SECOND PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT - International Trade Centre · 2018-09-24 · advancing afghan trade eu trade-related assistance second project progress report 01 july 2017 - 30 june

ADVANCING AFGHAN TRADE

EU TRADE-RELATED ASSISTANCE

SECOND PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

01 July 2017 - 30 June 2018

29 June 2018

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Context of the Action ............................................................................................................................... 6

2. Executive Summary of the Action .......................................................................................................... 7

2.1 Output 1: GIRoA owns a national export strategy and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private sector, and has started its implementation ......................................... 7

2.2 Project Coordination and Management ............................................................................................. 8

2.3 Output 2: National public and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the National Export Strategy and mobilise support to implement the validated roadmaps 10

2.4 Output 3: Priority interventions identified during the National Export Strategy design process are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness ............................... 11

2.5 Output 4: Knowledge sharing mechanisms for GIRoA staff on trade policy/negotiation formulation and implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from the region ....................... 16

2.6 Output 5: Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the TFA are established at national level and linked with regional partners ........................................................................................... 17

2.7 Output 6: SME knowledge of how to manage national cross-border procedures and compliance with regional and/or global market requirements is built encompassing priority markets (building on NES findings) ........................................................................................................................................................ 19

2.8 Output 7: Public-private consultation process on domestic/regional key pressing trade policy/regulatory/negotiation issues is strengthened ................................................................................... 20

3. Actual Results ......................................................................................................................................... 22

4. Activities carried out during the reporting period .............................................................................. 34

4.1 OUTPUT 1: GIRoA owns a national export strategy and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private sector, and has started its implementation ....................................... 34

4.2 OUTPUT 2: National public and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the NES and mobilise support to implement the validated roadmaps ........................... 45

4.3 OUTPUT 3: Priority interventions identified during the NES design process are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness ......................................................... 52

4.4 OUTPUT 4: Knowledge sharing mechanisms for GIRoA staff on trade policy/negotiation formulation and implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from the Region ... 66

4.5 OUTPUT 5: Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the TFA are established at national level and linked with regional partners ........................................................................................... 79

4.6 OUTPUT 6: SME knowledge of how to manage national cross-border procedures and compliance with regional and/or global market requirements is built encompassing priority markets (building on NES findings) ........................................................................................................................................................ 88

4.7 OUTPUT 7: Public-private consultation process on domestic/regional key pressing trade policy/regulatory/negotiation issues is strengthened ................................................................................... 92

5. Overarching Focus on Trade Learning and Capacity Building for Regional Co-operation throughout all the above components ....................................................................................................... 103

6. Difficulties encountered and measures taken ................................................................................... 104

7. Implementation of the Visibility and Communication Plan .............................................................. 105

8. Request for payment ............................................................................................................................ 111

9. WORK PLAN FOR YEAR 3 ................................................................................................................... 111

ANNEX I: MEDIA REPORT: 1 JULY 2017 – 30 JUNE 2018 ........................................................................ 114

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS USED

ACCI Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce

ACE Afghanistan Center of Excellence

AICF Afghanistan Investment Climate Facility

AISA Afghanistan Investment Support Agency

ANPDF Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework

ANSA Afghanistan National Standards Agency

ANTP Afghanistan National Trade Policy

ATAR Afghanistan Trade and Revenue

AWBF Afghan Women's Business Federation

BMZ Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

CBM Curriculum-based measurement

CEO Chief Executive Office

CWS Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade

DFID Department for International Development

DG Director General

DM Deputy Minister

EIF European Investment Fund

EPAA Export Promotion Agency Of Afghanistan

EU European Union

EUD European Delegation To Afghanistan

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

GIRoA Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

GIZ Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Development Agency)

HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point

HEC High Economic Council

ICC Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce

IIFT Indian Institute of Foreign Trade

IMCTF Inter-Ministerial Commission on Trade Facilitation

IMCWTF Inter-Ministerial Committee on WTO and TF

ISO International Organization for Standardization

IT Information Technology

ITC International Trade Center

LEAD Leading Entrepreneurs of Afghanistan for Development

MAIL Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock

MoIC Ministry of Commerce and Industries

MoPH Ministry of Public Health, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

NES National Export Strategy

NFF Note For File

NNA National News Agency

NTFC National Trade Facilitation Committee

PPD Public Private Dialogue

PPDP Public-Private Development Partnership

PPT PowerPoint Presentation

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RSVP Répondez s'il vous plaît

RTFCM Regional Trade Facilitation Committee

SIMT Strategy Implementation Management Tool

SME Small and medium-sized enterprises

SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary

TBC To Be Confirmed

TBT Technical Barriers to Trade

TF Trade Facilitation

TFA Trade Facilitation Agreement

TSI Trade Support Institutions

UNAMA United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

UNCTAD United Nations Conference of Trade and Development

USAID United States Agency for International Development

USD US Dollar

VC Video Conference

WTO World Trade Organization

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1. CONTEXT OF THE ACTION

Name of beneficiary of Delegation Agreement: International Trade Centre (ITC)

Title of Action: Trade-Related Assistance for Afghanistan

EC CRIS Number: ACA/2016/376-500

Start and end date of reporting period: 1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018

Background

The Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) recognises international trade as an important

driver of growth, for which it has prioritized trade, transit, and regional cooperation as critical elements in its

economic development strategy. It is committed to trade reforms aimed at unlocking the potential of the

country's export sector, which is evident from recent initiatives undertaken by the country such as accession

to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ratification of WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). However,

this changing trade environment requires solid understanding of trade issues, design and implementation of

legislative reforms and their enforcement through institutionalized mechanisms.

The three-year project, funded by the European Union (EU), worth EUR 4 550 000, will assist the GIRoA in

improving the conditions to use trade as a lever for confidence building, enhanced regional cooperation,

economic and human development and poverty reduction. It aims to strengthen human and institutional

capacity on trade policy and strategy formulation and implementation with the active engagement of the private

sector. The project, which is in line with Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF)

2017 - 2021, started in August 2016 and will run until August 2019.

The projects takes into account the country-specific needs of Afghanistan related to enhanced regional trade

cooperation, particularly taking into account the focus of both the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference

on Afghanistan (RECCA) and the Heart of Asia Process on positioning Afghanistan as a regional trade hub in

Central Asia and promoting enhanced regional cooperation.

The project is being executed under the Asia Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme 2014-2020. In line

with the Agenda for Change, EU regional programmes aim at supporting a broad-based process of dialogue

and collaboration between Central Asian countries, promoting an environment conducive to a non-

confrontational approach within the region, notably in areas sensitive to overall political and social instability.

Project partners and beneficiaries

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is in charge of trade policy formulation/trade negotiations in

Afghanistan and is the main counterpart and beneficiary of this project. National institutions and agencies such

as the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Afghanistan National Standards Authority

(ANSA), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), sectoral trade and investment support

organizations, universities and research institutions, the private sector and non-governmental partners also

contribute to and benefit from various project activities.

Project objectives

The foreseen impact is “enhanced trade and regional integration of Afghanistan as a lever for confidence

building, economic and human development and poverty reduction.” It is through strengthening institutional

capacity to formulate and implement effective trade policies and strategies with a special focus on regional

cooperation, engaging private sector to participate in trade policy reforms and dialogue, and building

sustainable mechanisms to invest in human capital and to ensure local ownership, that this is being advanced.

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Results expected from the project National Export Strategy (NES) design

The GIRoA owns a NES and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private

sector and has started its implementation.

The NES analyses the country’s needs, constraints and opportunities (especially in the regional markets)

to provide a well-articulated roadmap to strengthen Afghanistan’s supply and export capacities, implement

trade reforms, identify regional partners and potential investment opportunities and address Small and

Medium Enterprises (SMEs’) knowledge of cross-border procedures.

The NES implementation commences with a focus on quality management, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and regional regulatory cooperation:

National public and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the

NES and mobilize support to implement the validated roadmaps.

Priority interventions identified during the NES design process are implemented to improve regional

integration and international trade competitiveness.

Trade Policy and Facilitation

Capacity building on trade policy: Knowledge-sharing mechanisms for Afghan policymakers on trade policy

and negotiation formulation and implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from

the region. Ove 50 national policymakers will be trained.

National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) strengthening: Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the

implementation of the TFA are operationalized and trained and linked with regional partners.

SME Training: Knowledge of SMEs on how to manage cross-border procedures and compliance with

regional and/or global market requirements is built (building on NES findings to include priority markets).

Consultation process: Public-private consultation processes on most pressing trade, regulatory or

negotiation issues (domestic or regional) are strengthened.

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE ACTION

2.1 Output 1: GIRoA owns a national export strategy and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private sector, and has started its implementation

Following the first consultation, preliminary draft sector and cross-sector strategic plans of action were further

elaborated through provincial consultations held in Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat and Kandahar. Bilateral meetings

with sector experts and key international buyers as well as factory visits complemented these consultations

with the objective of sharpening assessments and strategic considerations. Subsequently, NES plans of action

were refined and validated during the Second National Consultation held in Kabul in October, 2017. Further,

collective efforts were invested in securing alignment of the NES with other development initiatives or

frameworks, such as the Agri-Business Charter and the National Priority Programs on Private Sector

Development and Agriculture.

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This highly participatory and inclusive strategy development process resulted in the realization of the National

Export Strategy (NES) of Afghanistan. The NES was developed and completed under the co-leadership of the

MoIC and ACCI, in close collaboration with MAIL and ANSA, and with the technical support of ITC.

The national and sector export strategy documents were produced and are available in both English and Dari

versions. These documents include:

A main NES document, which contains Trade Support Functional strategies, offering critical support across

value chains and acting as enablers for sector development. Trade Support Functions are: quality

management, trade facilitation, trade information and promotion, skills development, business and

professional services, and access to finance.

Individual NES priority sector strategies packaged as separate documents, but in alignment with the main

NES findings and overarching strategic objectives. Priority sectors are: dried fruits and nuts, fresh fruits and

vegetables, saffron, precious stones and jewellery, carpets, and marble and granite.

The NES and its implementation plan constitute a home-grown blueprint to guide the joint efforts of the

Government, the private sector and its international development partners to increase competitiveness of the

Afghan export sector, and to contribute to socio-economic development of the country. The NES was

presented and officially endorsed at the High Economic Council, the Afghan Council of Ministers and the

Executive Committee of Private Sector Development.

In view of building on the significant momentum gained as part of the NES design process and mobilise the

required resources for its effective implementation, a high-level official NES launch event and donor roundtable

meeting was held on 10 and 11 June, 2018 respectively. The launch ceremony of the NES served to present

main findings, strategic axes and implementation management framework and marked the official start of the

implementation phase of the Strategy.

Short-term outcomes:

An architecture that focuses national efforts on strategic orientations and priority actions for national and

sector trade development.

Improved public and private dialogue supporting the development of a national export culture.

Empowered national stakeholders capable of contributing trade policy design activities.

Large consensus reached on national and sector-specific competitiveness issues and opportunities.

Enhanced awareness of available options for export development and how to mainstream trade into

national planning and policies.

Stakeholders perceive as a priority the need to address quality and SPS issues and build a conductive

technical environment.

Improved national ability to receive and use Aid for Trade.

2.2 Project Coordination and Management

The first Project Steering Committee meeting was held in Kabul on 31 July, 2017. ITC presented progress on

all aspects of the project and responded to stakeholder inputs. The year two project workplan was presented

and approved.

A project office in Kabul was maintained to ensure the day-to-day coordination of project implementation. A

local Project Coordinator and Project Administrative Associate coordinated and implemented the project locally

supported by an ITC headquarters team based in Geneva.

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During the reporting period four quarterly reports were carried out and shared with MoIC and EUD for their

awareness and feedback. The reports provided a brief summary of progress made for each output during the

past quarter; immediate next steps for the next quarter; a full summary of all media coverage received, and;

finally flagged key support required from MoIC and other key stakeholders.

The project was promoted through extensive media coverage of key events, including at the Herat and Kabul

NES stakeholder consultations; NES presentation and subsequent endorsement at the High Economic

Council, the Council of Ministers and the Executive Committee of Private Sector Development (PriSEC); NES

launch; Afghanistan National Trade Policy consultative meeting; trade policy learning initiative (i.e.

Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme); Afghanistan – Uzbekistan: Stakeholder consultation

to enhance trading relations; national workshops on the implementation of the WTO TFA (as part of the trade

facilitation component).

A total of 104 press releases/articles were producedfour project quarterly newsletters (extensively distributed

within the region and Afghanistan, including distributing to the members of ACCI,AWCCI, MOIC, MAIL, ANSA

and EPAA through translated Dari version).The project was also covered widely through social media forums,

including Facebook and Twitter and also featured on main news stations during the endorsement and launch

of the NES and National Trade Policy Consultation.

The AAT project team coordinated a mission to Kabul for the ITC Executive Director Arancha González

between 8 and 11 June, 2018. During her visit, high level meetings were held with Mohammad Ashraf Ghani,

President; Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, Humayoon Rasaw and Kamila Sidiqi, Minister and

Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce respectively; Naheed Saravi, Deputy Minister of Finance; Pierre

Mayaudon, European Union Ambassador to Afghanistan. Additionally, Ms Gonzalez attended the launch of

the NES and related donor roundtable meeting and provided presentation; held a roundtable meeting with

Afghan business leaders / entrepreneurs, and; participated in media interviews. The presence of Ms Gonzalez

provided much visibility and guidance to the AAT project.

A project workplan for May – December 2018, was prepared and approved by MoIC. The preparing of an

interim workplan at this stage was significant as it coincided with the final endorsement of the NES in April,

2018, and the project thus entering a second phase in its lifecycle whereby in addition to continuing to

implement core agreed upon areas of focus at the outset of the project (specifically: trade policy; trade

facilitation; quality management; NES) the project would seek to enter new areas by implementing aspects of

the NES (under output 3). This approach was according to original project design. Accordingly the new agreed

areas were as follows:

Sub-output 3.1: Quality management – with also a focus on the saffron sector as pilot to reach SMEs.

Sub-output 3. 2: Building performance: Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPPA).

Sub-output 3.3: Increase access to finance for Afghan SMEs in the saffron sector.

Sub-output 3.4: Support to “Start-ups and Emerging Entrepreneurs Network” (SEEN) and “young

agripreneurship” in the saffron sector.

Sub-output 3.5: Support to the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (focus: saffron).

These interventions will be explained in more details under the sections below.

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2.3 Output 2: National public and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the National Export Strategy and mobilise support to implement the validated roadmaps

A key success criterion for the success of the Afghanistan’s NES lies on the country’s ability to coordinate

activities, monitor progress and mobilize resources for its implementation. Therefore, ITC places special

attention on building and reinforcing strategy implementation management capacities of Afghan national

stakeholders, most particularly the NES Secretariat i.e. MoIC-EPAA. Accordingly, NES Secretariat members

and key MoIC staff have received initial training on NES implementation planning, management techniques

and resource mobilization. Subsequent capacity-building workshops will focus on supporting MoIC and other

ministries and agencies to develop project proposals and concept notes, based on strategic actions outlined

in the NES strategy documents. Moreover, advisory services were provided to assist the definition and

operationalization of an adequate governance structure for NES implementation management and support

mobilization.

Furthermore, an interactive strategy management system – Strategy Implementation Management Tool

(SIMT) – has been customized to the country’s needs. The SIMT will serve to increase coordination, create

reports and monitor the progress of implementation of NES’ plans of action activities. It will also contribute to

improve the synchronization and alignment of national policies and trade-related technical assistance. NES

Secretariat members and key MoIC staff were introduced and capacitated in the operationalization of the tool.

ITC pursued efforts and advisory support to position the strategy within the economic and social development

framework of the country and within national development priorities. The main objective was to improve the

efficiency of the implementation management framework and secure the level of support provided by country

counterpart organisations to maintain the momentum and therefore influence the outcome of the process. To

do so, ITC worked towards stimulating policy convergence and political cohesion around the NES so that the

strategy becomes a rallying document for trade competitiveness. Support was provided to ensure NES’

alignment with the following main existing plans, policies and initiatives to secure the institutional support and

political consideration required. Most of these documents refer to the strategy as one of their preferred tool of

implementation.

NPP on private sector development

Agri-business charter

Ministry of Mines and Petroleum’s strategy on Marble

MAIL’s plan

Industrial park proposal

Bilateral meetings and donor roundtables were organized with the double objective of apprising and sensitizing

development partners on NES' findings and related opportunities, and identifying synergies and alignment with

ongoing and planned initiatives and NES implementation. Partners include EU, USAID, Aga Khan, GIZ, DFID,

among others.


Awareness raised and initial conditions set towards the operationalization of an adequate governance

structure to build the required collaboration and coordination (between national and sectoral public and

private implementing institutions) to secure NES’ endorsement and implementation.

MoIC perceives the NES as an instrument to improve the ability of the country to receive and utilize Aid-

for-Trade: Identifying, prioritizing and allocating resources, including development partners’ outreach, to

successfully activate NES implementation.

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Awareness raised and initial conditions set to set-up and enable an interactive strategy management

system to effectively monitor NES progress, assess impact, identify gaps and duplications, and measure

results.

Enhanced harmonization of donors’ support and alignment of TRTA interventions in the country.

Next steps:

Support the MoIC-EPAA and sectoral coordinating committees with tailored capacity- building trainings,

advisory support and specialized tools on NES implementation planning, management techniques and

resource mobilisation. These will contribute to:

o Defining and operationalizing an adequate governance structure to build collaboration and

coordination between national and sectoral public and private implementing institutions.

o Setting-up and enabling interactive strategy management systems to effectively monitor progress,

assess impact, identify gaps and duplications, and measure results.

o Identifying, prioritizing and allocating resources, including development partners outreach, to

successfully activate implementation.

2.4 Output 3: Priority interventions identified during the National Export Strategy design process are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness

Background

The project design document, “Trade-Related Assistance for Afghanistan” states:

“Priority interventions identified during the National Export Strategy design process will be implemented in

order to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness. Based on key issues identified

and detailed in action fiches developed during the NES design process, priority interventions are implemented.

The “quick win” activities implemented will create tangible results by creating the momentum necessary to

improve specific issues constraining Afghanistan trade competitiveness. Given the established need to

strengthen the quality and SPS infrastructures in Afghanistan, a number of indicative activities have already

been highlighted as priorities. These activities will be validated during the NES design process in close

consultation with the private and public sector”.

Accordingly, at the outset of the project it was agreed to already commence implementation of activities in the

area of quality management, in the knowledge that it will comprise part of the NES being developed under the

project. Therefore the below details progress on 1) Quality management; 2) Identification of priority

interventions during the NES design process and development of work plan to address during AAT project

lifecycle (Until August 2019).

Quality management

The preliminary assessment of the quality and SPS institutions, the bilateral meetings, the large consultation

with the public and private stakeholders during the design of the quality cross functional strategy of the NES

confirmed the serious challenges within its quality and SPS domain, the need to build a foundation for

developing a quality culture in the country and address institutional capacity gaps for priority services to support

enterprises in a sustainable manner. SPS measures are recognised as urgent areas to be addressed.

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The public and private sectors have reached consensus on a Plan of Action (PoA) of the NES quality chapter

that sets the path to reach the national vision: “Quality brings changes and boosts prosperity: Afghan products

meet the regulatory and buyers’ requirements of target markets, supported by an adequate physical and

institutional quality infrastructure”. An important momentum has been built to address quality-related issues.

In addition to the initial priority action plan that was agreed with ANSA with a special focus on standardization,

technical regulations, conformity assessment and in particular certification, metrology, training capacity, the

2018 project workplan to implement key NES priority actions in the area of quality management was developed

and approved. A first series of training and capacity building workshops were prepared and delivered. Other

priorities, in particular regarding SPS, food safety, plant health and animal health that were confirmed last year

have also commenced in parallel with the development of the NES. Saffron is being selected as a pilot priority

sector to initiate implementation of enterprise related activities.


Awareness raised on the difference between mandatory and voluntary standards and initial conditions

required to comply with international requirements to become competitive.

Over 300 government and business stakeholders trained in the area of standards, metrology, technical

regulations, and WTO TBT and SPS Agreements through in-country and trainings in India.

Stakeholders engagement with ANSA, MAIL, Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and MoIC, other related

quality-SPS institutions and sector associations. Additional strengthening of their roles and responsibilities

to support and facilitate formal trade.

ANSA is perceived as critical institutions for compliance with WTO post-accession commitments and

needed to support exporters.

Food safety and established coordinated efforts on food safety controls are perceived as a critical area to

address by PriSEC and government.

Procedures drafted for the development of technical regulations and standards according to international

practices.

Initial capacity built on standards development, adoption and promotion.

Initial capacity built on development of technical regulations.

Capacity built of ANSA staff of the metrology lab.

Networks with WTO SPS and TBT secretariats and partners institutions in Canada initiated to strengthen

TBT-SPS National Enquiry Points and National Notification Authorities.

Awareness and interest raised for potential partnership between a lead Italian buyer and producers of

saffron.

NES priority interventions identified and implemented

The development of the NES design through a stakeholder consultation process was finalised when the

document received endorsement by the Government of Afghanistan through its high level decision making

body - the High Economic Council, on 3 April, 2018. Accordingly, and as per AAT project design, the project

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would then further seek to implement some key aspects of the NES during its project lifecycle (until August,

2019).

This project is contributing to this endeavour by focusing on areas agreed upon during its inception phase (i.e.

Trade policy, quality, trade facilitation) within its budget limitation. These agreed intervention will be further

continued as per the agreed work plan.

Additionally, under Output 3, ITC will prioritize strengthening the saffron sector’s export competiveness as a

pilot project (one key sector for which the NES has developed a detailed action plan). Accordingly, a work plan

of activities to be further implemented under project outputs was endorsed by MoIC in May 2018. In intervening

in saffron value chain, ITC will provide support to:

- Sub-output 3.1: Quality management – with also a focus on the saffron sector as pilot to reach SMEs.

- Sub-output 3. 2: Building performance: Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPPA)

- Sub-output 3.3: Increase access to finance for Afghan SMEs in the saffron sector

- Sub-output 3.4: Support to “Start-ups and Emerging Entrepreneurs Network” (SEEN) and “young agripreneurship” in the saffron sector

- Sub-output 3.5: Support to the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (focus: saffron)

The following details further next steps to implement this during the next year of the AAT project.

Next steps

Sub-output 3.1: Quality management – with also a focus on the saffron sector as pilot to reach SMEs

Activities will include amongst others the following:

Capacity building on standards development, adoption and promotion, including development of

awareness-raising and sensitization materials and tools (including sector specific - saffron as pilot).

Capacity building for development of training of trainers and curriculum on training on ISO standards.

Strengthening TBT and SPS NEPs and the National Notification Authority through training and twining .

Development of National Quality Policy to ensure harmonization of efforts, obtain political support and

reduce duplication and overlap.

ANSA strategic Plan and operation plan updated.

Strengthening the metrology service.

Capacity building on certifications and management system.

Enhanced knowledge and understanding on food control and food authority.

Sub-output 3. 2: Building performance: Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA)


August/September:

o Undertake assisted self-assessment of EPAA (by remote via benchmarking platform)

Visit EPAA to confirm assessment result and consult on readiness roadmap

Develop readiness roadmap, including development priorities

August/September:

o Confirm training/workshop programme for September-December period

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Sub-output 3.3: Increase access to finance for Afghan SMEs in the saffron sector


Approach: AAT project will support SMEs in the saffron sector by building their financial management

capacity through the establishment and strength of local affordable and independent financial management

advisory services. The approach has three main objectives:

Objective one: Improve financial management skills of beneficiary enterprises:

o Activity: July/August 2018: Herat and Kabul – Joint mission with EU-funded saffron, STDF-funded

quality and NES projects.

- Objective two: Agreed work plans and expectations for next 6 to 12 months, SME beneficiaries and

financial management counsellors selected for initial phase of review, training and advisory services.

o Develop independent and affordable financial counselling support for SMEs in the target region and

sector.

o Activity: ITC mission 1: July/August 2018: Herat and Kabul – (As above) – In addition meet with First

MicroFinance Bank, Afghanistan, Afghanistan Credit and SIDA Credit Guarantee schemes and other

financing institutions such as ISDB / ITFC.

o ITC Mission 1: Financial Management Counsellors (FMCs). FMCs visit and complete profiling and

performance reviews of, SMEs and communities to work with using ITC AFI tools and methodologies .

Objective three: Working arrangements and expectations agreed with key stakeholders, work plans agreed

for next 6 to 12 months; Initial group of FMCs selected:

o ITC Mission 2: Herat and Kabul (September): Range of follow-up activities (including: FMC training

completion; Access to Finance and Investment (AFI) local Information platform concept review; Tools

and materials transfer to FMCs and FMC host organisations; Quality and progress review / advice

and coaching of FMC enterprise information gathering and reporting; Enterprise financing proposals

reviewed:

o Facilitate access to funding for qualified SMEs leveraging existing schemes, such as the Credit

Guarantee Fund Afghanistan and the SIDA’s guarantee instrument.


agripreneurship” in the saffron sector


July/August:

o Engagement with Start-ups and Emerging Entrepreneurs Network (SEEN)

o Undertake assisted self-assessment of SEEN (by remote via benchmarking platform)

August/September:

o Visit SEEN and develop readiness roadmap

o Identify training partners in Herat region for the saffron sector

o Plan business and technical training programme for September-December period

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Sub-output 3.5: Support to the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (focus:

saffron)

Approach: Development of specific interventions to support AWCCI. This intervention will broadly focus on (i) the need to support the trade promotion activities of women-focused business associations in particular through building their capacity to fulfil their mandate as well as (ii) the need to enable women to tap into market opportunities through matchmaking events, support to establish business linkages with potential buyers in regional and international markets with a specific focus on saffron.

Immediate interventions include:

2 women participants selected by AWCCI will attend an ITC flagship event “SheTrades Global” on 26-28

June, Liverpool, UK. Over 500 women from across the world will participate in the event in search of new

trade and investment opportunities.

As part of the programme the two selected participants have been / will further complete short course on

trade related topics provided by ITC.

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2.5 Output 4: Knowledge sharing mechanisms for GIRoA staff on trade policy/negotiation formulation and implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from the region

20 Afghan officials benefited from successfully completing a 7 month “Afghanistan, WTO and International

Trade Programme”. The initiative built the capacity of participants in the area of trade policy formulation and

implementation - with a particular focus on WTO agreements and their implementation, including in the Afghan

context. The programme was implemented by the Delhi based Centre for WTO studies (CWS), following a

partnership agreement signed between MoIC, CWS and ITC in March 2017.

Under the programme, the participants – mostly officials from MoIC with a few representatives from the private

sector (ACCI), academia (Kabul University; APPRO) completed four week long trainings (comprising an

introductory and three advanced trainings) as well as one week long study tour. All participants were regularly

tested and successfully passed and thus were each awarded a certificate of completion at the end of the

programme.

