G/TFA/N/SWZ/5 /Rev.1  
 
12 October 2023  
(23-6851) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT OF CATEGORY C DESIGNATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM  ESWATINI  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 12 October 2023 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Eswatin i. 
 
_______________  
 
 
The Kingdom of Eswatini  hereby notifies information on the arrangements concluded and progress 
made in the provision of  technical assistance and capacity building support of the following 
category  C designations, in response to Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement  (TFA)  
(WT/L/931) . 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1. 1 Publication  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2022  
Donor s: World Bank  Group  (WBG) , International Finance Corporation  (IFC) 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini Trade Information Portal developed with assistance from WBG, IFC and launched on 
30 September  2021.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1. 2 Information Available 
through Internet  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2022  
Donor s: WBG, IFC 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini Trade Information Portal developed with assistance from WBG, IFC  and launched on 
30 September  2021.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1. 3 Enquiry Points  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2022  
Donor s: WBG, IFC  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini Trade Information Portal developed with assistance from WBG, IFC  and launched on 
30 September  2021.  G/TFA/N/SWZ/5 /Rev.1 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 5.3 Test Procedures  C 22 February 2027  22 February 2025  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.4 Risk Management  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2022  
Donor:  WBG, IFC , others to be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini  Revenue Service (ERS)  has a risk management system. Collaboration efforts between SRA and some 
partner regulatory agencies are ongoing; currently four agencies connect to ASYCUDA World.  
Preliminary engagem ents with the WBG, IFC  on improving ERSCustoms Risk Management and engage all the 
relevant border agencies underway.  
No technical assistance received to date on the other areas . 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.5 Post-clearance Audit  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2022  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
As part of the efforts aimed toward improving ERS Customs Risk Management, considerations for 
strengthening PCA alongside are underway  at organisational level . However, n o technical assistance and 
capacity building support received to date.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.6 Establishment and 
Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2022  
Donor: WBG, IFC  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The Word Bank Group conducted the Time Release Study  (TRS)  in February 2018 for Eswatini in collaboration 
with cross -border regulatory agencies and Eswatini Revenue Service  Customs. Preparations for the next TRS 
2021 are underway, with support also from the WBG – IFC. This will be a Mini-TRS, given the current 
limitations of the global pandemic . 
Furthermore, the recently developed  ASYCUDA Performance Measurement  System (ASYPM ) supported by  the 
Southern African Development Community  (SADC ) Trade Related Facility ( TRF), has opened a window for the 
country to explore opportunities for further opportunities to develop ASYPM to include  certain indicators that 
measure release times  nationally. Technic al support and capacity building will be required in this regard.  
 G/TFA/N/SWZ/5 /Rev.1 
 
- 3 - 
 
  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.7 Trade Facilitation 
Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C 22 February 2027  22 February 2024  
Donor: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) with TA and funding by  the Swedish International 
Development Cooperation Agency  SIDA and UK 's His Majesty 's Revenue and Customs Services.   
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The ERS has implemented a Preferred Trader Programme (focusing on Customs compliance), where 
two traders have been accredited . 
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date on exp anding the programme to 
Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) . 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 8 Border Agency 
Cooperation  C 22 February 2027  22 February 2024  
Donor s: World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, others to be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Article 8 (1) With support from World Bank Group – International FC, the country has defined the Eswatini 
Coordinated Border Management ( CBM) concept and indicative model. Currently under development is the 
CBM Blueprint for implementation.  
Article 8 (2) Discussions have been initiated and are ongoing with neighbouring South Africa for 
implementation of a One Stop Border Post at Oshoek – Ngwenya Border Post. However, to date, no technical 
support and capacity building has been received in this regard.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implemen tation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.1 Formalities and 
Documentation 
Requirements  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2024  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.3 Use of International 
Standards  C 22 February 2022  22 February 2028  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date.  
 G/TFA/N/SWZ/5 /Rev.1 
 
- 4 - 
 
  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.4 Single Window  C 22 February 2032  22 February 2025  
Donor: WBG, others to be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The World Bank has assisted Eswatini in implementing building bloc ks towards the implementation of the 
National Single Window  (NSW) , and they are:  
- developed 'As Is' and 'To Be ' business processes for all trade regulatory agencies  
- developed the functional specifications f or the NSW  
- conducted the ICT assessment for implementation of NSW  
- legal review of the legislation for implementing NSW and  
- developed the NSW Blueprint/Roadmap.  
No technical assistance has been received  for the development of the NSW system and  the ot her areas 
required  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  C 22 February 2032  22 February 2027  
Donor:  Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency  (SIDA); World Customs Organization 
(WCO) and U nited Kin gdom  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
a) Article 12 (1) C2B cooperation: The ERS is developing a programme for an accredited training on Customs 
clearance to build capacity and customs competence for clearing and freight forwarding  agents . The 
curriculum was documented with technical assistance provided under SADC Trade Related Facilit y  
b) Article 12 (2 – 11) C2C cooperation: Data exchange framework (legal framework and system procedure) 
has been put in place among SACU countries The initiative was advanced through support that was initially 
extended to the SACU region under SIDA – WCO an d more recently with the UK ERS is also using the 
SADC Protocol on Trade to process requests for administrative assistance and these are handled in line 
with legal provisions governing use of the information and ensuring the required confidentiality.  
c) Article 12 (12) ERS entered into a bilateral agreement to operationalise the electronic data exchange with 
the South African Revenue Service ( SARS ) for exchange of customs declaration data.  
 
__________