1. WTO Trade Facilitation Self Assessment of Needs – Lesotho WTO Trade Facilitation Self Assessment of Needs – Lesotho Needs and Priorities in the WTO Trade Facilitation Negotiations Workshop MASERU 11 July 2008

2. Presentation outline Background to Self assessment Background to Self assessment Workshop participation Workshop participation Measures considered Measures considered Compliant measuresCompliant measures Partially compliantPartially compliant Not compliantNot compliant Major Barriers to compliance Major Barriers to compliance Top Technical assistance needs and priorities Top Technical assistance needs and priorities Recommendations on the way forward Recommendations on the way forward Commitments made Commitments made

3. Background to SA of Needs and Priorities Self assessment of needs and priorities as a key element for technical assistance Self assessment of needs and priorities as a key element for technical assistance Determination of priorities for support during and after negotiations Determination of priorities for support during and after negotiations

4. Workshop participation Pubic sector Pubic sector Ministry of Trade, Industry, Cooperatives and MarketingMinistry of Trade, Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing Ministry of Foreign affairsMinistry of Foreign affairs Law of Office and Attorney generalLaw of Office and Attorney general Customs and ExciseCustoms and Excise Private sector Private sector Chamber of Commerce and industryChamber of Commerce and industry Central bankCentral bank Freight forwarders and clearing agentsFreight forwarders and clearing agents

5. Measures considered 35 proposed measures were considered 35 proposed measures were considered Workshop proceeded with group work Workshop proceeded with group work

6. Summary Findings Already Compliant with (10,28%) Already Compliant with (10,28%) Partially compliant with (21, 60%) Partially compliant with (21, 60%) Not compliant with (3, 9%) Not compliant with (3, 9%) Not applicable with (1, 3%) Not applicable with (1, 3%)

7. Measures Lesotho Complies with Elimination of Pre-Shipment Inspection Elimination of Pre-Shipment Inspection Pre-Arrival Processing Pre-Arrival Processing Objective Criteria For Tariff Classification Objective Criteria For Tariff Classification Detention Detention Cross border coordination Cross border coordination Phasing Out Mandatory Use of Customs Brokers Phasing Out Mandatory Use of Customs Brokers Consular requirements Consular requirements

8. Measures Lesotho Partially complies with Publication and notification of trade regulations and penalty provisions; Publication and notification of trade regulations and penalty provisions; Right of Appeal Right of Appeal Use of International standards. Use of International standards. Acceptance of Commercially available information and of copies. Acceptance of Commercially available information and of copies. Strengthened non-discrimination. Strengthened non-discrimination. Expedited Shipments Expedited Shipments Authorized Traders Authorized Traders

9. Measures Lesotho Partially complies with (cont.) Customs Cooperation Customs Cooperation Establishment of enquiry points Establishment of enquiry points Test procedures Test procedures Single window/ one time submission Single window/ one time submission

10. Measures Lesotho does not comply with Provision of Advance Rulings Provision of Advance Rulings Risk Management/Analysis Risk Management/Analysis Establishment And Publication of Average Release and Clearance Times Establishment And Publication of Average Release and Clearance Times Interval between publication and entry into force: publication for transit Interval between publication and entry into force: publication for transit

11. Major Barriers to Compliance Insufficient technical expertise, skill base and competency Insufficient technical expertise, skill base and competency Inadequate infrastructure and equipment to support technology Inadequate infrastructure and equipment to support technology No and/or Outdated legislation No and/or Outdated legislation Limited awareness on WTO issues Limited awareness on WTO issues Limited implementation of international conventions Limited implementation of international conventions

12. Top Priorities for Technical Assistance Reforms and Restructuring Reforms and Restructuring One Stop Shop as a legal enquiry point One Stop Shop as a legal enquiry point Customs Trade Programme Customs Trade Programme Risk management,Risk management, Anti- smuggling,Anti- smuggling, Post clearance audit,Post clearance audit, Policies and proceduresPolicies and procedures Establishment of legislative frameworks Establishment of legislative frameworks

13. Top Priorities for Technical Assistance Training of Personnel Training of Personnel Officials at One Stop Shop Officials at One Stop Shop Training on website development and support Training on website development and support Establishment of Customs and trade laboratory for goods analysis Establishment of Customs and trade laboratory for goods analysis Financial assistance Financial assistance Prompt publication and distribution of trade related laws and regulation and administrative rulings Prompt publication and distribution of trade related laws and regulation and administrative rulings Development of Customs Automated System Development of Customs Automated System

14. Recommendations for the way forward The existing WTO National steering Committee, particularly the Trade Facilitation working group should be strengthened The existing WTO National steering Committee, particularly the Trade Facilitation working group should be strengthened Establishment of mechanism for enactment of all agreements Establishment of mechanism for enactment of all agreements Sufficient internal consultation with all stakeholders during the negotiations Sufficient internal consultation with all stakeholders during the negotiations Customs expert participate in TF Negotiations Customs expert participate in TF Negotiations

15. Commitments made Circulate the draft report to all relevant stakeholders for comment (within 3 weeks) Circulate the draft report to all relevant stakeholders for comment (within 3 weeks) Resuscitate WTO National Steering committee to meet on quarterly basis (end of August) Resuscitate WTO National Steering committee to meet on quarterly basis (end of August) Trade facilitation working group to meet on monthly basis Trade facilitation working group to meet on monthly basis To support the Geneva negotiations To support the Geneva negotiations