G/TFA/TFAF/ 2 
 
8 December 2022 
(22-9167) Page: 1/17 
Committee on Trade Facilitation   
 
TFAF WORKPLAN 2023  
CURRENT TFA IMPLEMENTATION STATE OF PLAY1 
The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force on 22 February 2017, when more 
than two -thirds of the WTO Membership had domestically ratified a Protocol of Amendment  and 
notified the WTO of their acceptance of this Protocol .2 Two ratification s were received in 2022 
reaching a total of 156 WTO Members representing 9 5.1% of the total membership of 164.  
Overall eighty -seven developing Members  (97%) hav e presented their completed Category ABC 
designations. 94% of developing Members have presented notifications relating to definitive dates 
for the implementation of their Category B and C designations, as well as details on their technical 
assistance and c apacity building (TACB) needs required to implement their Category C 
designations.  
Thirty -two LDC Members  (91%) have presented their Category ABC designations. Twenty -nine 
LDC Members (91%) have presented all of their TACB requirements. 97% have presented  
definitive dates for the implementation of Category B and 75% for Category C designations.  
A full and up -to-date analysis of all ratifications and notifications can be found on the TFA 
Database.3 These notifications inform the TF Committee, the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility 
(TFAF) and trade facilitation stakeholders -at-large of Members' TFA implementation progress, 
anticipated timelines and assistance needs.  
 
The implementation rate is cu rrently 74% globally with developed countries implementing at a 
rate of 100%, developing Members implementing at a rate of 77%, and LDCs implementing at a 
rate of 38%.4 The majority of the implementation dates notified for categories B and C are spread 
out over the next 6 years.  
 
1  WORK PLAN OVERVIEW  
1.1.  The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF or Facility) came into operation at the end of 
2014. It is operated by the WTO Secretariat and funded by WTO Members on a voluntary basis.  
1.2.  In line with the Framework for the Management and Operation of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement Facility5, which supplements the Operational Guidelines, the Facility's primary goal is to 
support the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee's work in relation to assisting developing Members 
and LDCs in implementing the Agreement.  
1.3.  This document sets out the work plan for the Facility for the year 2023, in accordance with the 
Framework. The plan was pr epared  with inputs from  the TF Committee both direct ly and via the 
representative group of Members  made up of 12 representatives of ten WTO Members. The 
 
1 All implementation statistics are correct as of 1 December  2022 on http://www.tfadatabase.org .   
2 The Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization done at 
Geneva on 27  November 2014 (WT/L/940).  
3 https://www.tfadatabase.org/notifications -matrix . 
4 Based on notifications provided to date.  
5 G/TFA/3 . G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  participating Members were Botswana, Canada, China, Ecuador, Eswatini, E uropean Union, 
Guatemala, Nepal  (on behalf of LDC Group), OECS Secretariat, U nited States (3 representatives).  
1.4.  It was drawn up based on:  
a. Modes of delivery as set out in the Operational Guidelines and Framework  
b. Priorities identified by the Committee as conveyed during a formal meeting he ld before mid -
year, under a specific agenda item entitled "The Facility Work Plan", follow -up meetings with 
the representative group of Members, and  
c. Trade facilitation needs identified in the biennial Institute for Training and Technical 
Cooperation (ITTC)  survey of Members' technical assistance needs as well as needs identified 
in Category C notifications.  
 
