WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/442
4 December 2002
(02-6690)
Council for Trade in Goods Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
ON WTO TRADE FACILITATION:
INFORMATION ON TRADE RELATED ASSISTANCE BY THE EC
AND ITS MEMBER STATES
The following communication, dated 2 December 2002, has been received from the
Permanent Delegation of the European Commission.
_______________
I. TRADE-RELATED  ASSISTANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION IN THE DDA
As decided by Ministers in Doha and as has been underlined by all WTO members
participating in the Trade Facilitation work programme under the CTG, the question of trade-related
assistance is an integral part of the work on trade facilitation under the DDA.
The EU has, throughout the process on trade facilitation – both prior to as well as following
Doha  - wanted to take this dimension into account. In its three submissions on Trade Facilitation
under the DDA, the EU has addressed the issue of how to ensure trade-related  assistance for the
implementation of any new commitments that may result from the work.
The EU also, in an earlier submission to the WTO, addressed the issue of TRA in a horizontal
manner1. In that document it suggested to base the work within the WTO along the following lines:
• Sharing of information and closer co-ordination  on ongoing technical assistance for trade
facilitation (domestic efforts, bilateral donor assistance, regional activities, private sector
participation, and assistance from international institutions).
• Demand driven needs assessments : identification by the developing country of its technical
assistance needs via a dialogue with donors. Ownership by the recipients country is key to success
of this process.
• Provision of assistance  on the basis of the request made by recipients. This should take the form
of a more co-ordinated response by relevant multilateral and bilateral donors according to theirareas of expertise and their own programme plans. Programmes may be very specific or part of
much broader efforts for trade development (as exemplified by the projects listed in the attached
table)
• Monitoring and evaluation:  regular information on the evolution of programmes and  monitoring
of overall progress achieved.
                                                     
1 See submission G/C/W/235, of the EC on "Trade facilitation,  Technical Assistance and
Capacity Building in Relation To Trade Facilitation", dated 23 October 2000.G/C/W/442
Page 2
II. THE INTEGRATION OF TRADE-RELATED ASSISTANCE FOR TRADE
FACILITATION IN THE EU'S  DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION
As part of its efforts to respond to the need for TRA for trade facilitation, the EU is currently
funding a number of projects related to trade facilitation around the world and will continue to do so
in the future. Trade-related  assistance has been designated as one of the priority areas for the EU's
development co-operation over the next six years and the TRA dimension has been integrated in allthe relevant levels of decision-making on how to allocate funds – thus providing long-term security
for the possibility of developing countries to avail themselves of EU development aid for trade
facilitation purposes, if they so wish.
In its recent Communication on Trade and Development of 18 September 2002
2, the
Commission spells out how the EC will respond to the call in the DDA for increased Trade-related
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building. The basis for all development assistance of the EC areits Country and Regional Strategy Papers (CSPs and RSPs), which provide an analysis of the
development situation in each developing country and region, with which the Community has
development relations, and which identify areas that are in need of assistance. These CSPs and RSPs
are the basis for the identification – jointly by the EC and the recipient country – of priority areas and
sectors to which Community assistance will be allocated. The allocations are laid down in moreprecise financial terms in National and Regional Indicative Programmes.
The Commission is now assessing, together with developing country partners, the level of
flexibility that exists within the existing Strategy Papers and Indicative Programmes, so as to use that
flexibility to re-orient more assistance to trade-related  needs, where so desired. During the mid-termreviews of the CSPs and RSPs, which are due to start in the second half of 2003, the Commission will
systematically raise with the recipient countrie s the possibility to further integrate trade in
development policies and strategies, with a view to  re-allocating financial resources to supporting
developing countries in their trade mainstreaming efforts.
III. OVERVIEW OVER EU FUNDED TRADE FACILITATION ACTIVITIES
In order to inform other WTO members of the activities of the EU in this field, WTO
Members will find attached two documents.
First, a table on "Technical Assistance Programmes and Projects provided by the EC and its
Member States in the field of WTO –DDA Trade Facilitation negotiations", which provides an
overview of ongoing trade-related  assistance activities for trade facilitation. It should be noted that
the attached table represents work in progress. It is a partial first list, which does not yet fully cover all
relevant existing or future activities. It should also be noted that the definition of trade facilitation, in
technical assistance programmes, is of course traditionally wider than customs and border crossing
measures, and broader than the subject-matter of GATT Articles V, VIII and X. The assistance for
trade facilitation listed in the table therefore al so covers measures relating to, for example, the
improvement of port infrastructure, cargo logistics, or services to exporters, thus going beyond the
scope of GATT Articles V, VIII and X. The EU notes furthermore that in many cases trade facilitation
is part of a wider programme of trade-related  technical assistance and that only at a later stage in the
programming is a decision taken – conjointly by the EU and the recipient country – as to what
proportion of a programme and its funding will be devoted to trade facilitation.
                                                     
2 "Communication from the Commission to the Council an d the European Parliament - Trade and Development
: Assisting developing Countries benefit from trade": COM(2002) 513 of 18 September 2002G/C/W/442
Page 3
The EU intends therefore to update this table in the near future, in particular to include further
relevant programmes of an infrastructure nature, additional information from EU Members States, and
further  programmes to be agreed in the future.
Second, we attach a paper entitled "Trade-related  Assistance Outline Project for Trade
Facilitation" (see page 27). This document provides guidance and information on the substance and
technical assistance in the field of trade facilitation to those most directly involved in the selection and
administration of projects, i.e. EC delegations , country desks in the Commission's Directorate
Generals and EuropAid TRTA co-ordinators. It is de signed as a simple, standard guide to TRA in the
field of trade facilitation to assist project officers to take decisions, which fit into the logic of trade
facilitation in the WTO and to ensure coherence between work on the policy-making level and on the
project identification and administration level.G/C/W/442
Page 4TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS PROVIDED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN THE FIELD
OF TRADE FACILITATION 3
Please note that a number of the projects below feature Trade Facilitation  as  part of a broader programme of trade-related  t echnical assistance. In these cases
the budget for trade facilitation, as opposed to other areas of programming, is still to be determined.
BY COUNTRIES
Technical
Assistance providedCost / Financial
Contribution
in EUR ( € )Subjects covered Recipient Country /
ParticipantsLocation Dates Short term
assistance (S) /
longer term
development aid
projects (L)
Integrated Border
Management – trade /traffic facilitation3,000,000 Facilitate trade / traffic between
Albania and third countries throughimproving both the Albanian customsservice and specific border-crossings.
