1. ATR, NTRs, Notification Procedures and NTMs Classification in the Context of ATIGA’s Regulatory Transparency Paolo R. Vergano Institutional Strengthening Expert, ARISE 16 th CCA Meeting, 22-24 October 2014 Vientiane, Lao PDR

2. The work conducted so far Activity 1.1.2.1 The ‘Mapping Exercise’ on ASEAN disciplines on NTMs in light of the establishment of the ATR/NTRs (Confidential and Non-confidential reports); and Proposal for a “Way Forward on the Establishment and Operationalization of the NTRs and ATR”. Activity 1.1.2.2 Report on the “Definition of the ATR’s ‘Shell’ Architecture”; Report on the “Definition of the IT requirements, specifications and hardware/software needs for purposes of structuring the ATR interface and channelling the AMSs’ NTR facilities and information through it”; Report on the “Definition of key concepts and of a standard classification system for the ATR”; Report on the “Standard notification procedures and forms”; and Regional Works.hop in Jakarta on “ATR/NTR Architecture”.

3. The ongoing and prospective work AWP2 (May 2014 – April 2015) Two-day national workshops on ATR/NTR/NTMs being conducted to train AMSs’ relevant authorities. So far, these AMSs benefitted: – Myanmar (15-16 September 2014); – Philippines (18-19 September 2014); – Thailand (13-14 October 2014); and – Laos PDR (20-21 October 2014). Upcoming confirmed two-day national workshops: – Cambodia (20-21 November 2014); and – Malaysia (25-26 November 2014). Requested, but unscheduled, two-day national workshops: – Indonesia and Viet Nam (dates T.B.D. in early 2015).

4. The prospective work October 2014 – IT Expert retained to design the IT interface and software for the ATR. November 2014 – ATR/NTRs/NTMs two-day workshops held in Cambodia and Malaysia; and – IT work to design the ATR interface and software will continue. December 2014 – IT work to design the ATR interface and software to be completed and submitted to ARISE. Parallel work on ACT system (SOLVIT-like) may be launched and IT expert retained. Possible 2 nd Regional Workshop may be programmed, if need be. 4

5. The prospective work January 2015 – Verification of the correct functioning of the ATR interface and software by ARISE and ASEC; – Definition of a number of simulations (ideally one for each AMS and covering all 9 categories of transparency under Article 13 of the ATIGA) to connect the ATR to NTRs and find information. These simulations will be used to demonstrate to the CCA the mechanics and functioning of the ATR; and – IT work conducted by ARISE to revamp the ACT system and park it on the ATR. February 2015 – 17 th CCA Meeting attended in Malaysia and presentation given by ARISE with simulations used to demonstrate the mechanics and functioning of the ATR/NTRs system; and – Two-day National Workshops on ATR/NTR/NTMs held in Indonesia and Vietnam (exact dates T.B.D). 5

6. The prospective work March – May 2015 – If requested, 2 more ATR/NTRs/NTMs two-day workshops held in remaining AMSs (i.e., Brunei and Singapore); and – If requested, up to 4 Five-day National Workshops held in selected AMSs (Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand already requested such assistance) on NTM identification, classification and insertion on the NTR for linkage with the ATR. This technical assistance will require the previous compilation by each AMS requesting support of the measures to be reviewed, the use of the UNCTAD 2012 NTM Classification, and the availability of the AMS’s inter-agency coordination committee for the ATR. Cooperation with relevant donors, such as the World Bank and USAid, will be sought and encouraged. June 2015 – 18 th CCA Meeting attended in Cambodia; Status report given by ARISE to AMSs on progress towards implementation of the ATR/NTRs system. 6

7. The prospective work June – September 2015 – If requested, up to 4 more Five-day National Workshops held in selected AMSs on NTM identification, classification and insertion on the NTR for linkage with the ATR. Again, this technical assistance requires the previous compilation by each AMS requesting support of the measures to be reviewed, the use of the UNCTAD 2012 NTM Classification, and the availability of the AMS’s inter-agency coordination committee for the ATR. Cooperation with relevant donors, such as the World Bank and USAid, will again be sought and encouraged; and – If requested, technical assistance could be mobilized to assist selected AMSs in populating their NTRs and establishing the linkages to the ATR. October 2015 – 19 th CCA Meeting attended in Vietnam; Status report given to AMSs on progress towards implementation of the ATR/NTRs system. 7

8. The prospective work October – November 2015 – If requested, up to 2 more Five-day National Workshops held in selected AMSs on NTM identification, classification and insertion on the NTR for linkage with the ATR. As indicated, this technical assistance requires the previous compilation by each AMS requesting support of the measures to be reviewed, the use of the UNCTAD 2012 NTM Classification, and the availability of the AMS’s inter-agency coordination committee for the ATR. Cooperation with relevant donors, such as the World Bank and USAid, will again be sought and encouraged; and – If requested, technical assistance could be mobilized to assist selected AMSs in populating their NTRs and establishing the linkages to the ATR. December 2015 – ATR linked to all 10 AMSs and as many categories and sub-categories as possible web-linked to AMSs’ NTRs. 8

9. Final considerations Feedback from initial Two-Day National Workshops on ATR/NTR/NTMs (i.e., Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Laos PDR) ; Key issues, areas of expected technical assistance needs, resources by ARISE, NTM focus (simulations on identification/classification); Donors’ coordination (i.e., with World Bank for NTM classification and with others, such as USAid, locally involved with NTRs); Necessity that relevant authorities be attending the Workshops and be committed to actively participating. Importance that measures be collected and provided for Five-day National Workshops; and Urgency to settle the dates and sequence of Workshops to be held in AMSs (if and when requested).

10. Thank You ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU ASEAN Secretariat Jl. Sisingamangaraja 70A, Jakarta 12110 – Indonesia Tel: (+62 21) 726 2991, 724 3372 ext. 852 Fax: (+62 21) 739 8234 E-mail: arise@asean.orgarise@asean.org http://arise.asean.org