In short the subjects covered included:

Why countries trade? Introduction to WTO TRIMS Agreement

Advanced WTO and FTAs

Introduction to Trade Data Sources and Analysis

Introduction to Trade Litigation Advanced Trade Litigation

Introduction to WTO and Free Trade Agreements

Advanced Trade Data Sources and Analysis

Policy Flexibilities under WTO

Afghanistan in World Trade Market Access and Trade Composition

Advanced WTO TRIPS Agreement

Introduction to Basic Provisions of GATT

Afghanistan's WTO Commitments and FTAs

New Issues: Electronic Commerce

Introduction to WTO Agreement on Agriculture

Advanced WTO Agreement on Agriculture

New Issues: Investment Facilitation

Introduction to WTO SPS and TBT Agreements

Advanced Basic Provisions of GATT

Negotiating Strategies

Introduction to Trade Remedies Advanced Trade Remedies New Issues: MSME and Gender

Introduction to GATS Advanced WTO TBT Agreement Regulatory Impact Assessment

Introduction to WTO TRIPS Agreement

Advanced WTO SPS Agreement Recent Developments in International Trade

Role of Research and Stakeholders Consultations

Advanced GATS and Services Agreements in FTAs

Study Tour

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Additionally the training programme included a study tour, whereby participants learnt first-hand from officials Indian ministries, customs agencies, business associations, trade promotion agencies, and special export zones their 1) views of trade-related challenges; 2) involvement in trade policy formulation, implementation, trade negotiations and trade promotion; and 3) Interface between government and industry.

As part of the programme, Kabul University and APPRO benefited from CWS mentoring to develop curriculum

on trade policies and international trade. Kabul University has developed the structure and accompanying

curriculum for a course "Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade" that is anticipated to be taught over 15

lectures in Kabul following approval. The course, which is pending approval from the Ministry of Higher

Education, will provide a comprehensive overview and a detailed understanding of various aspects relating to

international trade. It covers topics from the economic, policy and legal perspectives.

Short-term outcomes

Participants were rapidly familiarized with international trade regulation and the world trading system

(particular WTO) and informed of the global picture and objectives of a trade policy in the context of

Afghanistan's wider regional and development objectives.

Developed proficient professional knowledge of the core staff in charge of trade policy

formulation/implementation so that they perform tasks in their respective functions, administrations and

governments.

Participants exposed to wide-range of organisations involved in the trade policy formulation,

implementation, negotiation, trade promotion and advocacy.

Sustainability through local ownership and expertise developed to implement home-grown curriculum.

Next steps

Two best performing participants to attend month long internship placement in Delhi, August, 2018 aimed

at enhancing their on-the-job skills.

Second intake of participants to commence 7 month programme: “Afghanistan, WTO and International

Trade Programme” in September. Fine-tuning of programme prior to then to ensure that it is responsive to

the needs of second intake.

Further advisory services for Kabul University faculty to develop/run programme "Afghanistan, WTO and

International Trade".

Development of practical advisory manual to assist practitioners

2.6 Output 5: Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the TFA are established at national level and linked with regional partners

At the time of developing the project, the activities in this output focussed on establishing and operationalizing

Afghanistan’s National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), the establishment of which is a mandatory

requirement of the WTO TFA. However, by the time the project started, Afghanistan had already established

a NTFC in the form of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on WTO and TF (IMCWTF). The institutional

arrangements governing the committee (such as terms of reference, membership, governance, timetable etc.),

which the project was designed to implement, were already in place.

ITC’s trade facilitation experts accordingly needed to revisit the project’s design and consider new activities

that would have the maximum impact in the country. During the launch event, a needs assessment was carried

out with various national stakeholders to design new activities. The new activities aim to support the

operationalization of the IMCWTF in order to raise awareness of the TFA in both the public and the private

sector as well as to implement it. These activities have been detailed below and are accompanied by an

description of progress made to date.

18

Activity 5.1: Support the implementation of the WTO TFA through technical advisory services to IMCWTF and

other government agencies

- In preparation for TFA categorization, ITC – in close collaboration with USAID ATAR project - conducted an extensive research into the implementation status of the TFA in Afghanistan, assessing the extent to which each TFA measure has been implemented in the country (both in law and in practice) and the remaining gaps / needs. With ITC technical assistance, TFA measures were categorised at a national workshop with representatives of border regulatory agencies and the private sector. Then ITC provided ongoing advisory services to the Government of Afghanistan to facilitate the endorsement of the categorization recommendation by the IMCWTF. The categorization recommendation was approved by the HEC and notified to the WTO on the 19 February 2018.

- Following the categorization workshop mentioned above and building upon extended interviews with public and private stakeholders involved in international trade in Afghanistan, ITC has developed a Trade Facilitation Strategy that has been incorporated as a dedicated in the National Export Strategy.

- The project has now moved on to the implementation phase. ITC held a prioritization and sequencing workshop in Kabul between the 12 and the 14 of May 2018, working together with IMCWTF to rank TFA measures in order of priority, then sequence the reforms over a 10-year time frame. The concrete output of this workshop was a ten-year work-plan with implementation timelines for each TF measure, which can be used as a basis for notification of timelines to the WTO. This work-plan is now being validated by the IMCWTF, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.

- During the Prioritization and Sequencing workshop, it emerged that the Afghan Customs authorities had developed a TFA implementation plan as part of their Five-Year Strategic Plan for Customs Modernization. Further work has been carried out by ITC, in collaboration with Customs and with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, to ensure that the two plans are consistent with one another. Two technical notes were produced for the benefit of stakeholders, and particular emphasis was placed on the importance of border agency collaboration.

- ITC and its project partners Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have begun to organise the private sector training and awareness-raising workshops, which will be held 25 – 27 June, 2018, in Kabul. The first workshop, in Kabul, will serve to secure private sector validation of the implementation work-plan that was developed by the IMCWTF at the prioritization and sequencing workshop.

Activity 5.2: Support the capacity building and operationalization of IMCWTF and other public sector agencies

to implement the WTO TFA

Both the categorization workshop and the prioritization and sequencing workshop that were held for the IMCWTF had considerable capacity-building components built into them. Training was provided on each of the TFA measures and the nature of the commitments that have been undertaken by the Afghan government (as a signatory to the TFA). Training was also provided on the use of cost-benefit analysis to prioritize TFA measures. Lastly, training was provided on the different types of implementation plan needed to successfully implement the WTO TFA (high-level, measure-specific, agency-specific), and the essential components that should be incorporated into the implementation plans, including activities, timelines, attribution of responsibilities, budget estimates, and M&E frameworks. Over the course of the prioritization and sequencing workshop, some deficiencies in the proper functioning of the IMCWTF were identified, and initial steps have been taken to rectifying these deficiencies. The different ministries / agencies have been encouraged to send well-informed individuals to IMCWTF sessions and ensure that representation remains consistent over time, to ensure the integrity of the decision-making process. The private sector representatives (in particular, the Afghan Chambers of Commerce and Industries) have been encouraged to actively participate in IMCWTF sessions. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, the significance of information-sharing and collaborative decision-making have been emphasized, as there was a perception among some IMCWTF members that the TFA can be implemented by individual members without the need for contributions from the other members. Activity 5.3: Increase awareness of private stakeholders on the TFA and their ability to contribute to TFA related

Public Private Dialogue (PPD within the IMCWTF and other fora)

All the material required to train the private sector and ensure their effective participation in the decision-making process has been translated and disseminated to the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which will be using it to conduct a series of six workshops after the end of Ramadan. The local experts who will lead

19

these workshops were trained at a train-the-trainers workshop held in October 2017 in Istanbul. ITC has finalised the institutional arrangements that will structure our collaboration with ACCI and this will be signed in July.

Activity 5.4: Structure and facilitate a regional network of (existing) NTFC to encourage experience sharing as

well as a coordinated and harmonized approach towards the implementation of the TFA

Desk research has been conducted on regional trade agreements and the regional institutions responsible for

trade facilitation. The relationship between Afghanistan and its neighbours is somewhat tense, and trade

issues are sometimes politicised, particularly in relation to the security situation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan

border region. Notwithstanding these challenges, initial contacts have been made with the officials of

neighbouring countries (e.g. Tajikistan) with a view to organising a regional trade facilitation workshop in 2019.

Furthermore, contact has been made with the Afghanistan Trade Centre, a section of the Centre of Excellence

Kabul University (CEKU). CEKU has expressed interest in leveraging its human capital to develop innovative

solutions to problems between Afghanistan and its neighbours in the field of trade facilitation. A concept note

is being developed that will provide further detail on the proposed activities, but the main objective is to foster

collaboration between students at Kabul University and their regional counterparts, who will work together to

propose trade facilitation measures at the regional trade facilitation workshop that will be held in 2019.

Short term outcomes

- WTO TFA measures were categorised at a categorization workshop in Kabul. - The IMCWTF conducted a cost-benefit analysis of TFA measures at a prioritization and sequencing

workshop in Kabul. - A draft work-plan for TFA implementation was developed at the prioritization and sequencing

workshop in Kabul. The work-plan is being validated by the relevant parties. - IMCWTF received training on the WTO TFA and the proper functioning of the NTFC at workshops in

Kabul. - Train-the-trainers workshop was held in Istanbul. - Master trainers and ACCI are ready to provide training to the TFA. Institutional agreement between

ITC and ACCI has been prepared and is awaiting signature.

Next steps

- IMCWTF finalizes high-level work-plan on WTO TFA implementation. - High-level work-plan is approved by the IMCWTF and the High Economic Council. - Measure-specific and agency-specific work plans are developed for selected, high-priority measures. - Implementation of selected, high-priority measures begins in 2018. - 100 SMEs are trained on compliance with and benefits of WTO TFA through a series of six private

sector workshops held by ACCI and Master trainers. - Students at Kabul University begin work on innovative trade facilitation measures for regional trade. - Dates are set for a regional trade facilitation workshop in 2019.

2.7 Output 6: SME knowledge of how to manage national cross-border procedures and compliance with regional and/or global market requirements is built encompassing priority markets (building on NES findings)

Export management guides have been finalised for key export sectors of Afghanistan and are ready for

publication.

Building upon the national trade procedure guides, ITC is in the process of finalizing an export management

training curricula that will be delivered to 100 SMEs through local trainers. In addition, ITC has developed the

20

first draft on an SME Coaching manual that will support local export management coaches in providing in-

house coaching to SMEs. Candidates for the export management coaches positions have already been

identified and will be selected on the basis of their experience and the relevance of their sectoral experience.

Short terms outcomes

- Export management guides finalised and ready to be published. - Export management training curriculums being finalized - Draft SME coaching manual is developed - Consultants identified to act as export management coaches (EMCs) for in-house SME training.

Next steps

- ITC finalises export management training curricula with sector specific content on key sectors. - Training curricula on sector specific export procedures are delivered to SMEs - Export Management Coaches are trained using the SME Coaching manual - Export Management Coaches deliver in-house coaching on export management to SMEs.

2.8 Output 7: Public-private consultation process on domestic/regional key pressing trade policy/regulatory/negotiation issues is strengthened

Under this output, the main developments are two-fold:

Throughout the most part of 2017/2018 the project supported MoIC to draft an Afghanistan National Trade

Policy (ANTP; 2018 – 2022). The policy document undertook several rounds of drafting and internal reviews

by MoIC and ITC, as well as receiving further inputs from private sector associations, local and international

experts. Additionally a national stakeholder consultation was held on 25 November, 2017, in which more

than 70 Afghan industry leaders, small business owners, and representatives of the public sector discussed

the contents of ANTP and agreed on its key objectives intended to increase the country’s exports.

MoIC subsequently approved the ANTP in May, 2018, and is pursing further steps to have the document

officially endorsed by the government for future implementation.

Additionally, high level government agreement was obtained for the following initiatives: 1)

Afghanistan/Uzbekistan bilateral stakeholder consultations to enhance trading relations, and; 2)

Afghanistan/Kazakhstan bilateral stakeholder consultations to enhance trading relations. For both of these

initiatives agreement was obtained on its purpose – that is, to bring together regularly key government and

business stakeholders drawn from these countries to deliberate on how to tackle specific obstacles to

trading, exploit opportunities, promote investment and create business linkages. In order to do this,

relationships between the respective countries were facilitated, including a small Afghan delegation meeting

counterpart in Tashkent in May, 2018.

So as better inform the dialogues, two evidenced based policy recommendations papers were carried out

seeking to identify barriers and issues which affect trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan/Kazakhstan

and issue recommendations to address these issues. ACCI was supported to draft position papers on the

same subject matters in preparation for their future strong involvement in these two initiatives.

A first Afghan/Uzbek stakeholder consultation was carried out in June, 2018. A key focus of meeting was

to discuss issues faced while exporting to/through and investing in Uzbekistan, including transit fees, export

duties, visas, operationalizing trade and transit agreements between the two countries. A joint

declaration/agreement reflecting the main points of consensus has been drafted and will be signed by both

sides (Ministerial level) at the earliest. In addition the stakeholder consultation led to the signing of an MOU

between ACCI and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan establishing a joint Business

Council.

21

Short terms outcomes: ANTP

MoIC technical capacity developed on trade policy formulation to stimulate export development.

Reforms identified aimed at capacitating domestic institutions, creating business enabling environment,

implementing regulations resulting from WTO commitments and undertaking further trade-enabling

reforms.

ANTP addressing issues holistically and bringing forth trade policy coherence;

Road map provided for MoIC to carry out its objectives in synergy with other ministries and their policies.

Improved public and private dialogue supporting the development of a national trade policy.

Empowered national stakeholders capable of contributing trade policy design activities.

Next steps: ANTP

Further efforts to obtain final endorsement following its endorsement by MoIC. This includes preparations

to present policy document at PRISEC meeting and the HEC.

Short terms outcomes: Bilateral stakeholder consultations

Stakeholder support for priority bilateral trade consultation to enhance Afghanistan’s regional trade

confirmed.

Government’s agreement reached on broad modalities of initiatives confirmed.

First Afghanistan – Uzbekistan consultation held in which stakeholders exposed to initiative; engage with

counterparts, and; agree upon next steps.

MOU signed between ACCI and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan to establish a join

Business Council.

Issues identified conveyed to Minister of Foreign Trade, Uzbekistan, for further action.

Next steps: Bilateral stakeholder consultations

First Afghanistan/Kazakhstan meeting to be held in August in Almaty/Astana.

Follow-up on agreement actions from both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan stakeholders meetings.

22

3. ACTUAL RESULTS

Objectives Project indicators Baseline

Targets Actual Actual

Status Means of verification

01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Impact: Enhanced trade

and regional trade integration of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as a lever for confidence building, economic and human development and poverty reduction.

Increase in Afghanistan's international trade value and volume

0 0 0 On track. To be assessed in third year of the project.

Increase in Afghanistan's regional trade value and volume

0 0 0 On track. To be assessed in third year of the project

Delivery of confidence building measures Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) included in the implementation plan of the Heart of Asia process (Dec 2013) for the six key CBM applied by the GIRoA

0 0 0 On track. To be assessed in third year of the project

23




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Outcome:

The Government formulates and implements better-informed trade policy and a strategic vision to support trade competitiveness within the region.

Number of decisions taken by the GIRoA to improve trade services for exporters and investors as a consequence of the project (project end)

0 10

10

NES: 6 (Adoption of response

paper; PriSEC endorsement; Council of Ministers endorsement; mechanism to manage the implementation of the NES; initiative to coordinate and liaise with other donors

ANTP: 1 (decision by MoIC to table ANTP to PriSEC)

Trade facilitation: 2 (WTO TFA categorization notified to WTO; TFA prioritization endorsed by IMCWTF MoIC decision to hold PPD with Uzbekistan and send delegation to Termiz leading to signing of MOU: 1

Number of TSI's improving their performance in relation to NES development, trade facilitation, and quality support

0 5

24




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Number of policy and regulatory measures initiated by the GIRoA for improving the business environment for exporters and investors as a consequence of the project

0 5

4

National Export Strategy; Afghanistan National Trade Policy; WTO TFA Categorized and TFA prioritization endorsed by IMCWTF

Percentage of Afghan business stakeholders reporting satisfaction about trade policy and Public Private consultation process

0 20

Number of measures implemented by the GIRoA to improve trade services for exporters and investors as a consequence of the project (project end)

0 5

Output 1:

GIRoA owns a NES and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private sector, and has started its implementation

Endorsed NES document, including individual sector and functional strategies, in place

0 1 0 1 Completed NES Concept note, NES response

25




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Number of official GIRoA NES launch events jointly with private sector representatives of such entities as ACCI and Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA)

0 1 0 1 Completed Media press articles

Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed

0 20 8 141 Completed Missions and consultations’ documented reports

Number of participants to NES workshops

0 500 222 583 Completed Participants lists and consultation’s report

Number of female participants to NES workshops

0 140 18 132 Completed Participants lists and consultation’s report

Number of research and advice provided in relation to the NES development

0 4 1 4 Completed NES Concept note, NES Response paper, EPI.

1 Main NES public-private sector stakeholders consultations are listed under Section 4 of this report. Among others, these comprise 11 consultations held as part of the Second NES consultation (national and sector-level consultations), 2 provincial-level consultations and other consultative meetings.

26




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Output 2: National public

and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the NES and mobilise support to implement the validated roadmaps

High-level National Export Development Council, or similar, established.

0 1 0 0 On track

NES implementation management unit (secretariat) operationalized

0 1 0 0 On track

Number of NES Implementation Management training's completed

0 4 0 3 On track.

Number of participants to NES Implementation Management trainings

0 40 0 16 On track

Number of female participants to NES Implementation Management training

0 13 0 4

Output 3. Priority

interventions identified during the National Export Strategy design process are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness

Number of priority initiatives in Quality and SPS areas approved

0 4 1 1 Some delay. 1) ANSA Workplan: 2) NES POA for quality with priority initiatives identified: Ongoing approval related to initiatives of the NES POA: food safety control system capacity building; training and twinning on strengthening TBT and SPS NEP and NNA; and others

ANSA Workplan; NES plan of action

27




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Number of initiatives in Quality and SPS areas completed

0 4

1 Slight delay. 1 completed related to training on operationalisation of selected equipment of ANSA lab metrology; Number of initiatives are going and to be completed in third year of the project to meet this target.

Number of trainings delivered to identified institutions

0 4 1 8 Target met. 9 trainings completed to date. Further trainings to be completed in the third year of the project.

Training Programmes, list of participants, training evaluation, reports

Number of advisory services provided to implement the identified priority interventions

0 3

9 Target met. 9 advisory services provided to date. Further advisory services to be completed in the third year of the project

Output 4: Knowledge

sharing mechanisms for GIRoA staff on trade policy/negotiation formulation and

Partnership with training institution from the region is established

0 1 1 - Completed Press release, Contract between CWS and ITC

28




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from the Region

Number of training modules/material produced

0 7

10 Target completed with CWS developed materials for, “Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme” Note: further progress to recorded following completion of Kabul University curriculum for home-grown programme.

Materials all evidenced in: Afghanistan, “WTO and International Trade Programme”

Number of Afghan participants successfully passing trainers' assessment

0 40

20 On track. Regular assessment as part of “WTO and International Trade Programme”; Award of certificate of completion for 20 participants passing programme

Number of Afghan participants (women) successfully passing trainers' assessment

0 10

3

On track. Regular assessment as part of

“WTO and International Trade Programme”; Award of certificate of completion for 3 women participants passing programme

Number of trainers and/or regional resource persons trained

0 2

2 Target met. 2 experts (1 – Kabul Uni and 1 APPRO)

Regular assessment under “WTO and International Trade Programme”; Award of certificate of completion

29




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Number of meetings

2 6

Target met2 Meeting reports for the following trainings – introductory training; 3 advanced trainings; 1 adhoc distance training, and; study tour.

Output 5: Institutional

mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the TFA are established at national level and linked with regional partners

Recommendation for the establishment of a NTFC issued and endorsed by the MoIC

0

Indicator redundant. At the outset of the project the NTFC was already established therefore progress cannot be recorded on this indicator.

New suggested indicator to replace above redundant indicator: Number of recommendations towards the implementation of the TFA issued and/or endorsed by the Government of Afghanistan”

4 1x categorization recommendation endorsed by HEC and official categorization decision notified to the WTO

1x TFA prioritization and sequencing recommendation validated by IMCWTF and endorsed by MoIC

1x Trade Facilitation Strategy developed and endorsed by the HEC (included as a chapter of the NES)

2 Note: “meetings” are referred to as “trainings” here.

30




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

1x concept note on the alignment of the Customs Strategic Plan and the TFA implementation plan

Number of public and private sector representatives stating increased awareness on the WTO TFA and trade facilitation reforms

0 100 152 131

Completed Attendance sheet from events

31




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Number of participants from public and private institutions to regional events in the area of trade facilitation (project end)

0 20 4 3

0

Number of female participants from public and private institutions to regional events in the area of trade facilitation

0 3 0 On track. To be completed in third year of the project.

Number of regional events in the area of trade facilitation

0 2 0 On track. To be completed in third year of the project.

3 Updated recording figure (recorded as zero before) from first project report, as not factored for. These figures are as follows: 3 participants attended IMCWTF Member participation to first NTFC Forum in Geneva; and 1 MCWTF Member participated in Asia-Pacific Forum on Trade Facilitation

32




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Output 6:

SME knowledge of how to manage national cross-border procedures and compliance with regional and/or global market requirements is built encompassing priority markets (building on NES findings)

Number of private sector representatives who participated in the export management curriculum and pass knowledge tests

0 100 0 0 Some delay. Preparatory work being done that will contribute to this indicator. Trainings to commence in 3rd and 4th quarters in 2018.

Trainers are trained 0 5 7 Completed. Master trainers trained to deliver private sector workshops on TFA

Participant list from training, Istanbul, 2017; developed learning materials

National Trade Facilitation procedure guide published

0 1 0 Some delay. Export Management Guides are ready and agreement reached in principle to publish information through a Trade Portal.

Output 7:

Public-private consultation process on domestic/regional key pressing trade policy/regulatory/ negotiation issues is strengthened

Number of public-private dialogues/trainings held

0 8

3 In progress. Further events in third year.

Meeting reports: 1) Afghanistan National Trade Policy Consultative meeting (Nov, 2017), and 2) Afg – Uzbek: Stakeholder consultation to enhance trading relations (Jun, 2018); 3) Pre-event stakeholder consultation for Afg – Uzbek event (i.e. point 2)

33




01 Jul 2017 – 30 Jun 2018

16 Aug 2016 – 16 Aug 2019

16 Aug 2016 – 30 Jun 2017

Legend On track

Some delay

Delay

Number of policy research/material produced

0 8 1 5 In progress. Further policy research/material to be produced in year 3 to inform consultation processes.

Complete materials: 1. ANTP (2107 -2022); 2. Policy recommendations study: Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan: Issues and Options for Enhancement; 3. Policy recommendations study: Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan: Issues and Options for Enhancement; 4. Position paper: Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan: Issues and Options for Enhancement; 5. Position paper: Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan: Issues and Options for Enhancement

Number of recommendations stemming from PPD

0 10

22 Target completed. More recommendations to come in Y3.

20 from ANTP (Policy area sub-

sections); 2 from Afg-Uzbek bilateral stakeholder consultation to enhance trade relations)

34

4. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD

4.1 OUTPUT 1: GIRoA owns a national export strategy and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private sector, and has started its implementation

During the first reporting period, preliminary audits and analysis of Afghanistan’s trade competitiveness,

development agenda, and key trade support institutions (TSI) were performed. An initial assessment and

strategic findings were debated and further refined through a series of Kabul-based and provincial large

consultations where over 220 public and private actors reached consensus on priority sectors’ main

competitiveness issues and essential interventions. A first sector-specific provincial consultations was held in

Mazar e-Sharif. Factory visits coupled with interviews of international buyers contributed to sharpen the initial

assessment and strategic considerations.

Moreover, quality management and SPS measures had been confirmed as highly sensitive and priority issues.

Accordingly, an initial review of the quality and SPS institutions along with a series of bilateral meetings,

consultations and capacity building workshops were held.

Additionally, a NES Response Paper was produced to present the business case for developing Afghanistan’s

NES. The Response Paper puts forward a list of priority sectors and trade support functions. It was formally

endorsed by the High Economic Council (HEC).

In short, the following activities were undertaken under the first year of the project:

1.1: Establishing strategy design and implementation management structures - NES pre-engagement

mission

1.2: Analysis of Afghanistan’s trade competitiveness, development agenda, existing trade-related

programmes, and key TSI

Structured face-to-face or Skype interviews with diaspora and international buyers-traders

1.3: Inauguration and first stakeholders’ consultation of Afghanistan’s NES

1.4: Elaboration of Afghanistan’s NES Response Paper

1.5 & 1.6: Mapping of the institutions and preliminary review of the Quality and SPS Infrastructures

1.7: Provincial NES stakeholders’ consultation in Mazar-e-Sharif and in- factory supply chain assessment

The following details progress under the second year of the project.

Activity Date/location Main Achievements Contributing to Indicator

1.1. Steering

Committee

Meeting and First

Donor

Coordination

Roundtable

July, 2017

Kabul

Endorsement of the

NES Response Paper

Discussion on priority

sectors selection

Donor coordination

group roundtable

SUB-IND 1. 6: Number of research and advice provided in relation to the NES development: 1

1.2. Provincial

NES stakeholders’

consultation in

Herat

August, 2017

Herat

Discussion and

confirmation of main

export-related issues

and immediate

SUB-IND: 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 1

35

4 In total with figure including participation in NES main stakeholder consultation and sector working group meetings. 5 In total with participation of women in NES main stakeholder consultation and sector working group meetings.

priorities of the Herat

province.

SUB-IND 1.4: Number of

participants to NES

workshops: 100


female participants to

NES workshops: 14

This inclusive provincial

consultation also

contributed to the final

endorsement of the

strategy.

1.3. Provincial

NES stakeholders’

consultation in

Kandahar

September, 2017

Kandahar

The consultation helped confirm the main issues affecting the prioritized NES sectors of fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts and precious stones and jewellery.

SUB-IND: 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 1 SUB-IND 1.4: Number of

participants to NES

workshops: 80



NES workshops: 15

This inclusive provincial

consultation also


endorsement of the

strategy.

1.4. Second

stakeholders’

consultation of

Afghanistan’s NES

October, 2017

Kabul

National and sector

/cross-sector plans of

action revised and

validated. Specific

suggestions and

additions to each Plan

of Action were

introduced

accordingly.



participants to NES

workshops: 2834



NES workshops: 705


36

The second national

consultation also


endorsement of the

strategy.

1.5. Bilateral

meetings and

discussions with

sector experts and

relevant

stakeholders to

sharpen

assessments,

strategic

orientations and

activities of

national and

sector-level

strategy

documents

February –

November 2017

Geneva, Berlin and

Kabul

Strategic market intelligence and insights were collected to feed the NES design process. Strategic orientations and Plan of Action activities were sharpened owed to an increased understanding of demand-driven considerations.

