1. UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Programme: Ongoing and future projects
Azhar Jaimurzina Arántzazu Sánchez Belastegui
UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Section
Symposium on WTO Trade Facilitation for African Countries Nairobi, Kenya November 13-15, 2012

2. Content
UNCTAD’s Trade Facilitation Programme
Ongong activities: The UNCTAD project on preparing national TF implementation plans
Upcoming UNCTAD activities in Trade Facilitation

3. UNCTAD’s Trade Facilitation Programme (1)
Analysis and research
Helping to build consensus
Capacity building

4. UNCTAD’s Trade Facilitation Programme (2)
Research
Basic data, annual and quarterly reports
Technical Notes
Guidelines for national TF committees
Regional aspects of TF
Multilateral negotiations
National Implementation plans
Quartely Transport Newsletter

6. UNCTAD’s Trade Facilitation Programme (3)
Consensus building
Multilateral
Regional
National task forces

7. UNCTAD’s Trade Facilitation Programme (4)
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
UNCTAD XIII, April 2012: “[UNCTAD should] continue technical assistance, research and analysis, and dialogue on trade facilitation, transport and related issues”
Donors for the UNCTAD TF TA programme: European Union, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Nations Development Account, World Bank.
Current focus of the programme: Assisting countries in preparing and developing national TF implementation plans –UNCTAD projects on the TF Implementation Plans

8. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
General (1)
Two UNCTAD projects on implementing TF :
“Strengthening capacities of developing countries in Africa and Asia to support their effective participation in negotiating bilateral, regional and multilateral trade facilitation arrangements“
“Implementation Plans for WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in Developing Members”
Financed by the European Union, Norway and the United Nations Development Account
Duration: 2 years (2012–2013)
In cooperation with other Annex D organizations (IMF, OECD, WB and WCO)
Focus: TF Measures under negotiation in WTO

9. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
General (2)
The project’s outputs
National implementation plans: plans for the implementation of TF reforms (confidential)
The UNCTAD consolidated report: implementation challenges, including resource and time requirements and TACB needs
For the participating countries
Increased knowledge of the TF measures under consideration
Mapping out the implementation status of trade facilitation commitments
Identification of the actions needed and resource implications for full compliance
Strengthening/Launching National TF Committees
Discussion and identification of the regional activities and implementation plans

10. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Methodology (1)
Fact finding mission by UNCTAD and/or Annex D and the official launch of the project during a special meeting of the national TF committee
Collection of information by the national consultant through individual interviews with the TF stakeholders and desk-research
Preparation of the draft implementation plan by the national consultant and UNCTAD
National validation conference with the support and participation of UNCTAD/Annex D
Implementation plan on TF measures currently considered in WTO

11. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Methodology (2)
Questionnaire – Part A
For each measure,
Text of current draft consolidation negotiation text (from Rev.11 to 13)
Some background information, for example, from the '2008 Self Assessment of Trade Facilitation Needs and Priorities‘

12. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Methodology (3)
Questionnaire – Part B
15-20 questions to determine implementation status and actions/resources required for each measure
Principal questions (specific to each measure)
Secondary questions (same for every measure)

13. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Methodology (4)
Two-three day meeting combining plenary sessions and work in groups
Analysis and validation of the conclusions on:
Current status of implementation of each of the 39 trade facilitation measures under the current draft TFA;
Action plans for the non- or partially implemented measures and needs for resources and TACB
Implementation priority and category for each measure.
National Validation Conference

14. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Geographical coverage (1)
A selection of the least developed countries, middle income developing countries, landlocked countries and small island economies
Three continents and twenty countries

15. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Progress and results (1)
PREPARATION
Sudan: Dec. 12 -> Feb. 13
Suriname (WB): Dec.12 -> Feb.13
Jordan(TBC): Nov.12->March 13
INTERVIEW AND DRAFTING
Angola: May 12 -> Dec. 12
Bangladesh (OECD): July 12 -> Nov.12
Burundi: Aug.12 -> Nov. 12
Bhutan: May 12 -> Dec.12
OECS: Aug. 12 -> Feb.13
Rwanda: June 12 -> Nov.12
VALIDATION/ FINALIZING
Benin: March 12 -> June 12
Burkina Faso: Feb. 12-> June 12
Dom. Rep (WB): April 12 -> Sept.12
Gabon (WCO): March 12 -> May 12
Guatemala: March 12 -> July 12
Nepal: April 12 -> Sept. 12
Paraguay: June 12 -> Oct.12
Tanzania: Jan. 12 -> June 12
Uganda: June 12 -> Oct.12
UNCTAD/Annex D
Report
National implementation plans
National implementation plans

16. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Progress and results (2)
1. Detailed description measure per measure: the current situation
Measure
Article
Is this measure implemented?
Details on the current situation
Publication
Article 1, para.1
NO.
YES.
PARTLY.
Source: Primary questions (question B)
1- Details on the current situation
2- National law and/or administrative instructions that correspond to this measure
3. Main reasons behind the partial or complete non-compliance
4. Other
Source : Primary questions (from Question B to the second to the last question)

17. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Progress and results (3)
Implementation plan for each measure
Measure N° X : TITLE
Category
Priority
LOW HIGH
Implementation
Actions required
Already planned (Y/N)
Resources Required
Details on technical assistance
Needs for assistance (yes, no)
Type of Assistance
Potential donors
Agency which could deliver technical assistance
Time required for implementation
Leading implementation agency

18. II. UNCTAD project on the TF implementation Plans
Progress and results (4)
Lessons learned
The strong commitment from the country is a must
A WTO Needs Assessment - a good basis but not always enough
Positive impact of using national consultants
Need for regular feedback and advisory on all stages
Need for training/information session before the validation
Need for flexibility on behalf of both UNCTAD and the countries
Ensuring sustainability means continuous support for the TF committees

19. Upcoming UNCTAD activities in Trade Facilitation

20. Upcoming TF activities
Follow up to the national implementation plans: integrating regional and inter-regional components
UNCTAD study on national trade facilitation committees

21. A. Follow up to the national implementation plans: regional component
Objectives
Identify incompatibilities and synergies in bilateral and regional trade facilitation commitments, and adapt accordingly the national TF implementation plans
Identify national best practices that could be applied in other countries
Highlight needs for regional cooperation

22. Activities: 4-5 regional TF Forums
A. Follow up to the national implementation plans: regional component
Activities: 4-5 regional TF Forums
Logistics:
To be organized in 2013 in EAC, in Western Africa, in Latin America, South Asia and in the Caribbean (TBC).
Invitation of two/three experts per country and international experts
Organizational costs to be covered by UNCTAD
Content:
Selection of 5-10 measures requiring regional cooperation
Presentation of best TF practices and lessons learned
Presentation of challenges for TF identified, specially in connection with the regional initiatives and projects

23. Activities: Inter-Regional TF Forum
A. Follow up to the national implementation plans: inter-regional component
Activities: Inter-Regional TF Forum
Logistics:
To be organized in the second quarter of 2014 in Geneva
Countries from Africa and Asia (UNDA project)
Invitation of two/three experts per country
Organizational costs to be covered by UNCTAD
Content:
Presentation of best TF practices and lessons learned
Enhancing South South cooperation

24. B. UNCTAD Study on National TF Committee
UNCTAD long-standing support to the establishment of the national TF committees (NGTF) in developing countries: from a recommendation to a possible legal obligation in WTO
UNCTAD approach: Analyze best practices for setting up and operating a NTFC
UNCTAD TF Handbook Part I
UNCTAD Technical Note 18
UNCTAD online repository of national cases throughout the world
2013: An in-depth study of the NTFC together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ongoing)  Possible intergovernmental meeting in 2013 on the NTFC

25. Thank you for your attention! Questions?
Azhar Jaimurzina Arántzazu Sánchez Belastegui
UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Section