1.5.  While the biennial survey currently only identifies very broad priorities relating to trade 
facilitation, this does provide an overview that all regio ns continue to prioriti ze technical assistance 
needs relating to the TFA. Discussions are on -going with the WTO Institute for Training and Technical 
Cooperation (ITTC) to include additional questions on TF in future to gather more detailed 
intelligence on emerging TFA needs.  
1.6.  In addition to the proposed activities foreseen in section 3 of this workplan, to allow for a 
needs -driven approach to emerging issues, the TFAF will also accept activity request forms to be 
submitted throughout the year, which in addit ion to the expected outcomes of TFAF -delivered  TACB 
identified below (section 1.11 b.), will also be reviewed against their alignment with the priorities 
identified in section 2.  
1.7.  The document in Annex 1, which was circulated6 to Members by the Chair of the TF Committee  
describes the steps followed by the TFAF when receiving an activity request. The first page of the 
activity request form is reproduced as Annex 2.  
1.8.  Any Member that has requested7 a username and password for the online activity tracker has 
access to this information. An email is sent to th ose Members to inform them when a new activity is 
posted.  Members are generally given two weeks to comment on the request before TFAF can commit  
to conduct the activity. Annex 3 is an example of the activity tracker.  
1.9.  Details on all upcoming activities and feedback on recently completed tasks, whether foreseen 
in this workplan, or proposed via the activity request form, are communicated to Members  via regular 
updates throughout the year; notably in regular reports to the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee 
and in a comprehensive annual report.  
1.10.  Implementation of the activities in this work plan will also require cooperation from 
development partners ope rating at international, regional, and national levels.  
1.11.  To make progress towards these goals, in 2023, the Facility will deliver activities and outputs 
through its four modes of delivery:  
MODES OF DELIVERY  
a. Grant Program: the Facility will administer a gra nt program to which, when no other funding 
is available, a Member having notified Category C provisions may apply. The procedures of 
the grant program are established in its Operational Rules.8  
b. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: the Facility wil l respond to requests from 
developing Members and LDC Members for technical assistance and capacity building on the 
Agreement which relate to the following outcomes: identifying implementation assistance, 
ratification of the Agreement, notifications under the Agreement, and strengthening the 
operation of National Trade Facilitation Committees. Activities may be organized to address 
the needs of an individual Member, group of Members or a regional grouping.  
 
6 JOB/TF/231.  
7 Via email request to TFAF@WTO.org . 
8 https://www.tfafacility.org/assistance -grants/tfaf -grant -program . G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  c. Engagement with Annex D and Development partners: the Facility will maintain close contact 
with Annex D and Development partners so as to share information and allow for 
coordination and non -duplication of efforts on trade facilitation. The Facility may respond to 
requests from those organizations to part icipate in activities to further support these 
objectives.  
d. Maintain the Facility website: The Facility website underpins the three modes of delivery 
described above. In addition, the maintenance of up -to-date trade facilitation resources on 
the website en sures that it constitutes a comprehensive information sharing/exchange 
platform.  
 
1.12.  The TFAF pays special attention and prioritizes the needs of LDC Members. In line with 
development partners' priorities, it also endeavours to enhance the participation of w omen in all 
TFAF-organized activities.   
1.13.  The activities carried out by the TFAF will be conducted respecting the Paris Principles of Aid 
Effectiveness, namely ownership, alignment, harmonization, managing for results and mutual 
accountability, see section 5 below for details.  
1.14.  In line with the procedure outlined in the framework9, this document was presented as a 
draft10 to the dedicated session on technical assistance and capacity building of the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Committee on 1 December 2022. No requ ests for changes were made by the Committee 
Members and the workplan is therefore considered final.  
2  PRIORITIES FOR 2023  
2.1.  The representative group of TF Committee members identified topics that should be considered 
as priorities in 2023. The group narrowed down the focus for TFAF by identifying specific activities 
that TFAF should conduct to support some of the identified pri orities.   
2.2.  It was decided to leave the full list of priorities in the work plan for TFAF to consider and take 
into account possible opportunities to support them, for example by including them as topics in 
global, national or regional workshops/webinars, playing a co ordination role, or by making resources 
available on the website. Inclusion of the additional priorities, without identified activities, should 
not be understood as a commitment by TFAF to support these priorities in this workplan period.   
2.3.  These prioritie s were proposed and agreed by the representative group of Members from the 
WTO TF Committee during the preparation of this work plan.  
2.4.  Inclusion of priorities in this workplan should not be understood as a commitment by TFAF to 
ensure implementation of the  related TFA articles. TFAF does not have the mandate to be an 
implementation partner. Some priorities will be supported through the delivery of directly associated 
activities (see table in section 3.7), while others will be supported by TFAF through its w ebsite, 
coordination of partner efforts and by monitoring and reporting to the Committee.  
2.5.  The priorities for which activities have been identified have been included in all stages of the 
TFAF activity cycle in 2023. The activities proposed in section 3 inc lude information on their 
contribution to the priorities which have also been integrated into the TFAF activity request form 
(Annex 2). As activities are proposed by Members throughout the year via the form, they will be 
asked to identify contributions to the priorities.  
2.6.  The TFAF grant templates which are shared with experts engaged to carry out project 
preparation and project implementation grants each include a section to identify where the TFA 
implementation needs align with the priorities. Activities a nd grants will be monitored throughout 
the year to measure their contribution. When the annual report for 2023 is prepared, a section will 
identify the specific outputs of TFAF activities that have contributed to making progress on the 
priorities.   
 