Insights from Impact Berlin served to refine youth and returnee-related activities throughout the NES.


SUB-IND 1.4:

Number of participants to NES workshops: 50 SUB-IND 1.5:

Number of female participants to NES workshops: 20

1.6: Elaboration of

Afghanistan’s NES

Strategy

documents

February –

November 2017

Geneva and Kabul

Coherent and comprehensive export strategy documents with a five-year detailed plan of action and implementation management framework.

SUB-IND 1.1: Endorsed National Export Strategy document, including individual sector and functional strategies in place SUB-IND 1.7: Number of

trade education skills

reports: 1

1.7 Endorsement

of the NES by High

Economic Council,

PriSEC and the

Council of

Ministries

November and

April, 2018

High-level participants endorsed policy objectives of the NES, a crucial step towards implementation

SUB-IND 1.1: Endorsed National Export Strategy document, including individual sector and functional strategies in place: 1 SUB-IND: 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 2 SUB-IND 1.4:

Number of participants to

NES workshops: PRISEC

25, NES Council of

Ministers: 35

SUB-IND 1.5:

Number of female

participants to NES

workshops: PRISEC 6,

37

Activity 1.1: Steering Committee Meeting and First Donor Coordination Roundtable

Title Steering Committee Meeting and First Donor Coordination Roundtable

Location Kabul

Implementing

partners

ITC, MoIC, ACCI

Background/

context

Steering Committee: The project steering committee was established to support the AAT project’s activities; monitor its implementation and progress; ensure that the project outputs respond to the country’s priorities; and advice on next steps. The Steering Committee meeting served to take stock of progress on all AAT activities.

Donor coordination (before completion of NES documents): The NES is firmly aligned with existing aid-for-trade and TRTA initiatives ongoing in the country. This alignment includes the establishment of a donors’ round-table that has started meeting regularly to discuss synergies in their trade-related initiatives.

Results Bilateral meetings and roundtables led to the final endorsement of the

NES Response Paper.

Discussions held through different platforms led to the revision and

validation of NES priority sectors. ITC reiterated the analytical depth that

has resulted in identification of sectors with competitive advantage – the

analysis is not solely based on quantitative parameters but also derived

from the consultations, bilateral interviews and existing body of research.

Private sector support was secured to coordinate and co-organize

upcoming provincial consultations in Herat and Kandahar.

Donors noted that within the trade area, a wide range of activities are ongoing but prioritization and donor coordination has been limited. In this regard, agreement has been secured to formalize the donors group and hold regular meetings during the NES design phase and beyond.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

EPAA, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture,

Irrigation and Livestock, Afghan Customs Department, sector

associations.

NES Council of Ministers:

7


1.8 Official launch

of the NES

June, 2018 Official launch event kick-starting the implementation phase of the Strategy


official GIRoA NES launch

events jointly with private

sector representatives or

such entities such as

ACCI and ANSA: 1

38

EU Delegation and USAID

Supporting

documents

NES Response paper; Minutes of the meeting.

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.6: Number of research and advice provided in relation to the NES development: 1

This activity is also an essential initial step contributing to secure the final

endorsement of the NES.

Activity 1.2: Provincial NES stakeholders’ consultation in Herat

Title Provincial NES stakeholders’ consultation in Herat

Location Herat province

Implementing

partners

ITC, MoIC, ACCI

Background/

context

The Afghanistan National Export Strategy (NES) initiative falls under the auspices of the ‘Advancing Afghanistan Trade’ project, funded by the European Union, which aims to assist Afghanistan in improving the conditions to use trade as a lever for enhanced regional cooperation, economic and human development, and poverty reduction.

The provincial NES consultations complement the national consultations, to feed into the ongoing design of the country’s National Export Strategy (NES). The provincial NES consultations are crucial in making sure that stakeholders beyond the capital are included in the design of the strategy.

In this regard, Herat province plays a significant economic role in Afghanistan, as it represents a major trading hub. Moreover, Herat hosts a number of traditional and emerging industries, including sectors prioritized in the NES, such as dried fruits and nuts, carpets, handicrafts, saffron, and marble and granite.

The event was jointly organized by MOIC and ACCI, with the technical support of ITC. The consultation in Herat follows the first NES stakeholders’ consultation held in Kabul on 20-21 February and in Mazar-e-Sharif on 18 May (2017).

Results In a participatory group discussion led by the ITC team, participants identified issues and obstacles preventing enterprises in Herat from developing and maintaining export relationships in the afore-mentioned sectors. The main competitiveness constraints, pre-identified through desk research and previous consultations, were confirmed, following the ITC four-gear approach:

Supply side issues: capacity development, quality compliance,

diversification, skills development etc.

Quality of the Business environment: regulatory and procedures,

institutional support, access to finance, trade across borders etc.

Market Side issues: Marketing, Packaging, Branding and In-market

support

Participants identified tangible solutions to the most appraising

challenges under the guidance of the ITC team.

39

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Public and private sector stakeholders

Number of attendees: 100

Number of woman attendees: 14

Supporting

documents

Presentations and tools, value chain maps and problem trees,

questionnaires for factory visits.

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 1 SUB-IND 1.4: Number of participants to NES workshops: 100

SUB-IND 1.5: Number of female participants to NES workshops: 14

This inclusive provincial consultation also contributed to the final

endorsement of the strategy.

Activity 1.3: Provincial NES stakeholders’ consultation in Kandahar

Title Provincial NES stakeholders’ consultation in Kandahar

Location Kandahar

Implementing

partners

ITC, MoIC, ACCI

Background/

context

Kandahar hosts a number of traditional and emerging industries, including sectors prioritized in the NES, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, handicrafts, livestock and dairy products.

The event was jointly organized MOIC and ACCI, with the technical support of ITC. The consultation in Kandahar follows the first NES stakeholders’ consultation held in Kabul on 20-21 February and in Mazar-e-Sharif on 18 May (2017), as well as in Herat on 13 August (2017).

Results The consultation helped confirm the main issues affecting the prioritized NES sectors of fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts and precious stones and jewellery.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Public and private sector stakeholders

Number of attendees: 80

Number of woman attendees: 15

Supporting

documents

Presentations and tools, value chain maps and problem trees,

questionnaires for factory visits.

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 1 SUB-IND 1.4: Number of participants to NES workshops: 80

SUB-IND 1.5: Number of female participants to NES workshops: 15

This inclusive provincial consultation also contributed to the final


Activity 1.4. Second stakeholders’ consultation of Afghanistan’s NES

40

Title Second stakeholders’ consultation of Afghanistan’s NES

Location Kabul

Implementing

partners

ITC, MoIC, ACCI

Background/

context

The purpose of the second national consultation was to refine and validate the NES’ plans of action. The objective of this approach is to facilitate the development of highly specific plans of action, going into detailed activities, targets, and impact measures, indicating what exactly needs to be done and by whom and with what resources. Outputs from this consultative event were consolidated into the National Export Strategy documents.

Results The consultation started with introductory remarks on the overall framework of the Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy (NES), followed by a brief explanation on the design and implementation process and methodology of the NES. Information regarding the current status of the project was shared with the participants.

Consecutively, participants were separated into groups, according to their sector of expertise. During the sector-level consultation, participants guided by moderators, discussed their Plan of Action (PoA) in detail, specifically focusing on the strategic objectives, operational objectives and key activities.

The national and sector/cross-sector plans of action were revised and validated by relevant public and private sector stakeholders. Specific suggestions and additions to each Plan of Action were introduced accordingly.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Public and private sector stakeholders participated of this event from

Kabul, as well as from Jalalabad province

Second National Consultation - Number of attendees: 120

Supporting

documents

Draft Plans of Action, Presentations and tools, dignitaries’ speeches,

press coverage, mission report

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 11 (Second NES consultation and sector-level consultations, see below) SUB-IND 1.4:

Number of participants to NES workshops:

1. Second National consultation-Number of attendees. 120

2. Dried fruits and nuts - Number of attendees: 13 3. Fresh fruits and vegetables - Number of attendees: 15 4. Carpets- Number of attendees: 15 5. Marble- Number of attendees: 11 6. Precious stones and jewellery - Number of attendees: 12 7. Saffron - Number of attendees: 4 8. Quality Management - Number of attendees: 26 9. Access to Finance - Number of attendees: 26 10. Business and professional services - Number of attendees: 22 11. Preparatory consultation of Precious stones and jewellery

sector – Number of attendees: 14

SUB-IND 1.5:

Number of female participants to NES workshops:70

1. NES main consultation: 22 2. Dried fruits and nuts - Number of attendees: 3

41

3. Fresh fruits and vegetables - Number of attendees: 6 4. Carpets- Number of attendees: 4 5. Marble- Number of attendees: 3 6. Precious stones and jewellery - Number of attendees: 11 7. Saffron - Number of attendees: 1 8. Quality Management - Number of attendees: 4 9. Access to Finance - Number of attendees: 4 10. Business and professional services - Number of attendees: 6 11. Preparatory consultation of Precious stones and jewellery

sector – Number of attendees: 6 SUB-IND 1. 6: Number of research and advice provided in relation to the NES development: 1

The second national consultation also contributed to the final


Activity 1.5. Bilateral meetings and discussions with sector experts and public-private sector stakeholders and civil society representatives to sharpen assessments and strategic orientations of national and sector-level strategy documents

Title Bilateral meetings and discussions with sector experts and relevant stakeholders to sharpen assessments, strategic orientations and activities of national and sector-level strategy documents

Location Kabul, Berlin and Geneva

Implementing

partners

ITC

Background/

context

As part of the NES design process, ITC involved both public and private sector stakeholders, as well as representatives of civil society (e.g. young entrepreneurs) that are involved in, or have a bearing on, international trade and export competitiveness. The quality and relevance of the resulting export strategy relies on the full engagement of national stakeholders and their substantive inputs.

Bilateral meetings with sector experts and key international buyers as well as factory visits complemented national and provincial-level consultations with the objective of sharpening assessments and strategic considerations.

Key activities include bilateral discussions with key international buyers (e.g. McCormik, Ducros, Noberasco, Zaffy, Aromatica, Rumi Spice, Frontier Coop and Kefayat Group, among others) to gain further understanding of buyers’ perspectives and to obtain recommendations for strategic considerations (packaging and branding).

Another key activity was ITC’s participation of Impact Berlin, an event focused on young Afghan entrepreneurs to discuss start-up success practices. The event gathered 80 participants from different backgrounds, including development partners and relevant Afghan stakeholders. Participating organisations were AGHAEZ, BookClub Afghanistan, the Freie Universität, Impact Hub Berlin, the International Organisation for Migration, Kompass, Migration Hub, Samuel Hall and Philia.

Results Strategic market intelligence and insights were collected to feed the NES design process. Strategic orientations and Plan of Action activities were sharpened owed to an increased understanding of demand-driven considerations.

Insights from Impact Berlin served to refine youth and returnee-related activities throughout the NES.

42

Participant

information

Key international buyers consulted included McCormik, Ducros,

Noberasco, Zaffy, Aromatica, Rumi Spice, Frontier Coop and Kefayat

Group, among others

Impact Berlin participants included AGHAEZ, BookClub Afghanistan, the

Freie Universität, Impact Hub Berlin, the International Organisation for

Migration, Kompass, Migration Hub, Samuel Hall and Philia.

Supporting

documents

NES presentation at Impact Berlin

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.3: Number of public-private NES stakeholder consultations completed: 1 SUB-IND 1.4:

Number of participants to NES workshops: 50 SUB-IND 1.5:

Number of female participants to NES workshops: 20

Activity 1.6. Finalization of Afghanistan’s NES Strategy documents

Title Finalization of Afghanistan’s NES Strategy documents

Location Kabul and Geneva

Implementing

partners

The NES was developed under the leadership of MOIC, and ACCI, in

close collaboration with MAIL and ANSA.

AWCCI provided key contributions to ensure that gender-specific

concerns were integrated into the NES.

Consultations with the Ministry of Finance and the President’s Senior

Advisors accompanied the design phase while insights and expertise

from ACIM and ACCI contributed to fine-tune both the analytical

foundation and the strategic considerations

Background/

context

Afghanistan’s NES was developed based on a participatory approach during which over 500 Afghan industry leaders, small business owners, farmers and public sector representatives held consultations to reach consensus on key sector competitiveness issues and priority activities. These inclusive platforms were held throughout the country, including in Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Kandahar and Kabul, with participation of stakeholders coming from Nangarhār province. Women entrepreneurs and women-led business associations as well as young entrepreneurs played an important role in the consultative processes, as their success is central to the country’s economic future.

Besides in-depth research and value chain analysis, these consultations were complemented by supply chain assessments, interviews with domestic, regional and international buyers and donor coordination meetings.

The NES is aligned to the policy priorities and national goals established by the Cabinet and the High Economic Council and firmly supports the work of the NPPs and PriSEC, in areas related to socio-economic growth, private sector development, regional integration, investment, youth and women economic empowerment. Similarly, particular attention was placed in aligning the NES with Afghanistan National Trade Policy and post-WTO accession strategy.

Results The principal outputs of the NES Afghanistan design initiative are endorsed, coherent and comprehensive export strategy documents with

43

a five-year detailed plan of action and implementation management framework. These documents include:

A main NES document, which contains Trade Support Functional strategies, offering critical support across value chains and acting as enablers for sector development.

Individual NES priority sector strategies packaged as separate documents, but in alignment with the main NES findings and overarching strategic objectives. These sectors are dried fruits and nuts, saffron, carpets, marble and granite, fresh fruits and vegetables and precious stones and jewellery.

Supporting

documents

The NES Strategy documents (seven)

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.1: Endorsed National Export Strategy document, including individual sector and functional strategies in place: 1

SUB-IND 1.7: Number of trade education skills reports: 1

Activity 1.7. Endorsement of the NES by High Economic Council, PriSEC and the Council of Ministries

Title Endorsement of the NES by High Economic Council, PriSEC and the Council of Ministries

Location Kabul

Implementing

partners

High Economic Council, PriSEC and the Council of Ministries

Background/

context

The NES was presented at the Council of Ministers and the Executive Committee of Private Sector Development (PriSEC) where it benefited from ultimate guidance and approval. This step was prior to the NES’ ultimate endorsement by the High Economic Council.

The endorsement of NES, marks the end of a yearlong public-private consultation process to develop the National Export Strategy.

Results Afghanistan’s High Economic Council, chaired by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, on 3 April endorsed a National Export Strategy (NES).

HEC’s endorsement of the NES is pivotal to mobilize the national and international support required for implementation.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

The PriSEC and Council of Ministers meetings were chaired by Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah

The meetings counted with high-level public and private sector stakeholders, among which there was: Mr. Humyoon Rasaw, Afghanistan’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon, EU Head of Delegation in Afghanistan and Mr. Atiq Nusrat, Chief Executive Officer of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI).

NES-Council of Ministers – Attendees: 35

PriSEC – Attendees: 25

The High Economic Council is formed by high-level authorities and chaired by President Ghani.

44

Supporting

documents

NES Strategy documents, dignitaries’ speeches, press coverage, mission report

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.1: Endorsed National Export Strategy document, including individual sector and functional strategies in place: 1 SUB-IND 1.4: Number of participants to NES workshops: PRISEC 25,

NES Council of Ministers: 35

SUB-IND 1.5: Number of female participants to NES workshops:

PRISEC 6, NES Council of Ministers: 7

SUB-IND 1.6: Number of research and advice provided in relation to the NES development: 3

Activity 1.8. Official launch of the NES

Title Official launch of the NES

Location Kabul

Implementing

partners

ITC, MOIC-EPAA

Background/

context

The comprehensive research and analysis undertaken to develop the NES has determined that there are sectors with high potential that can contribute to socioeconomic progress. This will not be easy but with the concerted and coherent effort expended through NES design and implementation, such growth is feasible.

The first step – NES design – is now complete, and focus must quickly turn towards implementation and implementation management and monitoring.

Results The launch ceremony of the NES marked the official start of the implementation phase of the Strategy. The launch served to capitalize on the strong momentum gained as part of the NES design process to leverage it for implementation.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Public and private sector stakeholders participated of this event from Kabul, as well as from Jalalabad province.

Number of participants: 80

Supporting

documents

Significant media coverage was obtained through the press and television.

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 1.2: Number of official GIRoA NES launch events jointly

with private sector representatives or such entities such as ACCI

and ANSA: 1

45

4.2 OUTPUT 2: National public and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the NES and mobilise support to implement the validated roadmaps

During the first reporting period, key international development partners were fully apprised on all aspect of

the NES design and implementation phases through an unprecedented Donor Coordination Meeting.

Participating development partners of this meeting were United States Agency for International Development

(USAID), EU, DFID, BMZ, German Development Agency (GIZ), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),

UNCTAD, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Donor Coordination Meeting was

complemented by bilateral consultations and consensus was reached on the need to formalize the Donor

Coordination Group.

High-level bilateral meetings (e.g. with MoIC and MAIL ministers, senior advisor to President, ANSA Director

General(DG), ACCI’s CEO and Head of HEC Secretariat were organized to sensitize key decision makers on

the NES process and ensure that it serves the New Development Planning System as well as remains in line

with parallel and related plans and policies. The following activities advance those recorded under the AAT’s

First Project Progress Report.

In short, the following activities were undertaken under the first year of the project.

Strategy Implementation Management Tool (SIMT)

Stakeholder mobilization

The following details progress under the second year.

Activity Date/location Main Achievements Contributing to

Indicator

2.1. Initial sensitization

and coaching of key

institutions’ focal

points on sectors’ PoA

implementation

October, 2017

Kabul

- Senior and middle-

level staff of key

institutions were

appraised on sector-

level PoA strategic

objectives and

activities relevant to

their institutions/

sectors

- Sensitization on key

success factors for

translation of NES

activities into

effective and

efficient

implementation

SUB-IND 2.4 Number of

NES Implementation

Management training's

completed: 1

2.2. Advisory and

technical services

towards the definition

of operationalization of

governance structure

for NES implementation

Advisory and

technical support:

throughout the

NES design

process

Training held:

June, 2018

- EPAA designated as

the NES

implementation

Management Unit

(Secretariat).

Agreement on action

items towards

formalization and

This activity directly

contributes to achieving

the following indicators:

SUB-IND 2.1 High-level

National Export

Development Council,

or similar, established

46

operationalization of

NES Secretariat

- Discussion and

agreement on next

steps towards the

formalization of HEC

as the National

Export Dev. Council

SUB-IND 2.2 NES

implementation

management unit

(Secretariat)

operationalized

2.3. Development and

dissemination of

training material on

NES implementation

management

February 2017 –

June 2018

Geneva/Kabul

Key MOIC-EPAA

stakeholders gained

access to training

material tailored to

NES Afghanistan

implementation

management support

SUB-IND 2.3 Number of

trade capacity-building

guide published: 1

2.4. Training on

Management support to

establish and

operationalize an

effective

implementation

management

framework for NES

implementation

June, 2018

Kabul, Geneva

Key MoIC-EPAA staff

increased their

technical capacities

and gained skills on

implementation

management,

monitoring techniques

and resource

mobilization

SUB-IND 2.4. Number

of NES implementation

management trainings

completed: 1

Number of participants

to NES implementation

management trainings:

8

Number of female

participants to NES

Implementation

Management trainings:

2

2.5. Customization of

Strategy

Implementation

Management Tool

(SIMT) and training to

key officials

SIMT

Customization:

March-April 2018

Capacity-building:

June 2018

Kabul, Geneva

Customized

implementation

management tool to

the Afghanistan NES

Designated MOIC-

EPAA staff gained

knowledge on

functions of the tool

and use of the SIMT to

coordinate, report and

monitor

implementation

SUB-IND 2.4. Number

of NES implementation

management trainings

completed: 1

Number of participants

to NES implementation

management trainings:

8

Number of female

participants to NES

Implementation

Management trainings:

2

2.6. Stakeholder and

resource mobilization

to position the NES within

national development

priorities to support

implementation

Throughout the

NES design

process

Donor roundtable:

June 2018

The NES is well-

positioned within the

development priorities

of the country

Reconfirmation of

donors’ interest to

Not applicable.

47

Activity 2.1. Initial sensitization and coaching of key institutions’ focal points on sectors’ PoA

implementation

Title Initial sensitization and coaching of key institutions’ focal points on sectors’

PoA implementation

Location Kabul

Implementing partners ITC, MOIC-EPAA

Background/context During the second national consultation in Kabul, participants were

separated into groups, according to their sector of expertise (i.e. carpets,

dried fruits and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, saffron, marble and granite

and precious stones and jewellery).

In a participatory group discussion, participants guided by moderators,

discussed their Plan of Action (PoA) in detail, specifically focusing on the

strategic objectives, operational objectives and key activities.

Accordingly, ITC provided training/coaching to the trio of moderators, co-

moderators and rapporteurs of each of the six sector groups. They were

appraised on the main areas of their involvement during the consultation

and most importantly, they gained understanding on key features of sector-

level plans of action such as their objectives, importance and structure (i.e.

sector-specific strategic objectives, operational objectives and activities). In

order to lead sector-level discussion to revise and enrich PoAs, they were

coached on key success factors to enable the implementation of action

plans, such as responsibility attribution for the implementation of each

specific activity and the need for measurable and realistic targets.

Results Senior and middle-level staff of key institutions were appraised on the

importance, objectives and structure of sector-level PoAs. Senior and

middle-level staff were also sensitized on key success factors for translation

of NES activities into effective and efficient implementation. This exercise

contributed to increased national and institution-level ownership of each

sector strategy.

Stakeholder/participant

information

Senior and middle-level staff from national public-private institutions

relevant to each of the priority sectors, including AWCCI, MAIL, ACCI,

EPAA, among others

Kabul, Geneva formalize a framework

to coordinate Aid for

Trade interventions to

support NES

implementation

NES seen as an

instrument for

advocacy, planning

and coordination of

aid for trade initiatives

and trade-related

technical assistance

in Afghanistan

48

Supporting documents

Training material tailored to each priority sector, action plans

Contribution towards

programmes indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 2.4 Number of NES Implementation Management training's

completed: 1

Activity 2.2. Advisory and technical services towards the definition of operationalization of governance

structure for NES implementation

Title Advisory and technical services towards the definition of

operationalization of governance structure for NES implementation

Location Kabul

Implementing partners MOIC, EPAA, ITC

Background/context A key success factor towards NES implementation is the establishment and operationalization of a high-level public and private national coordinating body and its subsidiary organ to manage NES implementation.

It is recommended that the country establishes a specific high-level and public-private committee, that acts in an advisory and endorsement capacity to the government over issues related to the Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy or affecting export competitiveness overall.

The NES high-level Council should be supported by a NES Executive Secretariat to complete the daily operational work related to implementation management of the NES.

Considering the current institutional capacity and to avoid the multiplication of committees, stakeholders underlined the imperative for the High Economic Council to play the role of the NES high-level coordinating body during a preliminary phase.

MOIC-EPAA has been acting at the NES Secretariat during the design phase of the National Export Strategy. It has been proposed that MOIC-EPAA undertakes the role of the NES Executive Secretariat.

ITC has provided technical and advisory support to enable MOIC-EPAA to lead the discussions on the establishment and formalization of the NES Implementation Management Unit and the NES Secretariat. Key activities have included coaching of EPAA on different modalities of governance structure for the NES implementation, as preparation for the NES presentation to the HEC.

In June 2018, ITC also provided capacity-building to MOIC-EPAA key staff on coordination and management modalities (e.g. sector advisory committees), as part of its Implementation Management training.

Results Key stakeholders progressed on the definition and operationalization of the

NES implementation management structure with ITC’s advisory and

technical assistance.

Progress has been made towards the formalization of EPAA as the NES

Secretariat. MOIC-EPAA discussed, identified and agreed on action items

to achieve this goal in June 2018.

Additionally, key stakeholders gained clarity and reached consensus on the

best modality of governance structure for the implementation of priority

sector strategies (i.e. Specialized committees on Agriculture, Handicraft

and Mineral products).

Finally, action items were discussed and agreed on the formalization of

HEC as the National Export Development Council.

49


information

MOIC-EPAA key officials


Inputs sent to EPAA for NES presentation to HEC

Training material on implementation management



achievement

This activity directly contributes to achieving the following indicators:

SUB-IND 2.1 High-level National Export Development Council, or

similar, established: 1

SUB-IND 2.2 NES implementation management unit (Secretariat)

operationalized: 1

Activity 2.3. Development and dissemination of training material on NES implementation management

Title Development and dissemination of training material on NES

implementation management

Location Geneva/Kabul

Implementing partners ITC

Background/context Successful implementation can make the difference between a strategy that gathers dust and one that drives tangible development impact on the ground. The ability and competence of the NES Executive Secretariat need to be sufficient to ensure effective management of the NES implementation. The NES Secretariat should have knowledge of monitoring frameworks, resources mobilization and programming, communication, advocacy, etc. Without such skills, it will not be in a strong position to assume the responsibility of ensuring the implementation of the NES. It is thereafter, important to provide the Executive Secretariat with the appropriate tools and capacities to manage the NES efficiently.

In preparation for the capacity-building sessions of MOIC-EPAA officials on implementation management, corresponding training material was developed and disseminated to relevant stakeholders.

Results Key MOIC-EPAA stakeholders gained access to training material tailored to NES Afghanistan implementation management support, including a step-by-step guidance on the use and main features of the Strategy Implementation Management Tool


information

MOIC-EPAA key officials


Training material on implementation management, SIMT and resource

mobilization



achievement

SUB-IND 2.3 Number of trade capacity-building guide published: 1

Activity 2.4: Training on Management support to establish and operationalize an effective implementation management framework for NES implementation

Title Training on Management support to establish and operationalize an

effective implementation management framework for NES

implementation

Location Geneva and Kabul


Background/context The effective contribution of the NES to export development will largely depend on the ability of Afghanistan to plan, mobilize resources, coordinate activities and monitor implementation.

50

ITC’s intervention will continue to capacitate the NES Executive Secretariat i.e. MOIC- EPAA and sectoral advisory committees so as to guarantee that initiatives implemented are aligned to NES priorities.

The ultimate goal is to ensure the strategy’s priorities, as defined by national stakeholders, receive adequate support, are translate into implementable projects, and contribute to national targets.

Results Implementation management support to key institutions to manage and coordinate NES implementation has been initiated. While distance support has been continuous, a face-to-face training was organized in June 2018. MoIC-EPAA staff’ skills and capacity were strengthen to manage NES implementation. MoIC-EPAA staff further increased their knowledge and skills on management and monitoring techniques and resource mobilization.


information

Number of attendees: 8 (MoIC and EPAA staff)


Training material, NES Strategy documents



achievement

SUB-IND 2.4. Number of NES implementation management trainings

completed: 1

Number of participants to NES implementation management

trainings: 8

Number of female participants to NES Implementation Management

trainings: 2

Activity 2.5: Customization of Strategy Implementation Management Tool (SIMT) and training to key

officials

Title Customization of Strategy Implementation Management Tool (SIMT)

and training to key officials

Location Geneva and Kabul


Background/context In addition to building capacities and advisory support, a customizable tool is provided by ITC to ensure that MoIC will have the instruments required to effectively plan, coordinate, measure and prioritise the strategy implementation process. This tool (SIMT) has been developed based on ITC’s global experience and the identified emerging requirements of partner countries. The SIMT serves as a single window for organizing, monitoring and measuring implementation activities within a country.

