G/TFA/W/68  
 
25 October 2021  
(21-8081) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT ARTICLE 21.4  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM  
The following communication, dated 18 October , is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of the United Kingdom . 
 
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1.1.  The United Kingdom submits the following communication pursuant to the objective of Article 
21.4(c) of the Trade Facilitation Agreement ( "TFA"), to share further information on ongoing 
assistance and support for capacity building. The information in Annex A of this c ommunication is 
provided to give a more detailed understanding of the trade facilitation activities the UK is supporting 
with delivery partners, as previously outlined in the UK 's notifications under Article 22.1 and 22.2 of 
the TFA, submitted on 1 January  2021.  
1.2.  The UK invites donors and international and regional organisations and other relevant agencies 
to contact the UK where they are funding or delivering programmes in the same countries or regions 
with similar aims, should they require further informat ion that could lead to improved coordination 
or collaboration between trade facilitation capacity building offers, whilst avoiding unnecessary 
duplication.  
1.3.  This is with the purpose of strengthening donors ' overall capacity building offer for developing 
Members, to support further implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
1.4.  For the avoidance of doubt, this communication is not made for the purpose of fulfilling the 
notification requirements under Articles 22.1 and 22.2 of the TFA.  
  G/TFA/W/68  
 
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  ANNEX A  
1  HMRC -WCO -UNCTAD TRADE FACILITATION CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME  
Delivery Partner: World Customs Organisation (WCO)  
Within the context of the WCO Mercator approach for effective TFA implementation, the Programme 
focuses on Customs administrations and compris es of tailor -made tracks, allowing the WCO to 
support important cross -cutting enablers in the Customs organizational domain, as well as respond 
to country specific TFA implementation. The Programme is a unique initiative that allows for uniform 
implementat ion by applying WCO instruments and tools and is supported by the practical 
experiences and support of the global Customs community.  
 
Current engagement:  
 
• Eswatini : Supporting Coordinated Border Management in collaboration with the 
International Finance Co rporation/World Bank Group, along Time Release Study (TRS) 
capacity building. Continuing supporting Eswatini Revenue Authority in the areas of Risk 
Management competency based Human Resource Management.  
• Lesotho : Assistance to streamline air cargo clearance  and release processes applying the 
WCO Immediate Release Guidelines, in alignment with Article 7.8 TFA on Expedited 
Shipments and Article 8 TFA on Border Agency Cooperation. Competency -based Human 
Resource Management and Risk Management/Data Analytics sup port are also provided to 
the Lesotho Revenue Authority.  
• Liberia : Supporting Liberia Revenue Authority 's (LRA) Time Release Study working group 
to carry out a TRS at the Monrovia -Freeport and international airport, as well as capacity 
building on streamlin ing air cargo clearance and release processes. WCO is also providing 
support to LRA on competency based Human Resource Management, Gender Equality and 
Diversity and Project Management for effective Customs reforms. Ongoing support on Risk 
Management, inclu ding in the area of Customs enforcement and data intelligence.  
• Madagascar : Technical assistance and capacity building support on Air Cargo Streamlining, 
Time Release Studies and Risk Management including in the area of Customs enforcement 
and data intellig ence. Moreover, support will be provided on rolling -out a competency based 
human resource management within Customs.  
• Nigeria : Ongoing dialogue on supporting Nigerian Customs Service on technical assistance 
and capacity building on Air Caro streamlining, Ti me Release Studies as well as possibly 
enhancing Customs integrity and gender & diversity.  
• Philippines : extensive support is rendered to enhance gender and diversity, integrity, TFA 
awareness, and competency based human resource management and leadership 
development within the Bureau of Customs. Furthermore, ongoing capacity building and 
technical assistance on Air Cargo streamlining, Time Release Studies and Risk Management 
(in coordination with the World Bank Group).  
• South Africa : extensive support is ren dered to enhance gender and diversity, integrity, TFA 
awareness, and competency based human resource management and leadership 
development within South African Revenue Authority. Furthermore, ongoing capacity 
building and technical assistance on Air Cargo streamlining, Authorised Economic Operators, 
Time Release Studies (in coordination with the World Bank Group) and Risk Management, 
including on Customs enforcement data intelligence.  
• The Gambia : Technical assistance and capacity building support is being offered on Air 
Cargo Streamlining, Advanced Ruling, Time Release Studies, Authorised Economic Operator 
and Coordinated Border Management, Customs enforcement/data intelligence as well as on 
simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures in li ne with the WCO Revised Kyoto 
Convention.  G/TFA/W/68  
 