9 G/TFA/3 . 
10 G/TFA/TFAF/W /1. G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  PRIORI TIES IDENTIFIED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF MEMBERS  
i. Transit  
ii. Issues identified in the context of the 5th Anniversary of the TFA event and 4 -year review 
of the TFA: digitalization and the digital divide, Authori zed Operators, Test Procedures, and 
Border Agency Cooperation  
iii. Top 5 measures for implementation in 2022 -23 (as identified by notified definitive dates of 
implementation): Single Window, Average Release Times, Internet Publication, Risk 
Management, Border Agency Cooperation  
iv. National Trade Facilitati on Committees: Training and capacity building for chairs and 
secretariats  
v. Donor and development partner engagement, including sharing understanding of 
programming and project cycles, articulating technical TF needs in the context of 
development assistance programmes and their outputs, strategies to approach donors, 
donor coordination, donors approaching LDCs, analysis of grant applications  
vi. Strategies for private sector engagement  
vii. Support for regional coordination  
viii. Pandemic response  
 
3  PROPOSED ACTIVITIES  
3.1.  The following activities have been proposed during the drafting of this workplan and are 
organi zed below under the modes of delivery of the TFAF.  
GRANT PROGRAM  
3.2.  On 9 October 2018, TFAF launched its Grant Program. This made available project preparation 
and pro ject implementation grants for Members that are unable to find the assistance needed to 
implement provisions designated in Category C. The first step of the process is the submission of an 
Expression of Interest (EoI) form detailing the assistance needs an d steps taken to seek support. 
This information is circulated to development partners to attempt to find implementation support 
and to avoid duplication with existing assistance programmes. If no partner offers to assist with 
implementation, the applicant is eligible to apply for a TFAF grant.  
3.3.  Project preparation grants (PPG) are available up to USD  30,000. Project implementation 
grants (PG) are available up to USD  200,000. Requirements, terms and conditions for the grants are 
set out in operational rules11 specific to this programme and are explained to applicants in guidelines. 
All information, including application forms, is available on the TFAF website.  
3.4.  All consultants engaged to carry out work under the TFAF Grant Program will be asked to pay 
special attention and to gather information relating to the priorities identified in section 2 of this 
workplan. Consultants will be expected to work remotely as ne eded and be hired locally when 
possible, to ensure the continu ity of the TFAF Grant Program in the event of the re -imposition of 
travel restrictions and social distancing measures.  
3.5.  Further work will take place throughout 2023, to strengthen the grant progr am's 
responsiveness to TFA implementation needs. To increase the awareness and understanding of the 
grant program's application procedures presentations on these topics will be included at events 
organi zed and attended by TFAF throughout 2023.   
3.6.  The TFAF w ill provide updates on the grant program at each meeting of the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Committee.  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING  
3.7.  Expected activities in 2023 are divided in the following two tables between those that are 
directly associated to a  priority (identified in section 2 above) and those stand -alone activities that 
contribute to TFAF's expected outcomes of its technical assistance and capacity building 
(section  1.11 b. above). For examples on the likely duration and scale of activities, p lease see the 
 
11 TFAF Grant Program | TFAF (tfafacility.org) . G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  third table: Examples of Activity Types, or Activity Sessions. These proposed activities are included 
in the draft budget (in section 6 below).  
Priority  Activity  
Transit  Global thematic workshop for LLDC Members to prepare for the Spring 
TFC meeting with a dedicated transit session. TFAF to fund capital -based 
officials from LLDCs to participate in person. To be held back -to-back 
with the spring TF Committee meeting. TFAF to collect and organize 
transit resources and reference materi als.    
Capital -based officials' 
participation in dedicated 
session  
 TFAF to fund capital -based officials to attend the TFC meeting with 
dedicated session on technical assistance and support for capacity 
building.   
 
Additional workshops will be planned throughout the week on non -TFC 
meeting days.  
 