Providing Technical Assistance and
institutional strengthening.Albania 2002 – 2004 L
Possible TF element,
i.e.  reforms of customsadministration toImprove the  efficiency
of customsIndicative budget:
6,570,000European Commission to assist
Argentina in its efforts to increase itsinstitutional, legal and regulatorycapacities in the sectors connected with
trade.
TA could be provided in fields such asfacilitation of trade.Argentina 2004 – 2006 L
TF element as part of
assistance programmefor Economic
DevelopmentOverall indicative
budget:7,200,000The programme includes:
institutional building (policy advice andcustoms) and continued reform of the
customs service.Azerbaijan 2002 – 2003 L
                                                     
3 Note that amongst the projects listed, while all are relevant to the WTO's work on trade facilitation, and most correspond dir ectly to issues discussed in the WTO, some
have been designed independently of that work.G/C/W/442
Page 5TF element as part of
the economic co-operation programmeOverall budget:
7,000,000
(6,300,000 by the
Commission)EU may provide support for capacity
building measures in key areas agreedat Doha, notably TF, trade andcompetition, trade and investment, trade
and environment and services.Bolivia 2000-2006
Programme
starting In 2003
Duration : 4 yearsL
Customs and taxation
reformOverall budget:
18,000,000
(9 mio. for year 2002 ;
5 mio. for year 2003 ;
4 mio.  for year 2004 )• Technical assistance and training
(principally delivered by EUmember states customs officials)
ensuring further improvements in
enforcement capacity andstreamlining procedures
• Modernisation of the Custom
Services’ IT resource, includingthe ‘Automated System forCustoms Data’ (ASYCUDA) – EU
has significantly contributed to the
establishment of ASYCUDA
• TA and training to the
development of a modern,unbiased and transparent personnelpolicy, including preparation of
legislation required to give effect
to the policyBosnia and Herzegovina 2002 – 2004 L
Possible TF element as
part of capacity
building in the area of
trade policyOverall budget:
7,8 millionCapacity building in the area of trade
policy has been identified as a possible
non-focal sector. CB will be necessary
in particular with a view to preparingEPA (Economic PartnershipAgreement) and implementing the
accompanying trade policy and
structural reforms.Botswana 2003 – 2008 L
TF element as part of
Economic Reform
ProgrammeOverall budget for the
reform programme:
22,000,000• Strengthen regulatory capacities,
notably in the fields  of TF andstandards.
• Provide support to further build
Brazil’s institutional andregulatory capacitiesBrazil 2002-2006 L
Possible TF element as
part of capacitybuilding in the area of
trade policy and
regional integrationOverall budget:
25 millionCapacity building in the area of
regional integration and transport  willbe necessary in particular with a view
to preparing EPA (Economic
Partnership Agreement) andimplementing the accompanying tradepolicy and structural reforms.Burkina Faso 2003 – 2008 LG/C/W/442
Page 6Element of TF
contained  in theprogramme ofassistance to WTO
accession2,080,000 WTO accession, trade facilitation,
development of new export industries,products, standards, quality controlCambodia Decision foreseen
for 2002,implementation in2003L
TF contained in
economic co-operation
and technological
innovation programmeIndicative budget for
TF:
6,400,000
(4.6 mio 2002;
1.8 mio in 2006)Facilitate trade between the EU and
Chile as one of the central objectives of
an Association Agreement negotiated
between the EU and Chile.Chile 2002-2006 L
TF part contained in
programme for WTOcomplimentaryassistanceOverall budget of
15,000,000Financing proposal suggests four
vertical components (agriculture,services, SPS & TBT, trade facilitation)and two horizontal components (legal
and other)China 2002 – 2004 L
Element of TF
contained in WTO
accession project3,600,000 Broad range of WTO accession and
implementation issues, including Trade
FacilitationChina 1998 – 2003 L
TF element as part of
Integrated Border
Management
ProgrammeOverall budget:
23,000,000• Incorporate ongoing work on
customs and border crossing.
• Provide support to strengthen
customs
• Focus on procedural and technical
improvements at individual
borders
• Co-ordination and co-operation
with the World Bank Transport
and Trade Facilitation Programmefor SouthEast Europe (TTFSE),recently signed by Croatia.Croatia 2002 – 2004 L
Possible TF element as
part of capacitybuilding in the area of
trade policy and
regional integrationOverall budget:
4 millionCapacity building in the area of
regional integration and trade  will benecessary in particular with a view to
preparing EPA (Economic Partnership
Agreement) and implementing theaccompanying trade policy andstructural reforms.Dominican Republic 2003 – 2008 L
TF as part of
programme onEconomic Co-operationOverall budget:
10,000,000EU may provide support for capacity
building measures in key areas agreedat Doha, including TFEcuador 2000 – 2006 LG/C/W/442
Page 7Trade Enhancement
Programme (TEP)
Technical Assistance
(TEP A)20,000,000 TEP A is the technical assistance
component and the first phase of anassistance programme for tradeenhancement in Egypt, provided
through TA and budgetary support.
The programme includes TF through
the enhancement of export-import
inspection procedures.Egypt Once signed,
implementationwill start withimmediate effect
Duration: 54
monthsL
Funding of trade /
customs reforms (TEPB)40,000,000 European Commission and the
Egyptian government are preparing thefunding conventionEgypt Under preparation L
Technical Assistance in
Customs
(TEP C)5,000,000  –
10,000,000AIDCO ready to prepare an instruction
mission.Egypt 2003 L
Possible TF element as
part of capacitybuilding in the area oftrade policyOverall budget:
8 millionA non-focal sector is capacity building
in the area of trade policy. CB will benecessary in particular with a view topreparing REPA (Regional EconomicPartnership Agreement) and
implementing the accompanying trade
policy and structural reforms.Eritrea 2003 – 2008 L
Possible TF element in
the macro-economic
support and capacitybuilding for economicreformOverall budget:
19.2 millionTrade policy reform and economic
integration: Support for preparing the
country for WTO membership for entryinto the COMESA free-trade area andfor REPA negotiations will also be
provided. A tentative amount of 5% of
the available overall budget (€384m)will be reserved for capacity building ineconomic reform and integration.Ethiopia 2003 – 2008 L
Possible TF element
within capacitybuilding project of
trade policy reformsOverall budget:
6 millionConsistent with the objectives of
economic and trade co-operation,assistance will be provided in support
of trade policy reforms and capacity
building in all areas related to trade, inpreparation for negotiations on newtrading arrangements.Gambia 2003-2008 LG/C/W/442
Page 8Possible TF element
within capacitybuilding project foreconomic
diversificationOverall budget:
0,35 millionCapacity building in regional
integration and environment and actionsto address impediments to trade.Grenada 2003-2008 L
TF element as part of
Trade and Investment
Development
ProgrammeTotal contribution:
15,000,000Several projects on trade and
investment
Components  envisaged  in the total
contribution include:
• 6.0 mio € for facilitating  EU –
India Trade
• 2.0 mio € for enhancing India’s
trade performance
• 1.5 mio € integrating India’s
economy with the global marketsIndia Decisions
foreseen for 2003
Duration: 3 yearsL
Country Strategy Paper and National
Indicative Programme under
preparation.