Results The online SIMT has been tailored to the Afghanistan NES and all NES Plans of Action have been uploaded into the system.

National partners and designated NES Secretariat increased their knowledge and technical capacities on main functionalities and operationalization of the SIMT for reporting and monitoring of NES implementation.

The SIMT was officially deployed and data collection on trade-related interventions has begun.


information

Attendees: MoIC and EPAA staff


SIMT Online platform, NES Strategy documents



achievement

SUB-IND 2.4. Number of NES implementation management trainings

completed: 1

Number of participants to NES implementation management

trainings: 8

51

Number of female participants to NES Implementation Management

trainings: 2

Activity 2.6. Stakeholder and resource mobilization to position the NES within national development

priorities to support implementation

Title Stakeholder and resource mobilization to position the NES within

national development priorities to support implementation

Location Kabul, Geneva


Background/context ITC worked towards stimulating policy convergence and political cohesion around the NES with the overall objective of securing institutional support and political consideration towards NES implementation.

The majority of international development partners already acknowledged that the NES provides them with the proper implementation plan and framework as well as favourable conditions for operation (i.e. political endorsement, private sector buy-in and improved collaboration with national institutions and IOs).

Next step consists in capitalizing on the significant momentum gained as part of the NES design process and leveraging it for a smooth and efficient implementation.

Results ITC endeavoured to position the NES within the policy framework of the country. ITC provided support through coordination (bilateral consultations, regular exchanges with relevant national institutions) and provision of insight and expertise to ensure NES’ alignment with key policies and planned initiatives (e.g. Industrial Park Proposal). As a result, relevant national plans, policies and initiatives refer to the strategy as one of their preferred tool for implementation. These include among others, the NPP on Private Sector, Development, the Agribusiness Charter and the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum’s strategy on marble.

Key international development partners were fully appraised and sensitized on all aspect of the NES design and implementation phases through a Donor Coordination Roundtable in June 2018, followed by bilateral meetings.

Development partners re-confirmed their interest to formalize/define a framework for the development community to coordinate and deliver its Aid for Trade to support NES implementation. Donors identified synergies and alignment with ongoing and planned initiatives and NES implementation.

ITC has also drafted project proposals and pitch books for key activities, which are derived from the NES’ findings and PoAs with the objective of contributing to their implementation through resource mobilization.


information

Donor stakeholder meeting – attendees: 20High-level participants from USAID, EU, SIDA, DFID, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ, among others.

52

4.3 OUTPUT 3: Priority interventions identified during the NES design process are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness

During the first reporting period, in parallel to the design of the cross functional quality management under the

NES, training and initial capacity building activities were kicked off. These activities focused mainly on

sensitisation on TBT and SPS Agreements; preparation of training on standardization and technical

regulations; ANSA’s AAT priority work plan was approved and procedures related to standards and technical

regulations were drafted.

In the second year focus was on implementing selected priority activities identified with stakeholders: priorities

were extracted from ANSA work plan and priorities “1” from the NES Quality Cross functional strategy agreed

during the ongoing consultations with stakeholders.


2-day workshop on WTO TBT and SPS Agreements

ANSA Priority Plan

2-day workshop on Code of Good Practices for standards development, adoption, and promotion

1-day workshop on development of Technical Regulations

Half-day Awareness Workshop On Standardization


Activity

Date/Location Main Achievements Contributing to Indictor

Under Output 3. Priority interventions identified during the National Export Strategy design process

are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness

Under Act. 3.2 Advisory services to ANSA to develop services (standards, certification, training

center) and other Ministries and TSIs to implement priorities in the quality and SPS Area

Training workshop

on code of good

practices for

development,

adoption, and

promotion of

standards and

related manual

4-5 July 2017

ANSA, Kabul

Increased awareness on

the code of good practice

for preparation, adoption

and implementation of

standards, as well as on

the work of the technical

committees.

Knowledge gained on the

development of national

standards and building a

roadmap for the next

steps.

Enhanced collaboration

with ISO.


trainings delivered to

identified institutions: 1


advisory services provided

to implement the identified

priority interventions: 1

53

Training workshop

on development of

technical regulations

and related

procedures

8 July 2017

ANSA, Kabul

Increased awareness on

procedures for

development of technical

regulations as a tool to

improve the practicability

of technical regulations to

ensure safety of goods

and services.

Increased knowledge on

TBT and SPS agreements

and their implementation.

Review / adaption of draft

procedure for


regulations








Awareness

workshop on role

and importance of

standardization

9 July 2017

ANSA, Kabul

Increased awareness on:

The role and

importance of

standards, and

standard development

process;

Capacity needed to

meet standards and

requirements for ANSA

to develop a sound

quality infrastructure

Advised ANSA to use and

customise the training

materials for other

sensitisation workshops

(e.g. 5th national

conference on saffron)








Contribution to the

5th National

conference on

saffron; market

information and

identification of

buyer’s linkages

6 November 2017

Conference call at

the national

conference:

Geneva/Milan/Kabul

11 January 2018

and 15 February

2018, Milan

November - June

2018

Awareness built on

buyers’ saffron

requirements, on

possibility for

collaboration with Italian

lead company and on

saffron international and

national requirements at

the 5th national

conference on saffron

Ongoing discussion on

market linkages

3 sessions of the booklet

on requirements

completed








Training workshop

on Development of

technical regulations

19 December, 2017,

Kabul

Participants improved

their understanding on

good regulatory practices.




54

Draft procedure for


regulations was enhanced





Working Document -

National Quality

Policy of Afghanistan

February – April

2018

Kabul, Afghanistan

A working document on

the National Quality Policy

is developed and shared

with National Consultant

for fine-tuning prior to

further dissemination to

stakeholders for

comments.




priority interventions

Webinar on

Strengthening the

Standardization

service of ANSA -

ISOlutions

12 March 2018,

Online

(Geneva/Kabul)

Improved knowledge on

the design and provision

of solutions and training

on ISOlution that fits

Afghanistan needs.

Follow up ongoing with

ISO and ANSA to

facilitate access to

ISOlutions.



identified institutions:1





Three-week training

on mass, volume,

length and

calibration of

metrology for ANSA

laboratory

technicians

01 – 18 May 2018

New Delhi (India)

Knowledge and practical

exposure for three lab

technicians was acquired

enabling them to 1)

operationalize metrology

laboratory equipment, and

2) develop a road map for

improvement and

implementation.

Collaboration with the

National Physical

Laboratory of India (NPLI)

fostered.




Concept note on

training programmes

to strengthen

National Notification

Authority (NNA) and

National Enquiry

Points (NEP) on

Technical Barriers to

Trade (TBT) and

Sanitary and

Phytosanitary

Measures (SPS) and

first video training

session

8 May 2018

Online

(Geneva/Kabul)

Concept note on training

programme for

strengthening the NNA

and NEPs developed for a

series of 4 video training

sessions and coaching

programmes in

collaboration with WTO

TBT and SPS Secretariat.

4 questionnaires

developed and shared as

baseline of the NNA and

NEPs and analysis of

resultants compiled





55

Under Act. 3.2 Advisory services to ANSA to develop services (standards, certification, and training

centre) and other Ministries and TSIs to implement priorities in the quality and SPS Area

Title Training Workshop on Code of Good Practices for Development,

Adoption, and Promotion of Standards and related Manual

Date 4 – 5 July 2017

Location ANSA premises, Kabul, Afghanistan

Implementing

partners

ITC, ANSA, MoIC

Background/context The workshop is part of a series of workshops organised by ITC with ANSA and MoIC to address key priorities identified by stakeholders in the NES with the objective to strengthen the capacity to develop standards and technical regulations in accordance to WTO agreements.

This first workshop focussed on the principles of standard development and adoption of international standards, as well as the new drafted procedures for standard development, adoption and promotion.

ANSA has already adopted the Code of Good Practice for Preparation, Adoption and Implementation of Standards/ Annex 3 of WTO Agreement on TBT. However, the existing Procedure for Establishment and Operation of Technical Committee does not meet the requirements for the implementation of the code of good practice.

In relation to the above-mentioned, a workshop on July 4 – 5 2017 was implemented by ITC on the following topics: principles of WTO Agreements on TBT and SPS, Code of good practice for preparation, adoption and implementation of standards and on the review of the draft procedure.

1st video session initiated

jointly with WTO but not

completed due to internet

problems

Concept note on

strengthening the

food safety and food

control with training

programmes

designed in India

May 2018

Concept note developed

to sensitise stakeholders

on mechanism of food

control authorities in

different countries. In

collaboration with the

Food Safety Standards

Authority of India (FSSAI)

training agenda

developed for 8Afghan

high level officials on food

control and validation of

selection process of

participants ongoing





56

Results Increased awareness on the code of good practice for preparation, adoption and implementation of standards, as well as the work of the technical committees. The participants also gained knowledge on the development of national standards and building a roadmap for the next steps and the collaboration with ISO.

The draft Procedure for Development and Promotion of Standards was reviewed and amended. ANSA confirmed to follow up on its adoption to streamline the standard development activities, adoption of international standards and promotion of standards. The Procedure for Development and Promotion of Standards was developed based on the principles set out in ISO Directive 21 – Part 1 and 2 as well as the WTO TBT/Annex 3 – Code of Good Practice for Preparation, Adoption and Implementation of Standards.

The participant discussed the challenges in development and implementation of standards in Afghanistan, the need for capacity building and different approaches to be adopted by ANSA in order to ensure access to standards.

Stakeholder

/participant

information

46 participants from ANSA and other Ministries and private sector.

Participant evaluation Overall, the workshop was assessed as ‘Excellent’ by the participants which helped them to improve their understanding of the best practices.

Supporting

documents

Report on workshop, including agenda, presentations achievements and

participants’ evaluation. Revised draft manual.


programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 3.4: Number of trainings delivered to identified institutions: 1

SUB-IND 3.4: Number of advisory services provided to implement the

identified priority interventions: 1

Title Training workshop on development of technical regulations and related

procedures

Date 08 July 2017


Implementing

partners

ITC, ANSA, MoIC

Background/context The workshop is part of a series of workshops organised by ITC with ANSA and MoIC to address key priorities identified by stakeholders in the NES with the

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

overall Quality of Workshop

Content of the Workshop

Time for and Content of Discussion

Relevance of Workshop for your work

Facilities and Logistics

Presenters' command of the subject

Participants' Evaluation

5 4 3 2 1

57

objective to strengthen the capacity to develop standards and technical regulations in accordance to WTO Agreements.

The 2nd workshop, facilitated by ITC Senior Adviser and ITC Adviser on Quality and by an ITC National Consultant on quality, was conducted on 08 July 2017 on procedure for development of technical regulations, aiming to provide an introduction to the latter.

Technical Regulation is a document, which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade sets out the principles for development of technical regulations. In terms of the Post-Accession Strategy adopted by the government of Afghanistan, ANSA is responsible for coordination of the implementation of WTO TBT agreement. Currently, there is no procedure on how to develop technical regulations in order to comply with the requirements of TBT agreement.

In order to assist in that, ITC drafted a procedure for development of technical regulations. The document was prepared based on the principles of WTO TBT agreement and those of the Standardization Law of Afghanistan.

Results During the workshop the crucial need for coordination among regulatory bodies in order to ensure efficiency of the technical regulations, reducing barriers to trade and providing facilitation for cross-border trade was discussed.

The emphasis was on the facilitating role of the procedures for development of technical regulations as a tool to improve the practicability of technical regulations to ensure safety of goods and services.

In addition, the participant discussed the challenges in development and enforcement of technical regulations in Afghanistan, the needs for capacity building, and need to replicate the workshop in order to cover more regulatory bodies and get a common viewpoint on the document.

The draft Procedure was commented in details and finetuned. It was agreed to conduct a 2nd workshop to be held at MoIC with more regulatory bodies representative.

Stakeholder

/participant

information

42 participants from ANSA and other relevant ministries and private sector

representatives

Participant evaluation Overall the workshop was evaluated as ‘very good and useful’ by the

participants which helped them to learn the main principles of the agreement on

technical barriers to trade requirements for development of technical

regulations.

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

overall Quality of Workshop

Content of the Workshop

Time for and Content of Discussion

Relevance of Workshop for your work

Facilities and Logistics

Presenters' command of the subject

Participants' Evaluation

5 4 3 2 1

58

Supporting

documents

Report on workshop, including agenda, presentations achievements and

participants’ evaluation. Revised draft manual.


programmes

indicator’s

achievement




Title Awareness workshop on role and importance of standardization

Date 09 July 2017


Implementing

partners

ITC, ANSA, MoIC

Background/context The workshop is part of a series of workshops organised by ITC with ANSA and MoIC to address key priorities identified by stakeholders in the NES with the objective to strengthen the capacity to develop standards and technical regulations in accordance to WTO Agreements. The third event was a half-day awareness workshop was on role and importance of standardization for the private sector. The workshop was facilitated by ITC and ANSA representatives.

It has been observed that awareness of the role and importance of standards is limited among the public and private sector in Afghanistan. The majority of Afghan businesses have limited knowledge of international standards and existing standard development activities at ANSA. This effects the capacity for compliance with standards and Afghan goods and services being able to compete in regional and international markets.

Results A detailed presentation on standard development at national level, international standards and developing countries, international standardization bodies and their principles, standards and policy and standards and sustainable development was delivered. Participants learnt practical and real-life examples of the role of standardization.

In addition, a presentation by ANSA on development and promotion of national standards and participation of ANSA in regional and international standardization efforts was provided.

Participants were made aware of: 1) access, capacity of meeting standards and requirements for ANSA to play an active role in developing a sound quality infrastructure in the country, and; 2) ANSA standards available in the area of Saffron.

ANSA was advised to use and customise the presentations in other awareness events, such as the 5th national conference on saffron.

Stakeholder

/participant

information

79 participants from various public and private organisations, including:

ACCI, ANSA, ASIA, CRIDA, MAIL, MOIC, MOPW, MRRD, NEPA, UPK

Participant evaluation The feedback received from the participants following the workshop was very

positive. Some participants confirmed they were not aware of national

standards adopted by ANSA.

As per one participant anecdotal feedback: “The Afghanistan Stone Industrial

Association (ASIA) wants to take an effective step on Standardization of

Industry, especially on stone sector. So, we thank you for making this effective

59

step on standardization of products and especially on industry. We hope ASIA

to be a permanent assistant in your side.”

Supporting

documents

Report on workshop including the agenda, participants list, presentations.


programmes

indicator’s

achievement




Title 5th National conference on saffron, market information on saffron and

identification of buyer’s linkages

Date 6 November 2017 (national conference – Kabul and via video conference);

11 January, 15 February 2018 – meetings with buyer and technical service

providers;

Ongoing interactions until June 2018.

Location Kabul, Milan, Geneva (in-person meetings and via video-conference)

Implementing partners MAIL, ANSA, ITC

Background/context Saffron is a priority sector of the NES, with one key priority to improve its

competiveness being to sensitise Afghan producers on international buyers’

requirements and to activate market linkages. Italy is a key target market for

saffron from Afghanistan. Interactions have been initiated with a lead Italian

company of saffron and with specialised technical institutes (University of

Milan) to develop long term collaboration. Within this framework ITC

contributed to ensuring at the national conference on saffron:

- Inclusion of a technical session on national standards delivered by ANSA,

including development of materials.

- Video conference session with the Italian company and ITC team on

buyer’s requirements.

Post-event a number of follow-up activities were undertaken, including:

- Activities to identify potential suppliers to be engaged with the lead

company, the model to apply their quality protocol and the service providers

to support with quality compliance.

- A booklet and database on saffron mandatory, voluntary and buyer’s

requirements in India, China, EU is under development and will be widely

distributed upon completion.

Results More than 200 stakeholders in the saffron sector sensitised by ANSA on

saffron international requirements and services offered; on the requirements of

an Italian lead company and possibility for collaboration as potential buyer.

Proposal for collaboration and services to characterise the quality of saffron

and commercial opportunities drafted through various meetings with University

of Milan and Italian company.

Completed three sessions of the booklet on international requirements and

mandatory requirements related to SPS and TBT for China, India, EU plus

sensitisation guidance information on the different areas.

Stakeholder 200 stakeholders from public and private sectors

60

/participant

information

Participant evaluation Feedback from the participants at the fifth national conference was positive.

Two suppliers contacted directly the Italian lead company to explore supplying

opportunities.


Agenda, presentations made at the fifth national conference.

Draft booklet of saffron requirements.

Drat proposal for collaboration.


programmes

indicator’s

achievement




Title Training workshop on development of technical regulations and related

procedure

Date 19 December 2017

Location MoIC, Kabul, Afghanistan

Implementing

partners

ITC, MoIC, ANSA

Background/context On 8 July 2017 ITC conducted in Kabul a one-day workshop on “Development of Technical Regulations - TRs)” jointly with ANSA with the objective to: 1) sensitise Regulatory Bodies on Good Regulatory Practices; 2) consult with stakeholders on the guidelines/procedure for developing TRs. The workshop reviewed the draft procedure for the development of TRs and comments on the procedure were collected.

Given the broad spectrum of regulatory bodies involved in the development of TRs in Afghanistan and the need to sensitise and engage them in the process, the participants recommended MoIC to host a second one-day workshop on “Procedure for Development of Technical Regulations (TRs)”. In turn MoIC requested ITC to implement this workshop.

Results The workshop achieved the following objectives:

1) Sensitisation of Afghan regulatory bodies on good regulatory practices;

2) Stakeholders consulted and input obtained to inform revision of draft procedure for developing TRs.

In further detail:

Senior officers of all regulatory bodies in Afghanistan, ANSA standardization officers and experts, consumer protection, private sector representatives improved their understanding on good regulatory practices and have commented on the draft procedure for developing TRs. This would lead to a procedure being developed in consultation with all interested parties and being relevant and applicable to the context and needs of the country. The procedure on TRs was further improved and submitted for adoption.

A comprehensive and practical procedure for development of TRs was prepared by ITC and reviewed, commented by participants clause by clause. The document further detailed the TRs drafting, the need for risk assessment, coordination mechanism among the regulatory bodies and compliance with the principles of WTO TBT agreement. The procedure is to be submitted to high level committees for standards for approval by ANSA.

Stakeholder

/participant

information

42 participants, from various organizations such as ANSA standardization

officers and experts, consumer protection and private sector representatives,

as the following: ANSA, ACCI, MoPW, MoPH, NEPA.

61

Participant evaluation Positive evaluation from the side of the participants on the training and on the

manual.

Supporting

documents

List of participants; agenda; procedure for development of TRs.


programmes

indicator’s

achievement




Title Webinar on strengthening the standardization service of ANSA

Date 12 March 2018

Location Online (web-based)

Implementing partners ISO, ITC and ANSA

Background/context In order to enhance the capacity of ANSA and the delivery of standardization services, ITC facilitates collaboration between the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and ANSA for the design and provision of solutions and training on ISOlution that fits Afghanistan needs.

Accordingly a webinar (1.5 hours in length) was held for ISO, and ANSA representatives, where the ISOlutions standards development processes were explained with details on each step to better guide the participants and identify next steps.

Results Increased knowledge on ISOlutions standards development processes.

ANSA clarified pertinent questions / raised questions - Including the lack of feature to support the right to left writing; ANSA shall assess the implications during the trial.

The ISOlution may assist ANSA to overcome challenges related to physical participation to meetings.

NSB template was filled in by ANSA following the webinar, trial initiated to assess the suitability of the ISOlutions.

Stakeholder

/participant information

12 participants (including 2 women) from ANSA attended the webinar.

Participant evaluation Participants acknowledged that this is a helpful training to better understand

the requirements and the next steps to be followed.


Training report



achievement



identified priority interventions:1

Title Working document –National Quality Policy of Afghanistan

Date February 2018 – Ongoing

62

Location Remote

Implementing partners ITC, ANSA

Background/context One of the priority actions identified in the NES is the development and endorsement of a National Quality Policy (NPQ). ITC initiated the process by developing the working document of the NPQ to be further circulated for comments.

Results As a result of this activity, a draft working document on the NPQ has been developed and will be further circulated for comments and review of ANSA, MoIC, MoPH, MAIL, ministries responsible for environment protection, labour, ACCI, consumer association, and other key stakeholders.

It is planned to conduct a one-day workshop to gather all the comments and continue the work on it. Once the comments are incorporated, a validation workshop will be held.

Stakeholder


ITC, ANSA and other relevant stakeholders


Draft National Quality Policy of Afghanistan



achievement



Title Three-week training on mass, volume, length and calibration of

metrology for ANSA laboratory technicians

Date 01 – 18 May 2018

Location New Delhi, India

Implementing partners ITC, ANSA, National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in India

Background/context In order to enhance the capacity of ANSA and improvement of their services, ITC organized through NPL a three-week training for laboratory officials from the ANSA metrology team. Three technicians were selected based on their role, experience and educational background and underwent the training held in the NPL premises in New Delhi.

Off-site advisory service is provided by ITC Advisers to guide on the

application of the learning by ANSA participants to operationalise their labs.

Results As a result of the training, knowledge and practical exposure was acquired enabling ANSA to initiate the process to operationalize the equipment in their metrology lab and develop a road map for improvement and implementation.

In addition, collaboration with NPLI was built fostering future partnership opportunities.

A short film, participant interviews, and feature articicle was produced to sensitise on metrology and the impact of the training.

Stakeholder


Three technicians underwent for the training, in include the General manager of metrology labs; Technician of mass’s lab, and; Technician of length’s lab.

Participant evaluation Participants acknowledged that this is a helpful training to be applied in their

Kabul based laboratories. In addition, a request for a training on the legal

metrology was received and under consideration by ITC.


Report on the training; certificate of completion.

63



achievement


Title Concept note on training programmes to strengthen NNA and TBT and

SPS NEP and 1st video training

Date 8 May 2018

Location Online (Geneva/Kabul)

Implementing partners ITC, MOIC

Background/context The NES cross-functional strategy on Quality and SPS identifies the need to strengthen the Quality and SPS technical infrastructure as a priority to facilitate trade. One of the key priorities identified by stakeholders and as per the WTO post accession commitments is to strengthen and operationalise the TBT and SPS National Enquiry Points (NEPs) and the National Notification Authority (NNA). MoIC has a dedicated WTO focal point whose role is to coordinate the efforts of the different agencies responsible for reaching a satisfactory level of compliance to the requirements of the TBT and SPS Agreements. At present, ANSA operates the WTO TBT NEP, while the General Directorate of Planning and Program Coordination of MAIL is mandated for the SPS NEP. Furthermore, the designation of single central government authority responsible for the implementation at national level of certain provisions concerning notification procedures – a National Notification Authority (NNA) - is also required. Within the above context, ITC provides technical assistance to strengthening the NEP and NNA as one of the NES priorities. ITC’s proposed interventions envisage training and capacity building activities delivered in collaboration with WTO TBT and SPS Secretariats and other partners. Canada is consulted as partner. In order to enhance the capacity of the National Enquiry Points (NEP) and the National Notification Authorities (NNA) on TBT and SPS, a concept note for the development of the capacity building activities had been formulated, questionnaire to assess baselines and series of video training sessions planned.

Results As a result of of this activity, a concept note was presented to stakeholders. It sets 4 steps in the capacity development projects, as the following:

1. Baseline assessment - a questionnaire has been developed by ITC to

assess the capacity of the NNA and NEP. In total four questionnaires

were sent and filled in by the respective focal points and results analysed

with the NEP and NNA for needs assessment.

2. Video training sessions - a series of training activities were planned in

partnership with the WTO to provide in-depth knowledge on the

agreements and the different tools. The first one was organized on 07

May online, more than 25 participants in Kabul joined the session. Due to

internet connection problems faced at MOIC, the training was

interrepputed and had to be rescheduled. Alternative video facilities are

being identified.

3. Follow up activities - to ensure practical application on the issues related

to the NNA and NEP roles and responsibilities. Two assgnments were

circulated to the selected stakeholders

64

4. Twinning module - a training attachment of selected staff in charge of

NEP TBT and SPS is proposed to be done in a foreign country where the

NNA and NEP have fully functional organizational system in place.

Discussion is in place with Canada as hosting country to host the training

in August 2018. This will also build a long-term cooperation between the

partnering countries and ensure information and practical exchange.

5. Joint collaboration with WTO Secretariats is instrumental to further

engage Afghanistan in WTO post accession committments.

The activities are planned to take place between June - December 2018.

Stakeholder


MOIC, ANSA, MAIL and other relevant stakeholders involved in SPS and TBT matters. More than 25 participants attended the 1st video session – that had to be interrupted.

Participant evaluation Participants confirmed the value of the programme and content. Dissatisfaction was raised related to the poor internet connectivity and the challenges to host video conferences. Alternative means and facilities are to be identified (i.e. training abroad, reliable video conference facilities) to further engage WTO Secretariats since delegates cannot travel for security reasons to Kabul.


The Concept Note Technical Assistance Activities to

Strengthen TBT and SPS National Enquiry Points (NEPs) and the National Notification Authority (NNA) document; 4 Questionnaires with related analysis; programme of the 4 sessions, presentations and assignments for the 1st and 2nd sessions.



achievement

Number of trainings delivered to identified institutions – 1

Number of advisory services provided to implement the identified

priority interventions - 1

Title Concept note on strengthening the food safety and food control with

training programmes designed in India

Date May 2018

Location Geneva/Kabul

Implementing partners ITC, MOIC, MAIL, MOPH and ANSA

Background/context The NES quality function details the deficiencies of the SPS framework, including the weak status of various institutions that significantly reduce the potential synergy that could bring to improving export competitiveness, trade facilitation and consumer protection. To further collaborate and coordinate among the institutions, stakeholders identified the NES priority action is to establish a National Food Safety Authority. Currently the national food control system is carried out through MAIL - for fresh agricultural products and partially processed products, while MOPH controls processed foods. This leads to overlap on the roles and responsibilities and confusion, thus a need for efficient coordination as priority remains. During the last meeting of The Executive Committee on Private Sector Development (PriSEC), held late March, 2018, on the discussion related to the way forward on the development of the SPS capacity in the country, PriSEC flagged the need to expedite the process on the establishment of a National Food Safety Authority. They mentioned the following: “The proposal here is to establish a Food Safety Authority (similar to Food and Drug Administration in the US), which is urgently needed and extremely important for the increasing export” potential of Afghanistan”. In addition, it was also mentioned “The first step should be for technical representatives

65

from MOIC, MAIL, MOPH and ANSA to meet and agree on the outline of the framework.” This meeting will be followed by decisions on the next steps, where “ITC will provide the necessary support”. The dialogue held among the members of PriSEC’s further confirmed the urgency of providing technical assistance in the support of the establishment of National Food Safety Authority. ITC obtained clearance from government of India to organise with the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) a 2-week training for 8 high-level officials drawn from Afghan safety authorities on Indian and international practices. The selection process of participants was initiated at national level. ITC was requested by representative of PriSEC to hold the training and provide a concept note indicating different models of authorities. Subsequently, the Government of India endorsed the request to host two week training for 8 officials.

