WTO TRADE FACILITATION

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WTO TRADE FACILITATION
Technical Assistance Program for Self Assessment
of Needs and Priorities in WTO Trade
Facilitation Negotiations

• WTO Trade Facilitation Section
• Trade Policies Review Divison

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What is a needs assessment?

• Self-assessment
• Government and private sector including Geneva
  negotiator
• Compare current situation with TF proposals
• Expert facilitators, Guide, materials
• /- 5 days

Working group in Tanzania
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Self Assessment Objectives

• Identify TA/CB needs/priorities
• Better determination of national negotiation
  position
• Be better prepared for implementation
• Capacity to continue assessment - support
  negotiators

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Results of the Week

• Completed chart for each proposal
• Summary report
• Powerpoint presentation
• Commitments to continue improve and update

Results are confidential
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Benefits

• Better understanding of
• proposed measures
• Role/status of border agencies and private sector
• WTO TF and possible results of negotiations
• Task Force formed
• Improved synergy- in country and
• GVA/capital
• X-Ray of country situation
• Transparency

Based on evaluations of needs assessments.
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WTO Technical Assistance for National Self
Assessment of Needs and Priorities on the Trade
Facilitation Negotiations

• WTO Members and Observers
• Trust Fund 2.5 mil CHF
• September 2007-2009
• Project Description
• Administered by WTO TFTA team
• Trained Facilitators- 75 people
• 24 organizations

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WTO Secretariat Role

• Facilitator training
• Scheduling dates- facilitation team
• Logistics
• Oversee Fund
• Geneva delegate training
• Updating Guide
• Supporting materials
• Quality control

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State of Play

• Requests 104
• Completed to date 72
• DC (in transition) 43
• LDC 29
• Scheduled 11
• Waiting for dates 9
• UN Security level III 4
• Never notified 9

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www.wto.org (easily found through A-Z list on
main webpage)
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WTO TRADE FACILITATION