G/TFA/N/RWA/4/Rev.1  
 
22 August 2022  
(22-6354) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT OF CATEGORY C DESIGNATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM RWANDA  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 22 August 2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Rwanda  for Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 14 July 2021 (G/TFA/N/RWA/4), Rwanda hereby notifies 
information on the arrangements concluded and progress made in the provision of technical 
assistance and capacity building support of the following category C designations, in response to 
Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2026  
Donors: USAID, UNCTAD and TMEA  (Trade Mark East Africa)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
A One Stop Centre Enquiry Point has been established under the auspices of the National Trade Facilitation 
Committee (NTFC) and operates as a centralized body/secretariat that transmits requests, compiles  replies and 
sends them back to the requesting parties, through the Trade Portal live chat or per email. The Trade Portal 
live chat is a point of entry for enquiries on the homepage which go directly to the One Stop Centre Enquiry 
Point email.  
 
To ensure operationalization of One Stop Centre Enquiry Point that was established, Rwanda held discussion 
with USAID Rwanda on trade facilitation space to inform USAID Economic Growth future programming on 
20 January 2022 where Rwanda presented needs and gap s in enquiry point implementation.  
 
In addition, Rwanda presented to the UNCTAD the pending activities of C category implementation that requires 
Assistance and Support for Capacity Building Required for Implementation and have not been able to sustain 
support so far.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2026  
Donors: TMEA, USAID and UNCTAD  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The findings of the confirmatory test are valid and accepted.  
 
The contact information of any laboratory where the second test can be done are published and findings of the 
confirmatory test are consider ed for the release and clearance goods. Capacity building to traders and 
laboratories was conducted however a lot is needed to be done.  
 
USAID currently finance Rwanda on Machine testing and other discussion were held to ensure support to the 
remaining activities . 
 
TMEA supported Rwanda to create the Laboratory information Management Systems (LIMs), that helped for 
digitization of testing results, both online reporting system and certificate delivery. This helped external Clients G/TFA/N/RWA/4/Rev.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  and staff in l aboratories to save time for other businesses. It saved cost of printing certificate and the protection 
of environment.  
 
In addition, Rwanda presented to the UNCTAD the pending activities of C category implementation that requires 
Assistance and Support fo r Capacity Building Required for Implementation. Rwanda have not been able to 
sustain support so far.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.4.3  Risk Management  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2030  
Donors: TMEA  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
A Joint Risk Management Committee (JRMC) composed of key stakeholders involved in risk management for 
clearance of goods (import, export and Transit) has been established and operationalized with clear Terms of 
Reference (ToRs).  
 
Training needs have been identified, a workplan developed and the committee update at a monthly basis the 
Risk Register. The donor TMEA was presented with the workplan and need to support implementation of the 
JRMC activities.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for  
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.6  Establishment and 
Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2026  
Donors: ITC and UNCTAD  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Rwanda has conducted three consecutive Time Release Studies (TRS) in 2007, 2010 and 2014. Rwanda 
presented the need for Time release study to ITC to be financed under European Union MARK UP p roject phase 
II. 
 
In addition, Rwanda presented to the UNCTAD the pending activities of C category implementation that requires 
Assistance and Support for Capacity Building Required for Implementation.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 8  Border Agency 
Cooperation  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2030  
Donors: European Union, World Bank and TMEA  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Four 1 stop border post s (Kagitumba, Rusumo, La Cornishe and Gatuna) were completed. The operationalization 
of joint border committees is going well. European Union, World Bank and TMEA have been providing 
infrastructure support.  
 
However , a lot needs to be done in terms of enhancing coordinated border management by harmonizing 
procedures and formalities, improve Operationalization of Joint Border Committees, procuring equipment such 
as e-gates, luggage scanners, IT facilities, etc and joi nt awareness with neighbouring countries.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.6  Use of Customs 
Brokers  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2030  
Donors: USAID and UNCTAD  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The licensing procedure in Rwanda is non -discriminatory, it has transparent procedures which follow in line with 
art 149 EAC Customs management regulation 2010.  
 
Article 145 of the East African Customs Management Act in the Customs law however there are exceptional 
situations determined in terms of the Customs. Value of less than 2 ,000 USD which is allowed to be cleared 
from Customs without using a Customs broker (small consig nments). With this exception, a simplified Customs 
declaration is generated by Customs officers in the system and payment is made either by cash or bank.  
 
To ensure use of customs brokers, Rwanda held discussion with USAID and UNCTAD on needs of customs 
brokers. Rwanda have not been able to sustain support so far.  
 
__________