Results High attention raised on the need to streghten the food safety control system and engagement by stakeholders to collaborate.

High ranking officials from MAIL, MoPH, ANSA, MoIC expressed interest and support to the FSSAI programme and gave extended feedback and requests.

Concept Note on the Establishment of National Food Safety Authority has been developed. It underlines the current problems in the country and the different mechanisms put in place by other authorities as per FAO guidelines. The next steps in the proposal are: Establishment of a Task Force (Working Group on National Food Safety Authority), Experience sharing with oher countries, Training attachment in India, assistance by an expert on development of a road may and identification of model of the National Food Control Systems. Concept note under circulation at national level. The timeline for this activity is May – September 2018.

One MoPH high level representative selected to attend WTO workshop on inspection and controls in Geneva by the SPS Secretariat in July 2018.

Stakeholder


ITC, ANSA, MAIL, MoPH, MoIC.

Participant evaluation Pending feedback from stakeholders


Concept Note on Establishment of National Food Safety Authority; training

programme at FSSAI; endorsement of the Government of India to host the

programme.



achievement

Number of advisory services provided to implement the identified

priority interventions - 1

66

4.4 OUTPUT 4: Knowledge sharing mechanisms for GIRoA staff on trade policy/negotiation formulation and implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from the Region

During the first reporting period, a partnership arrangement between MoIC, CWS, ITC was completed at the

outset. It was agreed that CWS would deliver “Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme” over

an approximately two-year period commencing in April 2017 and end not later than 30 June 2019. The

programme was aimed at building the capacity of MoIC and other trade-related ministries and implementing

agencies/government officers. CWS and MoIC will work together so as to ensure local ownership for the

training programme is built so that it can be implemented locally following the involvement of CWS.

In order to formalise the partnership arrangement officials from both MoIC, CWS and ITC met on 31 March,

2017, New Delhi, India. At the meeting, officials were able to agree upon the modalities of work between the

three organisations and the work plan.

It was agreed that the programme will cover, amongst other things, trade analysis, trade diplomacy, trade

litigation and professional monitoring of compliance and effects of trade agreements. In-class training will be

followed up by an “on the job” coaching providing targeted support to the participating officers. By the end of

the programme, participants will be expected to have enhanced their understanding of the professional skills

in these areas.

As a first activity, a need assessment was initiated of the current level of technical capacities of the country’s

officers in responding to multilateral, regional and bilateral obligations stemming from WTO and other trade

agreements. In addition, gaps were identified in the skills of officers and institutions in formulating, coordinating

and implementing trade policy/regulatory reforms and preparing for and conducting trade negotiations. The

results of the need assessment would further inform the training curriculum developed under the programme.


Overall: Afghanistan’s MoIC partners with Indian CWS

Needs assessment for Trade Policy and Trade Negotiations Training and Certification for Government

Officials in Afghanistan


Activity Date/location Main Achievements Contributing to indicator

Activity 4.2: Governmental officers training programme is designed and implemented

Introductory Training

(As part of

Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

9 – 13 Oct,

2017, Delhi,

India

20 stakeholders built

knowledge on the key

concepts of the WTO and

its agreement (all passing

text)

Participants exposed to

teachings of leading

international institute.

SUB-IND: 4.3: Number of

Afghan participants

successfully passing trainers'

assessment: 20


Afghan participants (women)


assessment: 3

67


meetings: 1

First Advanced

Training (As part of

Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

8-12. Jan,

2018, Delhi,

India


knowledge in advanced

trade policy matters (all

passing text)





Afghan participants


assessment: 19




assessment: 3


meetings: 1

Second Advanced


Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

5 - 9 Feb, 2018,

Delhi, India




passing text)





Afghan participants


assessment: 19




assessment: 2


meetings: 1

Third Advanced


Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

9-13 April

2018, Delhi,

India




passing text)





Afghan participants


assessment: 17




assessment: 2


meetings: 1

Study Tour (As part

of Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

16-20 April

2018, Delhi.

India

Participants learnt the

Indian practice of trade

policy formulation,

implementation, trade

negotiations and trade

promotion in India, by

visiting nine key Ministries/

organisations involved in

these areas.


meetings: 1

68

Advisory services

(As part of

Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

Ongoing

Mechanism for attending

to request from

participants established

through Trade Policy

Hotline;

Technical support

provided on range on trade

policy matters.


meetings: 1

Internship

programme (As part

of Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme

6 - 28 August

2018, Delhi.

India

Two best performing

participants were identified

following regular

assessments by CWS

Programme for interns

designed by CWS and

agreed by MoIC

(programme will occur

between 6-31 August

2018).


meetings


Afghan participants


assessment

Activity 4.3: Training modules on trade policy are developed in cooperation with Afghan Universities

Mentorship (As part

of Afghanistan, WTO

and International

Trade Programme)

Ongoing

Both Kabul University and

APPRO have built their

knowledge of curriculum

that would best inform a

home-grown curriculum on

trade policies and

international trade;

Kabul University has

developed the structure

and accompanying

curriculum for a course

"Afghanistan, WTO and

International Trade"

Number of trainers and/or

regional resource persons

trained : 2


training modules/material

produced

Development of

training material (As

part of Afghanistan,

WTO and

International Trade

Programme)

Ongoing

Full set of learning

materials have been

provided to MoIC/further

stakeholders for long-term

usage.

Participants were

provided tailor-made

training material/readings

at the beginning of the

course to cover the entire


training modules/material

produced: 10

69

Title Introductory Training

Date/Location 9 – 13 October 2017, Delhi, India,

Implementing partners CWS (India based); MoIC; ITC

Background/context The initiative is aimed at building Afghan capacity (MoIC) in the area of trade

policy formulation and implementation (with a particular focus on WTO

agreements and their implementation, including in the Afghan context). The

programme, is being implemented in partnership with the Delhi based Centre

for WTO studies (CWS) under the overall guidance on ITC.

This was the first training of the programme, with 20 Afghan participants

attending. It was inaugurated by Ms. Kamila Sidiqi, the Deputy Minister of

Commerce and Industry, Government of Afghanistan. Ms. Rita Teaotia,

Commerce Secretary, Government of India also graced the occasion.

Results As an introductory course, 20 stakeholders were familiarised on the following

topics:

Key concepts of the WTO and its agreements; Types of data, and sources

of data, relevant for international trade; Economic rationale for international

trade, introduction to WTO and FTAs; Afghanistan in world trade; Basic

provisions of GATT; Agreement on Agriculture and understanding country-

level schedules, trade remedies, policy flexibilities under Agreement on

Subsidies and Countervailing Measures; Standards and SPS-TBT

agreements; GATS and understanding services schedule of commitments;

Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and

flexibilities thereunder; Trade litigation and WTO's Dispute Settlement;

Understanding and role of research and stakeholder consultations in trade

policy making.

Participants were regularly tested throughout the training and overall all (20)

received a past mark.

Stakeholder/ participant

information

20 participants – drawn from MOIC, Administrative Office of the President,

Kabul University, ACCI, APPRO.

3 women participants.


Training report; course materials; press release.

programme / better inform

their learning.

70



achievements

SUB-IND 4.3: Number of Afghan participants successfully passing

trainers' assessment: 20

SUB-IND 4.4: Number of Afghan participants (women) successfully

passing trainers' assessment: 2

SUB-IND 4.6: Number of meetings: 1

Title First Advanced Training

Date/Location 8-12 January 2018, Delhi, India


Background/ context The initiative is aimed at building Afghan capacity (MoIC) in the area of

trade policy formulation and implementation (with a particular focus on

WTO agreements and their implementation, including in the Afghan

context). The programme, is being implemented in partnership with the

Delhi based Centre for WTO studies (CWS) under the overall guidance on

ITC.

This second training followed a prior introductory training held between 9 –

13 October 2017.

Results 19 participants were familiarized on the following topics:

- Introduction to basics of trade data- Trade Classification Systems, such

as HS, ISIC, SITC and BEC; Detailed discussion of the Harmonised

System of Nomenclature; WTO tariff profile and Multilateral Trade

Negotiation (MTN) Product categorisation; and basic excel exercises

on “Vlookup” function and generation of “Pivot” tables.

- World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) and analysis of trade data of

Afghanistan- generating WITS Query; basic grouping tasks in WITS

query; query on MFN tariffs, mapping tariffs with HS codes; and linking

trade data with MFN tariff data.

- Practical exercise on trade data analysis- creating product and country

grouping; creation of SAARC group and assessment of the trade with

world; exercise on working with mirror data in WITS; exercise on

direction of trade; exercise on trade indicators and tariff schedules; and

exercise on Bound Rate, Applied Rate and tariff overhang.

- Market access and trade composition- composition of Afghanistan's

exports and imports (using mirror data) for MTN product group; and

direction of trade.

- Market access and trade indicators - identifying MTN category of low

share but high growth; and demonstration of calculation on trade

balance, unit value and revealed comparative advantage (RCA); and

Afghanistan’s WTO tariff commitments and FTA.

71

- WTO Agreement on Agriculture - why study AoA; importance of AoA

for Afghanistan; 3 pillars of AoA; Afghanistan's Tariff Schedule.

- Domestic support (DS) - Green box, Amber box and other components

of DS; Afghanistan's commitments on DS; DS notification template; DS

notification of Afghanistan; analysis of some DS programmes;

discussion of WTO’s Committee on Agriculture (CoA) and responding

to questions in CoA.

- Export Competition – theoretical consideration on export subsidies;

flexibility as an LDC; and Afghanistan’s Schedule on export subsidies.

- Brief discussion of Doha negotiations.

- Practical Exercises on Agreement on Agriculture – notifications; WTO

Tool kit; AG-IMS; compliance of notifications; questions and answer

raised in Committee on Agriculture (AG-IMS).

- Data Sources for Agriculture – FAOSTAT; USDA; GAIN reports; World

Bank; and Index Mundi.

- Review of key principles of GATT and practical exercise on key

principles of GATT.




information

19 – drawn from MOIC, Administrative Office of the President, Kabul

University, ACCI, APPRO

Supporting documents Training report; course materials; press release.



achievements



SUB-IND: 4.4: Number of Afghan participants (women) successfully



Title Second Advanced Training

Location 5 - 9 February 2018, Delhi, India

Implementing partners CWS (India based); MOIC; ITC

Background/ context The initiative is aimed at building Afghan capacity (MoIC) in the area of

trade policy formulation and implementation (with a particular focus on

WTO agreements and their implementation, including in the Afghan

context). The programme, is being implemented in partnership with the

72

Delhi based Centre for WTO studies (CWS) under the overall guidance on

ITC.

This second training followed a prior introductory and first advanced

training.


- Introduction to basics of trade data- Trade Classification Systems, such

as HS, ISIC, SITC and BEC; Detailed discussion of the Harmonised

System of Nomenclature; WTO tariff profile and Multilateral Trade

Negotiation (MTN) Product categorisation; and basic excel exercises

on “Vlookup” function and generation of “Pivot” tables.

- World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) and analysis of trade data of

Afghanistan- generating WITS Query; basic grouping tasks in WITS

query; query on MFN tariffs, mapping tariffs with HS codes; and linking

trade data with MFN tariff data.

- Practical exercise on trade data analysis- creating product and country

grouping; creation of SAARC group and assessment of the trade with

world; exercise on working with mirror data in WITS; exercise on

direction of trade; exercise on trade indicators and tariff schedules; and

exercise on Bound Rate, Applied Rate and tariff overhang.

- Market access and trade composition- composition of Afghanistan's

exports and imports (using mirror data) for MTN product group; and

direction of trade.

- Market access and trade indicators - identifying MTN category of low

share but high growth; and demonstration of calculation on trade

balance, unit value and revealed comparative advantage (RCA); and

Afghanistan’s WTO tariff commitments and FTA.

- WTO Agreement on Agriculture - why study AoA; importance of AoA

for Afghanistan; 3 pillars of AoA; Afghanistan's Tariff Schedule.

- Domestic support (DS) - Green box, Amber box and other components

of DS; Afghanistan's commitments on DS; DS notification template; DS

notification of Afghanistan; analysis of some DS programmes;

discussion of WTO’s Committee on Agriculture (CoA) and responding

to questions in CoA.

- Export Competition – theoretical consideration on export subsidies;

flexibility as an LDC; and Afghanistan’s Schedule on export subsidies.

- Brief discussion of Doha negotiations.

- Practical Exercises on Agreement on Agriculture – notifications; WTO

Tool kit; AG-IMS; compliance of notifications; questions and answer

raised in Committee on Agriculture (AG-IMS).

- Data Sources for Agriculture – FAOSTAT; USDA; GAIN reports; World

Bank; and Index Mundi.

- Review of key principles of GATT and practical exercise on key

principles of GATT.

73




information

19 – drawn from MoIC, Administrative Office of the President, Kabul

University, ACCI, APPRO

Supporting documents Training report; course materials; press release.



achievements



SUB-IND 4.4: Number of Afghan participants (women) successfully



Title Third Advanced Training

Date / Location 9-13 April 2018, Delhi, India


Background/ context The initiative is aimed at building Afghan capacity (particularly the Ministry

of Industry and Commerce - MoIC) in the area of trade policy formulation

and implementation (with a particular focus on WTO agreements and their

implementation, including in the Afghan context). The programme, is being

implemented in partnership with the Delhi based Centre for WTO studies

(CWS) under the overall guidance on ITC.

This third training followed a prior introductory as well as first and second

advanced trainings.


- Dispute Settlement Understanding: Detailed provisions; procedures

and case studies.

- Negotiating strategies: Definition; types; strategies used by different

countries and responses; preparing for negotiations and simulation

exercise.

- Policy flexibilities under WTO: Detailed provisions under GATT,

TRIMS, Subsidies Agreement and TRIPS Agreement; case studies.

- New issues at the WTO: Electronic commerce; Investment facilitation;

MSME; and Trade and gender.

- TRIPS Agreement: Detailed provisions; flexibilities; case studies;

TRIPS and public health; case studies on TRIPS and public health.

- Regulatory impact assessment: Theoretical approaches and practical

application.

74

- Recent developments in international trade: GATT article XXI and

resort by US to the security exception; counter-action by China; recent

disputes raised by the US and China against each other; and Section

301 of US Trade Act - provisions and past WTO jurisprudence.

- Revision of key provisions of WTO agreements.




information

17 participants – drawn from MOIC, Administrative Office of the President,

Kabul University, ACCI, APPRO

Supporting documents Training report; course materials.



achievements

SUB-IND: 4.3: Number of Afghan participants successfully passing


SUB-IND: 4.4: Number of Afghan participants (women) successfully



Title Study Tour

Location 16-20 April, 2018, Delhi, India

Implementing partners CWS (India based); MOIC; ITC

Background/ context The initiative is aimed at building Afghan capacity (particularly the Ministry

of Industry and Commerce - MoIC) in the area of trade policy formulation

and implementation (with a particular focus on WTO agreements and their

implementation, including in the Afghan context). The programme, is being

implemented in partnership with the Delhi based Centre for WTO studies

(CWS) under the overall guidance of ITC.

During 16-20 April 2018, the participants from Afghanistan undertook a

study tour of key Ministries/ organisations involved in trade policy

formulation, implementation, trade negotiations and trade promotion in

India.

This study tour followed an introductory training and three advanced

trainings.

Results Participants leant the Indian practice of trade policy formulation,

implementation, trade negotiations and trade promotion in India, by visiting

nine key Ministries/ organisations involved in these areas.


information

18 participants drawn from MoIC, Administrative Office of the President,

Kabul University, ACCI, APPRO

Supporting documents Training report; course materials.

75



achievements


Title Internship programme

Implementing partners CWS

Background/context As part of the Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme, the

two best performing participants would intern for one month at the CWS. As

the CWS works closely with the Department of Commerce, Government of

India, this will also provide the 2 interns with considerable exposure to the

working of the Department of Commerce. This will assist the participants in

sharpening their on-the-job skills.

Results Two best performing participants were identified following regular

assessments by CWS.

Programme for interns designed by CWS and agreed by MoIC (programme

will occur between 6-31 August 2018).


Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme: Report on First

Intake of Participants.



achievements

Number of trainers and/or regional resource persons trained

Number of meetings

Activity 4.3: Training modules on trade policy are developed in cooperation with Afghan Universities

Title Mentorship

Date/Location Ongoing / Delhi (In-person) and distance interactions

Implementing partners MoIC, ITC, CWS

Background/context As part of the partnership between MoIC and CWS a mentoring programme

would be implemented. CWS would work closely with the identified university

(ies)/institution(s) for developing curriculum on trade policies and

international trade. This would be done through a combination of in-person

interaction (as part of selected participant, one from each institution,

attending seven month “Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade

Programme” and distance interactions through emails and Skype. Every

attempt would be made to use examples from Afghanistan to explain key

concepts in the module.

Accordingly, CWS conducted a mentorship programme for the Kabul

University and the Afghanistan Public Policy Research Organization

76

(APPRO) – the two MoIC identified beneficiary institutions for this initiative.

The objective of the programme was to mentor the two organizations in

developing a structured course on trade policy for officials and other

stakeholders in Afghanistan as a contribution to a sustainable transfer of

knowledge on WTO issues.

As CWS has worked closely with both Kabul University and APPRO to

develop curriculum on trade policies and international trade. This included

one academic from both institutions attending 7 month “Afghanistan, WTO

and International Trade Programme”.

Results Both Kabul University and APPRO have built their knowledge of curriculum

that would best inform a home-grown curriculum on trade policies and

international trade;

Kabul University has developed the structure and accompanying curriculum

for a course "Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade" (see Annex VII)

that is anticipated to be taught over 15 lectures in Kabul following approval.

At present, Kabul University has approved the course and it is pending

approval from the Ministry of Higher Education. The course will provide a

comprehensive overview and a detailed understanding of various aspects

relating to international trade. It covers topics from the economic, policy and

legal perspectives.


information

Kabul University – 1 participant

APPRO – 1 participant


Structure and accompanying curriculum for a course "Afghanistan, WTO and

International Trade", proposed to be taught at Kabul University.



achievements

Number of training modules/material produced: 0 (Kabul University has

developed structure and accompanying curriculum for a course

"Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade". Further finalisation still to be

confirmed)

Title Development of training material

Implementing partners MoIC, CWS, ITC

Background/context As part of “Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme”,

participants, CWS developed a tailor-made training materials/reading

materials for this programme to give to participants comprising of 10

modules. The modules (150 pages in length) covers the following areas:

1) Why do countries trade

2) Introductions to WTO and FTAs

3) Introduction to Trade Data

4) Afghanistan and World Trade

5) Afghanistan and the Agreement on Agriculture

6) TBS and SPS

7) Trade Remedies

77

8) Intellectual Property Rights

9) General Agreement on Trade in Services

10) Trade Litigation

Subsequently it was translated into Dari and given to each participant.

Additionally prior to each training participants received an extensive reading

list and further notes.

Results Full set of learning materials have been provided to MoIC for long-term

usage.

Participants were provided tailor-made training material/readings at the

beginning of the course to cover the entire programme / better inform their

learning.


Training material/reading material as presented in “Afghanistan, WTO and

International Trade Programme: Report on First Intake of Participants”.



achievements

SUB-IND 4.2: Number of training modules/material produced: 10 (i.e.

one for each topic mentioned above)

Title Advisory services

Date/Location Ongoing / distance

Implementing partners CWS; MoIC; ITC

Background/context In the context of, Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme,

CWS interacted through emails for addressing any queries that they had

regarding the technical content of the trainings, as well as addressing job-

related questions. As part of this, CWS set up a Trade Policy Hotline –

whereby participants can obtain technical advice on trade policy matters that

they are facing in their work and or through the trainings. A dedicated e-mail

ID ([email protected]) was set up for participants to respond.

An additional ad-hoc training was held through Skype videoconference on

with the purpose on refreshing information gained from the first introductory

training and also respond to questions.

Results Mechanism for attending to request from participants established through

Trade Policy Hotline.

Technical support provided on range on trade policy matters.


Concept note for Trade Policy Hotline; report for ad-hoc training

78



achievements


79

4.5 OUTPUT 5: Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the TFA are established at national level and linked with regional partners

During the first reporting period, the project focused on enhancing the capacity of the Members of the IMCWTF on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and on initiating the TFA categorization process in accordance with Afghanistan legal obligations under the WTO.

The improved understanding of trade facilitation by IMCWTF Members allowed ITC to deepen its technical assistance services in year 2. Building upon the achievements of the first reporting period, ITC has facilitated several working sessions/workshops with IMCWTF Members and private sector representatives to finalize the categorization of the TFA obligations. Through continuous advisory services to the government of Afghanistan, ITC also contributed to the validation of the categorization by the High-Economic Council and the subsequent notification to the WTO of Afghanistan categorization decision. Simultaneously, the ITC has supported the development a trade facilitation strategy that has been included as a dedicated chapter of the NES and developed 10 years TFA implementation work plan taking into account government and businesses priorities for reform and the complexity of different TFA obligations. ITC is now supporting the Government of Afghanistan in aligning the Customs Strategic Plan with the TFA implementation work plan to ensure consistency in the timing and modalities of trade facilitation reforms across all border regulatory agencies.

Activity Date/location Main

Achievements

Contributing to indicator

Under Activity 5.1: Support the implementation of the WTO TFA through technical advisory

services to IMCWTF and other government agencies & Activity 5.2: Support the capacity

building and operationalization of IMCWTF and other public sector agencies to implement the

WTF TFA

WTO Trade

Facilitation

Agreement -

categorization

workshop

25, July, Kabul

Endorsed

recommendations for

the categorization of

the TFA obligations

by the IMCWTF

SUB-IND 5.1 - Number of recommendation towards the implementation of the TFA issued and/or endorsed by the Government of Afghanistan: 1

SUB-IND 5.2: Number of public

and private sector

representatives stating

increased awareness on the

WTO TFA and trade facilitation

reforms: 47

Notification of

TFA

categorization

decision to the

WTO

19, February, Kabul Official notification of

the categorization

decision to the WTO


Development of a

National Trade

Facilitation

Strategy (i.e.

July to October

2017

The Trade

Facilitation Strategy

is endorsed by HEC

(along with the NES)

SUB-IND 5.1 - Number of recommendation towards the implementation of the TFA

80

dedicated NES

chapter)

issued and/or endorsed by the Government of Afghanistan: 1

TFA Prioritization

and Sequencing

Workshop

12 – 14, May 2018

WTO TFA measures

have been

categorised. Cost-

benefit analysis of

each measure has

been conducted.

Measures have been

prioritized and a 10

years high-level

work-plan has been

developed.

IMCWTF trained on

TFA, cost-benefit

analysis,

implementation

planning, private

sector participation,

inter-ministerial

collaboration and

coordination of

reforms.



and private sector




reforms: 35

Private sector

workshop to

review TFA

implementation

plan developed by

IMCWTF

24, June, 2018 Representatives of

the business

community reviewed

and proposed

amendment to the

TFA implementation

plan developed by

IMCWTF Members

SUB-IND 5.1 - Number of recommendation towards the implementation of the TFA issued and/or endorsed by the Government of Afghanistan


and private sector




reforms: 42

Alignment of

Customs Strategic

Plan with TFA

25, June, 2018 Technical note

shared with

Government of

Afghanistan


Activity 5.3: Increase awareness of private stakeholders on the TFA and their ability to contribute to TFA related PPD within the IMCWTF and other fora

Train-the-trainers

event in Istanbul

October 2017

All training material

adapted to the needs

of Afghanistan and

translated in Pashto

and Dari.

81

Activity 5.1: Support the implementation of the WTO TFA through technical advisory services to IMCWTF and other government agencies & Activity 5.2: Support the capacity building and operationalization of IMCWTF and other public sector agencies to implement the WTF TFA

Title WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement - categorization workshop

Date/Location 25 July, Kabul

Implementing

partners

MoIC, USAID, ITC

Background/

context

The technical committees work was focused on categorising 36 key reforms

measures, as stipulated by the TFA, into three possible categories:

- Category A: provisions that the member will implement by the time

the Agreement enters into force (or in the case of a least-developed

country within one year after entry into force)

- Category B: provisions that the member will implement after a

transitional period following the entry into force of the Agreement

- Category C: provisions that the member will implement on a date

after a transitional period following the entry into force of the

Agreement and requiring the acquisition of assistance and support

for capacity building.

The TFA entered into force on 22 February and creates legally binding

obligations for Afghanistan to improve transparency, predictability, fairness,

and efficiency of the cross-border trade environment. As per the TFA,

Afghanistan is in the process of self-designating the provisions of the TFA

into these three possible categories. Moving forward, Afghanistan will be

required to build upon the committee recommendations, prepare an action

plan for the implementation of reforms and notify to the WTO before 22

February 2018.

Effective implementation of the WTO obligations is seen as key in reducing

the time and cost of trade in the country and thereby create a more

conducive business environment for traders. Under the AAT project, ITC is

working with both government and the private sector to this end.

6 To deliver trainings on the WTO TFA.

Five master trainers

have been trained to

deliver training to the

private sector on the

WTO TFA.

SUB-IND 6.2: Trainers are trained:6 7 SUB-IND 5.2: Number of public and private sector representatives stating increased awareness on the WTO TFA and trade facilitation reforms: 7

82

ITC, in collaboration with MoCI and USAID organized a 2 days’ workshop

with Members of the IMCWT to categorize each of the 36 obligations of the

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. During the workshop, ITC presented

each measure of the Agreement and facilitated discussion on Afghanistan

current compliance status vis-à-vis its international obligations. Discussions

focused on existing gaps in terms of: legal frameworks, organisational and

institutional structures, standard operating procedures, IT equipment and

procedures automations, capacity of border regulatory agencies staff.

Results Endorsed recommendations for the categorization of the Trade Facilitation

Agreement (TFA) obligations (11 category A measures, 14 category B

measures, 11 category C measures)

Stakeholder/

participant

information

47 participants from Ministries, border regulatory agencies and business

associations Members of the IMCWTF

Participant

evaluation

Not available

Supporting

documents

Workshop presentations, categorization recommendations, activity report

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement


SUB-IND 5.2: Number of public and private sector representatives

stating increased awareness on the WTO TFA and trade facilitation

reforms: 47

83

Title Advisory services: categorization recommendation validation by HEC

and official notification of categorization decisions to the WTO

Date/Location From July 2017 to February 2018, Kabul and Geneva

Implementing

partners ITC, MoCI, Special Adviser to the President of Afghanistan

Background/

context

Following the categorization workshop organized by ITC and USAID, ITC

provided continuous advisory services to the Government of Afghanistan to

further refine and document the categorization recommendations

formulated by the IMCWTF and facilitate its adoption by the High-Economic

Council and its official notification to the WTO.

