WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/IF/34
8 April 1998
(98-1417)
Committee on Trade and Development
Integrated Framework for Trade-RelatedTechnical AssistanceOriginal:  French
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SUBMITTED BY TOGO
Integrated Responses by the World Bank, ITC, UNCTAD,
IMF, WTO and UNDP1
TOGO
                                                     
1Published in accordance with the provisions of pa ragraph 5(e) of the Integrated Framework for
Trade-Related Technical Assistance (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).WT/COMTD/IF/34
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TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SUBMITTED BY TOGO
This overall  assessment of Togo's  needs for trade-related  technical assistance and for human
and institutional capacity-building has been drawn up as part of the preparatory work for the
high-level multipartite meeting (WTO, World Bank, ITC, UNCTAD, IMF, UNDP and the
least-developed countries) scheduled for 27-28 October 1997 in Geneva and devoted to the trade of
the least-developed countries (LDCs).
The purpose of this meeting is to develop an integrated approach to ways of assisting the
LDCs to increase their trading opportunities.
The assessment has been prepared on the basis of the questionnaire prepared and sent to the
LDCs by the WTO Secretariat.  It covers the following three major areas:  (A) trade policy, (B)
obstacles to trade expansion, and (C) technical assistance.
A. T RADE POLICY
(a) What are the sectors that you believe have unexploited or underexploited export
potential?
The sectors that have unexploited export potential are:
- Medicinal plants and herbs;
- handicraft products (decorative objects, chests, furniture, baskets and wickerwork,
woven and dyed fabrics, articles made with ornamental stones, clothes, etc.);
- the mining sector;- fruit and vegetables;
- cereals (sorghum, maize, etc.);
- tubers (yams, etc.).
The underexploited export potential of the country includes:- Coffee/cocoa;
- oleaginous plants/oils;
-s p i c e s ;
- aromatic herbs;
- cut flowers;
- marble and ornamental stones;- fresh and processed fruit;
- preparations of manioc (gari, tapioca, manioc roots);
- services (Port of Lomé, Togo Corridor, transport, insurance, transit, information
technology services, translation, conferences and meetings, etc.);
- tourist facilities.
(b) Could you please define your country's pers pective of the reasons for any changes in the
structure and direction of exports and imports?
In the subregion TOGO is one of the states promoting regional groupings (ECOWAS,
WAEMU) and the policy of developing South-Sout h exchanges in general and subregional exchanges
in particular.  The devaluation of the CFA franc and the low purchasing power of the average
Togolese are sufficient reasons in themselves for diversifying the sources of supply (in an attempt to
find suppliers of goods and services that are cheap and of good quality).WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 3
In addition, the deregulation of international trade as a result of the Uruguay Round
Agreements has eroded the preferential advantages granted to the ACP countries in the market of the
European Union by the ACP-EEC Convention of Lomé  (Lomé Convention IV).  Hence the need for a
diversification of the countries to which Togo's exports are sent.
Furthermore, Togo's dependency for its foreign currency needs on phosphates, cotton, cocoa
and coffee, whose frequent price fluctuations lead to a fall in income, is a source of weakness for the
national economy.  It is for this reason that the rate of dependency on these four products has gone
from 87.5 per cent for 1975-1977 to 71.7 per cent for the period 1989-1991.
(c) What have been the objectives of trade po licy in the most recent period, compared to,
say, two decades ago?
In an attempt to achieve greater commercial efficiency, for several years now the Togolese
authorities have been carrying out economic liberalization programmes.  The initial decisions to break
up State monopolies were taken in 1986.  Subject to the constraints of restructuring and budgetaryconsolidation, the State is withdrawing from direct involvement in production and trade on a massive
scale.  It is seeking to develop a regulatory and institutional framework that would stimulate
investment and private initiative.  This tendency is reinforced by the need to restore confidence in
business circles that have tended to desert the major financial and trading centre that Lomé once
represented.
The trade policy seeks to:- Develop new products for export;
- improve the output and the quality of exportable products;- increase the sales of traditional products;
- promote exports;
- seek, accordingly, new outlets;
- strengthen on the participation of the private sector in formulating trade policies.
With a view to achieving these results, the "n ew strategy" for the development and promotion
of foreign trade is mainly directed towards increasing the production and export of non-traditionalagricultural products, such as foodstuffs, vegetables, fruit, essential oils and animal and fish products.
These general lines of government policy have been given effect through the promotion of
customs-free zones and the privatization of some state enterprises.
(d) What are the Ministries in charge of trade policies, including formulation,
implementation, enforcement and monitoring?  How is coordination made?  What are the
respective roles of the relevant Ministries (give particular attention to tariff policies and other
policies directly affecting exports and imports of goods and services)?
The Ministries of Industry and Trade, of Planning and Regional Development, of the
Economy and Finance, of State Enterprises and the Development of the Customs-Free Zone, of
Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, of Tourism and Leisure, and of Rural Development are the
Ministries in charge of trade policies, includ ing formulation, implementation, enforcement and
monitoring.
Coordination is provided by the Ministry of Planning and Regional Development within the
context of the country's general policy on economic and social development.WT/COMTD/IF/34
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The Ministry of the Economy and Finance is responsible for formulating and applying tariffs,
while the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsi ble for formulating and monitoring the application
of other measures of trade policy relating to the export and import of goods and services.  It performs
this function in conjunction with the departments concerned with the particular area in question.
(e) How are the private sector and academic institutions associated with the formulation
and conduct of trade policy?
The private sector is associated with the formulation and conduct of trade policy through the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCIT), the Association of Importers and Exporters of
Togo (SCIMPEXTO) and the National Employers' Council (CNP).  Academic institutions are also
involved in this process.
(f) What are the institutions in your country th at can play a role in implementation of a
trade-related project at the local level?  State their respective roles.
The reply to question (f) requires a distinction to be made between two types of trade-related
project:  a project initiated by a private legal or natural person or one initiated by a public body.
The implementation of a project initiated by a private individual or body requires the
involvement of the following authorities:
- The Ministry of Industry and Trade issues the authorization to establish a business
and the importer's/exporter's licence;
- the General Directorate of Taxes issues the taxation certificate;
- the Tribunal of Commerce lists the promoter on the trade register;
- the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo registers the promoter and issues a
membership card;
- the company declaration is lodged with the Inspectorate of Work and Social Laws 
and the CNSS.