European Commission has proposedinclusion of project on TF.Indonesia UNDER
DISCUSSION
TF element within tradedevelopmentprogramme6,000,000 Capacity building for private sector
competitiveness.Jamaica 1997/98 - L
Possible TF element
within capacitybuilding project forprivate sector
developmentOverall budget:
20 millionCapacity building for private sector
development and strengthening ofsupply responses to regional and globalco-operation agreements.Jamaica 2003-2008 L
TF element as part  of
assistance to WTOaccession1,000,000 Support for Laos accession to WTO,
trade facilitationLaos 2002 – 2004 L
TF element as part of a
programme fordevelopment of the
trade sectorOverall indicative
budget:
45,000,000
in form of a sectoraladjustment facilitylinked to a clear set of
conditionsReform of customs procedures and
administration in light of WTOaccession:
Reform of customs tariff structure,
codes classifications and valuation,clearance systems at ports, adoption ofrules of origin, computerisation of
exchange of trade data.Lebanon 2002 – 2004 L
Possible TF element
within capacitybuilding project for
trade expansion and
regional integrationOverall budget:
8,6 millionCapacity building for trade negotiations
and trade and regional integrationprogrammesLesotho 2003-2008 LG/C/W/442
Page 9Rehabilitation of the
customs services0.42 million Madagascar 1998 – 2002 L
TF element as part of
the co-operation
programme in the fieldsof trade and investment2,000,000 TRTA and CB in key areas agreed at
Doha, in particular competition and
trade facilitationMalaysia 2002 – 2004 L
TF element as part of
support for
institutional, legal andadministrative reformOverall indicative
budget:
4,000,000Approximation of legislation (support
to customs legislation and regulations)
and law enforcement, customs andcross-border co-operation.Moldova 2002 – 2003 L
TF element as part of
Integrated BorderManagementProgramme20,000,000 • Co-ordination and co-operation
with the World Bank TTFSE.
Programmes will include, inter alia :
• Develop integrated border
management strategy
• Assistance for strengthening of
customs institutions
• Improve infrastructureFormer Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia2002 – 2004 L
TF element as part of
trade-related  capacity
buildingOverall budget:
4,800,000TRCB includes preparing the necessary
structural changes for the EPA
(Economic Partnership Agreement).
These will focus on trade specific areas(including customs, tariffs, etc.) andmacroeconomic reform.Namibia 2003 – 2008
Trade facilitation /
customs reform  andother projects as
elements of the
EC/Pakistan 
DRAFT
Programme for Trade
DevelopmentOverall budget:
6,000,000 :
• WTO related:
2 mio
• standards / SPS:
2-3 mio
• Small Project
Facility:         1 –2 mioProgramme to look into introduction of
more transparency and predictability ofimport and export administration
(simpler procedures and new customs
techniques). This could include keyareas of customs reforms, i.e. riskassessment, setting up of authorised
trader systems, reduction of data and
documentation requirements, singleone-time presentation to one agency,automation and modernisation of the
customs code.Pakistan Decision foreseen
for 2003
Duration 2003 –
2005L
TA to be provided to
build capacity in thearea of TF as element
of programme
providing support to thestrengthening ofParaguayan foreign
tradeOverall estimated
budget:
8,400,000Development of institutional capacity in
trade fields, trade facilitation,competition policy, intellectual property
rights, customs valuation.Paraguay 2000 – 2006 LG/C/W/442
Page 10TF element as part of
Assistance to Trade andInvestment2,000,000 Capacity building through
strengthening key governmentinstitutions involved in trade,investment and finance to enhance the
ability of key government organisations
to design and implement a regulatoryand policy environment conducive tobusiness ( inter alia  improvement of
customs procedures). In particular,  2
million € are planned for TRTA,  andtwo issues could be chosen : SPS andcustoms (trade facilitation and customs
valuation).Philippines 2002 – 2006 L
TF element as part of
legal, administrativereform and regional
policyIndicative overall
budget:
31,000,000
(15 mio in 2002 ;
16 mio in 2003 )Continuation of the IP and Customs
programmes covering legislativedevelopment, implementation and
training to provide specific TA to
Russia in the process of its WTOaccession.Russia 2002 – 2003 L
TF element as part
regional integration(€0.675m), capacity
building (€1.55m),
privatisation – transportOverall budget:
2.9 millionThe programme will aim at improving
competitiveness and facilitating tradethrough institutional strengthening of
relevant actors and improving the
efficiency of the transport sector.Suriname 2003-2008 L
TF element as part of
programme directed at
fiscal, budget andcustoms reformIndicative overall
budget:
8,000,000Modernising legislation and regulations
concerning customs tariffs and
practices.  Adaptation of tariffsstructure and customs regulation to newtrade agreements and assistance in
reorganisation of the Ministry of
Finance and its personnel.Syria 2002 – 2004 L
TF element as part of
an EU-Thailand Small
Projects Facilitycovering trade,investment and related
areas for sustained co-
operation
[ It is expected to
support and facilitate
the effectiveimplementation ofabout 8-10 projects peryear ]Indicative overall
budget:
5,000,000Proposals of TA and CB on issues
resulting from the WTO DDA and
implementation of the respective workprogramme, in particular tradefacilitation, competition, government
procurement and investment.Thailand 2002 – 2004 LG/C/W/442
Page 11TF element as part
regional integrationmacro support andeconomic reform
programmeOverall budget:
4millionThe programme will aim at developing
outward oriented trade policies,harmonisation of trade policies withinthe region and trade negotiation
capacities  competitiveness and
facilitating trade through institutionalstrengthening of relevant actors andimproving the efficiency of the
transport sector.Uganda 2003-2008 L