Results

The categorization recommendation is validated by the High-Economic

Council. The categorization decision is officially notified to the WTO

according to the requirements under WTO-TFA Section 2.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

ITC, MoIC, Special Adviser to the President of Afghanistan

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement


Title Advisory services: Development of a National Trade Facilitation

Strategy as a dedicated chapter of the NES

Date/Location July to November 2017, Kabul, Geneva

Implementing

partners

Members of the IMCWTF and representatives of the Afghan business

community

Background/

context

Afghanistan is engaged in numerous development efforts, including through

strengthening the private-sector-led market economy. This entailed cutting

the high costs to trade for Afghan traders and simplifying the regulatory

business and investment framework. In this context, trade facilitation

reforms have become a priority. The ITC has thus supported the

development a trade facilitation strategy to improve the transparency,

fairness, predictability and efficiency of cross-border operations. This

strategy has been developed through consultations with public and private

stakeholders in Afghanistan and building upon the recommendations

stemming from TFA categorization workshops. The national trade

facilitation strategy has become an integral part the Afghanistan National

Export Strategy developed by ITC in close cooperation with the

Government of Afghanistan

Results The national trade facilitation strategy is developed and endorsed by the

High-Economic Council

Supporting

Document Technical note to the Special Adviser to the President of Afghanistan

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Members of the IMCWTF and representatives of the Afghan business

community

Contribution

towards

programmes


84

indicator’s

achievement

Title Prioritization and Sequencing Workshop

Date/Location 12 – 14 May, Kabul

Implementing

partners

Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Inter-Ministerial Committee on WTO and

Trade Facilitation

Background/

context

Over the course of 2017, significant progress was made towards meeting

Afghanistan’s commitments under the WTO TFA agreement. The TFA

measures were categorised, the categorisations were endorsed by the high-

level inter-ministerial committee on WTO and Trade Facilitation (IMCWTF),

then approved by the High Economic Council and notified to the WTO. This

three-day workshop built on that progress by gathering public and private

trade facilitation stakeholders to discuss prioritisation, sequencing and

implementation of the upcoming Trade Facilitation reforms.

The objectives of the workshop were as follows

briefly discuss each of the TFA measures and the possible

implementation modalities;

prioritise and sequence the reforms

develop an over-all implementation strategy and work-plan;

develop in-depth implementation plan for select, high-priority TFA

measures;

select measures to be implemented with technical assistance from

ITC;

select measures for which ITC can assist in the elaboration of project

proposals to be submitted to development partners for further

technical assistance.

Results Workshop participants conducted cost-benefit analysis of each TFA

measures, then ranked them in order of priority. A high-level implementation

was developed and is currently being validated.

In the process, workshop participants were trained on the TFA, on CBA

methodology, on implementation planning, on the importance of private

sector inputs and on inter-ministerial collaboration.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

See participant evaluation + participant list from Danish

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement




reforms: 35

85

Title Advisory services: Alignment of Customs Strategic Plan with TFA

implementation plan developed by IMCWTF

Date/Location 25 June 2017, MoCI, Kabul

Implementing

partners ITC, MoCI, ACD

Background/

context

During the Sequencing and Prioritization workshop that was held in Kabul

on the 12-14 May 2018, it emerged that the Afghan Customs Department

had developed its own TFA implementation plan and incorporated it into its

Five-Year Strategic Plan for Customs Modernization. However, the

development of the plan had been done without consultation with other

border authorities or the private sector. The plan was also based on some

misunderstandings of the TFA’s legal obligations, such as the notion that all

Category B measures must be implemented within a period of five years

from ratification.

A meeting was held with MOIC and ACD, and a technical note delivered to

all participants, to provide clarification on the legal obligations contained in

the TFA and to impart some best practices in TFA implementation. The

technical note also included a comparison of the Customs Plan for TFA

implementation (Strategic Goal 6 of the Customs Modernization Plan) and

the draft work-plan developed by the IMCWTF during the Prioritization and

Sequencing Workshop that was held in May.

Both MOIC and ACD are now in a position to align the two plans, by

consulting with the relevant parties and with each other. The plans will likely

be aligned, and the IMCWTF draft work plan finalised, at a meeting of the

IMCWTF. The plan will then be approved at the level of the High Economic

Council.

Results

Recommendations for the alignment of the Customs Strategic Plan with the

IMCWTF draft work plan for TFA implementation delivered. Stakeholders

trained on TFA legal obligations and best practices in TFA implementation.

Supporting

Document Technical note shared with Government of Afghanistan

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Mr. Mudabber, Head of IMCWTF at the MOIC

Mr. Sadat, Afghan Customs Department

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement


86

Activity 5.3: Increase awareness of private stakeholders on the TFA and their ability to contribute to TFA related PPD within the IMCWTF and other for a

Title Private sector trainings: pedagogical material development

Date/Location July 2017 to October 2017

Implementing

partners ITC

Background/

context

For businesses, especially for SMEs, operationalizing the TFA is a path

towards internationalization, which will allow them to access international

value chains at lower cost and at greater speeds. SMEs can most benefit

from the Agreement by having a sound understanding of how the new

procedures and requirements will complement their business priorities. Like

other WTO agreements, the degree to which the intended benefits of the

TFA can be actually realized will depend upon how it is implemented in

national law and practice. While implementation is the primary responsibility

of the WTO members, businesses play a critical role in the consultative

process to advice authorities as to how the Agreement is best applied in the

national environment.

ITC has partnered with ACCI to empower selected ACCI representatives

(i..e Master trainers) to deliver TFA related trainings to the business

community in Kabul and province. The objective of the trainings to be

delivered by ACCI is to assist businesses in understanding the terms,

potential benefits and practical use of each of the technical measures of the

TFA and to equip the business community with the necessary technical and

advocacy skills to successfully contribute to the design, implementation and

monitoring of the TFA.

In this context, ITC developed training materials to assist ACCI master

trainers in delivering capacity building services to private sector, including a

training manual, 4 PowerPoint presentations and 4 worksheets. All training

material has been made available in Dari. In addition, ITC has developed a

tailor made methodology to empower 7 national Master trainers from ACCI

to deliver TFA trainings autonomously to the private sector in Kabul and

provinces.

Results

Customized methodology and training material to empower Master trainers

developed. Training material for private sector workshop developed and

translated.

National Master Trainers are empowered to deliver private sector workshop

on the TFA

Supporting

Document

Training material for the ToT event and training material for private sector

workshop available

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 6.2 Trainers are trained7

7 To deliver trainings on WTO TFA

87

Title Private sector workshops: training of ACCI Master Trainers

Date/Location October 2017, Istanbul, Turkey

Implementing

partners ITC, ACCI

Background/

context

ITC has partnered with ACCI to empower selected ACCI representatives

(i..e Master trainers) to deliver TFA related trainings to the business

community in Kabul and province. The objective of the trainings to be

delivered by ACCI is to assist businesses in understanding the terms,

potential benefits and practical use of each of the technical measures of the

TFA and to equip the business community with the necessary technical and

advocacy skills to successfully contribute to the design, implementation and

monitoring of the TFA.

ITC has organized a training-of-trainer event to equip 7 ACCI Master

trainers with necessary technical and pedagogical material to deliver TFA

related private sector trainings autonomously.

Results 7 ACCI Master trainers are empowered to deliver TFA private sector

trainings autonomously in Kabul and provinces

Supporting

Document Event reports

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement

SUB-IND 6.2Trainers are trained8: 7

SUB-IND 5.1 - Number of recommendation towards the implementation

of the TFA issued and/or endorsed by the Government of Afghanistan

Title Private sector workshop to review TFA implementation plan

developed by IMCWTF

Date/Location 25 June 2017, ACCI premises, Kabul

Implementing

partners ITC, ACCI, MoCI

Background/

context

Private sector participation in the Prioritization and Sequencing workshop

that was held in Kabul from 12-14 May 2018 was below expectations.

Given the importance of securing private sector inputs into Trade

Facilitation reforms, ITC and MOIC agreed to organise another workshop,

specifically for the private sector, during which traders would be given the

opportunity to provide their views on the draft TFA implementation work-

plan that was developed by the IMCWTF.

The workshop was organised by the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce

and Industries (ACCI) and participation was excellent over the three days.

Two days were devoted to training the participants on the content of the

TFA, and the last day was spent forging consensus on the

8 To deliver trainings on the WTO TFA.

88

recommendations that will be delivered to the IMCWTF. A clear set of

recommendations were developed, in the form of a Gantt chart, with the full

backing of all the participating traders, ACCI and MOIC.

Results Private sector recommendations on the draft implementation work-plan

developed by the IMCWTF, in the form of a Gantt chart.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

See Danish participant evaluation form.

Contribution

towards

programmes

indicator’s

achievement




reforms: 42

4.6 OUTPUT 6: SME knowledge of how to manage national cross-border procedures and compliance with regional and/or global market requirements is built encompassing priority markets (building on NES findings)

The activities carried out in the current reporting period built on the work that was done by ACE on the development of the Export Management Guides. Given the number and complexity of the procedures that had to be documented, the development of the guides took longer than expected. Now that they have been completed, further work will be done to disseminate the information to the private sector, and to train traders on export management practices. Under this output, work will also begin on the transfer of the information currently contained in the Export Management guides, onto an online platform (through the development of a trade portal). This will allow the information collected in the last reporting period to be more easily accessed by users and more easily updated when they change.


Achievements

Contributing to indicator

6.1: Develop,

National Trade

Procedures Guide

for SMEs priority

import/export

sectors

Meeting with MoIC

and World Bank on

15th of May in Kabul

5 National Trade Procedures Guides for SMEs are developed (publication and dissemaintaiton of guides to be confirmed by PSC)

SUB-IND 6.3: National Trade Facilitation procedure guide published

6.2: Develop an

SME export

management and

compliance

training

curriculum

Continuous work:

Geneva & Kabul

Export management training curricula soon to be finalized

SUB-IND 6.1: Number of private sector representatives who participated in the export management curriculum and pass knowledge tests

89

Activity 6.1: Develop, publish and disseminate a National Trade Procedures Guide for SMEs and entrepreneurs, in print as well as online

Title Development of National Trade Procedures guides for SMEs in

entrepreneurs

Location Kabul/Geneva

Implementing

partners

Afghanistan Centre of Excellence (ACE)

Background/

context

The project aims to strengthen the capacities of SMEs to manage cross-

border procedures and engage in exports of 5 key sectors in Afghanistan.

This will be done through the dissemination of national export procedures

guides for each priority sector where key formalities, documents and

procedural requirements are detailed in a user-friendly manner and

practical steps to complete an export transaction in Afghanistan will be

provided. Each export guide also contains a section on requirements of 2

or 3 main destination markets for that sector as well as a brief sector

analysis and other practical information that may be useful for the trader.

Results Consultants and local partners ACE carried out field work in Afghanistan to

document all the requirements and develop the guides. The guides have

been finalised but not published. As a matter of fact, ITC has been informed

that export formality in Afghanistan were currently under review which

questions the relevance of publication and disseminations of the guides.

Guidance from the PSC is required on this matter.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

ACE, ACCI, sector specific exporters, ACCI, EPAA, Customs.

Supporting

documents

Export Management Guides

Activity 6.2: Develop SME export management and compliance training curriculum

Title Develop an SME export management and compliance training

curriculum


6.3: Develop an

SME coaching

manual to assist

local coaches to

deliver in-house

advisory services

to SMEs

Continuous work:

Geneva & Kabul

The SME Coaching Manual soon to be finalized


6.4: Identify local

coaches to

provide in-house

advisory services

to SMEs

Interview of

potential export

management

coach, Kabul 14th

and 16th July

The future local export management coaches are identified


90

Implementing

partners

ITC

Background/

context

The project seeks to develop a training curriculum to support SMEs to

comply with Afghanistan's cross-border procedural and regulatory

requirements in relation with export transactions to its main trading partners

(such as EU, regional countries). The scope of the training is limited to the

export administrative and logistics processes: obtaining export licences and

permits, collecting, filling and submitting the export documentation to the

relevant border regulatory agencies, hiring and maintaining successful

relationships with customs brokers and freight forwarders. The training will

not cover the production processes nor the commercial processes that are

not linked to the export processes (i.e. marketing, contract negotiation,

invoicing).

Results ITC has developed a training curriculum composed of 6 modules, each

module comprising of 2 lectures and 1 case study. These modules so far

focus on the generic export management modules and will be further

enriched with Afghanistan specific and sector specific information contained

in the National Trade Procedure guides

Once the training is fully developed, ITC will hire local consultants to deliver

the trainings to SMEs..

Stakeholder/

participant

information

ACCI, ACE

Supporting

documents

Training curriculum (to be finalized)

Activity 6.3 - Develop an SME coaching manual to assist local coaches to deliver in-house advisory services to SMEs

Title Develop an SME coaching manual


Implementing

partners

ITC

Background/

context

The project seeks to provide in-house coaching services to exporting SMEs

with a view to improve their ability to comply with international trade

requirements. The in-house coaching services will be delivered by local

Export Management Coaches through a train-the-coach methodology. In

this context, ITC is developing coaching manual to assist the EMC in

providing effective advisory services to SMEs. This coaching manual will

provide methodological directions to the EMCs (i.e. how to plan, structure,

organize and deliver advisory missions) and include key tools (i.e. export

check lists, template job descriptions, template SOP for managing

consignment…) and reference material (e.g. Afghanistan specific training

material, incoterms tables, template shipping documents…). The

overarching objective is to guide EMC on supporting exporting businesses

to efficiently process international trade transaction and comply with

administrative export requirements in Afghanistan

Results ITC has developed a first draft of the coaching manual covering 5 key

topics: packaging, labelling, mandatory certification/registration and buyers

91

standards, Customs, International Shipping, Export Planning. Once the

SME coaching manual is finalized, ITC will empower local Export

Management Coaches to provide in-house advisory services to SMEs

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Top Stars, Core Drillers, Agroindust, SMC Group

Supporting

documents

SME Coaching Manual (to be finalized)

92

Activity 6.4 - Identify local coaches to provide in-house advisory services to SMEs

Title Identify local coaches to provide in-house advisory services to SMEs

Location Kabul, 14th-16th July

Implementing

partners

ITC, Top Stars, Core Drillers, Agroindust, SMC Group

Background/

context

The project seeks to provide in-house coaching services to exporting SMEs

with a view to improve their ability to comply with international trade

requirements. The in-house coaching services will be delivered by local

Export Management Coaches through a train-the-coach methodology. In

this context, ITC has been looking for suitable candidates to act as Export

Management Coaches

Results ITC has identified 4 partners that will act as Export Management Coaches

to provide in-house advisory services to SMEs

Stakeholder/

participant

information

Top Stars, Core Drillers, Agroindust, SMC Group

Supporting

documents

Quotations from selected provides.

4.7 OUTPUT 7: Public-private consultation process on domestic/regional key pressing trade policy/regulatory/negotiation issues is strengthened

Afghanistan National Trade Policy: 2018 - 2022

At the outset of the project, and upon the specific request of MoIC, ITC was requested to provide technical

support for the development of a national trade policy five year plan. Therefore, ITC, in consultation with MoIC,

developed work plan to develop the policy document. Following extensive fact-finding and a review of policy

related documents as well as previously drafted national trade policy documents, a first draft version of the

“Afghanistan National Trade Policy: 2018 - 2022 ” was drafted. The draft utilised an ITC developed

methodology which assesses trade policy instruments that impact each stage of the supply chain.

A review process of ANTP was then initiated by MoIC, which included preparations for a national stakeholder

consultation meeting to present the findings and obtain feedback for incorporation.

Bilateral stakeholder consultation to enhance trade relations between Afghanistan and neighbouring countries

It was further confirmed that the project will support regular bilateral stakeholder consultation between

Afghanistan and Iran (or alternatively Afghanistan and Uzbekistan) aimed at enhancing trading relations. ITC

recommended and subsequently gained the initial approval for the methodology/timeframes for undertaking

bilateral consultations, intended to occur over the next two-year period. Much ground work, needs analysis,

consultation with stakeholders and their endorsement was undertaken to confirm this key direction.

93

However progress was stalled during the first half of the second year of the AAT project, owing to change of

Government of Afghanistan priority to favour Iran to engage with for this initiative. Eventually, the Government

of Afghanistan confirmed that it would prefer to pursue this initiative with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Subsequently, ITC together with Government of Afghanistan set about sensitizing and gaining the support of

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan counterparts to this initiative, which was eventually confirmed only in May, 2018.

The initiative has been appreciated due to its timely relevance, focus on evidence-based research, bringing

key stakeholders together and generation of key recommendations.


Needs assessment for the operationalisation of a PPD platform on trade policy (study)

Draft policy document: ANTP (2018 -2022)

Supporting bilateral stakeholder consultations to enhance trading relations between Afghanistan and

Iran/Uzbekistan



Achievements

Contributing to

indicator

Under Act. 7.2: Research materials/position papers through peer review (whenever local

capacity exists) are produced

Policy document:

ANTP (2107 -2022)

February 2017 -

ongoing

Kabul/Geneva

First document to

define a national trade

policy for Afghanistan

Defining of

overarching objectives

and specific policy

recommendations

MoIC endorsement of

final document

SUB-IND 7.2:

Number of policy

research materials

produced: 1

Policy

recommendations

study: Trade between

Afghanistan and

Uzbekistan: Issues

and Options for

Enhancement

August, 2017 –

December 2017,

Kabul/Geneva

Enhanced knowledge

of barriers to bilateral

trade identified and

recommendations

generated to address

SUB-IND 7.2:

Number of policy

research materials

produced: 1

94

MoIC equipped with

well-informed inputs to

inform future bilateral

stakeholder

consultations with

Uzbekistan

Policy

recommendations

study: Trade between

Afghanistan and

Kazakhstan: Issues

and Options for

Enhancement

August, 2017 –

December 2017,

Kabul/Geneva

Enhanced knowledge

of barriers to bilateral

trade identified and

recommendations

generated to address

MoIC equipped with

well-informed inputs to

inform future bilateral

stakeholder

consultations with

Kazakhstan

SUB-IND 7.2:

Number of policy

research materials

produced: 1

ACCI position paper:

Trade between

Afghanistan and

Uzbekistan: Issues

and Options for

Enhancement

August, 2017 –

December 2017,

Kabul/Geneva

ACCI technical

research on trade

matters augmented

ACCI better equipped

to advocate inputs

during bilateral

stakeholder

consultations

MoIC better informed

of private sector input

SUB-IND 7.2:

Number of policy

research materials

produced: 1

ACCI position paper:

Trade between

Afghanistan and

Kazakhstan: Issues

and Options for

Enhancement

August, 2017 –

December 2017,

Kabul/Geneva

ACCI technical

research on trade

matters augmented

ACCI better equipped

to advocate inputs

during bilateral

stakeholder

consultations

MoIC better informed

of private sector input

SUB-IND 7.2:

Number of policy

research materials

produced: 1

Under Act. 7.3: Public-private policy consultations (included at bilateral/ and regional level) are organized

95

Activity 7.2: Research materials/position papers through peer review (whenever local capacity exists) are produced

Title Policy document: ANTP - 2017-2022


Implementing

partners

MoIC, ITC

Background/

context

In the era of globalization, trade has become an all-pervasive part of economic life. Trade issues affect, and are affected by, almost all other economic and social policies. A trade policy can, therefore, constitute a potent tool for the government to achieve economic objectives and influence growth and development. Effective trade policies can promote economic

ANTP National

Stakeholder

Consultation

25 November, 2017,

Kabul

Platform provided for public and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on good policy for export development. Agreement on key policy objectives to increase national exports.

SUB-IND 7.1: Number of public-private dialogues/trainings held: 1 Number of recommendations stemming from PPD: 20

Afghanistan –

Uzbekistan:

Stakeholder

consultation to

enhance trading

relations

&

Pre-event mission to

Tashkent

20 June, 2018, Termiz,

Uzbekistan

18 May, 2018,

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Stakeholder consultation platform for engaging between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to enhance trading relations established. Issues faced while exporting to/through and investing in Uzbekistan, including transit fees, export duties, visas, operationalizing trade and transit agreements identified. A joint declaration/agreement reflecting the main points of consensus. MOU signed between ACCI and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan to establish a join Business Council.


96

development by encouraging more productive investment, which will lead to a more internationally competitive private sector. To date, Afghanistan has not had a national trade policy. MoIC has requested ITC for technical assistance in developing an ANTP (2017 - 2022). A previous draft was considered not sufficient, hence the request by the MoIC for the assistance of ITC. ITC recommended and subsequently gained the approval for the methodology/timeframes for the development of the national trade policy document in the course on 2017. ITC’s unique approach looks at how trade policy instruments affect each stage of the trader's supply chain, and subsequently how “right” policy choices can be implemented to enhance its functioning and thus increase export competitiveness.

Required activities, timeframes for developing the policy document were set and agreed upon with MoIC. Some of the main activities included development of structure, review of existing policy documents/relevant papers, development of issue paper, stakeholder consultations, review/incorporation of inputs.

The policy document undertook several rounds of drafting and internal reviews by MoIC and ITC, as well as receiving further inputs from private sector associations, local and international experts. Additionally a national stakeholder consultation was held on 25 November in which more than 70 Afghan industry leaders, small business owners, and representatives of the public sector discussed the contents of ANTP and agreed on its key objectives intended to increase the country’s exports.

MoIC subsequently approved the ANTP in May, 2018, and is pursing further steps to have the document officially endorsed by the government for future implementation – including approval by PRISEC and HEC.

Results MoIC technical capacity developed on trade policy formulation to stimulate export development.

Reforms identified aimed at capacitating domestic institutions, creating business enabling environment, implementing regulations resulting from WTO commitments and undertaking further trade-enabling reforms.

ANTP addressing issues holistically and bringing forth trade policy coherence.

Road map provided for MoIC to carry out its objectives in synergy with other ministries and their policies.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

MoIC; ACCI

Supporting

documents

ANTP (2018 -2022) – (also translated into Dari); Issue paper.

Contributing to

indicator

SUB-IND 7.2: Number of policy research materials produced: 1

Title Policy recommendations study: Trade between Afghanistan and

Uzbekistan: Issues and Options for Enhancement

97


Implementing

partners

MoIC, ITC

Background/

context

The AAT project is supporting bilateral stakeholder consultations to enhance

trading relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. A main aim of these

consultations is to address a number of barriers relating to policy, regulatory

and procedural issues, which present an obstacle to advancing bilateral

trading relations, and in particular exports from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan.

To better inform these consultation, and upon the request of MoIC a study

was commissioned to identify barriers and issues which affect trade between

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

In order to identify and assess barriers to bilateral trade, the study was

completed through a combination of desk research – including the review of

literature and media reports on trade irritants, trade and tariff databases,

international benchmarking exercises – and stakeholder interviews,

undertaken by a local expert associated with the Afghanistan Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (ACCI). In total, more than 30 traders and

businesses, and government staff from relevant ministries and agencies,

have been consulted.

Results Enhanced knowledge of barriers to bilateral trade identified and

recommendations generated to address.

MoIC equipped with well-informed inputs to inform future bilateral

stakeholder consultations with Uzbekistan.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

MoIC;

Supporting

documents

Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan – Issues and options for

enhancement; Concept paper; PPT

Contributing to

indicator


Title Policy recommendations study: Trade between Afghanistan and

Kazakhstan: Issues and Options for Enhancement


Implementing

partners

MoIC, ITC

Background/

context


trading relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. A main aim of these



trading relations, and in particular exports from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan.

98

To better inform these consultation, and upon the request of MoIC a study

was commissioned to identify barriers and issues which affect trade between

Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.

In order to identify and assess barriers to bilateral trade, the study was

completed through a combination of desk research – including the review of

literature and media reports on trade irritants, trade and tariff databases,

international benchmarking exercises – and stakeholder interviews,

undertaken by a local expert associated with the ACCI. In total, more than

30 traders and businesses, and government staff from relevant ministries

and agencies, have been consulted.

Results Enhanced knowledge of barriers to bilateral trade identified and

recommendations generated to address.

MoIC equipped with well-informed inputs to inform future bilateral

stakeholder consultations with Kazakhstan.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

MoIC

Supporting

documents

Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan – Issues and options for

enhancement; Concept paper; PPT.

Contributing to

indicator


Title Position paper: Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan: Issues and

Options for Enhancement


Implementing

partners

ACCI, ITC

Background/

context


trading relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. A main aim of these



trading relations, and in particular exports from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan.

To better inform these consultation, private sector input/advocacy was

considered. Accordingly ACCI was commissioned to complete a position

paper, detailing obstacles for trade with Uzbekistan as well as approach to

address them.

Accordingly ACCI carried out the study through desktop research and

reaching out to their membership.

Results ACCI identifies ten key obstacles hindering the advancement of bilateral trade identified and identifies two dimensional approach to address.

ACCI technical capacity on trade matters enhanced for improved advocacy.

MoIC better understand private sector concerns for future bilateral stakeholder consultations with Uzbekistan.

99

Supporting

documents

Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan – Issues and options for

enhancement; Concept paper; PPT.

Contributing to

indicator


Title Position paper: Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan: Issues

and Options for Enhancement


Implementing

partners

ACCI, ITC

Background/

context


trading relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. A main aim of these



trading relations, and in particular exports from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan.

To better inform these consultation, private sector input/advocacy was

considered. Accordingly ACCI was commissioned to complete a position

paper, detailing obstacles for trade with Kazakhstan as well as approach to

address them.

Accordingly ACCI carried out the study through desktop research and

reaching out to their membership.

Results ACCI identifies ten key obstacles hindering the advancement of bilateral

trade identified and identifies two dimensional approach to address.

ACCI technical capacity on trade matters enhanced for improved advocacy.

MoIC better understand private sector concerns for future bilateral

stakeholder consultations with Uzbekistan.

Supporting

documents

Trade between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan – Issues and options for

enhancement; Concept paper; PPT

Contributing to

indicator


Activity 7.3: Public-private policy consultations (included at bilateral/ and regional level) are organized

Title ANTP National Stakeholder Consultation

Implementing

partners

Organized by MoIC and ACCI, with the technical support of ITC

Background/

context

The ANTP stakeholders' consultation brought together Afghan industry leaders, small business owners, representatives from the public sector, academia, independent researchers and key government policy makers to

100

deliberate on the content and structure of a proposed ANTP, a five year plan document. The ANTP consultation was held to ensure that stakeholders beyond the public sector are involved in the formulation of the policy. ANTP is deemed as a first policy document that holistically addresses issues related to trade. It projects a great deal of reforms which are aimed at capacitating domestic institutions, creating business enabling environment, implementing regulations resulting from WTO commitments and undertaking further trade-enabling reforms. Prior to the meeting the ANTP policy document has undertaken several rounds of drafting and internal reviews by MoIC and ITC, as well as received further inputs from private sector associations, local and international experts. This meeting together with other consultations held for National Export

Strategy contribute to Afghanistan's efforts connect to regional and

international markets, generate employment opportunities, improve the

business environment and explore means of sustainable growth.