The implementation of a project to establish and equip markets and of any other trade-related
project that come within the competence of the public authorities involves the following institutions:
- The Ministry of Industry and Trade identifies needs in conjunction with the local
authorities concerned;
- the Ministry of Planning and Regional Development incorporates it into its public
investment programmes and seeks funding;
- the Ministry of the Interior allocates land for the establishment of the project;- the prefecture or municipality carries out the project and is responsible for the
management of the buildings and facilities.
(g) What are the main laws and regulations de aling with trade policy – on exports and
imports? Please provide a short description of each.
The main laws, listed in chronological order, are as follows:
1. Decree 69-223/PR of 17 November 1969 relating to the profession of
importer/exporter and to the conditions for issuing the relevant documents forimporting and exporting (licences, import/export permits);
2. Regulation No. 88-04 of 27 June 1988 liberalizing trade in the products subject to the
monopoly of SONACOM, which was been established in 1972;WT/COMTD/IF/34
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3. Decree 80-184/PR/MCT of 26 June 1980 relating to the powers and the organization
of the ministry responsible for trade;
4. Interministerial Decision No. 2/MCT/MEF of 14 March 1988 abolishing export
licences for local industrial goods;
5. Circular Note 144/MCT/DCE of 7 March 1988 abolishing import quotas for
industrial goods similar to local goods;
6. Law 89-14 of 18 September 1989 and its implementing Order No. 90/4 of
4 April 1990 relating to the status of the free zone for processing exports;
7. Law 89-22 of 31 October 1989, which relates to the Investment Code and contains
incentive measures for exporting;
8. Interministerial Decision No. 10/MCT/MEF of 29 May 1989 abolishing import
licences in general;
9. Decree 92-092/PM/RT of 10 April 1992 abolishing export licences for cereals and
other foodstuffs and liberalizing their export subject to measures to safeguard
supplies for national consumption;
10. Interministerial decision No. 11/MCT/MEF of 28 April 1992 abolishing import
prohibitions on frozen meat and chickens;
11. Circular Note No. 1023/MCPT/DCE of 17 August 1995 liberalizing the import and
marketing of steel for reinforcing concrete, wheatflour, cement and sheetmetal, whoseproduction and marketing by local firms was protected;
12. Decree 96-025/PR of 18 March 1996, which abolished the licensing system for cash
crops (coffee and cocoa) and the monopoly for their export by OPAT.
(h) What are the main instruments of trade policy – on exports and imports?  Please
elaborate (e.g. on import restrictions, the questions might be: on what products are there anyimport bans; on what products are there quantitative import restrictions; licensing
requirements, etc.; what is the highest tariff ra te currently in use; are there any excise taxes,
other "domestic" taxes that are applied differenti ally to imported goods, or to goods of a type
that are principally imported?).
The main instruments of trade policy – on exports and imports – in Togo are tariffs.
The tariff instruments include import duties whose highest rate is currently 20 per cent, as
well as tolls, statistical taxes, stamp duty and VAT.
The non-tariff instruments have now been reduced to:
- Prohibitions on the import or export of drugs, explosives, firearms and other
dangerous products or materials;  and
- the licence to export phosphates.
However, quantitative restrictions which used to apply to imported goods in competition with
local products and import and export licences for other products have been abolished as part of the
process of liberalizing the economy and trade.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 6
(i) In case you are a WTO Member or are in the process of acceding, how is your country
preparing itself to comply  with the WTO Agreements?
Togo signed the Final Act of the Uruguay Round in August 1994 in Geneva.  The lists of
concessions (consolidation) and specific undertakings with regard to services have been drawn up andcommunicated to the WTO.
Togo has ratified the Uruguay Round Agreements, in particular that establishing the WTO,
and has been a founding member of the WTO since 31 May 1995.  In April 1997 Togo submitted to
the WTO its request for a trade policy review.
(j) What is the state of familiarity with the WTO framework
- among government and government related agencies?
- in the private sector?
Government and government-related agencies and the private sector are relatively familiar
with the WTO framework.  A national seminar to provide information on the Uruguay Round and the
WTO (held in March 1995 in Lomé), an information meeting on the Trade Policy Review Mechanism
(held in December 1996 in Lomé), an information session in the National Assembly with a view to
the ratification of the Uruguay Round Agreements, and the various communications submitted to the
Council of Ministers by the Ministre d'Etat  responsible for industry and commerce following his
attendance at WTO meetings are part of a series of events that have given the Government and
government-related agencies and the private sector the opportunity to become familiar with the WTO
framework.
However, there is still a real need for assistance so as to acquire a thorough knowledge of the
Uruguay Round Agreements.
(k) What are your technical assistance require ments with regard to your compliance with
the WTO Agreements?
Our technical assistance requirements with regard to our compliance with the WTO
Agreements include:
- An understanding of the technical provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements;- the challenges and opportunities of the Uruguay Round Agreements and the measures
that need to be taken to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunitiesprovided;
- the training of national staff in the skills required to deal with the issues arising from
the Uruguay Round Agreements;
- the strengthening of governmental and private structures so as to enable them to assist
the private sector within the country;
- amendments to laws and regulations so as to take account of the provisions of the
WTO Agreements;
- the diversification of products for export;- the promotion of exports.WT/COMTD/IF/34
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(l) In which specific areas of the WTO Agreements do you have technical assistance needs
(e.g. market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumpin g, subsidies, import licencing, rules of origin,
safeguards etc.), TBT and SPS, Services, TRIPS)?
The specific areas of the WTO Agreements in which we have technical assistance needs are:
- The identification of export opportunities and of the possibilities of market access,
arising from the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements;
- agriculture;- rules (anti-dumping, subsidies, rules of origin, safeguards, market access, import
licencing, notification, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade and environment);
- TBT and SPS, Services, TRIPS, etc.
(m) What is your assessment of your existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities, both
multilateral and bilateral, in areas already covered by WTO Agreements and other trade-
related areas, e.g. competition policy and trade and environment .
Our existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities, both multilateral and bilateral, in areas
already covered by the WTO Agreements and in competition policy and trade and environment areinadequate.  What is needed is not only the development of human resource capacities in these fields,
but above all the provision of technical and financial assistance.
B. O
BSTACLES TO TRADE EXPANSION
Obstacles to trade encompassing problems in export markets, infrastructure, human
capacities, institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems and gaps in trade information can
inhibit a least-developed country from taking full advantage of trade opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What are the main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity
of goods and services (e.g. customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management,elimination of cumbersome legal and administrative legal procedures, paucity of human skills,
access at international prices to imported input s, or inadequate telecommunication, port and
transport facilities, etc.)?