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  • Zambia : WCO is engaging with the Zambian Revenue Authority to support streamlining of 
air cargo clearance and release processes. Further upcoming support on Authorised 
Economic Operators and Gender Equality and Div ersity Assessment in collaboration with the 
WCO SIDA programme.  
 
Delivery Partner: UNCTAD  - Empowerment Programme  
UNCTAD provides a wide pallet of capacity building, technical assistance and advisory services on trade 
facilitation, including an intensive d edicated professional capacity building programme for the members of 
national trade facilitation committees (NTFCs) and their Secretariats, the so -called Empowerment 
Program. The principal activities being delivered with the Members below have been focused  on delivering 
training for NTFC members on trade facilitation related issues, and equipping NTFCs with the Reform 
Tracker, a project management tool to monitor, support and accelerate alignment with the TFA . 
Current engagement:  
• Botswana  
• Bolivia : Note delivery of Reform Tracker financed by separate UNCTAD Project.  
• Cambodia  
• Eswatini : Additionally piloting course on resource mobilisation developed for the Eswatini. 
NTFC 
• Honduras : Note delivery of Reform Tracker financed by separate UNCTAD Project.  
• Lesotho  
• Madagascar  
• Malawi  
• Myanmar : All engagement on hold as per official UN instructions.  
• Namibia  
• Somalia : Supporting the establishment and functioning of the Somalia NTFC and  
organising delivery of e -Learning modules on Gender and Trade Facilitation.  
• Sao Tome e Principe : Delivering e -learning course only.  
• Timor -Leste : Delivering e -Learning course only.  
• Zambia  
• Zimbabwe : Additionally, rapid scan for trade facilitation preparedne ss in times of crisis  
 
2  TRADE ADVOCACY AND INVESTMENT FUND II PLUS (TAF2+)  
Delivery Partner: Cowater  
The Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+) negotiations supports developing countries to 
effectively participate – to their advantage – in trade and inv estment negotiations including through 
increasing the technical skills and coordination of trade and investment ministries in developing 
countries. It creates a clear focus on using trade and investment negotiations to address poverty 
and social exclusion and helps to build sustainability through institutional capacity development. As 
part of the WTO Trade facilitation agenda, TAF2+ has helped  shape proposals and text and facilitated 
convergence of Africa group, LDC group and G90 positions.  
 
Current engagement:  
• LDC Group at WTO : Provides long -term support to the LDC Group with technical, 
analytical and legal assistance across WTO forums to make strong and original proposals.  
• West/Sub -Saharan Africa, Pacific : Undertaking scoping studies to identify are as of 
potential support with the UK 's Economic Partnership Agreement, including chapters 
relating to customs and trade facilitation.  
• Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, ECOWAS, Uzbekistan : Providing rapid 
response analytical mechanism to provide qu ick analysis on trade policy and facilitation 
issues by developing countries as they tackle COVID -19. 
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  UK Government -Funded Trade Facilitation Projects delivered with Cowater, non -TAF2+ funded:  
• Ethiopia – Tax Transformation Project: developing a customs co mmission strategy, risk 
management system, streamlining and implementing customs procedures, strengthening 
Post Clearance Audit, and developing anti -smuggling enforcement strategy.  
• Occupied Palestinian Territories – Trade Facilitation and Customs Support: Helping to 
expedite the movement of goods and reduce transaction costs, improve business enabling 
environment, and Palestinian Customs readiness to assume functions from Israel and 
revenues from trade -related taxes.  
• Somalia – Customs Reform and Trade Enhan cement Somalia: Working with the Federal 
Government of Somalia to develop and improve customs practices, building capacity on 
compliance and enforcement. Particularly focus on declaration and valuation, risk 
management and intelligence, and anti -smuggling.  Also supporting development of an ICT 
system for Customs in Somalia.  
• Zambia – Cities and Infrastructure for Growth: Supporting Zambian Customs authority 
with fast tracking priority of COVID -19 goods, created the Chirundu Inter -Agency Technical 
Coordination Committee to improve border agency cooperation with Zimbabwe, and 
developed  COVID -19 related communication materials to improve checks and procedures 
at borders.  
 
