1. Sheri Rosenow - WTO Trade Facilitation Section

2. 94 self-assessments of needs & priorities (2007-2010)
WTO Technical Assistance for National SELF Assessmentof Needs and Priorities on the Trade Facilitation Negotiations
94 self-assessments of needs & priorities ( )
July 2012-Members request new needs assessment project
WTO Members and Observers
Update results or first time
Funded by Trust Fund
Project Description
(WTO TF TACB website)

3. WHAT is a needs assessment?
Situational Analysis- where stand
Gap analysis- needed for compliance
A.2 INTERNET PUBLICATION
COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None___

4. Self Assessment Objectives
Identify TA/CB needs/priorities for the implementation of proposed measures
Identify SDT ABC categories
Better determination of national negotiation position for each proposed measure
Be better prepared for implementation
Develop capacity to continue assessment of needs and priorities - support negotiators

5. WHY have new needs assessment?
Update results from 1st assessment
Reforms made
Changes in negotiations
Determine Special & Differential Treatment
ABC Categories

6. Benefits: X-Ray of country situation
Better understanding of role and status of various border agencies and private sector
Better understanding of WTO TF and possible results of negotiations
Better understanding of the proposed measures
New personal relationships which will promote better cooperation
provides transparency to the process
In evaluations participants of NA have stated many other benefits that they gain during their participation
Here some most common comments in the evaluations
Based on evaluations of needs assessments.

7. WHERE is assessment conducted?
National- in your country

8. HOW is assessment conducted?
Updated Guide
Follows Negotiating Text (W/165)
+/- 40 proposed measures
Charts
Review results of 1st assessment

9. WHO will conduct assessment?
Countries that make a request
45 to date
National taskforce
Geneva delegate
Facilitators to guide the process
Others: regional organizations, donor projects, etc.

10. Stakeholders – about 30 Negotiation Support Guide TN/TF/W/51
Geneva/Brussels/Capital negotiators
Implementing agencies (Customs (5 or 6), Quarantine, Standards Board, Port Authority and Airport Authority, etc.)
Attorney General/ Legal Department (legal reform, appeal)
Ministry of Commerce (negotiations, competitiveness, trade flow, industry protection, consumer protection)
Foreign Affairs (negotiations)
Economy and Finance (trade flow, controls budget)
Ministry of Agriculture and Animals (controls requests for SPS)
Ministry of Food and Drugs (human health issues)
Ministry of Environment (human health and wildlife conservation)
Central Bank (foreign currency controls)
Private sector (big/small, importer/exporter, carrier, cargo forwarders and owner, Chamber of Commerce, shippers association, cargo forwarders association, main industries, etc.)
Negotiation Support Guide TN/TF/W/51

11. Facilitators WTO Secretariat International and Regional organizations
Experts from national customs administrations
In-country donor projects

12. Role of Geneva/Brussels Delegate
Importance of TF and NA
Coordinate with capital, WTO, facilitators
Presentation on WTO and TF
Encourage work groups – get what need
Work with facilitators/coordinators
Report to NGTF
Follow-up questionnaire
Ensure maximum results!

13. Path to Implementation
Situation Analysis
Gap Analysis
Identify Resources
Implementation
Identify the measures with which you already comply, and those with which you will need to become compliant
Identify the specific legal, procedural, and organizational changes that need to be made and the timeframe for implementation.
Identify persons, resources, deliverables, and deadlines to resolve each of the identified gaps.
Reform:
Legislation
Regulations
Organization
etc.
To align to Kyoto standards, the Guide suggests a sequence of activities. First, there should be a “situational analysis,” where customs technical experts compare the national situation with the Kyoto standards and identify all the gaps. This stage is then followed by a more detailed “gap analysis”, where the Project Management Team (or persons appointed by them) identifies the specific changes that must be made to the Customs Act, to implementing rules, procedures and/or technical requirements (i.e., changes in ASYCUDA, if any). Once the gap analysis is complete, the Project Management Team should develop an action plan to identify what work must be done, in what sequence and by what timeframes, and by whom.