TF element as part of
border management
programmeIndicative overall
budget:
22,000,000
(15 mio in 2002 ;
7 mio in 2003 )Training programmes for border
guards, customs and other related
agencies to provide their personnel with
the relevant skills to carry out their taskin line with international practices.Advice and support to legislation
development and implementation as
well as to Border Guards and Customsservices modernisation.Ukraine 2002 – 2003 L
TF element  as part of
economic reformprogramme(competitiveness and
diversification)Indicative overall
budget:
5,400,000TRTA / CB in the fields of customs
administration and valuation, import-export transit procedures, market accessissues, etc.Uruguay 2002 – 2006 L
TF element as part of
programme foreconomic co-operationNo details yet
available.EC will provide support to Venezuela
for CB measures according to key areasagreed at Doha, notably in areas such as
trade facilitation , trade and
competition, etc. The EC will alsosupport Venezuela in its efforts toincrease its capacity to participate in the
negotiations. The EC addresses some of
these issues at regional level.Venezuela L
TF element as part of
programme on public
administration,institutional reform andgood governance to
facilitate Vietnam’s
integration into theinternational economyOverall estimated
budget:
30,000,000Possible area to provide TRTA includes
customs reform.Vietnam 2002 – 2004 LG/C/W/442
Page 12TF element as part of
programme to supportYemen’s accession toWTO7,000,000 • Technical and administrative
assistance to the CCO-WTO
• Development of  a strategic
medium-to-long term Trade Policyfor  Yemen, including export
promotion aspects
• Institutional and reforms support
including customs valuation and
customs procedures reformYemen 2002 – 2004 L
TF element as part of
Customs and Taxation
reform programmeOverall indicative
budget:
21,500,000 –
27,500,000Promoting harmonised tariff and
modernised customs legislation and
working practices.Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia2002 – 2004 L
Computerisation of
Customs and TradeData6,200,000 Installation in all COMESA Member
States requesting to do so of acomputerised customs and trade
statistics systems. Project executed by
UNCTAD (Asycuda), CESDcommunautaire (Eurotrace) and withtechnical assistance at the COMESAHeadquarters to set up a Regional
Computing Centre.Zambia 1998/1999
TF element as part of
the Zimbabwe tradepolicy capacity projectOverall budget:
30millionThe programme will aim at improving
the capabilities to implementinternational agreements and includescapacity building for state and non state
stakeholdersZimbabwe 2003-2008 LG/C/W/442
Page 13BY REGIONS
Technical
Assistance providedCost / Financial
Contribution
in EUR ( € )Subjects covered Recipient Country /
ParticipantsLocation Dates Short term
assistance (S) /
longer term
development aid
projects (L)
TF elements as part of
Caribbean regionaltrade sector programme11,200,000 European Commission to assist
Caribbean ACP countries in improvingintra-regional trade relations anddeepening regional integration,
including by addressing NTBs,
strengthening capacity and policies ontrade and trade-related areas (e.g.customs legislation), and supporting
trade facilitation measures for business.ACP – Caribbean ACP
countries (Antigua andBarbuda, Bahamas,Barbados, Belize,
Dominica, Dominican
Republic, Grenada, Guyana,Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts andNevis, Saint Lucia, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines,
Suriname, Trinidad andTobago)1997/98 - L
TF elements envisaged
as part of regional
indicative programme(under preparation)supporting the
intensification of
integration in theCaribbean region,building on previous
national and regional
programmes andprojects(UNDER
PREPARATION )Overall indicative
budget for supporting
the intensification ofintegration:
40 – 45,000,000European Commission to assist
Caribbean ACP countries in improving
intra-regional trade relations anddeepening regional integration,including by addressing NTBs,
strengthening capacity and policies on
trade and trade-related areas (e.g.customs legislation), and supportingtrade facilitation measures for business.ACP – Caribbean ACP
countries2003 – 2008 LG/C/W/442
Page 14Programme for regional
integration and tradesupport
(UNDER
PREPARATION)Around € 17 million A substantial part of this amount will
go to trade facilitation activities, aimedin particular at improving customs
procedures and systems, modernisation
of customs offices,  support for theimplementation of a customs union,etc.
Part of the overall budget will also be
allocated to the transport andcommunications sector, with a possibleTF element contained in a study on the
transport sector for CEMAC
(Economic and Monetary Communityof Central Africa) on theimplementation of regulations and
transport communication strategy.Central Africa 2003-2008 L
TF element as part of a
Regional SupportProgramme to UEMOA
(West African
Economic andMonetary Union)Overall budget :
65 millionThe project includes support for the
creation of a customs union.Western Africa
(UEMOA)1998 – 2003
Programme for regional
integration and trade
support
( UNDER
PREPARATION )Overall budget:
Around € 200 million• 82  million allocated to the
transport sector, focussing on tradefacilitation issues ( border posts
and harmonisation of transport and
customs procedures).
• This sum is in addition to the  €
118 million of regional integration
support programme, which mayalso contain a TF component(creation of a customs union and
deepening of a common market).Western Africa
(Economic Community of
West African States –ECOWAS )2003-2008 LG/C/W/442
Page 15Programme for regional
integration and tradesupport
(UNDER
PREPARATION)Overall budget:
€ 9 million
€ 1,585,000 out of
this budget are
allocated for specificTF projects.Trade facilitation activities will aim in
particular at improving customsprocedures and systems, quarantinearrangements and capacity,  and
definition of standards and
conformance with standards.
Specific TF projects include TF
regional workshops, various studies,
inter alia  on quarantine and standards
conformance and administrativesupport for TF implementationACP-Pacific: Palau, Nauru,
Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa,Papua New Guinea,Solomon Islands, Marshall
Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Vanuatu,Kiribati, Cook Islands andTuvalu. 2003-2008 L
TF as element of
customs modernisation3,750,000 Installation of Automated System for
Customs Data (ASYCUDA)ACP – Pacific Started in 2000 L
Programme for regional
integration and tradesupport
(UNDER
PREPARATION)Overall budget:
€ 20-30 millionHarmonising customs regulations and
proceduresACP-Southern and Eastern
Africa2003-2008 L
Programme for regional
integration and tradesupport
(UNDER
PREPARATION)around € 5 million support for a computerised customs
managementACP-Southern and Eastern
Africa2003-2008 L
TF element contained
in project oncomputerisation ofcustoms and trade data6,700,000 Project is part of the EDF assistance
focusing on TF in COMESA.Successful evaluation in 1997, phase IIproject started in 1998. The project
activities in 1998 include further work
on the harmonisation and simplificationof customs procedures.Common Market of East
and Southern Africa(COMESA)1997/1998 - L
TF element contained
in regional integration
and capacity buildingproject15,615,000 SADC 1997/1998 -
Capacity building for
WTO negotiationsOverall budget:
10,000,000Includes diagnostic studies, IEC and
training courses with TF componentsAll ACP countries 2002 – 2004
Capacity building for
EPA negotiationsOverall budget:
20,000,000Includes diagnostic studies, IEC and
training courses with TF componentsAll ACP countries 2002 – 2004G/C/W/442
Page 16TF element in intra
ACP TRA-CBprogramme
(UNDER
PREPARATION)Overall budget:
50,000,000Includes diagnostic studies, IEC and
training courses with TF componentsand pilot schemes with TF componentsAll ACP countries 2003 – 2008
Workshop on Tariffs
and Trade Facilitation
in the Post DohacontextWTO –DDA negotiations on market
access and trade facilitationRepresentatives of the
South Asian Association for
Regional Co-operation(SAARC) countriesNew Delhi Early February
2003
Duration: 4 daysS
Workshop on Tariffs
and Trade Facilitation
in the post-DohacontextCombined budget of
122,405WTO –DDA negotiations on market
access and trade facilitationRepresentatives of  the
Andean Community (AC)
countriesQuito March 2003
Duration: 4 daysS
Possible TF element as
part of programme toestablish the Andeancommon marketOverall budget:
18,000,000
for 34 projectsEU funding concentrated on promotion
of customs union, energy, economicand commercial integration and humanrights.Andean Community of
Nations1991-1996 L
Possible TF element as
part of TRTAprogramme500,000 -  700,000 Study on economic & trade relations
between EU and CAN began in January2002. Its conclusion will highlight areaswhere EU support is needed to
construct an Andean common market.
No specific  measures in the domain of
customs-related-business-facilitation
measures, as the Andean countries are
among the beneficiaries of grants madein the FTAA framework for negotiatinggroups.Andean Community of
Nations2002 – 2006 LG/C/W/442
Page 17ASEM Seminar on
Trade FacilitationIssues in the WTO35,000 Jointly organised by Malaysia and the
European Commission (EC)
• exchange information on the
WTO’s current work programmeon trade facilitation and futureprospects;
• discuss the approach for enhanced
implementation of the ASEM
Trade Facilitation Action Plan
(TFAP) based on the agreeddeliverables for 2000-2002;
• exchange experience and benefits
in simplification of tradefacilitation procedures amongASEM partners;
• and explore capacity building
measures in trade facilitation for
developing countries.ASEM
135 participants :
85 from Malaysia and the
rest from other ASEM
partner countries, from boththe public and privatesectors.Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia28- 29 June 2001 S
5th ASEM Directors-
General andCommissioners
meetingThe meeting will include follow-up of
WTO work programme on tradefacilitationASEM Seoul 27 and 28 May
2003S
TF element as part of
project to help with the
establishment  of the
Central AmericanCustoms UnionOverall indicative
budget: 10,400,000
(8.000.000 financed
by the Commission)Financial support towards the
establishment of the Central American
Customs Union.
During the initial phase (2002 / 2003 –2004)  financial support will firstconcentrate on the completion of the
Common External Tariff and the
establishment of the customs union.
During the second half  of the  project,
the focus will be on establishing
common policies necessary to thefunctioning of the customs union suchas common commercial policy,competition policy , etc.. Special
attention will also be devoted to
customs co-operation in which TF willplay an important role.Central America
(Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras,Nicaragua and Panama)2001 – 2006
Duration of
project:
42 monthsLG/C/W/442
Page 18TF element as part of
Customs ProgrammeIndicative amount:
13,000,000Support for the implementation of
Partnership and Co-operationAgreements (PCA) and Trade and Co-operation Agreements (TCA) to
improve customs and border
management.The project will include thedevelopment of medium term business
plans and annual action plans for
customs services to ensurecomprehensive reform andmodernisation of each service to
accepted international standards, which
could be supported by further TA.Central Asia
(Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan)2002 – 2004 L
Seminar on WTO –
DDA negotiations in
Central America52,216WTO negotiations on Trade facilitation
and market accessCosta Rica, Guatemala,
Panama, El Salvador,
Nicaragua, Honduras
4 officials per countryCosta Rica 13 – 16 January
2003S
TF element as part of
the programme tofurther the EuroMedInternal MarketOverall budget:
6,000,000Euro-Mediterranean Free-trade area:
the programme will provide aframework for reciprocal information,tailored training activities and TA.
Priority areas include, inter alia ,
customs, taxation and free movement ofgoods.Mediterranean Countries 2002 – 2004 L
EuroMed Market
Workshop on Customs,
Taxation and Rules ofOrigin, organised bythe European Centre for
the Regions with the
financial support of theEU CommissionMEDA ProgrammePlenary sessions and working group
sessionsMediterranean Countries Brussels 28 – 30 October
2002S
TF element contained
in EU-Mercosur
Business Facilitation
Action Plan100,000 Actions in the fields of sanitary and
phytosanitary measures,  standards,
technical regulations and conformity
assessment, customs, and electroniccommerce.
Proposals for specific projects  are
under preparation.Mercosur 2003 LG/C/W/442
Page 19TF element contained
in project on EU-Mercosur Co-operationin Custom Matters5,300,000 Contribute to the consolidation of
Mercosur customs integration and thedevelopment of trade between theMercosur countries and the EU. Actions
will include legal harmonisation work
of Mercosur customs legislation,customs clearance  facilitation andfight against fraud.Mercosur (Initialled in May
2002)
2002 – 2006L
Improving regulatory
framework for transit
in the Mercosur
countries.