- Landlocked countries may face additional problems, such as having to ship
using costly or unreliable transport and ports systems.  In case this applies to
your country, please indicate such problems.  What kind of technical assistance
would help you to work out these problems?
The main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity of goods and
services are the following:
(i) Neither the public services nor the majority of small firms have specialized staff with
a thorough knowledge of the modern techniques of export management, the design of
exportable goods and quality management.  There are very few persons fullyconversant with the new arrangements go verning international trading relations.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 8
(ii) No institution in Lomé currently possesses a trade information system that could
identify for the benefit of Togolese compan ies engaged in foreign trade either the
business opportunities that are available or the conditions for the marketing of their
products abroad.
(iii) Price is not the only factor determining the acceptance of a product on foreign
markets.  Even if its price is competitive, it must still meet the needs of consumers
and comply with existing standards on the markets in question.  Except for Togo's
traditional exports, whose expansion is hampered by quality management, expansion
of the non-traditional exports is faced by the following problems:
- prior to production, which is small scale and irregular, there is a lack of
information on the relevant rules and regulations and an inability on the part
of the responsible services to provide any assistance of this kind tocompanies engaged in foreign trade;
- the responsible services do not possess the capacity to intervene in the export
field:  certification and ensuring that assessment produces the standards
required by such certification.
(iv) There is no structure in Togo for generating ideas for foreign trade projects.
(v) No real technical capacity exists in Togolese companies that is orientated towards
exporting and would assist in the design of goods for export markets or the adaptation
of existing products so as to meet the needs of these markets.
(vi) The lack of differentiation between the work of producers and of exporters is also a
factor which holds back the success of the SMEs in Togo on export markets.
(vii) The lack of a clear strategy to encourage pre- and post-shipment funding makes it
difficult to carry out a policy to develop exports.
(viii) Most of the exporting sectors rely on imported inputs.  Thus, a rise in the cost of  the
imported factors of production following devaluation or a lack of commercial
information about suppliers, of industrial equipment and of transport services for raw
materials and semi-finished goods are factors that make it difficult to control
production costs and the quality of goods for export.   As a result, the goods intended
for export are not competitive on foreign markets either in terms of quality or ofprice.
(ix) Togo is well provided, with telecommunication, port and airport facilities.  It has a
reasonably efficient communication network, a free port serving the Sahelian
countries and airport facilities able to provide high-quality services for the export andimport of goods of all kinds.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 9
(b) Are there any institutional bottlenecks, wh ich may impede the efficient conduct of your
country's trade policies?   Provide details.  For example, what are the problems perceived by the
different actors, e.g. exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies,
quality control, transporters, etc.), profession al associations and Ministries?  Are problems
mainly perceived in the area of:
(i) human resources(ii) management of the institution(iii) financial and material resources
(iv) communication?
Bottlenecks are mainly due to the lack or inadequacy of coordinating and monitoring
mechanisms between institutions.
The different actors involved generally point to the dispersion of the services responsible for
the administrative formalities relating to the establ ishment of companies.  They would like to see the
creation of a "one-stop" service.  Importers complain of the tax burden, customs duties and red tape
and the cumbersome administrative procedures.
Exporters and importers maintain that the Na tional Shippers' Council (CNCT) represents an
unjustified burden since it provides them with  no service.  The CNCT receives payment of
CFA 400 francs per ton exported and CFA 600 francs per ton imported.
Economic operators mention the lax procedures followed by some banks.  Thus, a supplier
may not be paid for one reason or another without the client being properly informed.
It should be noted that bank charges are excessive:  they can sometimes amount to 25 per
cent.
Road haulage contractors are subject to many different kinds of control by customs and
police, including police security checks every 5 or 10 km., which inevitably increases transport costseven more.  Thus, in the opinion of the economic operators, handling costs are high and are increased
by hidden costs.
In the opinion of almost all the economic operators, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
as it is presently constituted, could be brought within an administrative service.  It does not possess astructure to provide training for those involved in  trade or an information system that could help
purchasers to identify the best sources of supply.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade, as presently constituted and with its current functions,
requires changes to be made so as to meet the new circumstances of trade liberalization.  Moreover,its human, financial and material resources are inadequate for it to meet the demands imposed on it by
these new circumstances, while the human resources that it does possess need to be trained so as to
manage the institution more efficiently within the new context of foreign trade.  The department needs
to be restructured and provided with proper human and material resources.
(c) What are the main bottlenecks to export diversification?WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 10
The main bottlenecks are:
- The low and irregular production of non-traditional products (mining, agricultural,
animal, fish and handicraft products);
- the lack of economic and commercial information on foreign markets;
- most of the government policies and strategies to promote the sectors of the economy
involved in the development of foreign trade are not followed up and given concrete
effect on the ground through specific measures.
Thus, by way of an example, the policy to develop the mining sector seeks to create new
capacities for the export of both raw materials and processed or semi-processed goods by exploiting
the available resources (diamonds, gold, polymetallic sulphides, bauxite, chrome, iron manganese,
lime-stone, uranium, ornamental stones, etc.), but no concrete action has been carried out so as to
achieve this objective.
Similarly, agricultural policy, which includes the liberalization of trade, prices and exports,
the redefinition of the role of all those involved in agricultural activities, the establishment of a system
of agricultural credit, the formulation of a land policy that will secure access to property and the
diversification of crops for the export market, etc., has achieved very few concrete results.
In addition, there is a desperate shortage of the technical material and financial means of
production.  It is widely recognized that small and medium enterprises and industries have difficulty
in gaining access to credit on account of the burdensome conditions and rates that apply.  There is also
a lack of systems for funding export production.
It is also worth noting the insufficient and inadequate employment of the incentive measures
contained in the Investment Code and the weakness of private initiatives directed towards the
production of goods and services for export.
(d) If investment in the production of goods a nd services is inadequate, what are the main
reasons?  Please elaborate them (e.g. structural co nstraints, difficulties in attracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, fi nancing, lack of appropriate technology, etc.).
Investment in the production of goods and services is inadequate for the following reasons:
- The lack of appropriate technology (for example, the appropriate technology for the
processing of yams into flakes is not yet available, the same is true for the productionof gari and the manufacture of various kinds of ornamental objects from marble, of
which Togo is a producer);
- the small size of the domestic market (4 million people) in which local industrial
production is subject to severe competition from cheaper imports;
- the difficulties of obtaining access to financing;- the limited development of enterprises;
-  the low-level of risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit.