Issues identified in th e 
Anniversary event and 4 -year 
review  Global thematic workshop(s) on promoting digitalization and 
implementation of smart border management agencies for trade 
facilitation and narrowing the digital divide.  
 
No specific activities identified for 2023 for ot her issues that were 
identified in the anniversary event or review: Authori zed Operators, Test 
Procedures, and Border Agency Cooperation . TFAF will consider these 
other topics for sessions in workshops, resources on the website, 
identification and coordina tion of experts, etc. where practical.   
Top 5 2022 -23 
(Definitive  Dates)  No specific activity identified for 2023.   
 
TFAF will consider these topics for sessions in workshops (identify and 
coordinate experts), resources on the website, etc. where practical.   
NTFCs - Chairs and 
secretariats  Training and capacity building for chairs and members of national trade 
facilitation committees on their roles and how to strengthen the 
sustainability of committees.   
 
Could be conducted as add -on workshops for  the capital -based officials 
funded for the TFC/TACB dedicated session week.   
Donor engagement  TFAF can play a coordinating role for Members organi zing donor round 
tables or other sessions concerning development partner support.   
 
TFAF may continue to in vite development partners to participate and 
speak in technical assistance activities, where appropriate.  
 
TFAF may continue to seek ways to encourage matchmaking at events.   
Strategies for  private sector 
engagement  No specific activity identified for 2023.    
 
TFAF will continue to invite private sector to participate in TFAF 
organi zed events, where appropriate.   
 
TFAF can play a coordinating role.   
Support for regional 
coordination  No specific activity identified for 2023.  
 
TFAF to organi ze regional activities upon request from a Member group 
through the activity request form.    
 
TFAF may continue to fund representatives of a few regional 
organi zations to participate in the TFC meeting and dedicated ses sion 
and side events held during this meeting week.   
Pandemic response – (MC12)  No specific activity identified for 2023. On -going discussion in the TF 
Committee may give TFAF direction throughout 2023.  
 
 G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  STAND -ALONE ACTIVITIES  
Activity  Detail  
National workshop for the 
Maldives  At the request of the Maldives, a national workshop is proposed for early 
2023 to bring together development partner representatives with 
members of the national trade facilitation committee of the Maldives and 
to launch implementation of Maldives' category C provisions of the TFA.  
Needs Assessment for 
Djibouti  At the request of Djibouti, a national needs assessment is proposed for 
early 2023 to bring experts  together to assist members of Djibouti's 
national trade facilitation committee with their self -assessment  
Support for regional 
coordination  Regional work shop requested by the Latin American Integration 
Association (ALADI) to provide training and capacity building on border 
agency cooperation and to strengthen the national trade facilitation 
committees of its Members.  
Upon invitation, TFAF will 
participate  in sessions 
hosted by partner 
organizations  Based on lessons learned, the aim of this participation will be to 
strengthen the coordination of TFA implementation efforts. Participation in 
external events has proven to be a cost -effective method to widen t he 
TFAF's reach to deliver an accurate, consistent and aligned message on 
the TFA and the Facility, without the need to dedicate the necessary 
resources to organize and host national and regional events in all 
locations globally.  
Co-host activities with 
partner organizations  As above, when appropriate, TFAF will co -host activities with partners in 
order to bring together the appropriate expertise according to the needs 
of Members and to achieve cost -efficiencies compared to hosting alone.  
 