Training course, TF 400,000 4-week training course on DDA for
negotiators and administrators fromselected developing countries. Subjectswill  cover a module on TF Selected Developing
CountriesPlanned for 2003
Duration:  4
weeksSG/C/W/442
Page 20  Loans provided by the European Investme nt Bank in the sector of Transport and
Infrastructure
European Investment Bank
Loans Cost / Financial Contribution
in EUR ( € )Recipient Country Signature Date
Completion of three sections of east-west
motorway, south-west and south-east ofAlgiers140,000,000 Algeria 28/06/2000 and 12/11/2000
Construction of a section of the East-West
motorway between Bouira and El Adjiba70,000,000 Algeria 24/07/2002
Upgrading of the urban road network in
Greater Algiers50,000,000 Algeria 24/07/2002
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of
infrastructure damaged by the bad weather on
10 November 2001 in the city of Algiers andthe Wilaya of Chlef, west of Algier45,000,000 Algeria 24/07/2002
Regional Road Transport Corridors 45,000,000 Argentina 28/03/1996
Rehabilitation of Cameroon’s railways
(RISK CAPITAL)12,000,000 Cameroon 08/03/2002
Construction and equipping of a new air
traffic control centre in Sal20,000,000 Cape Verde 16/09/2002
Guangxi Roads Development
Construction of a toll motorway and other
additional routes between  Nanning and the
Vietnamese border56,167,153 China 18/12/2001G/C/W/442
Page 21Air Navigation
Feasibility study on a common system of air
traffic control for international flights in the
East African airspace and for the f oundation
of an Air Control Agency
(RISK CAPITAL)292,000 Regional – East Africa – ACP countries +
OCT29/11/2001
Northern Coastal Highway 5,000,000 Egypt 10/03/1998
GWB – West Roads Rehabilitation 20,000,000 Gaza / West Bank 25/10/1998
Enlargement of container transhipment
terminal at Port of Kingston
(RISK CAPITAL)12,000,000 Jamaica 08/08/2000
Extension of port infrastructure in Tripoli 45,000,000 Lebanon 13/06/2002
Port of Maroc upgrading 32,000,000 Morocco 10/12/1999
Construction and improvement of rural roads
in northern provinces53,000,000 Morocco 27/07/2000
Construction of two motorways, between Sidi
El Yamani and Tangiers and betweenCasablanca and El Jadida, northern Morocco100,000,000 Morocco 31/05/2001
Pan American Highway 27,000,000 Peru 14/07/1995
Davao Airport Project 25,000,000 Philippines 10/03/1995
Second Philippines Airport Project 25,000,000 Philippines 24/09/1997
Modernisation of international airport in
Kigali
(RISK CAPITAL)11,000,000 Rwanda 08/06/2000
N 3 Toll Road 45,000,000 South Africa 18/10/1999G/C/W/442
Page 22N4 Platinum Toll Highway :
Modernisation and technical upgrading of the
N1 linking Pretoria and Warmbaths to the
north and the N4 linking Pretoria and the
Botswana border to the west50,000,000 South Africa 24/08/2001
Construction of air traffic control complex at
second Bangkok international airport26,373,000 Thailand 05/12/2000
Upgrading and development of the road
network around lake Bizerte, north of Tunis30,000,000 Tunisia 25/04/2001
Construction of a toll motorway M'saken-Sfax 120,000,000 Tunisia 7/10/2002G/C/W/442
Page 23Technical Assistance Projects provided by the Finnish Customs  in the field of Trade
Facilitation 4
Technical
Assistance providedCost / Financial
Contribution
in EURSubjects covered Recipient Country /
ParticipantsLocation Dates Short term
assistance (S) /
longer term
development aid
projects (L)
Border trafficfacilitation600 000 Facilitate trade / traffic between
Finland/EU and Russia  throughimproving both the Russian (mainlyNorth West Customs administration)
customs service and specific border-
crossings.Covers also enforcement activities,customs crime investigation
Providing Training, Technical
Assistance, IT training, incl. RiskAnalysisRussia North West
CustomsAdministrationincl. Kaliningrad
Actions approved
by the SCC also1993 – 2000
2000 – 2003S (L)
Trade facilitation
Participation in TACIS
Customs projects
through Eurocustoms
Tacis Twinning
projects 300 000
100 000European Commission/Eurocustoms  to
assist with assistance of EU MS certain
Tacis countries to improve customs
procedures and controls and to improvecustoms legislation to meetEU/international standards
Special attention to border facilitationRussia, Uzbekistan,
Mongolia
Russia 7 border posts1997 – 2002
1997 – 2001S
S (L)
Task Force II for Trade
barriers in BarentsEuro-Arctic Region250 000 Projects  in co-operation between
customs and private sector onsimplification of the border crossingprocedures (in co-operation with
Sweden and Norway)Barents Euro-Arctic Region 1999 – 2003 S
Customs procedures,
simplification
measures, enforcement100 000 Support to improve customs procedures
and customs control; to start actions for
capacity building measures in customs
administrationsBaltic States 1993 – 2003 S
                                                     
4 Projects/participation within Tacis/Phare/Eurocustoms/Customs 2003 programmes also mentioned, covers also some candidate countr iesG/C/W/442
Page 24Phare  projects through
Eurocustoms
Customs 2002  projects-
-Trade facilitation and instituional
building
Review of legislation, CAP, customs
clearance, technical equipmentBaltic States
Baltic States, Hungary ,
Bulgaria1994 – 2002
2000 – 2002
Tacis/ Border Crossing
project throughEurocustoms100 000 Technical assistance and training for 7
border posts, incl. KaliningradRussia 2000 – 2001 SG/C/W/442
Page 25Technical Assistance Projects provided by Sw eden in the field of Trade Facilitation
Technical
Assistance providedCost / Financial
Contribution
in SEKSubjects covered Recipient Country /
ParticipantsLocation Dates Short term
assistance (S) /
longer term
development aid
projects (L)
Study on customs
issues from an AfricanperspectiveSEK 37,000 A study on customs issues from an
African perspective. The study aims atinvestigating the needs for supporting
the African market, as well as
establishing the actions taken so far.Africa (in general) 2002 S
A "train-the-trainer"
education project for
African CustomsOfficersSEK 268,250 A "train-the-trainer" education project
for African Customs Officers supported
by the Nordic Customs Co-operationCouncil. The Swedish contributions tothe project are co-ordinated by the
Swedish Customs.Africa (in general) 2002 S
Bilateral cooperation
scheme on trade
facilitationA bilateral cooperation scheme (the
green corridor) on trade facilitation
focusing on Swedish companies, whichhave a quality certificate in accordancewith the Swedish Stairway concept (a
customs facilitation program based on
quality assurance, risk management andthe latest technology).Russia
Bilateral customs
cooperation regarding
trade facilitationSEK 3,8312 million A bilateral customs co-operation project
between Sweden (the Swedish
Customs) and Latvia (the Latvian StateRevenue Service), regarding tradefacilitation, with the foundation of the
work being based on the common
European customs law system. Sub-components include managementdevelopment, customs control strategy,
teaching aids and web-based training,
reporting and follow up system, internalaudit, local co-operation andinformation exchange Stockholm-Riga
and a pilot project on facilitating legal
trade – a ’Green Corridor’ -  for aselection of export and importcompanies.Latvia 2002-2003 LG/C/W/442
Page 26TF element part of
DDAGTF programmes.SEK 16 million Contributions to the Doha Development
Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF),which in turn supports trade facilitation.Both the Swedish International
Development Co-operation Agency
(SIDA) and the Ministry for ForeignAffairs support th e DDAGTF.2002 – 2003 L
TF element part of ITC
programmes.SEK 10 million Support to the International Trade
Centre (ITC) , which within the
framework of its various programmessupports trade facilitation. Time-period:2002. Cost: SEK 10 billion.2002 L
A programme for
adjusting the national
judicial regulations to
the common Europeanregulatory frameworkA programme for adjusting the national
judicial regulations to the common
European regulatory framework. The
program also includes measures for theestablishment of communications andinformation strategies within the frame
of the so-called PHARE programme.Lithuania
Development and
adjustment of thenational classification
system in order for it to
fit the Communitycustoms tariffThe primary TRTA work focuses on the
development and adjustment of thenational classification system in order
for it to fit the Community customs
tariff. This work is conducted withinthe framework of the so-calledPHARE-programme.Estonia
Facilitating current
trade procedures,developing a paperless
system for the
exchange ofinformation betweenthe customs authorities.A facilitation programme of the current
trade procedures to developing apaperless system for the exchange of
information between the customs
authorities. This work is done withinthe framework of the ASEM-co-operation.Thailand
Facilitating current
trade procedures,developing a paperless
system for the
exchange ofinformation betweenthe customs authorities.A facilitation programme of the current
trade procedures to developing apaperless system for the exchange of
information between the customs
authorities. This work is done withinthe framework of the ASEM-co-operation.VietnamG/C/W/442
Page 27
TRADE RELATED ASSISTANCE
OUTLINE PROJECT FOR TRADE FACILITATION
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this document is to give some guidance and information to EC delegations,
country desks and EuropAid TRTA co-ordination on the substance of technical assistance in the field
of trade facilitation.