(e) Is there a national policy to encourage export-related investment opportunities?  Please
elaborate.  What arrangements are in place fo r reviewing, drafting and negotiating contractual
arrangements with foreign investors?WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 11
There is a national policy to encourage export-related investment opportunities, which is set
forth in Law 89-22 of 31 October 1989 relating  to the Investment Code, and Law 89-14 of
18 September 1989 relating to the status of the Free Zone for Processing Exports.
The Investment Code contains incentive measures to encourage exports and other advantages.
Enterprises established under the Free Zone regime pay no taxes for the first ten years and pay only
15 per cent from the 11th year onwards;  there is no taxation on dividends for the first ten years for
foreign shareholders, who may transfer all or part of the returns on their investments abroad;  there is
a 2 per cent reduction on taxation on wages and salaries, and such companies are exempt from VAT,
import duties, statistical taxes and all duties and taxes on the goods exported.
In addition to these measures to encourage foreign investment, steps have been taken to
negotiate contractual arrangements with foreign investors.  Thus, there have been frequent missions
by high-level delegations to foreign countries to provide information on Togo's export potential in
agriculture, mining and tourism.  These missions are known collectively as "Operations Open-Doors
to Togo".
(f) What are the main obstacles to the transfer, development and acquisition of technology?
Is there any national policy/strategy in this area?  Please elaborate.
The main obstacles to the transfer, development and acquisition of technology are as follows:
- The reluctance of those who possess scientific and technological knowledge,
know-how and experience to teach others w ho lack these skills, but wish to acquire
them;
- in some cases, the basic training of those who need to acquire technology or receive
technology transfer is not adequate;
- the level of experience of those responsible for technical assistance in the country:  it
has been observed that most of those who come to our country to provide technical
assistance have little experience and insufficient understanding of the field for which
they have been sent;
- a failure to identify clearly our technical assistance needs;- the lack of a system to assess and monitor the technical assistance that is intended to
provide know-how and technological experience;
- the absence of any tradition in the technological field:  for a long time the education
and training system has given very little space to technical education.
There is no national policy/strategy in this field.
(g) What are your technical assistance or oth er assistance needs with respect to supply
constraints?
The technical and financial assistance needs wi th respect to supply involve the following
factors:
(i) Neither the public services nor the majority of small enterprises have specialized staff
with a thorough knowledge of the modern techniques of export management, theWT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 12
design of exportable goods and quality management.  A specialized training
programme is required to rectify this state of affairs.
(ii) No institution in Lomé currently possesses a trade information system that could
identify for the benefit of Togolese enterp rises engaged in foreign trade the business
opportunities open to them or the conditions under which their products could be
marketed abroad.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has no specialized information system in its trade
promotion division nor specially trained staff in this field.  Other departments are no
better equipped and it is often difficult, if not impossible, for companies engaged in
foreign trade to obtain answers to their enquiries about foreign markets.  We thereforerequire technical and financial assistance in setting up an effective trade information
system.
(iii) In the production cycle, enterprises encounter problems relating to quality
management, e.g. the quality control of inputs, raw materials and imported semi-finished products and the quality control of finished products.  Technical assistance is
required so as to improve quality.
(iv) No production is possible without invest ment and no investment is possible without
promoters and ideas for projects.
There is therefore a need to set up a dynamic system that will stimulate new ideas for
foreign trade.  The establishment of such a system requires technical and financial
assistance.
(v) Togo has no export-orientated technical capacity that would facilitate the design of
products for foreign markets or would be able to adapt existing products so as to meet
the demands of these markets.
(vi) It is also worth noting that there is a need to diversify exportable products and
improve productivity so as to increase production.  This assumes the availability of
proper methods of cultivation and of methods of storage and preservation.
(vii) In the case of products identified as having export potential in such sectors as
subsistence crops, fruit and vegetables, spices, fine herbs, medicinal herbs, plants and
flowers, livestock and fish products, craft products, minerals and services, market and
feasibility studies would help to identify the scale of marketing opportunities and theappropriate marketing strategies, including the requirements for training and
know-how so as to be able to ensure the availability of exportable goods and services
in satisfactory conditions.  Prospecting of foreign markets is also necessary.
Technical and financial assistance would make it possible to achieve the effective
diversification of exportable products and carry out such studies and prospecting.
Trade promotion and trade support services
Trade promotion comprises an integrated set of technical and financial services to enhance the
global competiveness of enterprises and thus facilitate their entry and increasing participation ininternational trade.
(h) Do your enterprises, especially small and me dium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports?  What are these problems in the major export sectors?WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 13
Small and medium enterprises experience difficulties in expanding their exports for the
reasons given above.  More specifically, their problems in the different sectors are as follows:
(i) In the case of cash crops there is a need, firstly, to improve the quality of Togolese
produce through better techniques of harvesting and packaging, as well as the gradingof the produce for export, and secondly, to improve the quality and reduce production
costs among collectors and exporters.
(ii) With regard to subsistence crops (tubers and cereals) steps need to be taken to
improve and increase productivity and introduce better quality control (grading) and
more modern packaging methods for marketing the produce.  Problems also exist
with regard to preservation.
(iii) The problems identified with regard to fruit and vegetables, spices, herbs, plants and
flowers are:
- Low competitiveness with regard to quality (fruit, except for papaya);
- financing the investment in the basic infrastructure (equipment for sorting,
grading, packaging, palletization, labelling, weighing and cold chain);
- accurate technical information and the analysis of market information flows
(business opportunities, prices, health and trade regulations);
- a thorough knowledge of the techniques of packaging and marketing;- links to marketing networks;
- studies of foreign markets could help to establish useful contacts and
formulate the guidelines of an appropriate strategy.
(iv) With regard to handicraft products the problems involve:
- Product diversification or the design of new products with strong export
potential;
- the inadequacy of the craft worker's material and financial resources;
- the lack of organization and marketing and the absence of a more committed
and determined strategy on behalf of the craft sector.
(v) Fishing offers few possibilities for small-scale projects, but the breeding of small
mammals (rabbits), which has been intensively developed, could offer export
potential.  However, animal breeders are to tally unaware of the export opportunities.
(i) What are the problems for your enterprises in obtaining reliable and up-to-date
information on export/import business opportunities?