Results Stakeholders at different levels from different public and private sector

institutions brought together to discuss upon key priorities, which would

accelerate export development.

Agreement found on key priorities - These ranged from extending market

access of Afghan goods and services to regional and international markets,

rationalizing tariff policy, enhancing the export competitiveness of Afghan

products to promoting the domestic production).

MoIC provided a platform to gather stakeholder input.

Private sector provided a platform for their advocacy efforts with

government.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

73 (Including Afghan industry leaders, small business owners, and representatives of the public sector)

Supporting

documents

Draft ANTP policy document,; meeting report; press release

Contributing to

indicator


Title Supporting bilateral stakeholder consultations to enhance trading

relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan

Location Kabul, Tashkent, Termiz Geneva

Implementing

partners

MoIC, ACCI, UZCCI, MOFT

Background/

context

Building from a recent upscaling of collaboration between Afghanistan and

Uzbekistan to expand trading and cross border cooperation, the AAT project

is supporting bilateral public private stakeholder consultations between the

101

two countries. In particular there remain a number of obstacles which relate

to policy, regulatory and procedural issues which present an obstacle to

advancing cooperation most optimally. There is also a further need to build-

off and create new trading opportunities aided by the targeted policies and

incentives provided by both governments.

The Government of Afghanistan has confirmed its approval for prioritizing both Uzbekistan for holding bilateral consultations. The focal points on the Afghan government side are the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Government of Uzbekistan has also indicated their interest for the

approach to be taken. ITC in collaboration with the two governments

undertook further steps to ensure the initiatives realisation. In particular, ITC

facilitated a pre-public private dialogue (PPD) meeting in Tashkent on 18th

May between a delegation of Uzbekistan (Mr Sakhib Saifnazarov, Deputy

Minister of Foreign Trade - MOFT; Mr Faizov, Head of UZAF Trading

Company, Mr Abdusalamov, Head of Department, International

Cooperation, MOFT; and Mr Ibragimov, Focal point for PPD programme) and

Afghanistan (Mr Arif Harat, Commercial Attaché in Uzbekistan; Mr Reza

Saboori, Office of Special Representative of the President for CIS countries;

and Mr Nazary, Third Secretary, Afghanistan Embassy in Uzbekistan). The

purpose of the meeting was to share the concept and agenda of the

envisaged PPD, provide clarifications, and firm up the willingness and suport

of the MOFT of Uzbekistan to accommodate the event.

While the MOFT of Uzbekistan further confirmed its interest and support for the initiative, and in collaboration with Afghan counterparts agreed upon a number of follow-up steps. The demand for bilateral public-private dialogue has been further boosted by the signing of the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan trade and transit agreements in December 2017; notably, an effective implementation of these agreements will require close and ongoing dialogue between the private sectors of the two countries. Finally, r the AAT project had produced a background study identifying the major constraints faced by Afghan exporters while trading with or through Uzbekistan. This study was instrumental in assisting MoIC in drafting the agenda as well as in developing PPTs for the PPD. ACCI had also used the findings of the background note to produce a position paper on the issues to be tackled when trading with/through Uzbekistan. (See Activity 7.2 above for more information)

- The event It was mutually agreed that the PPD would take place in Termiz, Uzbekistan,

on 20th June.

The objectives of the event were to:

Foster the consultative process between both countries on trade and

investment related issues. The initial ambition was to assist in

addressing procedural, regulatory and/or operational issues

affecting trade/investment through regular meetings organized

under the project. Ultimately, the Afghan side wanted this platform

to be a vehicle for the operationalization of the Trade and Transit

agreement signed by both countries in December 2017. In particular,

it was felt that this platform could feed the joint committee envisaged

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under the Trade and Transit agreement whose mandate is to

supervise the implementation of the two signed documents.

Provide an opportunity for businessmen/women of both countries to

make contacts and prospect for potential future deals.

Results Awareness raised of approach for regular bilateral stakeholder consultations

to advance trading relations.

Stakeholder consultation platform for engaging between Afghanistan and

Uzbekistan to enhance trading relations established. Stakeholders exposed

to initiative; engage with counterparts, and; agree upon next steps.

Issues faced while exporting to/through and investing in Uzbekistan,

including transit fees, export duties, visas, operationalizing trade and transit

agreements identified.

A joint declaration/agreement reflecting the main points of consensus.

MOU signed between ACCI and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of

Uzbekistan to establish a join Business Council.

Stakeholder/

participant

information

MoIC (Afghanistan); Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (Through MoFA); ACCI; MoFT – Uzbekistan; Approximately 50 Afghan and Uzbekistan public and private stakeholders attended the event.

Supporting

documents

Mission report; media articles

Contributing to

indicator


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5. OVERARCHING FOCUS ON TRADE LEARNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR REGIONAL CO-OPERATION THROUGHOUT ALL THE ABOVE COMPONENTS

A focus of this project is to promote trade learning throughout all the above components. The following provides a brief summary the ways in which these are be done (these inputs have also been detailed in the project document in more details).

Overall

- Continuation of project website, which also provides access to ITC Trade Academy.

Output 1 & 2 :

- Capacity building in strategy design and implementation: Staff from MoIC, EPAA learnt ITC’s

Strategy Design and Implementation Management (NES implementation training - Ongoing).

- Skills development strategy completed and integrated into the Main NES document.

Output 3

- Over 300 government and business stakeholders trained in the area of standards, metrology, technical regulations, and WTO TBT and SPS Agreements through in-country and in India trainings.

Output 4

- Implementation of 7 month “Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme”

benefitted 20 Afghan officer.

Output 5

- Workshops on the WTO TFA Agreement and categorization

- Development of train-the-trainer module of ITC’s SME training module on WTO TFA

- Training of 7 trainers to teach on WTO TFA.

Output 6

- Completion of export management guides in Afghanistan to outline all step by step export

procedures to benefit SMEs .

Output 7

- Awareness raising and building common understanding among policymakers and

businesses of trade and investment related issues between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

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6. DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED AND MEASURES TAKEN Overall

Uncertainties in the security situation.

Output 1 & 2

Public sector capacity of key institutions such as MoIC, ANSA, MAIL etc. is definitely restricted and requires

immediate support. While the NES will address institutional deficiencies in detail, the current capacity

challenges are expected to pose some challenges during the NES implementation. ITC will continue to

provide implementation management capacity-building throughout 2018.

In view of potential limiting external and internal factors to the implementation of priority 1 activities during

2018, a priority revision will be carried out. ITC will provide advisory services and technical assistance to

Coordinating bodies to carry out a priority-revision exercise, in light of the aptitudes of appointed lead

institutions and the absorption capacity of the sector itself.

Output 3

Training and advisory services in the area of quality and in particular in SPS require highly specialized

technical expertise. Due to the security situations, many international experts having been contacted by

ITC expressed concern to conduct missions to Afghanistan. Some training such as Lead Auditor Course

would be conducted abroad. ITC will extend the network of experts willing to go to Afghanistan in order to

build more local capacity.

Considering the rapid turn-over at government institutions, the training should target as many technical staff

of an entity as possible in order to ensure sustainability of the capacity developed. Furthermore, the project

is considering some form of binding with the relevant institutions to utilize the capacity and conduct regular

training internally.

Outputs 5 & 6

Some challenges were encountered with regards to the IMCWTF. Inconsistent representation from the

different governmental bodies compromised the integrity of the decision-making process. Private sector

participation was disappointing. Moreover, there was some difficulty in promoting inter-ministerial

collaboration on implementation planning.

ITC staff needs to abide by UNDP’s security recommendations. This causes some challenges in mission

planning.

Output 7

It proved challenging to gain timely final approval of the ANTP five year policy document and also agree

upon next steps to advance forward for implementation. However through ongoing collaboration these

obstacles have been overcome.

Raising awareness and gaining input and support for bilateral PPDs in the diverse capitals of Kabul,

Tashkent and Astana proved challenging. However, through much effort, including leveraging contacts and

supporting an Afghan delegation mission to Tashkent to meet with counterparts, both initiatives have

commenced.

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7. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VISIBILITY AND COMMUNICATION PLAN Information below is reported on the basis of the Project Communication and Visibility Plan.

It is to be noted that, under all Outputs, reports, training materials, presentations, event agendas, etc. have

been formatted in line with the project visual templates, as validated by the EU Delegation, for dissemination

to government officials, the private sector, the media, development partners and other stakeholders.

a. Project visibility during the period under reporting AAT Website

Project website is being updated on a regular basis to cover:

Latest news

Outputs activities

Newsletters

Workshop / Trainings / Conferences reports/ articles

Publications

Pictures

Links to further national and regional stakeholders

Additional new sections have been created, including:

Films and interviews

AAT Facebook Group

As of 24 June, 2018, there had been 2,588 page visits and the average time spent by viewers on a page was

2.15 minutes.

Films produced The following were produced:

Afghanistan National Export Strategy film: “Peace through Prosperity, Prosperity through Trade” (including

Short version of 4 minutes and longer version of 8.30 minutes)

One year on- Stakeholder interviews:

o Kamila Siddiqi, Deputy Minister (160 views) o Mr. Atiqullah Nusrat, CEO ACCI (151 views) o Naqibullah Faiq, Director General ANSA (119 views) o Zabihullah Mudabber, WTO Director of MolC, (217 views)

Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme - Advancing Afghan Trade Project (9.30 min)

Trade policy learning participant interviews (2 – 3 minutes):

o Making the most of Afghanistan's WTO accession: Zabihullah Mudabber (Youtube: 150 views) o Gaining new skills for trade-led growth in Afghanistan: Reza Farzam (Youtube: 43 views) o Promoting Afghan trade through WTO rules: Ellaha Shaheen (Youtube: 43 views) o Teaching Afghan trade policy: Ehsan Saadat (119 views)

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These films were widely distributed through Youtube; ITC – Facebook/Twitter; AAT project website; AAT

quarterly newsletter; AAT Facebook group; local social media; MoIC’s website, etc. For a full media report see

Annex I.

Advancing Afghan Trade - quarterly newsletter

During the reporting period, an additional 4 issues were circulated (August, 2017; November 2017; March

2018 and June 2018), with its main purpose being to introduce the project, its main outputs and some of the

activities completed to date.

It was published and distributed to a mailing list of approximatively 2800 heads/senior executives from more

than 210 unique organization like Ministries, Diplomatic Missions, Commerce Associations, Embassies, SMEs

and many more spanning across 10 different countries including Afghanistan, Brussels, India, Iran,

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. The mailing list also included

the heads of all European missions based in Kabul. Additionally both ACCI and AWCCI distributed a Dari

translated version of the newsletter to their respective membership basis.

In total there are 4300 recipients of the newsletter (Including - ACCI: 1,000 entrepreneurs; AWCCI: 500 women

entrepreneur; AAT contact list; further sharing with MOIC, MAIL, ANSA and EPAA).

Note: For issue 5, figures are not available as yet and will be provided in the next AAT yearly report.

Press Coverage

The project continued to gain major media attention both within Afghanistan, the region and abroad.

A total of 104 separate media articles were published during the period. Complete versions of the ITC press

releases produced and further media coverage received can be seen in Annex I.

Social media coverage

ITC specific (Twitter and ITC Facebook page) ITC ran 10 social media campaigns to publicise main activities of the project. The tweets were featured on both the ITC corporate Twitter and Facebook pages, and were retweeted on many occasions during the campaigns. For outreach, statistics see Section B below. Facebook group Developed and operating since May 12, 2017. Currently, there are 403 members (up from 144 after the first

year), with many of them being stakeholders drawn from business associations, government and exporters.

Many of them have been involved in our project implementation activities are so well informed on its projects

purpose.

The group is administered by ITC and posts regular updates in regards to project implementation as well as

profiling relevant initiatives, reports completed from other organization in Afghanistan and region.

The group allows for professional networking, awareness raising and sharing of information. For outreach

statistics see Section B below.

Social media coverage – beyond ITC Events and work done by ITC have been appreciated and spread multiple times on the social media profiles

of prominent individuals, including Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President; Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive

Officer, Atiqullah Nusrat, CEO, ACCI; organizations like EUD, MoIC, ACCI, AWCCI.

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Certificates

Produced and distributed after the trainings organized by the AAT, with logos of all parties, including the EU.

Visibility templates

In use for project banner; publications; PPT backdrop; notebook; brochures, etc. The templates show most

favourable to the project, implementing partners and present a common identity.

Project references

Effort is being undertaken to ensure that the project is referred to. Notably the project will feature in the: 1) ITC Annual Report – 2017 (Including case study story) 2) DEVCO Annual Report AAT project brochure

Widely distributed to the stakeholders at all major events and displayed on project website (versions in English,

Dari and Pashtu).

b. Progress vis-à-vis communication objectives

Tool Indicators

Press release 4 press releases/media advisories produced Number of readers (ITC website): 2,588 Number of media using the press release: 33 different media companies published media regarding the project

Project "newsletter"

Number of issues: 4 Number of subscribers: 4300 (Including - ACCI: 1,000 entrepreneurs; AWCCI: 500 women entrepreneur; AAT contact list; further sharing with MOIC, MAIL, ANSA and EPAA

ITC website; project's website

Number of visits: 2,588 Number of downloads of material: 511

Media channels Number of articles published: 104 press articles/releases published, TV and radio items produced about the project

Information material (leaflet, brochures)

Number of information material:16

Including:

- Supporting Bilateral Stakeholder Consultations to Enhance Trading Relations Between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan: Concept Note (English version)

- Supporting Bilateral Stakeholder Consultations to Enhance Trading Relations Between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan: Concept Note (Russian version)

- Supporting Bilateral Stakeholder Consultations to Enhance Trading Relations Between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan: Concept Note (English version)

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- Supporting Bilateral Stakeholder Consultations to Enhance Trading Relations Between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan: Concept Note (Russian version)

- Quarterly Snapshot Progress Reports (September - 2017, December – 2017, March – 2018, June – 2018)

- Afghanistan, WTO and International, Trade Programme: Concept note

- Afghanistan National Export Strategy film: “Peace through Prosperity, Prosperity through Trade”

- One year on- Stakeholder interviews:

o Kamila Siddiqi, Deputy Minister

o Atiqullah Nusrat, CEO ACCI

o Naqibullah Faiq, Director General ANSA

o Zabihullah Mudabber, WTO Director of MolC

- Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme - Advancing Afghan Trade Project

- Trade policy learning participant interviews (2 – 3 mins):

o Making the most of Afghanistan's WTO accession: Zabihullah Mudabber

o Gaining new skills for trade-led growth in Afghanistan: Reza Farzam

o Promoting Afghan trade through WTO rules: Ellaha Shaheen (

o Teaching Afghan trade policy: Ehsan Saadat

Social media Twitter / LinkedIn / Facebook:

Twitter / Facebook: Number of posts: 152 Total reach: 1112K people Total engagement: N/A

Facebook group:

New followers (%): 64.26 Followers start: 144 Followers end: 403 Total engagement: N/A

Synergies created between outputs

Synergies between NES, quality management (QM), trade policy (TP), trade facilitation (TF) and new sub-outputs.

The NES offers an overarching framework for creating synergies with other components. Both TF and QM

have their individual crosscutting/trade support function strategy as part of the overall NES.

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There are also synergies between NES and Output 6 whereby the selection of key export sectors (on which

the guides and trainings will be based) was done in line with the findings of the NES.

The NES informed the design of the following sub-outs which will be implemented under the current AAT

project:

Sub-output 3.1: Quality management – with also a focus on the saffron sector as pilot to reach SMEs

Sub-output 3.2: Building performance: Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA)

Sub-output 3.3:Increase access to finance for Afghan SMEs in the saffron sector.


agripreneurship” in the saffron sector

Sub-output 3.5:Support to the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (focus: saffron)

Additionally the ANTP is aligned with NES (Reference is made in the NES to this alignment).

NES design / trade policy and local initiatives Key international development partners were fully apprised on all aspect of the NES design and

implementation phases through Donor Coordination Meetings (USAID, EU, Department for International

Development (DFID), EU, BMZ, GIZ, FAO, UNCTAD, UNAMA) followed by bilateral consultations to make

sure that the NES capitalizes on recent partners’ initiatives. Consensus reached on the need to formalize the

Aid for Trade Coordination Committee and on the fact that the NES framework provides a robust conduit for

joining forces on trade-related issues. This is since it offers national and international development partners

with the proper implementation plan and framework as well as favourable conditions for operation (i.e. political

endorsement, private sector buy-in and donors/IOs collaboration).

The NES is aligned to the policy priorities and national goals established by the Cabinet and the High Economic

Council and firmly supports the work of the NPPs and PriSEC, in areas related to socio-economic growth,

private sector development, regional integration, investment, youth and women economic empowerment.

Similarly, particular attention was placed in aligning the NES with ANTP and post-WTO accession strategy.

Similarly the ANTP is aligned to the NPP on Private Sector Development.

AAT supporting bilateral stakeholder consultations processes with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to enhance

trading relations is aligned NPP reform priority #11. These processes, which AAT is supporting MoIC with, can

contribute to Sub-priority 5 bullet point:“(5) Expedite the development of an alternative transit route through

Central Asia by: Reviewing and revising the current bilateral trade and transit agreements with the Central

Asian countries and trying to make them multilateral”. The purposes of these bilateral stakeholder consultations

is to make trading relations between the countries / and beyond through transit smoother. It will focus on

movement of goods / people.

QM Linkages with ITC e-commerce project for China where the AAT project has encouraged to include saffron and

dry fruits. Few saffron companies have been included in buyer-seller meeting and further capacity building

initiatives.

In the effort to build synergies among projects and donors, ITC was invited to develop a proposal for a small

pilot project component aiming at the promotion and commercialisation of packed premium Afghan saffron

towards identified buyers in export markets and a better understanding of the target buyers’ requirements. This

pilot component, if approved, would complement a new large project “Support to agricultural high-value chains

in western Afghanistan” requested by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and Ministry

110

of Finance (MoF) which is proposed to be funded by the Italian Government. This large project would aim to

improve agricultural production, productivity and marketing of agriculture high value-chains such as saffron,

dairy products, grape by approx. 6000 small agro-producers in two provinces of Western Region.

TF Participants to the prioritization and sequencing workshop placed a great deal of emphasis on transparency

measures in the TFA. ITC identified a synergy between the national priorities regarding TFA implementation

(Output 5) and the Export Management Guides developed under Output 6. In order to facilitate the regular

update of Export Management Information, it was decided in principle that the information in the Export

Management Guides should be published online through a Trade Portal to be developed upon request of the

MoIC.

111

8. REQUEST FOR PAYMENT To be submitted at a later stage

9. WORK PLAN FOR YEAR 3

Pierre / Edwin input needed

Afghanistan Afghan Trade Project: EU Trade-related assistance

Upcoming Activities: 1st July 2018 - 30th June 2019

Activities 2018 2019

Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2

Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June

Outcome: The Government formulates and implements better informed trade policy and a strategic vision to support trade competitiveness within the region.

Output 1: Government of Afghanistan owns a national export strategy and action plan that was developed in a consultative process with the private sector, and has started its implementation

Output completed

Activity: Preliminary analysis of trade competitiveness, development agenda, existing trade-related programmes, and key trade support institutions

Activity: NES Pre-engagement mission to support the setup of the NES design structures (Navigator, Core Team, secretariat, etc.) as well as to secure PaP buy-in and support

Activity: Finalize preliminary audits, analysis and formalize NES design structures

Activity: Mapping and assessment of the institutional trade support landscape, including a review of quality and SPS infrastructures

Activity: Inauguration event and first NES Stakeholders’ Consultation to further assess trade performance, initiate sector selection and define national level strategic orientations

Activity: Draft, finalise and translate the Strategic Trade Development Roadmap (Competitiveness assessment, sector and cross-sector selection, strategic orientations & initial recommendations)

Activity: Organise Second Stakeholders Consultation to complete participative value-chain analysis of prioritized sectors and cross-sector functions (incl. Provincial consultations)

Activity: Complete initial strategic recommendations and action matrix

Activity: Organise Third Stakeholders’ Consultation to refine strategic orientations and confirm action plan for the priority sectors and cross-sector functions

Activity: Consolidate, finalise and translate the National Export Strategy document (consolidation, editing, formatting) and its plans of action

Activity: Organise Launching event for official endorsement of the National Export Strategy by the Government of Afghanistan

Output 2: National public and private stakeholders are enabled to manage and coordinate the implementation of the National Export Strategy and mobilise support to implement the validated roadmaps

Activity: Management support to establish and operationalize an effective implementation management framework for successful implementation, tracking and

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measurement and mobilisation of support for the implementation of the NES action plans (NES Coordination mechanism)

Activity: Support the MoCI and other stakeholders with capacity- building trainings, direct support and tools on NES implementation planning, management techniques and resource mobilisation, including a particular focus on the implementation of quality & standards related solutions.

Output 3. Priority interventions identified during the National Export Strategy design process are implemented to improve regional integration and international trade competitiveness

Activity: Implementation of priority interventions identified in the NES design process, potentially linked to market profiles, trade intelligence, trade visits, B2B meetings, etc.

Activity: Advisory services to ANSA to develop services (standards, certification, training centre) and other Ministries and TSIs to implement priorities in the quality and SPS areas

Sub-activity: 3.1: Quality management – with also

a focus on the saffron sector as pilot to reach SMEs

Sub-activity: 3. 2: Building performance: Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPPA) Note: Focus will be on strengthening of EPAA’S role in leading the implementation management of the NES Afghanistan – which links this intervention to Output 2

Sub-activity 3.3: Increase access to finance for Afghan SMEs in the saffron sector.

Sub-output 3.4: Support to “Start-ups and

Emerging Entrepreneurs Network” (SEEN) and “young agripreneurship” in the saffron sector

Sub-output 3.5: Support to the Afghanistan

Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (focus: saffron)

Output 4: Knowledge sharing mechanisms for GIRoA staff on trade policy/negotiation formulation and implementation are established in partnership with a training institute from the Region

Activity: Needs assessment for trade capacity building of MoCI and governmental agencies is conducted

Activity completed

Activity: Governmental officers training programme is designed and implemented

Activity: Training modules on trade policy are developed in cooperation with Afghan Universities

Output 5: Institutional mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of the TFA are established at national level and linked with regional partners

Activity: Support the implementation of the WTO TFA through technical advisory services to IMCWTF and other government agencies

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Activity: Support the capacity building and operationalization of IMCWTF and other public sector agencies to implement the WTF TFA

Activity: Increase awareness of private stakeholders on the TFA and their ability to contribute to TFA related PPD within the IMCWTF and other fora

Activity: Structure and facilitate a regional network of (existing) National Trade Facilitation Committees to encourage experience sharing as well as a coordinated and harmonized approach towards the implementation of the TFA

Output 6: SME knowledge of how to manage national cross-border procedures and compliance with regional and/or global market requirements is built encompassing priority markets (building on NES findings)

Activity: Conduct needs assessment of SME export management and compliance training and information requirements

Activity completed

Activity: Develop, publish and disseminate a National Trade Procedures Guide for SMEs and entrepreneurs, in print as well as online

Activity: Develop SME export management and compliance training curriculum with a blended learning approach (i.e. face-to-face sessions complemented by on the job coaching)

Activity: Train the trainers to facilitate e-learning session and to deliver face-to-face trainings

Activity completed

Activity: Organize and facilitate the delivery of four full curriculum (e-learning modules and face-to-face modules)

Output 7: Public-private consultation process on domestic/regional key pressing trade policy/regulatory/ negotiation issues is strengthened

Activity: Needs assessment for the operationalization of a PPD platform on trade policy is conducted

Activity completed

Activity: Research materials/position papers through peer review (whenever local capacity exists) are produced

Activity: Public private dialogue on policy /regulatory issues (bilateral/regional)

Activity: Training of private sector organizations on issues to be further addressed through public private consultations are organized

Activity: Advisory services

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ANNEX I: MEDIA REPORT: 1 JULY 2017 – 30 JUNE 2018

OVERALL9

PROJECT QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS

Second project newsletter o http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Newslett

er02.pdf

Third project newsletter

o http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Advancin

g%20Afghan%20Trade%20-%20Newsletter%20Issue%203.pdf

Forth project newsletter

o http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Advancin

gAfghanTrade-NewsletterIssue4.pdf

Fifth project newsletter

o Produced. To be distributed early July, 2018

KEY FIGURE INTERVIEWS: AAT PROJECT ONE YEAR ON

Kamila Sidiqi, Deputy Minister of Commerce interview

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qIjpnfKDb0

Atiqullah Nusrat, CEO ACCI, Interview

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_6m3Xo3Pnc&feature=youtu.be

Zabihullah Muddaber, WTO Director of MOCI, Interview

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe2bj18djJA&feature=youtu.be

Mr. Naqibullah Faiq, Director General ANSA, Interview

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJdC3QgwrT4

Mr Hashim Aslami, Saffron Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAbdWdBY1k0&feature=youtu.be

FIRST AAT PSC MEETING, KABUL, 31 JULY, 2017

Pajhwok

9 Note – immense coverage of the project was received on social media forums such as Facebook and Twitter, but will not be displayed here due to difficulties in accurately reporting this information. For more information on AAT social media coverage see section VII above.

