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WTO Technical Assistance for National SELF Assessmentof Needs and Priorities on the Trade
Facilitation Negotiations
• 94 self-assessments of needs & priorities (2007-2010)
• July 2012-Members request new needs assessment project
• WTO Members and Observers• Update results or first time• Funded by Trust Fund
• Project Description
(WTO TF TACB website)
WHAT is a needs assessment?Situational Analysis- where standGap analysis- needed for compliance
A.2 INTERNET PUBLICATIONCOMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None___
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Self Assessment Objectives
Identify TA/CB needs/priorities for the implementation of proposed measures
Identify SDT ABC categories
Better determination of national negotiation position for each proposed measure
Be better prepared for implementation
Develop capacity to continue assessment of needs and priorities - support negotiators
WHY have new needs assessment?
Update results from 1st assessmentReforms made
Changes in negotiations
Determine Special & Differential Treatment
ABC Categories
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Benefits:
X-Ray of country situationBetter understanding of role and status of various
border agencies and private sectorBetter understanding of WTO TF and possible
results of negotiationsBetter understanding of the proposed measuresNew personal relationships which will promote better
cooperation provides transparency to the process
Based on evaluations of needs assessments.
HOW is assessment conducted?
• Updated Guide
• Follows Negotiating Text (W/165)
• +/- 40 proposed measures
• Charts
• Review results of 1st assessment
WHO will conduct assessment?
Countries that make a request 45 to date
National taskforce Geneva delegate
Facilitators to guide the process Others: regional organizations, donor projects,
etc.
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Stakeholders – about 30• Geneva/Brussels/Capital negotiators• Implementing agencies (Customs (5 or 6), Quarantine, Standards
Board, Port Authority and Airport Authority, etc.)• Attorney General/ Legal Department (legal reform, appeal)• Ministry of Commerce (negotiations, competitiveness, trade flow,
industry protection, consumer protection)• Foreign Affairs (negotiations)• Economy and Finance (trade flow, controls budget)• Ministry of Agriculture and Animals (controls requests for SPS)• Ministry of Food and Drugs (human health issues)• Ministry of Environment (human health and wildlife conservation)• Central Bank (foreign currency controls)• Private sector (big/small, importer/exporter, carrier, cargo
forwarders and owner, Chamber of Commerce, shippers association, cargo forwarders association, main industries, etc.)
•Negotiation Support Guide TN/TF/W/51
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Facilitators
WTO Secretariat
International and Regional organizations
Experts from national customs administrations
In-country donor projects
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Role of Geneva/Brussels Delegate
Importance of TF and NACoordinate with capital, WTO, facilitatorsPresentation on WTO and TFEncourage work groups – get what needWork with facilitators/coordinatorsReport to NGTFFollow-up questionnaireEnsure maximum results!
Situation Analysis
Situation Analysis Gap AnalysisGap Analysis Identify
ResourcesIdentify
Resources Implementation
Identify the measures with which you already comply, and those with which you will need to become compliant
Identify the specific legal, procedural, and organizational changes that need to be made and the timeframe for implementation.
Identify persons, resources, deliverables, and deadlines to resolve each of the identified gaps.
Reform:•Legislation•Regulations•Organization•etc.
Path to Implementation
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
GAP ANALYSIS SPECIFIC ACTIONS REQUIRED
RESOURCES NEEDED
COST OF REQUIRED RESOURCES
We have . . .We don’t have. . .
Legal provision missing…
Amend X articles of law
n lawyer(s) Daily Rate (range) x Days (range)
We do this . . .
We don’t do this . ..
No understanding of requirements…
Training n trainer(s) Daily Rate (range) x Days (range)
We do this . . .
We don’t do this . ..
Declaration processing system needs to be changed…
1. Analyze2. Develop Software3. Test software4. Roll out
n business analystsn software engineersn testers
Daily Rate (range) x Days (range)
etc.
Stages
Not part of WTO Assessment
Calculation of Needed Resources
Proposals more focusedImprove on experience of first assessments
Guide More guidance on what might be needed to
implement
Correct stakeholdersEncourage accuracy of details
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Results of the Week
Chart for each measure with:Situational and Gap analysisResources neededImplementation/TA needs Overall compliance levelSDT ABC categoryEstimated time needed to implement
Executive report compile/analyze results
Results are confidential- for your use only
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What WTO provides:
Logistical/administrative arrangementsTraining for Geneva delegatesFacilitatorsGuide and other MaterialsComplete kit: Model invitation letters,
Powerpoint slides, instructions for secretary, certificates for participants . . .
Quality control
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COST$Can you provide?Participation of Geneva DelegateMeeting room Coffee breaks and lunches
You Shall provide: Meeting equipment, laptops, projector, etc. Secretary
You provide if necessary: InterpretationSit-in feesTravel of participantsSecretary fees
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How to Request
Official letter requesting a WTO trade facilitation needs assessment
Notification - electronic– Geneva delegate– Capital coordinator
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When to Request?
Preparation timeBetter overall plan
trust fundfacilitators
Get in queue
Now!
But can apply anytime!
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Angola Lesotho
Botswana Malawi
Burkina Faso Mauritius
Cape Verde Morocco
Central African Republic Mozambique
Democratic Republic of Congo Namibia
Egypt Nigeria
Ethiopia Sudan
Gabon Swaziland
Ghana Zambia
Kenya Zimbabwe
Status of Requests from Africa:
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National Needs Assessment Agenda
Advance meeting- hi-level officials/private sectorDay 1: facilitator & Geneva delegate presentations
Background WTO and TF negotiationsGuideDivide into working groups
Day 2-4: Needs assessment in working groupsDay 4: Review of initial assessment in plenaryDay 5: analyze results & present to high-level
officials and private sector
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Results of the Week
Completed chart for each proposal
Summary report
Powerpoint presentation
Results are confidential- for your use only
Calculation of cost$ of implementation?
Self Assessment Invite government specialists in costing Invite your donors Send results to your donors
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Preparation
• Official request
• Notify WTO• Identify Coordinators & Stakeholders• Set dates• Coordinate with WTO and facilitators
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Current situation relative to the Basic Standard. Describe in detail.
Barriers to meeting Basic Standard
Actions needed to meet basic standard (Consider needs in legal framework, administrative policy, human resources, training, equipment, organization, change management. If possible include estimated costs and/or implementation times.)
What can be done locally to address barriers? (Specify in detail)
Is Technical Assistance or Capacity Building support needed? If yes, specify in detail.
Priority for Technical Assistance: High: Medium: Low: None: . Comments:
Lead agency or organization and other stakeholders that would be responsible for implementation of this measure:
Stakeholders not participating in assessment of this measure(s) that should be consulted:
Issues to note (any comments or recommendations for negotiators, etc.):
C.1 PROVISION OF ADVANCE RULINGS
Basic Standard: A Member shall issue legally binding rulings in a timely manner, and in advance of the relevant trade transaction, at the request of an interested person who has provided the Member
with all necessary information
COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: .