When our enterprises seek to obtain reliable and up-to-date information on export/import
business opportunities, they cannot find anyone who can provide such information. No institution in
Lomé currently possesses a trade information system  that could identify for the benefit of Togolese
enterprises engaged in foreign trade, the business opportunities available, the conditions under which
their products could be marketed abroad or products could be imported into Togo from abroad.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 14
(j) Can your enterprises offer products of in ternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers? If not, what are the problems?
Most small and medium enterprises do not possess the qualified staff with a thorough
knowledge of the modern techniques of export management, the design of exportable products andquality management.
(k) What problems, other than in terms of trade policy, do you anticipate in developing the
export of services (e.g. computer software, tourism)?
As far as computer software is concerned, it should be noted that there is insufficient local
technical capacity and that there are still very few qualified technicians and analysts.
With regard to tourism, the high cost of transport to Togo is a major obstacle to the
development of tourism and the related services.
(l) What are the technical/professional problems encountered by trade support institutions
(e.g. trade promotion council, chamber of commerce, exporters association, etc.) in your
country in providing their services to export/import enterprises?
The trade support institutions do not have the technical, material and human resources
required to provide the information and training need ed to meet the needs of business circles.  There
is no trade promotion council, although it is planned to establish one.
(m) What problems and deficiencies are experi enced by enterprises in  their international
purchasing and inventory management?
In their international purchasing, enterprises encounter the following problems:
- Lack of information on the sources of supply;- lack of information on purchasing conditions (means of transport and the capacities
of maritime freight, the possibilities of insurance and guarantees, the reputations of
suppliers, the prices of inputs and of products to be imported, currency exchange andmeans of payment);
- lack of a handbook on purchasing procedures;- ignorance of the rules and practices of international trade;- red-tape and the costs arising from additional controls in the countries supplying the
goods, as a result of the COTECNA inspection system prior to dispatch.
In addition, the techniques of inventory ma nagement are poorly understood and there are
serious problems in warehousing and stock identification; the system of terms used, if it exists, is
either not uniform, not rational or not standardized.  It is often poorly managed and there is no
procedure for listing.  The level of stocks is often higher than required and there is often inactive
stock.  The accounting system which is used for monitoring and analysing stocks is often part of the
financial accounting system.
(n) What are the present availability and arrangements for trade finance facilities (e.g.
export credit guarantees, etc.)? Are there any perceived deficiencies in this area?
With regard to trade finance facilities, the present availability and arrangements are:WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 15
- Documentary credit;
- letter of standby credit;
- foreign currency advances for importing, which the importer can obtain from his
bank;
- customs guarantees (the banker guarantees to the custom services the payment of
customs duties);
- international guarantees (deposits to guarantee the proper functioning of the markets
and guarantee financial undertakings);
- revolving pre-finance credit;- marketing finance (raising of short-term credit, medium or long-term export loans).
However, the SMEs engaged in foreign trade are unaware of all these facilities.
(o) What are the main problems in the way of  improving export/import management skills
of your business enterprises? Do you have trai ning programmes in the country? What are the
deficiencies?
The problems in the way of improving export/import management skills are:
- With regard to exporting:
export costing and pricing techniques, the basic concepts of export marketing and
insurance-credit for exporting, the procedures and documents used in exporting,
quality management and stock management;
- With regard to importing:
the basic concepts of import management, the identification of sources of supply,
documentation on imports and stock management.
There are no training programmes on foreign trade in Togo.
(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade? What are the
weaknesses?
There is no trade representation service responsible for promoting our foreign trade.
(q) Briefly describe your technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and
support services.
Our technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and support services come under
the following headings:
- Bringing trade regulations into conformity with the WTO Agreements;- the training of businessmen in economic management and international negotiation;WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 16
- the establishment of a Togolese foreign trade centre;
- the training of personnel in the assessment of customs values;- the establishment of a one-stop facility for investment;- the establishment of an export credit insurance organization;- the establishment of a trade promotion council and a fund to promote and guarantee
export financing;
- the creation of flexible funding mechanisms for SMEs engaged in exporting;- the production and dissemination of simple procedural handbooks so as to enable
businessmen to apply and comply with regulations and take advantage of
preferential agreements;
- the preparation and monitoring of and compliance with a code on competition and
the detection of dumping;
- the improvement of the performance capacities of the Autonomous Port of Lomé
(efficiency, facilities and infrastructure);
- the study of under-exploited Togolese branches of production, such as out-of-season
produce, fruit and vegetables, etc.;
- the exploitation of mineral resources (maganese, chrome, limestone, ornamental
stones);
- the training of businessmen to comply with international standards of quality,
packaging, delivery, etc.;
- the organization of seminars on the WTO Agreements and their implications for the
benefit of businessmen and the administration:  identification of challenges andopportunities and ways of responding to the former and exploiting the latter;
- studies to assess the impact of the WTO Agreements on the Togolese economy;- the creation of a national WTO unit to monitor and apply the WTO Agreements in
various fields, to implement the corresponding recommendations, and to educate
and train businessmen;
- a study on the potentialities of the trade in services in Togo;
- requests for arbitration and support so that maritime and air transport services to and
from Africa are coordinated with other commercial services.
Market access
(r) What are your main market access problems?
- Problems relating to the quality of the products and the failure to comply with
international standards;WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 17
- lack of a trade information system;
- lack of qualified staff with a thorough knowledge of the modern techniques of
export management and quality management in small enterprises;
- the lack of competitiveness of products on foreign markets;
- the low and irregular level of production of traditional and non-traditional products.
(s) What specific problems or barriers, and in which countries, are most troublesome for
your exporters?
The specific barriers which are most troublesome for our exporters concern the quality of
products and their failure to comply with recogniz ed and accepted international standards and the lack
of information on the regulations in force in other countries.  It is especially in the European countries
and the United States of America that our exporters encounter such barriers.
(t) Regional and subregional trading arrangemen t s  ( R T A s ) :   p l e a s e  l i s t  R T A s  t o  w h i c h
your country belongs.  Are you satisfied with the performance of these RTAs?  Please state the
problems of each.  Do you have suggestions on how to solve these?
Togo belongs to the following international, regional and subregional trading arrangements:
ACP-EU, ECA, ECOWAS, WAEMU, etc.
(i) With regard to ACP-EU, commercial preferences on the EU markets have been
eroded by the MFN clause in the framework of the Uruguay Round Agreements,
while subsequent claims for compensation are far from being taken into account.