 “Trade facilitation” in the sense used in the WTO and in this document, refers to the
simplification, standardisation and automation of trade procedures, in particular the import, export and
transit requirements and procedures applied by customs and other agencies.
The main focus of trade facilitation is customs reform, with introduction of simple
requirements and new techniques in order to reduce the time it takes for imports and exports to be
released. Modern customs techniques allow customs to better discharge their classical role of
enforcing legislation, while at the same time minimising the burdens on normal flows of goods fromlegitimate traders. Inefficient and unnecessary import and export procedures impede trade flows. In an
era of just in time logistics and integrated business  procedures, and enormous growth in the volume of
trade flows, modernisation and simplification of border controls is necessary to avoid trade
bottlenecks.
However, trade facilitation goes beyond customs, and implies simplification and coordination
of procedures applied by other government agencies involved in management of imports and exports
(e.g. regulatory, sanitary and phytosanitary inspections), as well as – potentially - other procedures
linked to the trade and transport of goods such as transit rules, or banking and insurance facilities.
Where necessary, and where budgets allow, trade facilitation programmes should be conceived andimplemented across the range of customs, trade and transport logistics needs.
Experience shows that developing countries who have successfully simplified and
modernised their official trade procedures have: increased overall trade flows, both for exports and
imports; enjoyed higher revenues from border tariff collection (due to increase in trade volume, and
higher detection rates of fraud); rapidly amortised  any initial capital costs involved in modernising
procedures; and improved overall morale and efficiency of their customs administration. In somecases such trade facilitation programmes have been part of a wider programme of trade, economic and
infrastructural reform and improvement. In most cases, infrastructure and hardware costs have been
relatively limited and the key has been re-engineering of management techniques coupled with better
training and conditions for customs services. Other benefits from taking trade facilitation measures
include the incentives it creates for increased foreign direct investment, as it becomes easier for firmsto import and export goods. European business federations have indicated that simple predictable
customs procedures are one of the elements they take into account when evaluating potential hosts of
their FDI.
Trade Facilitation has been the subject of a work programme in the WTO for the past 4 years.
At the WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Members agreed to launch negotiations on trade
facilitation after the 5
th ministerial conference as part of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations,
subject to a decision on the modalities for such negotiations. This means that the trade round launched
at Doha may result in new WTO provisions on trade facilitation. The provision of technical assistance
– both to help developing countries participate in  the negotiations, and to help them implement the
results - is thus essential.  The rest of this documen t identifies in more detail some of the priorities for
technical assistance to build capacity in this area, in furtherance of the Doha Development Agenda
negotiations.G/C/W/442
Page 28
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT/ ACTIVITIES/ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES
(a) General objective5
The overall objective is to improve trade efficiency, in particular the speeding up of import
and export processes, through:
− Application of WTO/GATT core principles to official trade procedures: transparency
(availability of information, predictability, establishment of local inquiry point, due process);
non-discrimination  between consignments and traders based on the application of objective
criteria and controls; and the principle of “ proportionality ” i.e. that control measures be both
for legitimate purposes and as little trade restrictive as possible.
− Adhesion and adaptation to international standards to simplify trade transactions.6
− Modernisation and simplification of customs and other government agency procedures.
This third element implies notably– Simplification and reduction of trade data and documentation requirements, and their
alignment with international standards.
– Reform of customs legislation and procedures. New customs techniques such as risk-
assessment, post-entry audit and simplified procedures for authorised traders with a good
track record of compliance. In some cases, improved implementation of the WTO Customs
Valuation Agreement. These measures are often in troduced in tandem with tariff restructuring
or tax reform.
– “Single window”: establishment of the principle th at submission of data or other information
requirements either at export or import be one time only and to a single agency (normally
customs or a trade department), which will then ensure onward transmission of data to other
relevant agencies.
– Streamlining of customs procedures for low value shipments or express shipments.
– Where automated systems are in place, introduction of remote filing and local clearance
facilities: introduction by individual administrations of systems permitting the filing of
                                                     
5 This identifies common or model objectives suitable for many programmes, it being understood that some
objectives may be inappropriate for least developed countries, and that in any case the needs and conditions ofeach recipient inevitably varies. The objectives of individual programmes must obviously be geared to
individual circumstances.
6 A large number of international standards and instruments of trade facilitation exist and are applied unevenly
by different countries. These include:
- WCO conventions (revised Kyoto convention on the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures,
Istanbul convention on temporary admission, harmonised system convention, other conventions andrecommendations on temporary importation of packing, professional equipment, scientific equipment,pedagogical material, and goods for display or use at exhibitions or fairs).
- UN standards, e.g. the UN layout key for trad e documents, the 28 trade recommendations of UN-
ECE/CEFACT, UN EDIFACT rules for EDI and concerning the use of codes for the representation of dataelements, UN-ECOSOC Council recommendation on facilitation measures related to international tradeprocedures).
- UNCTAD ICT-based tools such as ASYCUDA (computer software which supports customs reform and
modernisation) and ACIS (logistics software that facilitates the control of cargo movements) as well as the
Columbus declaration of UNCTAD.
