1. Implementation Issues
Moldova June 2006
02/11/2019
Implementation Issues
Workshop on Trade Facilitation
Chisinau, Moldova, June 2006
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

2. Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Moldova June 2006
02/11/2019
The present situation
NGTF meetings have been mostly devoted to discussions on substantive issues;
The proposals for clarification and improvement of the three GATT articles have put forward more than 60 possible measures.
If Members reach an agreement, some of the most relevant measures will be part of a WTO binding rule.
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

3. Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
But…
There has been limited discussion on needs & priorities with regard to the tabled proposals.
Do developing countries have the capacity to implement the proposals? (para. 3)
Will developed countries commit to adequately ensure support and assistance during the negotiations? (para. 5)
Will assistance be provided after the negotiations to implement commitments in accordance with their nature and scope? (para. 6)
What about transition economies?
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

4. Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
A key issue
To reach an agreement, developing country Members wish to know:
what the rules will be? and
to what extent they will receive the TA & CA necessary to develop their capacity to implement the rule?
Only when the rule is known, they will be able to assess their needs, formulate TA &CB programmes and request S&D Treatment.
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

5. Proposed mechanism Time Year X Year X+Y Year X+Y+3
Signing the Single Undertaking
Capacity self-assessment
Notification procedure
Entry into force of the Agreement
Formulation of the Capacity Building (CB) plans
Notification of CB plans
Implementation of CB plans
Verification of Capacity acquisition
Notification of the acquisition of Capacity
Full implementation of the Agreement
Year X
Transitional provisions outside TF agreement
Year X+Y
Year X+Y+3
Provisions of the agreement regarding S&D
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

6. A possible mechanism n n+3 Capacity Acquisition N&P and Gap analysis
Moldova June 2006
02/11/2019
A possible mechanism
 [Rule enforcement suspended]
 [Commitment to enforcement] 
 [Time-limited assessment Period] 
 [S&D Individual Period ] 
Capacity Self-assessment
Capacity Building plans
Implement CB plans
Capacity Acquisition
N&P and Gap analysis
Formulation
Creation of Capacity based on notified plans
Verification
Notification
Notification
Notification Procedure
CB plans notified
Capacity implemented
Rules in force n
n+3
Time scale
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

7. Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Support from the EU
Each Member establishes its own plans;
No cut-off date for implementation;
If implementation capacity is not developed, there is no commitment;
Linkage between implementation capacity and TA & CB.
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

8. Pending issue: Assistance after Negotiations
The scope of TA & CB after negotiations remains unclear.
Required funds towards TA & CB in the area of TF are likely to increase.
BUT…..
Will these funds be sufficient to cater for the needs of developing countries?
Will these funds be equally accessible to all requesting WTO Members?
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

9. Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Do your « homework »
Take the most relevant measures and review them with a critical eye:
What have you already done ?
What can you do yourself ?
What could you do with proper TA ?
How long it may take ?
Assess your Needs and formulate your TA requirements and flexible SDT.
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation

10. Effective implementation of any TF Agenda requires:
Moldova June 2006
02/11/2019
Effective implementation of any TF Agenda requires:
Broadest possible commitment from Government institutions.
Collective and professional support from the Business community.
Integration & coordination of trade-related assistance (among donors and among implementing agencies).
Creating institutional changes takes time.
02/11/2019
Round-table on Trade Facilitation Implementation
Workshop on Trade Facilitation - Implementation

11. THANK YOU! Peter Faust (peter.faust@unctad.org)
Maxence Orthlieb
Jan Hoffmann
José Rubiato
Trade Logistics Branch
Division for Services Infrastructure
for Development and Trade Efficiency