(ii) With regard to ECOWAS the arrangements are not sufficiently well known by
businessmen and consequently have little effect on the country's economy.  However,
harmonization measures are not being prepared.
(iii) With regard to WAEMU harmonization measures are also now being formulated.
(u) Are there any problems in utilizing the exis ting market access preferences, such as GSP,
GSTP?  Please state the nature of problems relating to each of these.
There is no system operating in Togo for following up and utilizing existing market access
preferences, such as GSP and GSTP, which are consequently little known.
(v) What are your technical assistance needs with respect to market access?
Assistance needs with respect to market access are as follows:
- The establishment of a Togolese trade information system;
- the strengthening of the system of quality development and control;- information on sources of supply and the training of import managers in purchasing
techniques and the control of imported supplies;
- the production and dissemination of simple procedural handbooks so as to enable
businessmen to comply with regulations, and apply and take advantage of preferential
agreements;WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 18
- the utilization of existing market access preferences.
C.T ECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Technical assistance is normally provided to developing and least-developed countries to
build or enhance their human resources and institutional capacities, provide trade information and
trade-related  legal support, as well as improve their supply capabilities in order to make them more
active players in the field of multilateral trade.
(a) To the extent this kind of information is easily available, could you please briefly
describe what trade-related  assistance you have received over the past five years from bilateral
and multilateral sources and what projects/programmes are presently under consideration inthis area?
We have received no trade-related assistance over the past five years from either bilateral or
multilateral sources.  Assistance is currently bein g considered for the implementation of an action
programme for the development of foreign trade.
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance needs as well as other needs as reflected in
this checklist.  Please rank them in terms of priorities.
Our assistance needs in order of priority are as follows:
1. Improvement of institutional and regulatory arrangements for the development and
promotion of exports.  Establishment of a structure to ensure coordination between
the public authorities and the private sector;  establishment of a trade promotion
organization and its operational mechanisms.
2. Strengthening of management skills in trade operations.  Strengthening of skills in
promoting exports, in the management of imports and public markets and in the
organization and management of internal trade.  The establishment of a network of
trade representatives.  Establishment of a structure to monitor and utilize market
access preferences (GSP, GSTP).
3. Strengthening of the trade management capacity of institutions.
4. Improvement of the environment of exporting enterprises by making available the
tools of competition.  Creation or improvement of exporting companies (information
system, promotion of quality, easy access to financing for export promotion).
5. Study of under-exploited Togolese branch es of production, promotion of selected
Togolese products on export markets, action to develop products and markets.
6. A thorough knowledge of the technical provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreements
(anti-dumping practices, subsidies, rules of origin, safeguards, market access, import
licensing, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, imports of foodstuffs, trade and
environment, GATS, TRIPS, TBT, SPS, concessions, undertakings, notification,
etc.).  Identification and management of the challenges and opportunities of the
Uruguay Round Agreements.
7. Adaptation of foreign trade regulations and trade policy to meet the requirements of
the Uruguay Round Agreements.  Formulation of a trade policy statement for
examination.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 19
8. Establishment of a trade point.
9. Study of  the impact of the Uruguay Round on the economy of Togo.
10. Training in negotiations.
11. Representation of Togo in international trade organizations in Geneva within the
framework of the "Maison Universelle".
(c) In the light of the information you have been able to provide so far in response to the
questions in this checklist, what types of information are, in your view, still missing or could beimproved upon?  In order to assist you in providing this missing information, would you need
technical assistance?
In the light of the information we have been ab le to provide, we believe that the information
that is still missing concerns institutions and their role in local trade-related projects and theidentification of the specific WTO fields where we need technical assistance.
We need more information on specific WTO fields, so as to be able to identify these fields
more effectively, and supplementary information on our technical assistance needs.
(d) Does your country have the technological capacity and human resources to make use of
the new information/communication technology to ols such as CD-Rom, the Internet etc?  What
assistance would you need to enable your country to use these tools in the context of training
and, more generally, in the context of trade development?
Our country has insufficient technological capacity and human resources to make use of the
new information/communication technology tools such as CD-Rom and the Internet.
We need technical (training) and financial assistance so that our country can use these tools in
the context of the management of training services and in the context of trade development
(establishment of a database, utilization of the information available through these systems, etc.).WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 20
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY THE WORLD BANK, ITC, UNCTAD,
IMF, WTO AND UNDP
TOGO
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question A(k):
Technical assistance for compliance
with the WTO Agreements
WTO A national seminar will be held in
February 1998.
Participation of representatives from
Togo in the specialized seminars for
French-speaking LDCs to be held in
1998 and 1999.
A three-week trade policy training
course for the French-speaking
least-developed countries will be held
in 1998 and 1999.  This course will
include simulations of multilateral trade
negotiations.Understanding the technical provisionsof the Uruguay Round Agreement
UNDP Within the framework of the
RAF/96/001 regional programme,seminars will be held in the subregion,
which Togolese managerial staff will be
able to attend.
Analysis of the challenges andopportunities of the Uruguay Round
Agreements and the measures that need
to be taken to meet the challenges and
take advantage of the opportunities
providedITC/UNDP As part of the multi-sectoral framework
of TOG/95/001, UNDP intends to
finance ITC missions to:
1. Assess the assistance needs for
strengthening Togo's capacities so as totake better advantage of the export
opportunities on the world market.
2.  Train national staff to acquire a
thorough knowledge of the newinternational trade instruments (in
particular the WTO Agreements).WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 21
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
Question A(k) (cont'd):
UNCTAD/
UNDPStudies could be undertaken to assess
the economic impact of the WTO
Agreements on particular sectors inTogo.
UNDP is prepared to finance such a
study as part of the national programme
to strengthen management capacities.
Training of national staff in the skillsrequired to deal with the issues arising
from the Uruguay Round Agreements.WTO See above.
ITC/UNDP See above.
Strengthening of governmental and
private structures so as to enable them
to assist the private sector within the
country.UNDP As part of its programme to support the
private sector, UNDP could meet part
of the needs arising from this request.
The exact form that this support would
take will be defined at the appropriate
time.
Amendments to laws and regulations soas to take account of the provisions of
the WTO AgreementsWTO WTO is ready to provide Togo with
assistance so as to bring its domestic
laws and regulations into line with
WTO Agreements.
An evaluation mission will be
scheduled in 1998 so as to decide the
changes that need to be made.