- IMO (Maritime) and ICAO (Civil Aviation) conventions.
- ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) documents.G/C/W/442
Page 29
customs and other documents at a location different from the port of export or arrival of
the goods; electronic payment of tariffs and duties.
(b) Policy/legislative framework
Trade Facilitation is an area where assistance to developing countries to build capacity is
crucial. Obviously any programme of assistance must be tailored to the conditions and needs of therecipient country, which can vary considerably. The successful implementation of technical assistance
programmes generally requires several, if not all, of the following conditions, as regards the
policy/legislative framework, to be fulfilled.
− Transparency  and co-operation
 between donors and providers (bilateral donors, plus
multilateral agencies notably the WTO, WCO, UNCTAD, World Bank), and partnership with
the local and international private sector. The World Bank in particular has recently given
new priority to trade facilitation and customs reform programmes within its trade anddevelopment programming, and this provides a basis for a coordinated approach with other
participants.
− Strong political will  at governmental level in the recipient country, to create ownership and
ensure demand-driven design and implementation of programmes. Experience demonstrates
that a “top down” commitment to reform is necessary since individual government agencies
e.g. customs are rarely able to reform themselves through a “bottom up” approach alone.
− Establishment of a “ national trade facilitation body ” or other practical interface including
customs, other governmental agencies, the business groups directly affected, business and
consumers, in order to administer the introduc tion of new procedures and to maintain, review
and continuously improve procedures in the light of experience and changing trade patterns.
− Assignment of a project leader  and establishment of a project unit with sufficient resources,
and use of communication and media to get support from all stakeholders and public opinion
− Where applicable, conception and implementation of programmes at the regional level  as an
element in support of regional economic integration.
− Introducing TF measures as part of a wider programme of trade and investment reform
geared to economic development and poverty reduction.
− In designing programmes, it is recommended that identification missions use, as part of their
identification process, the very useful diagnostic tools elaborated by the World Bank7 and the
WCO Customs reform and Modernisation Programme.
(c)  Activities
The translation into concrete activities implies:
– Review, reduction, simplification and harmonisation of customs laws and procedures with
international norms of data, documentation and management procedures, both for import, export
and transit. The goal should be the establishment of a uniform customs code at the national level or
at the level of a customs union, coupled with a single, simple customs declaration for import and
export (this is the equivalent of the Single Admi n Document being used by most of the ACP and
now incorporated into Unctad's Asycuda programme). Such an exercise should include the review
of the policy aims behind procedures and removal of unnecessary, burdensome or antiquatedrequirement or procedures.
– Providing simple and efficient access to all relevant information through the establishment of
enquiry points, trade desks, information bases or web-sites  providing information on relevant
laws, regulations, administrative guidelines , specific decisions of or having general application,
                                                     
7 The World Bank's “Trade And Transport Facilitation – A Toolkit for Audit, Analysis and Remedial Action”G/C/W/442
Page 30
information on customs and other agency processes, accessible to governments and traders on a
non-discriminatory basis
– Introduction of principles of transparency, due process and non-discrimination across customs
regulations and practices, including the setting up of a mechanism for appeals against customs
decisions in line with GATT Article X and the relevant provisions of the WCO Kyoto Convention.
– Review and simplification of permitted fees and charges, which should be strictly tied to and
commensurate with services provided to the trader.
– Assistance to introduce modern customs techniques (legislation based on international norms,
procedures, practical management of borders) in order to make agency interventions as little trade
restrictive as possible. The WCO Kyoto Convention (revised) provides a useful basis for this.
– Training of customs personnel in applying modern customs systems and techniques.
– Introduction of automated systems (e.g. EDI or XML8) to replace or complement paper-based
procedures. Introduction of IT-based systems across customs (“e-customs”) and ultimately allother agencies involved in import and export ad ministration, in order to provide single window to
traders for data transmission.
– Measures to improve port management and cargo handling.
– Progressive phasing out of pre-shipment inspection systems where they exist coupled with
modification of PSI contracts to provide for tr aining of customs and transfer of expertise.
– Establishment or improvement of a permanent customs and private sector consultative interface
within the country. One aspect of this should be the possibility of interested traders and federations
to contribute to capacity building assistance in areas directly affecting them e.g. the electronic
interface with customs, systems for compliance monitoring and the establishment of authorised
traders.
– Improvement of appropriate infrastructures (such as telecoms system, port handling facilities,
transport links…) through adequate funding and foreign direct investment
(d)  Expected results
– Shortening of waiting time for goods in transit, customs release and clearance.
– Reduction of trade transaction costs for traders, especially for SMEs.
– Improved revenue collection and effectiveness of border controls.
– A more transparent and efficient regulatory climate for investors.
– Improvement of efficiency, morale and integrity of customs agencies.
– Improved relations between authorities involved in border control related activities and the
business/trading community.
– More rapid compliance with relevant WTO rules (existing or under negotiation).
                                                     
8 EDI means Electronic Data Interchange. XML means eXtensible Mark-up Language
http://www.xmldir.com/  or http://www.oasis-open.org/cover/xmlIntro.html . The standards-setting body
World Wide Web Consortium <http://www.w3.org/> (W3C), made XML a standard.G/C/W/442
Page 31
SELECTED REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
– Overview of EU submissions to the WTO on Trade Facilitation, see:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/miti/tradefac/contrib.htm
– Overview over all EU submissions to the WTO in the framework of the DDA go to
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/
– Overview over WTO documents on Trade Facilitation to
http://docsonline.wto.org/gen_browseDetail.asp?preprog=1
– World bank report on "Trade and transport facilitation: A toolkit for audit, analysis and remedial
action: Go to http://www-
wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000094946_0201040949053
– UNCTAD Columbus Ministerial Declaration on Trad e Efficiency": Report of the United Nations
International Symposium on Trade Efficiency TD/SYMP.TE/6, November 1994
– Information on WCO International Convention on the simplification and harmonisation of customs
procedures
http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Topics_Issues/FacilitationCustomsProcedures/kyoto/kyreport.html
– The International Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.iccwbo.org/home/statements_rules/statements/2001/wto_members_on_trade.asp  and
http://www.iccwbo.org/home/statements_rules/rules/1997/customsdoc.asp
– OECD: Transparency and simplification approaches to border procedures:  "Reflections on the
implementation of GATT Article X - related proposal in selected countries" TD/TC/WP(2002)
36/rev1
Transparency and simplification approaches to border procedures:
"Reflections on the implementation of GATT Article VIII TD/TC/WP(2002) 50
__________