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITY TYPES, OR ACTIVITY SESSIONS  
Matchmaking  
As the majority of developing and LDC Members have completed their Category C notifications, 
the need to find development partners in order to implement their Category C provisions by their 
notified dates of implementation remains a clear priority. This is especially the case for those 
provisions that can be identified to assist Members to respond to the impact of COVID -19. 
Matchmaking sessions can take place as stand -alone events, or a s part of other activities 
described below.  
The WTO Secretariat assists Members to find assistance for the implementation of these 
Category  C provisions through the following methods:  
• Making the notifications available on -line to provide easy access to th e notified 
implementation dates and implementation assistance needs.   
• Providing profiles for each developing and LDC Member with information on 
implementation assistance and development partners. (For example, information 
extracted from Article 22 notific ations).  
• Encouraging notification of assistance arrangements and progress and making information 
available on how to complete these notifications, in order to enhance transparency of 
fulfilled and unfulfilled assistance needs.  
• Conducting events featuring available assistance programmes.  
• Regular meetings with partners to enhance coordination and cooperation.  
• Work with donors on the notification of provision of technical assistance.  
UPON REQUEST:  
• Helping individual Members find assistance through direct m atchmaking with partners. 
This occurs in response to a direct request from a Member and is the first step in the grant 
application process.  
• Organizing meetings between developing or LDC Members and development partners.  
• Identification of support needs an d development partner matchmaking is also facilitated 
through national and regional workshops as described below.  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  National Workshops  
WTO developing country Members can request national workshops to address specific training 
needs on the TF Agreement and its implementation. In this regard, the programmes for national 
seminars are elaborated by the requesting Member in consultation with t he TFAF team, and will 
be tailor made to their needs, objectives, level of knowledge and experience of the participants.  
Up to 50 participants from the national trade facilitation committee for 3 -5 days.  
Based on the priorities identified for 2023 in sect ion 2 above, national workshops will be available 
upon request, in the following areas:  
• workshops for Parliamentarians and ratification bodies in countries that have not ratified 
the Agreement (all WTO Members must ratify).  
• activities with national authori ties to assist with outstanding TFA notifications;  
• support for the strengthening of national trade facilitation committees (NTFCs);  
• National workshops will be conducted by WTO Staff and experts from international or 
regional organizations and/or national c ustoms administrations as appropriate.  
• To increase complementarity with efforts on matchmaking and funding, TFAF will aim to 
work with in -country and regional development partners when organizing events.  
Regional and Sub -regional Workshops  
Regional and sub-regional workshops are organized at the request of Members through their 
regional organi zations and groupings. As at the national level, the programmes for regional 
workshops rely on close cooperation with the beneficiaries and are designed according t o their 
TFA-implementation needs and normally include sessions on notification requirements and 
identifying development partners.  
Normally between five -seven representatives of each Member's national trade facilitation 
committee would travel to a regional  workshop for 5 days.  
While incorporating similar fundamental elements, regional workshops seek to go beyond the 
scope of national workshops and incorporate peer -to-peer learning between Members, reinforcing 
regional bodies with TFA capacity to support lon ger term planning and to overcome issues related 
to staff turnover in national administrations.  
Regional workshops systematically involve international organizations and / or their regional 
representatives avoiding duplication, increasing coordination and  a harmonized approach to TFA 
implementation. Regional and sub -regional workshops are therefore more than the combination 
of a number of national workshops.  
Over recent years, the TFAF has organized several regional or sub -regional workshops on border 
agency cooperation. Besides being a requirement in its own right, border agency cooperation is 
crucial for a well -functioning national TF committee and for the implementation of many provisions 
of the TF Agreement. The TFA is often thought of as a customs agr eement. These workshops aim 
to enhance awareness of the importance of full engagement in other border agencies.   
Regional events will also aim to include a segment dedicated to outreach with development 
partners. This will support the matchmaking activities described above.  
National needs assessments  
A total of 98 needs assessments were conducted under the second round of the WTO needs 
assessment programme. Further needs assessments have been conducted separately by other 
partner orga nizations. Since most Members have already conducted a needs assessment further 
requests will be limited, but their availability to those who have not yet done so has proven to 
remain an important contribution to the ratification and notification process.  
 
Up to two experts would travel for 5 -7 days to carry out the needs assessment, working with 
members of the national trade facilitations committee.  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  Dedicated thematic workshops  
At Members' or groups request, workshops can be organi zed around specific is sues, for example 
the specific TFA implementation challenges facing LDC Members.  
Often organized in Geneva for a global audience, one participant from Members' NTFC would travel 
to participate, with priority given to LDC participants.  
Capital -based Offi cials  
Travel and accommodation for between 60 -70 technical experts on trade facilitation, normally 
representing their national trade facilitation committee to attend WTO TF Committee. In previous 
years, this has successfully been organi zed so that offici als could also attend the annual dedicated 
session on technical assistance and capacity -building, which is normally held around October. 
Other workshops are organi zed to maximi ze value for money and can include thematic sessions 
on specific, priority issue s, and on matchmaking.  
 