Bringing trade regulations intoconformity with the WTO AgreementsWTO See above.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 22
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question A(l):
Technical assistance in specific areas of
the WTO Agreements
Identification of export opportunities
and of the possibilities of market access
arising from the implementation of the
Uruguay Round AgreementsUNCTAD See A(k).
UNCTAD See A(k). Agriculture
WTO See A(k).
Rules (anti-dumping, subsidies, rules of
origin, safeguards, market access,
import licensing, notification, sanitary
and phytosanitary measures, trade andenvironment)WTO See A(k).
UNCTAD Technical support relating to the trade
in services could be provided.*TBT and SPS, services, TRIPS etc.
WTO See A(k).
                                                     
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 23
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question A(m):
Assessment of trade analysis and
negotiating capacities
Development of trade analysis and
negotiating capacities, both multilateral
and bilateral, in areas already covered
by WTO Agreements and incompetition policy and trade and
environment.  What is needed is not
only the development of human
resource capacities in these fields, but
above all the provision of technical andfinancial assistance.ITC The strengthening of institutions to
provide training in international trade is
provided for in the ITC/UNCTAD/
UNDP joint regional project "CapacityBuilding for Trade and Development in
Africa".
UNDP As part of the regional programme to
strengthen capacities for trade
development in Africa (RAF/96/001),
UNDP will fund the participation of
Togolese staff in training activities to
be organized so as to improve thenegotiating capacities of the countries
of the subregion.
WTO See A(k)WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 24
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question B(g):
Technical assistance needs with respect
to supply constraints
1. Specialized training programme for
the public services and for small
enterprises so as to increase the number
of specialized staff with a thoroughknowledge of the modern techniques of
export management, the design of
exportable goods and quality
managementITC See A(m).  Specific modules for SMEs
in international marketing could be
organized after consultation with the
authorities concerned
*
ITC/UNDP See A(k).
ITC The TOPS database on business
opportunities for ECOWAS member
countries and the JURIS database on
the legal aspects of international trade
will be placed at the disposal of the
Government.
UNCTAD The TRAINS CD-ROM will continue
to be provided2. Technical and financial assistance forthe establishment of an effective trade
information system
World Bank Aspect included in a study on the Togo
Free Zone, as part of the current PSA
1
The World Bank is also providing
support for the West African Enterprise
Network (WAEN) which has
established its own trade information
system.  The World Bank willcooperate with ITC in this field.
3. Technical assistance to promote
quality in enterprises (quality control of
inputs, raw materials, imported semi-finished products and finished
products)
4. Technical and financial assistance forthe establishment of a dynamic system
that will stimulate new ideas on foreign
trade projects
5. Assistance to facilitate the design ofproducts for foreign markets or to adapt
existing products so as to meet the
demands of these markets
                                                     
1Private Sector Assessment, preliminary version to be completed by June 1998.
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 25
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(g) (cont'd):
6.  Assistance for the diversification of
exportable products and the
improvement of productivity so as toincrease production.  This assumes the
availability of proper methods of
cultivation and of means of storage and
preservation.
7. In the case of products identified ashaving export potential in such sectors
as subsistence crops, fruit and
vegetables, spices, fine herbs, medicinal
herbs, plants and flowers, livestock andfish products, craft products, minerals
and services, technical and financial
assistance is requested so as to
undertake market and feasibility studies
so as to identify the scale of marketingopportunities and the appropriate
marketing strategies, including the
requirements for training and
know-how so as to be able to ensure the
availability of exportable goods andservices in satisfactory conditions, as
well as the prospecting of foreign
markets.
8. Diversification of production forexportITC See B(q).
World Bank Aspects covered by a PSA2 study.
ERAC (Economic Recovery and
Adjustment Credit) includes the
elimination of monopolies through
foreign trade activities and tariff
reform.
                                                     
2Private Sector Assessment, preliminary version to be completed by June 1998.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 26
Technical assistance needs
identified in the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to Question B(q):
Technical assistance needs in
the area of trade promotion and
support services
World Bank Aspect included in a study on
the Free Zone of Togo.  The
Bank considers the Togoleseeconomy to be too small to need
a second initiative for export
promotion other than that of the
Free Zone.Export promotion
ITC/UNDP The main objective of the
current UNDP/ITC
multisectoral assistance projectis to formulate a strategy for the
development and diversification
of exports.
Training of businessmen ineconomic management and
international negotiationITC See A(m) and B(g).
UNDP See A(m).
ITC See above.  The institutional
arrangement to promote exports
is now being analysed within
the same project, with a view to
its strengthening.Establishment of a Togolese
foreign trade centre
World Bank Aspect included in a study on
the Free Zone of Togo.  (See
above)
IMF IMF to provide assistance:  to
review and update customs
legislation and regulations to
assure efficient collection ofrevenues as well as customs
organization and procedures.
(Agreement in principle 1998)Training of personnel in theassessment of customs values
UNCTAD A customs modernization
project has been undertaken.
This activity could be carried
out as part of a regionalECOWAS/WAMEU regional
project currently being studied.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 27
Technical assistance needs
identified in the questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(q) (cont'd):
Establishment of a one-stop
facility for investmentWorld Bank The one-stop facility has just
been established within the
Chamber of Commerce.
Establishment of an exportcredit insurance organizationUNCTAD Togo will be invited to
participate in the regional
seminars on export credit
insurance organized by AIO andUNCTAD in 1998.
A study on the most appropriate
means of providing export
credit insurance could becarried out and assistance for its
organization could be
provided.
*
Establishment of a tradepromotion council and a fund to
promote and guarantee export
financing
Creation of flexible financingmechanisms for SMEs engaged
in exporting
3
Production and dissemination ofsimple procedural handbooks so
as to enable businessmen toapply and comply with
regulations and take advantage
of preferential agreementsUNCTAD A mission to provide advice and
disseminate handbooks on
GSPs and other trade legislationcould be organized.*
ITC/UNCTAD Assistance to establish a
competition code could be
provided.*
A needs assessment mission
could be organized.*Preparation and monitoring ofand compliance with a code on
competition and the detection of
dumping
WTO See A(k).
Improvement of the
performance capacities of the
Autonomous Port of Lomé(efficiency, facilities and
infrastructures)World Bank Studies planned as part of the
Public Enterprises Restructuring
Assistance Project, submitted tothe Board of Governors of the
World Bank in February 1998.