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Newsletter02.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Newsletter02.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Advancing%20Afghan%20Trade%20-%20Newsletter%20Issue%203.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/Advancing%20Afghan%20Trade%20-%20Newsletter%20Issue%203.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/AdvancingAfghanTrade-NewsletterIssue4.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Redesign/Projects/AAT/AdvancingAfghanTrade-NewsletterIssue4.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qIjpnfKDb0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_6m3Xo3Pnc&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe2bj18djJA&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJdC3QgwrT4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAbdWdBY1k0&feature=youtu.be

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Progress in Afghanistan regional trade reviewed Pajhwok.com

o https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2017/08/03/progress-afghanistan-regional-trade-reviewed

Wasdam

Private, public sector meet to review progress in reconnecting Afghanistan to regional markets

Wasdam.com

o http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/private-public-sector-meet-review-progress-

reconnecting-afghanistan-regional-markets-232/

EUD


o https://eeas.europa.eu/ https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan/30702/private-

public-sector-meet-review-progress-reconnecting-afghanistan-regional-markets_en

ITC


o http://www.intracen.org/news/Private-public-sector-meet-to-review-progress-in-

reconnecting-Afghanistan-to-regional-markets/

WASDAM

یبرا خصویص سکتور و دولت فتیپ برریس شر یزارهابا با افغانستان دوباره اتصال یمنطقو کند یم مالقات

http://dari.wadsam.com/ http://dari.wadsam.com/%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%88-

%D8%B3%DA%A9%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B5%DB%8C-

%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C-

%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AA/

INTERNATIONAL TRADE FORUM MAGAZINE (ITC)

Afghanistan: enabling trade for economic growth and regional cooperation, 27 Oct. 2017

o http://www.tradeforum.org/news/Afghanistan-enabling-trade-for-economic-growth-and-

regional-cooperation/

ITC ANNUAL REPORT

Various references and article “Laying the policy groundwork to advance Afghan trade”

o http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracen.org/Content/About_ITC/Corporate_Docume

nts/Annual-Report-2017-web.pdf

RECCA VII

Speech by ITC Executive Director at Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan

Recca VII

http://www.intracen.org/news/Speech-by-ITC-Executive-Director-at-Regional-Economic-Cooperation-

Conference-on-Afganistan-Recca-VII/

o https://youtu.be/Opmn5W4izl8

https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2017/08/03/progress-afghanistan-regional-trade-reviewed

http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/private-public-sector-meet-review-progress-reconnecting-afghanistan-regional-markets-232/

http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/private-public-sector-meet-review-progress-reconnecting-afghanistan-regional-markets-232/

https://eeas.europa.eu/

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan/30702/private-public-sector-meet-review-progress-reconnecting-afghanistan-regional-markets_en

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan/30702/private-public-sector-meet-review-progress-reconnecting-afghanistan-regional-markets_en

http://www.intracen.org/news/Private-public-sector-meet-to-review-progress-in-reconnecting-Afghanistan-to-regional-markets/

http://www.intracen.org/news/Private-public-sector-meet-to-review-progress-in-reconnecting-Afghanistan-to-regional-markets/

http://dari.wadsam.com/%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D8%B3%DA%A9%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B5%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D9%BE%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AA/




http://www.tradeforum.org/news/Afghanistan-enabling-trade-for-economic-growth-and-regional-cooperation/

http://www.tradeforum.org/news/Afghanistan-enabling-trade-for-economic-growth-and-regional-cooperation/

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracen.org/Content/About_ITC/Corporate_Documents/Annual-Report-2017-web.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracen.org/Content/About_ITC/Corporate_Documents/Annual-Report-2017-web.pdf

http://www.intracen.org/news/Speech-by-ITC-Executive-Director-at-Regional-Economic-Cooperation-Conference-on-Afganistan-Recca-VII/

http://www.intracen.org/news/Speech-by-ITC-Executive-Director-at-Regional-Economic-Cooperation-Conference-on-Afganistan-Recca-VII/

https://youtu.be/Opmn5W4izl8

116

OUTPUT 1 & 2

Film of initiative

Afghanistan National Export Strategy film: “Peace through Prosperity, Prosperity through Trade”

https://youtu.be/f55dacQVwSU

NES LAUNCH, SAPIDAR PALACE, KABUL, 10 JUNE 2018

Delegation of the European Union to Afghanistan

Afghanistan Launches National Export Strategy

o https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan/46213/afghanistan-launches-national-

export-strategy_en

MoIC:

H.E. Minster Rasaw met with the Executive Director of ITC

o http://moci.gov.af/fa/news/138691

H.E. Deputy Minister Sidiqi met with the Executive Director of ITC


NES in the News:

National TV News June 10th 2018:

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBzt9ZB4sU0

o (NES News from 13:43 – 17:43)

Tolo TV 6 PM News June 10th 2018:

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wg64ivX7AE

o (NES news from 19:20 – 22:05 minutes)

Shamshad TV News June 10th 2018:

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo85rKHMhL4

o (NES News from 33:18 – 35:47 minutes)

Ariana TV News June 10th 2018:

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqw1Y2SiTBk

o (NES News from 16:47 – 19:10)

BBC Farsi: NES Implementation Started

o http://www.bbc.com/persian/afghanistan-44430292

ToloNews (Eng): New Export Strategy Aims To Rectify Trade Balance Deficit

o https://www.tolonews.com/business/new-export-strategy-aims-rectify-trade-balance-deficit

Hushdar News (Dari): NES is operation onwards

o https://www.hushdar.com/2018/06/10/afghanistan-national-export-strategy/

Daily Afghanistan Ma (Dari): NES has been launched to empower country exports

o http://www.dailyafghanistan.com/national_detail.php?post_id=143822

https://youtu.be/f55dacQVwSU

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan/46213/afghanistan-launches-national-export-strategy_en

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan/46213/afghanistan-launches-national-export-strategy_en

http://moci.gov.af/fa/news/138691


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBzt9ZB4sU0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wg64ivX7AE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo85rKHMhL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqw1Y2SiTBk

http://www.bbc.com/persian/afghanistan-44430292

https://www.tolonews.com/business/new-export-strategy-aims-rectify-trade-balance-deficit

https://www.hushdar.com/2018/06/10/afghanistan-national-export-strategy/

http://www.dailyafghanistan.com/national_detail.php?post_id=143822

117

Azhance Afghan Khabar (Dari): NES launched

o http://afkhabar.com/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C%

DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-

%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-

%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-

%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-

%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF

The Times of Central Asia (Eng): Afghanistan launches National Export Strategy with EU support

o https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19857-afghanistan-launches-national-export-

strategy-with-eu-support

Afghapaper (Dari): CEO in NES Launching Ceremony

o http://afghanpaper.com/nbody.php?id=151851

DidPress (Dari) Implementation of NES is very important for reducing the Poverty, Unemployment

and a for sustainable peace:

o https://didpress.com/%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-

%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%DB%8C-

%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-

%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-

%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B4-%D9%81/

Shafaqna (Dari) A step towards increasing Afghanistan ’s export, NES is operational.

o http://af.shafaqna.com/FA/0210650

Implementation of National Exports Strategy To Reduce Poverty, Unemployment In Afghanistan,

CE

o http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/business/item/33528-implementation-of-national-

exports-strategy-to-reduce-poverty-unemployment-in-afghanistan-ce.html

Afganistán tiene muchas oportunidades para aumentar exportaciones, según ITC

o http://www.hoy.es/agencias/201806/12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-

1211190.html

- Afganistán tiene muchas oportunidades para aumentar exportaciones, según ITC

o http://www.larioja.com/agencias/201806/12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-

1211190.html


o https://www.elconfidencial.com/ultima-hora-en-vivo/2018-06-12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-

oportunidades-para-aumentar-exportaciones-segun-itc_1544620/

Afghanistan launches National Export Strategy

o http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/Paginas/NewDetail.aspx?newId=%7B56C2

DDD5-F6E5-4E49-9878-D2FEA13A6B2E%7D

Afghanistan launches National Export Strategy

o http://menafn.com/1097001546/Afghanistan-launches-National-Export-Strategy


o http://www.finanzas.com/noticias/economia/20180612/afganistan-tiene-muchas-

oportunidades-3859098.html

http://afkhabar.com/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AD-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF






https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19857-afghanistan-launches-national-export-strategy-with-eu-support

https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19857-afghanistan-launches-national-export-strategy-with-eu-support

http://afghanpaper.com/nbody.php?id=151851

https://didpress.com/%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B4-%D9%81/





http://af.shafaqna.com/FA/0210650

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/business/item/33528-implementation-of-national-exports-strategy-to-reduce-poverty-unemployment-in-afghanistan-ce.html

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/business/item/33528-implementation-of-national-exports-strategy-to-reduce-poverty-unemployment-in-afghanistan-ce.html

http://www.hoy.es/agencias/201806/12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-1211190.html

http://www.hoy.es/agencias/201806/12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-1211190.html

http://www.larioja.com/agencias/201806/12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-1211190.html

http://www.larioja.com/agencias/201806/12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-1211190.html

https://www.elconfidencial.com/ultima-hora-en-vivo/2018-06-12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-para-aumentar-exportaciones-segun-itc_1544620/

https://www.elconfidencial.com/ultima-hora-en-vivo/2018-06-12/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-para-aumentar-exportaciones-segun-itc_1544620/

http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/Paginas/NewDetail.aspx?newId=%7B56C2DDD5-F6E5-4E49-9878-D2FEA13A6B2E%7D

http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/Paginas/NewDetail.aspx?newId=%7B56C2DDD5-F6E5-4E49-9878-D2FEA13A6B2E%7D

http://menafn.com/1097001546/Afghanistan-launches-National-Export-Strategy

http://www.finanzas.com/noticias/economia/20180612/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-3859098.html

http://www.finanzas.com/noticias/economia/20180612/afganistan-tiene-muchas-oportunidades-3859098.html

118

Implementation of national exports strategy to reduce poverty, unemployment in Afghanistan, CE

o https://www.facebook.com/thekabultimes/photos/a.1431054987142018.1073741828.1430

742150506635/2102388510008659/?type=3&theater

CM Meeting: Dr. Abdullah Praises ANDSF Performance

o http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/politics/item/33549-cm-meeting-dr-abdullah-praises-

andsf-performance.html

ITC Website

- Afghanistan launches National Export Strategy

o http://www.intracen.org/news/Afghanistan-launches-National-Export-Strategy/

ITC Executive Director speech at the launch of the Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy

o http://www.intracen.org/news/ITC-Executive-Director-speech-at-the-launch-of-

Afghanistans-National-Export-Strategy/

NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY ENDORSEMENT, PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, 03 APRIL KABUL

High Economic Council (HEC) approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o https://president.gov.af/fa/2018/04/03/4318

MOCI:

HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy (MOCI’s website)


European Union Delegation – Afghanistan:

61) President Ghani endorses Afghan national export strategy (EUD Website)

o https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/42638/node/42638_pt

ITC:

ITC website:

o http://www.intracen.org/news/Afghan-government-endorses-development-of-export-

strategy/

The endorsement of NES on Media (National and International news Agencies):

HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy (Kabul Times)

o http://thekabultimes.gov.af/index.php/newsnational/16843-hec-approves-afghanistan-

national-exports-strategy.html

Azadi Radio: HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o https://da.azadiradio.com/a/29144783.html

Sana News Agency: HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o http://sana.af/%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C/%D8%A

7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%DB%8C-

%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-

https://www.facebook.com/thekabultimes/photos/a.1431054987142018.1073741828.1430742150506635/2102388510008659/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/thekabultimes/photos/a.1431054987142018.1073741828.1430742150506635/2102388510008659/?type=3&theater

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/politics/item/33549-cm-meeting-dr-abdullah-praises-andsf-performance.html

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/politics/item/33549-cm-meeting-dr-abdullah-praises-andsf-performance.html

http://www.intracen.org/news/Afghanistan-launches-National-Export-Strategy/

http://www.intracen.org/news/ITC-Executive-Director-speech-at-the-launch-of-Afghanistans-National-Export-Strategy/

http://www.intracen.org/news/ITC-Executive-Director-speech-at-the-launch-of-Afghanistans-National-Export-Strategy/

https://president.gov.af/fa/2018/04/03/4318


https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/42638/node/42638_pt

http://www.intracen.org/news/Afghan-government-endorses-development-of-export-strategy/

http://www.intracen.org/news/Afghan-government-endorses-development-of-export-strategy/

http://thekabultimes.gov.af/index.php/newsnational/16843-hec-approves-afghanistan-national-exports-strategy.html

http://thekabultimes.gov.af/index.php/newsnational/16843-hec-approves-afghanistan-national-exports-strategy.html

https://da.azadiradio.com/a/29144783.html

http://sana.af/%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%B4/



119


%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%B4/

Khabarnegaran Jawan News: HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/6489648/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%

AA%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-

%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-


%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-

%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF

Afghanpaper.com: HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o http://www.afghanpaper.com/nbody.php?id=149296

Sada-e-Afghan (Ava): HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o http://www.avapress.com/fa/news/161179/%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A

8-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%D9%8A-

%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-

%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86

Did News Agency: HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o https://didpress.com/23843-2/

Fars News Agency: Ghani Introduced Afghanistan National Export Strategy

o http://af.farsnews.com/politics/news/13970115000199

Pajhwok News Agency: Afghanistan National Export Strategy Endorsed

o https://www.pajhwok.com/dr/2018/04/03/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7

%D8%AA%DB%8C%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-

%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-


%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%AF

HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o http://rta.org.af/eng/2018/04/04/hec-approves-afghanistan-national-exports-strategy/

HEC approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o https://baztab.news/article/562343

HEC Approves Afghanistan National Exports Strategy

o http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/business/item/32629-hec-approves-afghanistan-

national-exports-strategy.html

MEDIA COVERAGE FOR NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY KEY MEETINGS (PRISEC & COUNSEL OF MINISTERS) TO ADVANCE PLAN (27 NOVEMBER, KABUL) Local media Wadsam newspaper



https://www.yjc.ir/fa/news/6489648/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF






http://www.afghanpaper.com/nbody.php?id=149296

http://www.avapress.com/fa/news/161179/%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DA%98%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86




https://didpress.com/23843-2/

http://af.farsnews.com/politics/news/13970115000199

https://www.pajhwok.com/dr/2018/04/03/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C%DA%98%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%AF





http://rta.org.af/eng/2018/04/04/hec-approves-afghanistan-national-exports-strategy/

https://baztab.news/article/562343

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/business/item/32629-hec-approves-afghanistan-national-exports-strategy.html

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/business/item/32629-hec-approves-afghanistan-national-exports-strategy.html

120

Afghanistan eyes greater participation in regional trade

o http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-regional-

trade-232/

Anis newspaper:

The PRiSEC meeting held at CEO Abdullah Abdullah Office (Qasr-e-Spdar), In presence of

Representatives from Government Offices and International Organizations. (Article is in Dari, News

about the NES)

o http://dailies.gov.af/site/anis/anis/economic3/43490-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B3%D8%AA-

%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AA%D9%87-

%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-

%D8%B3%DA%A9%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-

%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B5%DB%8C-

%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF.html

17th PRiSEC Meeting Held (Article is in Dari)

o http://ceo.gov.af/fa/news/380178

- Coverage for both National Trade Policy and National Export Strategy (mentioned together)

4 Traders

International Trade Centre: Major strides made towards Afghan export strategy and trade policy

o http://www.intracen.org/Major-strides-made-towards-Afghan-export-strategy-and-trade-

policy/

Daily Outlook Afghanistan

Major strides made towards Afghan export strategy and trade policy

o http://www.4-traders.com/news/ITC-International-Trade-Centre-Major-strides-made-towards-

Afghan-export-strategy-and-trade-policy--25580198/

o

Outlookafghanistan

Export Strategy, Trade Policy Clear 2 Major Hurdles

o http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/national_detail.php?post_id=19571

o

Portugal Global


o http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/Paginas/NewDetail.aspx?newId=%7B9582A6

9C-905E-49C4-BBCF-58B8CEE7BB71%7D

MENA


o http://menafn.com/1096157795/Afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-in-regional-trade

NES STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATON, 13 AUGUST, HERAT,

http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-regional-trade-232/

http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-regional-trade-232/

http://dailies.gov.af/site/anis/anis/economic3/43490-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B3%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%B3%DA%A9%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B5%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF.html






http://ceo.gov.af/fa/news/380178

http://www.intracen.org/Major-strides-made-towards-Afghan-export-strategy-and-trade-policy/


http://www.4-traders.com/news/ITC-International-Trade-Centre-Major-strides-made-towards-Afghan-export-strategy-and-trade-policy--25580198/


http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/national_detail.php?post_id=19571

http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/Paginas/NewDetail.aspx?newId=%7B9582A69C-905E-49C4-BBCF-58B8CEE7BB71%7D


http://menafn.com/1096157795/Afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-in-regional-trade

121

Consultation held in Herat to discuss trade challenges & opportunitism

o http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/consultation-held-herat-discuss-trade-challenges-

opportunities/

Herat province explore ways forward for Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy

o https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan_en/31117/Herat%20province%20explore%2

0ways%20forward%20for%20Afghanistan%E2%80%99s%20National%20Export%20Strate

gy

Afghanistan: consultation held in Herat City to discuss international trade challenges

o https://ivotoniut.blogspot.ch/

Afghanistan’s NES consultation held in Herat

o http://www.iaccim.com/

o http://www.iaccim.com/index.php/2014-11-15-05-52-18/2015-05-01-02-45-42/770-2017-08-

14-11-30-09

Afghanistan has 90% of imports and 10% of exports

o http://8am.af/

o http://8am.af/1396/05/23/afghanistan-has-90-of-imports-and-10-of-exports/

Afghanistan’s NES consultation held in Herat

o http://www.avapress.com/vdcepv8zfjh8ezi.b9bj.html

Herat province explore ways forward for Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy

o http://www.intracen.org/news/

o http://www.intracen.org/news/Herat-province-explore-ways-forward-for-Afghanistans-

National-Export-Strategy/

OUTPUT 4

AFGHANISTAN, WTO AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROGRAMME

Film of initiative

Afghanistan, WTO and International Trade Programme - Advancing Afghan Trade Project

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF_isTDI4YU&feature=youtu.be

Participant interviews:

Making the most of Afghanistan's WTO accession: Zabihullah Mudabber

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QKFbJBWng&index=5&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i8

8DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me

Gaining new skills for trade-led growth in Afghanistan: Reza Farzam

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfZhIQOyf9c&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4k

T0Wm7Me&index=7

Promoting Afghan trade through WTO rules: Ellaha Shaheen

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvSXWB5DOkI&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X

4kT0Wm7Me&index=6

Teaching Afghan trade policy: Ehsan Saadat

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_dtgqEEXsE&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4

kT0Wm7Me&index=8

ITC

http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/consultation-held-herat-discuss-trade-challenges-opportunities/

http://wadsam.com/afghan-business-news/consultation-held-herat-discuss-trade-challenges-opportunities/

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/afghanistan_en/31117/Herat%20province%20explore%20ways%20forward%20for%20Afghanistan%E2%80%99s%20National%20Export%20Strategy



https://ivotoniut.blogspot.ch/

http://www.iaccim.com/

http://www.iaccim.com/index.php/2014-11-15-05-52-18/2015-05-01-02-45-42/770-2017-08-14-11-30-09

http://www.iaccim.com/index.php/2014-11-15-05-52-18/2015-05-01-02-45-42/770-2017-08-14-11-30-09

http://8am.af/

http://8am.af/1396/05/23/afghanistan-has-90-of-imports-and-10-of-exports/

http://www.avapress.com/vdcepv8zfjh8ezi.b9bj.html

http://www.intracen.org/news/

http://www.intracen.org/news/Herat-province-explore-ways-forward-for-Afghanistans-National-Export-Strategy/

http://www.intracen.org/news/Herat-province-explore-ways-forward-for-Afghanistans-National-Export-Strategy/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF_isTDI4YU&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QKFbJBWng&index=5&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QKFbJBWng&index=5&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfZhIQOyf9c&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me&index=7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfZhIQOyf9c&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me&index=7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvSXWB5DOkI&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me&index=6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvSXWB5DOkI&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me&index=6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_dtgqEEXsE&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me&index=8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_dtgqEEXsE&t=0s&list=PLqTcg0La86zio3i88DynfL5X4kT0Wm7Me&index=8

122

Building trade policy capacity in Afghanistan through triangular cooperation

o http://www.intracen.org/news/Building-trade-policy-capacity-in-Afghanistan-through-

triangular-cooperation/

New training programme for Afghan trade officials kicks off in New Delhi

o http://www.intracen.org/news/New-training-programme-for-Afghan-trade-officials-kicks-off-in-

New-Delhi/

Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi, India

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Officials' Capacity Building at World Trade Study Centre in New

Delhi

o http://newdelhi.mfa.af/media-center-4/news/1026-ministry-of-commerce-and-industry-

employees-capacity-building-at-world-trade-study-centre-in-new-delhi

Centre for WTO studies

Inauguration of Trade Capacity Building for Afghanistan under CWS-ITC Project from CWS/IIFT

o http://wtocentre.iift.ac.in/pdf/Press%20Release%20CWS-

ITC%20Afghan%20Programme%20091017.pdf

ITC

New training programme for Afghan trade officials kicks off in New Delhi, 17 Oct. 2017

o http://www.intracen.org/news/New-training-programme-for-Afghan-trade-officials-kicks-off-in-

New-Delhi/

Embassy of the Republic of Afghanistan, India

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Officials' Capacity Building at World Trade Study Centre in New

Delhi

o http://newdelhi.mfa.af/media-center-4/news/1026-ministry-of-commerce-and-industry-

employees-capacity-building-at-world-trade-study-centre-in-new-delhi

CWS

Inauguration of Trade Capacity Building for Afghanistan Under CWS-ITC Project

http://wtocentre.iift.ac.in/pdf/Press%20Release%20CWS-

ITC%20Afghan%20Programme%20091017.pdf

OUTPUT 5 & 6

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WTO TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT

European Union External Action – Press release

Afghan Government and private sector working together to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation

Agreement with support from EU and ITC

o https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/44791/afghan-government-

and-private-sector-working-together-implement-wto-trade-facilitation_en

http://www.intracen.org/news/Building-trade-policy-capacity-in-Afghanistan-through-triangular-cooperation/

http://www.intracen.org/news/Building-trade-policy-capacity-in-Afghanistan-through-triangular-cooperation/

http://www.intracen.org/news/New-training-programme-for-Afghan-trade-officials-kicks-off-in-New-Delhi/


http://newdelhi.mfa.af/media-center-4/news/1026-ministry-of-commerce-and-industry-employees-capacity-building-at-world-trade-study-centre-in-new-delhi


http://wtocentre.iift.ac.in/pdf/Press%20Release%20CWS-ITC%20Afghan%20Programme%20091017.pdf








https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/44791/afghan-government-and-private-sector-working-together-implement-wto-trade-facilitation_en

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/44791/afghan-government-and-private-sector-working-together-implement-wto-trade-facilitation_en

123

OUTPUT 7

AFGHANISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION TO ENHANCE TRADING

RELATIONS (20, JUNE, TERMIZ, UZBEKISTAN)

ToloNews:

TOLOnews 6pm News 22 June 2018 (PPD News from 18:53 – 21:30 minutes)

o https://youtu.be/KQBWN_cpkdA?t=1138

Afghanistan, Uzbekistan To Establish Free Trade Zone

o https://www.tolonews.com/business/afghanistan-uzbekistan-establish-free-trade-zone

ENN Uzbekistan:

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to hold the first round of dialogue between public and private sectors

o https://expats.news/uz/uzbekistan-and-afghanistan-to-hold-the-first-round-of-dialogue-

between-public-and-private-sectors/

Uzbekistan National News Agency:

Businessmen of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan meet in Termez

o http://uza.uz/en/business/businessmen-of-uzbekistan-and-afghanistan-meet-in-termez-20-

06-2018

The Time of Central Asia:

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to set up free trade zone

o https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19914-afghanistan-and-uzbekistan-to-set-up-free-

trade-zone

European Union:

European Union supports advancing trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan

o https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/uzbekistan/46925/european-union-supports-advancing-

trade-between-uzbekistan-and-afghanistan_en

NATIONAL TRADE POLICY STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION, 25 NOVEMBER, KABUL

Tolo news

Draft Five-Year Trade Policy Set To Be Finalized

o http://www.tolonews.com/business/draft-five-year-trade-policy-set-be-finalized

TV Dari News (ANTP news from 17:56 – 20:31 mins)

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKi7pcDTXyg

TV BAZAR program

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OLGyUKmZ9Y

Shamshad

Shamshad TV Pashto news at 12 (ANTP news from 8:10 – 10:15 mins)

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgvBpHE8sx4

https://youtu.be/KQBWN_cpkdA?t=1138

https://www.tolonews.com/business/afghanistan-uzbekistan-establish-free-trade-zone

https://expats.news/uz/uzbekistan-and-afghanistan-to-hold-the-first-round-of-dialogue-between-public-and-private-sectors/

https://expats.news/uz/uzbekistan-and-afghanistan-to-hold-the-first-round-of-dialogue-between-public-and-private-sectors/

http://uza.uz/en/business/businessmen-of-uzbekistan-and-afghanistan-meet-in-termez-20-06-2018

http://uza.uz/en/business/businessmen-of-uzbekistan-and-afghanistan-meet-in-termez-20-06-2018

https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19914-afghanistan-and-uzbekistan-to-set-up-free-trade-zone

https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/19914-afghanistan-and-uzbekistan-to-set-up-free-trade-zone

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/uzbekistan/46925/european-union-supports-advancing-trade-between-uzbekistan-and-afghanistan_en

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/uzbekistan/46925/european-union-supports-advancing-trade-between-uzbekistan-and-afghanistan_en

http://www.tolonews.com/business/draft-five-year-trade-policy-set-be-finalized

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKi7pcDTXyg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OLGyUKmZ9Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgvBpHE8sx4

124

Arianna TV

Arianna TV News 6pm (ANTP news from 17:48 – 20:23 min)

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJAtCLsaoLI

1TV News

1TV News 6pm (ANTP news from 19:54 – 23:24 min)

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JS4kt8NlHs

ANTP in Local News (news agencies websites)

o Afghanistan makes ANTP to get connected with International Markets (Azadi Radio Pashto

News)

azadiradio

Afghanistan makes ANTP to get connected with International Markets (Azadi Radio Dari News)

o https://da.azadiradio.com/a/28876347.html

Jamhor News Agency

Afghanistan National Trade Policy Introduced (Jamhor News Agency, Article in Dari)

o http://www.jomhornews.com/fa/news/99459/

Bakhtarnews

Afghanistan National Trade Policy Presented to Consultation (Article by Bakhtarnews in Dari)

o http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/dari/business/item/89142-

%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-

%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-

%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C-

%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF.html

- Coverage for both National Trade Policy and National Export Strategy (mentioned together)

4 Traders

International Trade Centre: Major strides made towards Afghan export strategy and trade policy

o http://www.intracen.org/Major-strides-made-towards-Afghan-export-strategy-and-trade-

policy/

Daily Outlook Afghanistan


o http://www.4-traders.com/news/ITC-International-Trade-Centre-Major-strides-made-towards-

Afghan-export-strategy-and-trade-policy--25580198/

o

Outlookafghanistan

Export Strategy, Trade Policy Clear 2 Major Hurdles

o http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/national_detail.php?post_id=19571

o

Portugal Global

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJAtCLsaoLI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JS4kt8NlHs

https://da.azadiradio.com/a/28876347.html

http://www.jomhornews.com/fa/news/99459/

http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/dari/business/item/89142-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%DB%8C-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF.html









http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/national_detail.php?post_id=19571

125


o http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/PortugalNews/Paginas/NewDetail.aspx?newId=%7B9582A6

9C-905E-49C4-BBCF-58B8CEE7BB71%7D

MENA


o http://menafn.com/1096157795/Afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-in-regional-trade



http://menafn.com/1096157795/Afghanistan-eyes-greater-participation-in-regional-trade