ENGAGEMENT WITH ANNEX D AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS  
3.8.  In 2023, TFAF will continue to organize meetings of the Annex D and other development 
partners to strengthen coordination of TFA implementation efforts, avoid duplication, and ensure 
that partners deliver an accurate, consistent, and aligned message on the  TFA.   
3.9.  As described in section 3 (stand -alone activities table) the TFAF will participate in TFA -related 
events organized by other international or regional organizations, national governments, and private 
sector associations; in person where possible and  otherwise remotely. Partner organizations can 
also submit activity request forms throughout the year which will be subject to the same 
transparency measures as those received from Members.  
WEBSITE  
3.10.  One of the main roles of the TFAF is to disseminate inform ation on the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and its requirements. The TFAF website plays a key role in fulfilling this goal. Providing  
instantly available information  on the TFA  in the three working  languages  of the WTO , including 
development partner programmes, tools and case studies on implementation, ratification and 
notifications, etc. Throughout 2023 the TFAF will continue to update and add new resources to keep 
the website fresh and relevant. Having a well -established and well -recognized website allowed us to 
make pandemic related resources easily accessible to Members  
3.11.  Awareness raising on the wealth of information that is available on the website is an ongoing 
task that is delivered in a cost -effective manner through all TFAF organized activities , including many 
of the activities described in this section of the workplan.   
3.12.  The website will continue to add resources on the priority topics identified in section 2 above 
and on the existing issues including:  
a. Pandemic response - preparing for the futu re (inc. Compendium)  
b. Digitalization  and the digital divide  
c. Single window , Authori zed Operators, Test Procedures, and Border Agency Cooperation  
 
3.13.  The website will explore online approaches to match -up Members who have successfully 
implemented top 5 prioritie s (as identified by definitive implementation dates) with those Members 
who have pending dates for implementation on these measures. This will include drawing on the 
experience sharing sessions that have been made in the WTO TF Committee.  
  
  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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This diagram shows the activity and reporting cycle of the TFAF.  
 
G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  5  CROSS -CUTTING ISSUES  
PARIS PRINCIPLES  
TFAF alignment with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness:  
Ownership: Developing countries set their own strategies for poverty reduction, improve their 
institutions and tackle corruption.  
Alignment: Donor countries align behind these objectives and use local systems.  
Harmonizatio n: Donor countries coordinate, simplify procedures and share information to avoid 
duplication.  
Results: Developing countries and donors shift focus to development results and results get 
measured.  
Mutual accountability: Donors and partners are accountable for development results.  
Ownership  
Section II of the TFA is the means through which the developing and LDC Members can take 
ownership of the pace of TFA implementation and in a manner that reflects their capacity and starting 
point.  
By supporting and reinforcing this process, TFAF's work directly contributes to Members taking 
ownership over their implementation of the TFA.  
TFAF's work is needs -driven. Its Annual Work Plans are prepared with and presented to the WTO TF 
Committee. Through the work plan a nd subsequent activity requests and grant applications, TFAF 
responds to the needs expressed by developing and LDC Members.  
Alignment  
To deliver its activities, TFAF actively partners with local and regional TF bodies to reinforce their 
capacities and to b enefit from their local knowledge and expertise.  
When applying for a TFAF grant, Members are invited to identify the most relevant implementation 
partner. TFAF can suggest partners when needed, but will seek in the majority of cases to use those 
that alre ady operate on the ground.  
One of the questions in the TFAF grant application process requests endorsement of the application 
by the National Trade Facilitation Committee to develop coordinated actions that are aligned with 
national development strategies.  
One of the members of the TFAF grant selection committee represents the EIF Secretariat to identify 
and support applications from LDC Members that are fully aligned with their national development 
strategies.  
Harmonization  
Another primary goal of TFAF is to coordinate the efforts of implementing partners to avoid 
duplication of support provided through regular meetings and hosting information on partner 
activities on www.TFAFacility.org .   
TFAF invites bilateral and regional donors to attend events to present their TFA -related assistance 
programmes to developing and LDC Members.  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  As the first step of any TFAF grant application, TFAF circulates an expression of interest to more 
than 75 donor representative s to ensure that the needs identified cannot be met through existing 
assistance programmes.  
TFAF uses the information submitted in Article 22 notifications to update donor and developing and 
LDC Member pages on www.TFAFacility.org  to provide information on who to contact, how to contact 
and what existing programmes of TF assistance are ongoing.  
Managing for results  
All activities are evaluated with participants to measure learning outcomes and satisfaction.  
In 20 18, TFAF implemented an activity tracker that monitors all activities to measure progress and 
assess results.  
TFAF Annual Reports and Annual Work Plans are drafted in a structure that aligns with the agreed 
goals of the facility and annual priorities as id entified by Members of the WTO TF Committee and 
tracks the contribution of each activity to these goals.  
TFAF reports to the TF Committee are presented in the same format as the reports ensure Members 
can track progress . 
All of TFAF's donors have formally endorsed the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action 
(AAA).  
Their funds are delivered through programming, monitoring and evaluation structures that respect 
and reinforce this endorsement.  
Mutual Accountability  
In the evaluation of each activity,  TFAF invites participants to identify the steps they will take to 
follow up in terms of notifications submitted to TF Committee, training proposed to colleagues, new 
procedures implemented, reforms to organization structures etc. These commitments are the n 
tracked to identify positive outcomes.  
All TFAF activities require applications from participants. Those applicants that are unable to 
demonstrate their capacity to act on the TACB delivered to support TFA implementation (not NTFC 
Members, junior staff m embers, etc.) are not approved for TFAF support. Any participants that pull 
out at short notice, or without reasonable justification, are not accepted as participants in future 
activities.  
Prioriti zing the needs of LDCs is a cross -cutting issue for the TFA F, demonstrating a continued focus 
on the needs of LDC Members including through the circulation of expressions of interest on behalf 
of LDC Members.  
 