14. Stages SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS GAP ANALYSIS SPECIFIC ACTIONS REQUIRED
RESOURCES NEEDED
COST OF REQUIRED RESOURCES
We have . . .
We don’t have. . .
Legal provision missing…
Amend X articles of law
n lawyer(s)
Daily Rate (range) x Days (range)
We do this . . .
We don’t do this . ..
No understanding of requirements…
Training
n trainer(s)
Declaration processing system needs to be changed…
1. Analyze
2. Develop Software
3. Test software
4. Roll out
n business analysts
n software engineers
n testers
etc.
Not part of WTO
Assessment

15. Calculation of Needed Resources
Proposals more focused
Improve on experience of first assessments
Guide
More guidance on what might be needed to implement
Correct stakeholders
Encourage accuracy of details

16. Results of the Week Chart for each measure with:
Situational and Gap analysis
Resources needed
Implementation/TA needs
Overall compliance level
SDT ABC category
Estimated time needed to implement
Executive report compile/analyze results
Results are confidential- for your use only

17. When? Provide preferred time period Appropriate facilitators available
LDC priority

18. What WTO provides: Logistical/administrative arrangements
Training for Geneva delegates
Facilitators
Guide and other Materials
Complete kit: Model invitation letters, Powerpoint slides, instructions for secretary, certificates for participants . . .
Quality control

19. COST$ Can you provide? Participation of Geneva Delegate Meeting room
Coffee breaks and lunches
You Shall provide:
Meeting equipment, laptops, projector, etc.
Secretary
You provide if necessary:
Interpretation
Sit-in fees
Travel of participants
Secretary fees

20. How to Request
Official letter requesting a WTO trade facilitation needs assessment
Notification - electronic
Geneva delegate
Capital coordinator

21. Now! When to Request? But can apply anytime! Preparation time
Better overall plan
trust fund
facilitators
Get in queue
But can apply anytime!

22. Status of Requests from Africa:
Angola
Lesotho
Botswana
Malawi
Burkina Faso
Mauritius
Cape Verde
Morocco
Central African Republic
Mozambique
Democratic Republic of Congo
Namibia
Egypt
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Sudan
Gabon
Swaziland
Ghana
Zambia
Kenya
Zimbabwe

23. –
(easily found through A-Z list
on main webpage)

24. Sheri Rosenow - WTO Trade Facilitation Section

25. National Needs Assessment Agenda
Advance meeting- hi-level officials/private sector
Day 1: facilitator & Geneva delegate presentations
Background WTO and TF negotiations
Guide
Divide into working groups
Day 2-4: Needs assessment in working groups
Day 4: Review of initial assessment in plenary
Day 5: analyze results & present to high-level officials and private sector

26. Results of the Week Completed chart for each proposal Summary report
Powerpoint presentation
Results are confidential- for your use only

27. Calculation of cost$ of implementation?
Self Assessment
Invite government specialists in costing
Invite your donors
Send results to your donors

28. Preparation Official request Notify WTO
Identify Coordinators & Stakeholders
Set dates
Coordinate with WTO and facilitators

29. C.1 PROVISION OF ADVANCE RULINGS
Basic Standard: A Member shall issue legally binding rulings in a timely manner, and in advance
of the relevant trade transaction, at the request of an interested person who has provided the Member
with all necessary information
COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None:
Current situation relative to the Basic Standard. Describe in detail.
Barriers to meeting Basic Standard
Actions needed to meet basic standard (Consider needs in legal framework, administrative policy, human resources, training, equipment, organization, change management. If possible include estimated costs and/or implementation times.)
What can be done locally to address barriers? (Specify in detail)
Is Technical Assistance or Capacity Building support needed? If yes, specify in detail.
Priority for Technical Assistance: High: Medium: Low: None: Comments:
Lead agency or organization and other stakeholders that would be responsible for implementation of this measure:
Stakeholders not participating in assessment of this measure(s) that should be consulted:
Issues to note (any comments or recommendations for negotiators, etc.):

30. Results? Chart for each measure
Situational analysis- where stand
Gap analysis- implementation/TA needs in enough detail to estimate resources
Overall compliance level
SDT ABC category
Estimated time needed to implement
Executive report compile/analyze results
ALL RESULTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL