implementation of reform strategies (not technical) Most T.A. necessary will be in form of Capacity Building to assist in development and implementation of reform strategies (not technical) Need to aim beyond just achieving compliance with TFA to maximize returns Need to aim beyond just achieving compliance with TFA to maximize returns Concerns expressed about private sectors ability to engage in some measures / drive agenda Concerns expressed about private sectors ability to engage in some measures / drive agenda

8. Lessons Learnt Important not to underestimate Political Support still necessary, even at advanced stages Important not to underestimate Political Support still necessary, even at advanced stages Need to Aim Beyond Just Achieving Compliance with TFA Need to Aim Beyond Just Achieving Compliance with TFA Need to identify and implement Change Management Strategies and lead agency to help in Achieving Ownership of Reforms Need to identify and implement Change Management Strategies and lead agency to help in Achieving Ownership of Reforms In most circumstances the use of a National Consultant would help in conducting study (identification of suitable respondents) In most circumstances the use of a National Consultant would help in conducting study (identification of suitable respondents) The Needs Assessment was a useful starting point The Needs Assessment was a useful starting point

9. Lessons Learnt (cont) The desk research prior to conducting study helped in making it more effective /focused and saved time on the ground The desk research prior to conducting study helped in making it more effective /focused and saved time on the ground Where implementation is already underway, need to monitor with regard to final text Where implementation is already underway, need to monitor with regard to final text Costing remains a complex issue Costing remains a complex issue A well functioning national trade facilitation Committee can steer the implementation process in a better way A well functioning national trade facilitation Committee can steer the implementation process in a better way Need to help guide respondents (keep focus) without appearing dismissive (not a debate on TFA merits) Need to help guide respondents (keep focus) without appearing dismissive (not a debate on TFA merits)

10. Next Steps Consulting the Private Sector Consulting the Private Sector Look beyond TFA to broader National TF agenda Look beyond TFA to broader National TF agenda Review and Update of National TF Strategy Review and Update of National TF Strategy Develop Action Plan for updated TF Strategy Develop Action Plan for updated TF Strategy Design implementation Plans in consultation with the lead implementation Agency Design implementation Plans in consultation with the lead implementation Agency Strengthen the National Trade and Transport Facilitation committee Strengthen the National Trade and Transport Facilitation committee

11. Use experience in other countries The process in Pakistan helped developing a working methodology: The process in Pakistan helped developing a working methodology: QuestionnaireQuestionnaire InterviewsInterviews Validation WorkshopValidation Workshop And Identifying missing steps / components: And Identifying missing steps / components: Involve private sector from the startInvolve private sector from the start Aim at implementation plans with actions, budgets and calendarsAim at implementation plans with actions, budgets and calendars

12. A TACB project starting in 2012 EU funded – other donors interested EU funded – other donors interested 2012-2014 life span 2012-2014 life span 15 (volunteering) countries 15 (volunteering) countries Working in national official language Working in national official language 6-8 weeks national consultants work supported by Annex D agencies – mainly but not limited to UNCTAD 6-8 weeks national consultants work supported by Annex D agencies – mainly but not limited to UNCTAD Implementation plans as outputs Implementation plans as outputs

13. For further information Please contact: José María Rubiato jose.rubiato@unctad.org Jan Hoffmann Jan.hoffmann@unctad.org Dr Mohammad Saeed mohammad.saeed@unctad.org