Each project preparation grant contains a section on cross -cutting issues which seeks to 
contextuali ze the proposed implementation of the TFA provisions within the applicant Member's 
national policies on gender, environment and climate change.  
RISKS  
In 2022 , the highest impact risk was the continued impact of the COVID -19 pandemic that limited 
direct contact  with Members. This risk was managed throughout the course of the year through a 
combination of remote working and by engaging directly with Members ahead of notification 
deadlines, to offer assistance as needed.  
 
Natural disasters and climate impacts are ongoing risks for many Members and they are a persistent 
risk to the implementation and technical assistance.  
 
A risk register will be maintained for all activities in 2023, with lessons and mitigations measures 
identified for the subsequent annual report . G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
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  6  DRAFT BUDGET  
ACTIVITY  NUMBER  UNIT  
AMOUNT  
IN CHF  
(Avg.)  
Delivery Mode A: Operation of TFAF grant funding program - 
Project preparation grants   28,000  
(Max.)  
Delivery Mode A: Operation of TFAF grant funding program - 
Project implementation grants   188,000  
(Max. per article)  
Accurate estimates cannot be made as to the number of applications to be received in 2023 and therefore 
the exact amount of funding that will be distributed under the grant program.  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
National workshops  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  1 + activity requests  20,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
Regional (or sub -regional) Workshops  
(Cost estimate is based on in-person delivery)  1 + activity requests  300,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
National needs assessments  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  1 + activity requests  20,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
Dedicated thematic workshops  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  
 
Transit meeting (40 capital -based officials)  
 
Dedicated session (70 capital -based officials)  3 + activity requests  
 
 
 
1 
 
1 25,000  
 
 
 
175,000  
 
270,000  
Delivery Mode C: Engagement with Annex D and 
Development partners  
 
Participation in events outside Geneva  
(Cost estimate is based on travel commencing again)  10 + activity requests  6,500  
Delivery Mode D: TFAF Website   15,000  
Staff Member at grade 7 position  
Monthly salary, insurance, and pension  
 
Internship for Graduate Student  
(Cost estimate is based on possibility to host intern)  1 
 
 
 
1 175,000  
 
 
 
5,000  
TOTAL (estimates for known  costs. Not including 
additional grants and activity requests)   1,120,000  
 
Note:  Interested Members will be notified of activity requests and expressions of interest for the TFAF 
grant program, as submitted throughout the year, and can therefore monitor ongoing expenditure 
beyond that foreseen in this budget.  
 