                                                     
3The World Bank would like initiatives in this field to be based on the banking system.
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 28
Technical assistance needs
identified in the questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(q) (cont'd):
Study of underexploited
Togolese branches of
production, for out-of-season
produce, fruit and vegetablesetc.World Bank See above-mentioned study on
export potential.
Exploitation of mineral
resources (manganese chrome,
limestone and ornamentalstones)
Training of businessmen tocomply with international
standards of quality, packaging,
delivery, etc.
Organization of seminars on thecontents and implications of the
WTO Agreements for
businessmen and the
administration (identification of
challenges and opportunities,ways of responding to the
former and exploiting the latter)UNCTAD To complement the studies
mentioned in A(k), seminars
could be organized.
*
WTO See A(k).
UNDP As part of the implementation
of the National Programme to
Strengthen Management
Capacities (PNRCGD), sectoral
modules of support are
normally provided by UNDP.
The module to be devised for
the trade sector could takeaccount of certain assistance
needs such as the training of
national management skills in
matters relating to the WTO
Agreements, an analysis of thechallenges and opportunities
arising from these Agreements
and identification of the export
opportunities and possibilities
of access to foreign markets.Study on the impact of theWTO Agreements on the
Togolese economy
UNCTAD/UNDP See A(k).
                                                     
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 29
Technical assistance needs
identified in the questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(q) (cont'd):
Creation of a national WTO
unit to monitor and apply the
WTO Agreements in variousfields and implement the
corresponding
recommendations;  education
and training of businessmen.
UNCTAD A study on the potentialities of
trade in services in Togo could
be carried out under response
A(k).Study on the potentialities ofthe trade in services in Togo
World Bank See above-mentioned study on
export potential.
Request for arbitration andassistance so that maritime and
air transport services to and
from Africa coordinated with
other commercial services
4
                                                     
4The World Bank considers that the problem of the expense of maritime and air transport will not be
solved through arbitration and assistance, but rather thr ough competition, as in other countries of the subregion.
With regard to air transport the Bank is financing a subregional study.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 30
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question B(v):
Technical assistance needs with respect
to market access
Establishment of a Togolese trade
information systemITC See B(g).
World Bank See B(g)2.
Strengthening of the system of quality
development and control
Information on sources of supply and
the training of import managers inpurchasing techniques and the control of
imported supplies
Production and dissemination of simpleprocedural handbooks so as to enable
businessmen to comply with regulations
to export and to take advantage of
preferential agreements
Utilization of existing market accesspreferences.  Structures to deal withthese matters need to be established.
Information seminars should be
organized on this subject.UNCTAD Assistance could be provided within the
framework of the GSP programme.
*
                                                     
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 31
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(b):
Summary of technical assistance needs,
in terms of priority
1. Improvement of the institutional
and regulatory arrangements for the
development and promotion of exports
Establishment of a structure to ensure
coordination between the public
authorities and the private sector;
establishment of a trade promotion
organization and its operationalmechanisms.IMF See B(q).
ITC See B(q).
UNDP See A(k). In addition, this assistance will
be linked with the assistance currently
granted by UNDP to the Togolese
government for the preparation of theRound Table on private sector funding
scheduled to take place this year in
Lomé.
World Bank Aspect included in the study on the Free
Zone of Togo.  See above.  The World
Bank is also co-financing studies and
seminars in preparation for the UNDPRound Table.
2.  Strengthening of management
skills in trade operations.
Strengthening of skills in promoting
exports, in the management of imports
and public markets and in the
organization and management of
internal trade
Establishment of a network of trade
representatives
Establishment of a structure to monitor
and utilize preferences (GSP, GSTP)ITC See A(m)
UNCTAD Support for a GSP focal point, advisory
mission and provision of information*
See B(v).
                                                     
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 32
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
Question C(b) (cont'd):
3. Strengthening of the trade
management capacity of institutions.
4. Improvement of the environmentof exporting enterprises by making
available the tools of competition.
5. Study of underexploited.  Togolesebranches of production, promotion of
selected Togolese products on export
markets.
Action to develop products and markets.ITC/UNDP See A(k), and B(q)
6. Thorough knowledge of the
technical provisions of the UruguayRound Agreements (anti-dumping
practices, subsidies, rules of origin,
safeguards, market access, import
licensing, sanitary and phytosanitary
measures, imports of foodstuffs, tradeand environment, GATS, TRIPS, TBT,
SPS, concessions, undertakings,
notification, etc.)WTO See A(k), A(l) and A(m).
7. Adaptation of foreign trade
regulations and trade policy to meet the
requirements of the Uruguay Round
Agreements
Formulation of a trade policy statement
for examinationWTO See A(k).
ITC/UNDP See A(k), A(m) and B(q).WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 33
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question C(b) (cont'd):
8. Establishment of a trade point
9. Study of the impact of the Uruguay Round
on the economy of TogoITC/
UNCTAD/
UNDPSee A(k), A(m) and B(q).
ITC See A(m).
UNCTAD Seminars and training
courses for trade
negotiators could be
organized.*
UNDP See A(m).10. Training in negotiations
WTO See A(m).
11. Representation of Togo in international trade
organizations in Geneva within the framework of
the "Maison Universelle"
                                                     
*Financing to be requested.WT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 34
Technical assistance needs
identified in the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question C(c):
Additional information:
In the light of the information
provided in this questionnaire,
the missing information
concerns institutions and their
role in a local trade-relatedprojects and the identification of
specific WTO fields in which
the Togolese Government is
requesting technical assistance
Need to be fully informed on
specific WTO fields so as to be
able to identify the fields more
effectively and supplementary
information on our technicalassistance needsWT/COMTD/IF/34
Page 35
Technical assistance needs
identified in the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question C(d):
Technological capacity and
human resources to make use of
the new information technology
tools
Technical (training) and
financial assistance so that Togocan use tools such as CD-Rom,
the Internet, etc. in the context
of the management of training
services and in the context of
trade development(establishment of a database and
utilization of information
available through these
systems).WTO The WTO will make a
computer and laser printeravailable to the Ministry of
Trade in February 1998.  The
WTO will also make the
necessary connections between
the focal point and the Internetand will supply CD-Roms, one
on the results of the Uruguay
Round and the other on the
multilateral trading system.
UNDP As part of the project to support
networks of sustainable
development, UNDP couldmeet part of the needs related to
this request.  The exact forms
this assistance will take will be
defined at an appropriate time
with the Government.
__________