 G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Annex 1 - Document circulated1 to Members by the Chair of the TF Committee to describe 
the steps followed by the TFAF when receiving an activity request.  
Use of Online Request Form and Tracker Dashboard2 
 
1. A Member makes a request to TFAF for technical assistance and capacity -building support 
(TACB).  
2. The TFAF checks the request to make sure that it conforms with the type of activities delivered 
by TFAF  and that all necessary information has been provided. TFAF will work with the 
applicant to fill any information gaps, as required.  
3. After check by TFAF is complete, the request is posted on the request activity tracker.  
4. A notification of the new request is sent to Members who have requested such notification 
from the system.  
5. Any Member having questions can direct them to t he activity requester.  
6. The final outcome is envisaged to be one of the following, although  not exclusively so:  
a) TFAF will arrange for the delivery of the activity in terms of the requested TACB needs;  
b) Another Member, in collaboration with the requesting Mem ber, will arrange for delivery of 
the activity in terms of the requested TACB needs;  
c) A combination of both (Member and TFAF) in collaboration with the requesting Member 
will arrange for delivery of the activity in terms of the requested TACB needs.  
 
The on line activity request form3 asks the following:  
 
WTO Member or Member Group (e.g. regional organization representing WTO Members or other 
groups such as LDC Group)*  
 
If a Member Group is requesting the activity, please list the invited WTO Members/Observ ers 
Please provide the name of the person with whom we can discuss this request:*  
 
All national activity requests must be approved by your Geneva Mission or Permanent 
Representation, please provide the name of the official that can confirm this . 
 
For a nat ional event, do you have an operational National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC)?  
 
Please verify and confirm that the contact point information for your National Trade Facilitation 
Committee is correct on the contact points and profiles page.  
 
If you need to update your contact point information, kindly use this form . 
 
Has this request for a national activity been approved by your NTFC?  
 
For All Activities  
 
• Proposed start date of activity  
• Proposed end date of activity  
• Working Language  
 
The objective of the activity is to (Please identify the broad aim, more detail can be given in expected 
outcomes below [All TFAF activities must contribute to one of these aims]):  
 
• Ratify the TFA  
• Preparation of TFA notifications  
• Enhance the operation of the n ational trade facilitation committee  
• Find assistance for implementation of the provisions of the TFA  
 
 
1 JOB/TF/231.  
2 Otherwise referred to as activity tracker.  
3 https://wto.formstack.com/forms/tfaf_ta_virtual .  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Brief description of activity  
 
Participants will include (tick as many as apply):  
 
• Ministry of Trade  
• Ministry of Finance  
• Customs  
• Ministry of Agriculture  
• Other government organizations  
• Private Sector  
• Members of the National Trade Facilitation Committee  
• Academia  
• Other  
 
Level of TFA knowledge of participants:  
 
• Beginner  
• Intermediate  
• Expert  
• Mixed  
 
Estimated number of participants  
 
Expected outcomes from a successful workshop (select all that apply):  
 
• Ratification of the TFA  
• Find assistance for implementation of the provisions of the TFA  
• Submit notifications within agreed deadlines  
• Enhance the operation of the national trade facilitation committee  
 
Please select options to measure the success of the activity.  
 
Please identify risks that could limit the successful outcomes of the workshop:  
 
• Political Risks  
• LDC Capacity issues  
• Changes in government  
• Financial transfer problems  
• Political disengagement of donors  
• Lack of backing for notification process  
 
Technical Risks  
 
• Capacity constraints  
• Difficulties in engagement between private sector and NTFC  
• Insufficient supply of experts with necessary expertise to respond to requests for support  
• Problems with project formulation (scope, detail, duplication, ...)  
• Requests out of sync with donor programming cycles  
• Turnover of staff leading to delays in processes  
• Lack of engagement/response to technical requests by donor partners  
• Insufficient, sustaina ble or predictable funding throughout the life of the Facility  
• Technical training does not convert to political commitment through silos  
• Language issues (outside of WTO working languages) leading to lack of clear understanding  
 
OPTIONAL INFORMATION:  
 
What bilateral or multilateral donor/development partners are active in your country?  
Has your country engaged with in -country donor/development partner representatives?  
What support have you received from these donors/development partners with regard to the 
implementation of the TFA?  
 G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Annex 2 - Activity Request Form  
 
  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
- 16 - Annex 3 - The TFAF online activity tracker  compiles the activity requests and is accessible to Members who have requested access:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  G/TFA/TFAF/2  
 
- 17 - Annex 4 - The TFAF Log frame  
 
__________