3  TRADE FACILITATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME (TFSP)  
Delivery Partner: World Bank Group  
The TFSP was launched in June 2014 to support countries seeking assistance in aligning their trade 
practices with the WTO TFA. The TFSP 's funding helps countries – particularly developing countries 
– achieve full and effective implementation of the WTO TFA and related trade facilitation reforms. 
Since inception, the TFSP has provide d assistance to 48 countries. Funded by Australia, Canada, the 
European Union, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the 
United States of America.  
 
Key areas of assistance include, but are not limited to:  
• Supporting the rati fication and notification of the WTO TFA  
• Undertaking WTO TFA Gap Assessments and implementation of reform action plans  
• Supporting the establishment and strengthening of NTFCs  
• Assisting with the design of risk -based approaches for border clearance  
• Preparing  for Single Window implementation  
• Leveraging global and regional partnerships and knowledge sharing to ensure optimal 
delivery of support  
 
Current engagement:  
• Albania  
• Bolivia  
• Cambodia  
• Costa Rica  
• El Salvador  
• Eswatini  
• Fiji 
• Georgia  
• Guatemala  
• Honduras  
• Kosovo  
• Kyrgyz Republic  
• Lao PDR  
• Lebanon  
• Lesotho  
• Liberia  G/TFA/W/68  
 
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  • Malawi  
• Mongolia  
• Montenegro  
• Myanmar (on hold)  
• Nicaragua  
• Panama  
• Papua New Guinea  
• Republic of North Macedonia  
• Samoa  
• Serbia  
• Sierra Leone  
• Sri Lanka  
• Timor -Leste  
• Tonga  
• Vanuatu  
• Vietnam  
• Zambia  
 
4  ASIA REGIONAL TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY PROGRAMME (ARTCP)  
Delivery Partner: World Bank, ADB, Aga Khan Foundation, CUTS International and 
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)  
The ARTCP programme is helping to increase trade and investment across regions, targeted sectors, 
and geographical areas in Central, South & Southeast Asia by supporting key cross -border transport, 
energy and IT infrastructure projects, as well as cutting red tape to ensure goods can pass through 
borders more quickly. The programme fo cuses on improving connectivity infrastructure, including 
trade facilitation -related sectors on connectivity and trade, transport connectivity, digital 
connectivity, regulatory reform and regional trade and investment facilitation, and cross -border 
value c hains . 
Current engagement:  
• Intraregional Cooperation across Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia  
• Afghanistan  
• Bangladesh  
• Bhutan  
• India  
• Kyrgyzstan  
• Nepal  
• Pakistan  
• Tajikistan  
• Uzbekistan  
 
5  REVENUE MOBILIZATION INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROGRAMME (REMIT)  
Deliver y Partners: World Bank Trust Fund, International Trade Centre, Commercial 
Supplier  
Through REMIT 's Tax Component key areas in which we are providing support are (i) increasing 
capacity of the Customs Administration to employ the Risk Management System (RMS ) to promote 
compliance, collect the right revenue, and facilitate trade and (ii) increasing capacity of the Customs 
Administration to conduct Post Clearance Audit (PCA). Under this activity key operational 
improvements will be supported such as the pre -clearance and pre -arrival procedures. Through 
REMIT 's Trade component, we are mainly providing support on implementation of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (TFA), and capacity building of Border Regulatory Authorities and Small and 
Medium Enterprises on bor der procedures.  
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  Current activity:  
 
All activities given below are being undertaken in Pakistan through Tax and Trade component of 
REMIT.  
 
Tax Component:  
 
• Implementation of Pakistan Single Widow supported through effective technical assistance 
on quality assurance of systems developed and process monitoring.  
• PCA of Customs Clearances undertakes compliance gap analysis in one sector.  
• Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Strategy developed  
• PCA Framework and Compliance Risk Based (CRB) Analysis and Framewor k prepared  
• Technical notes on pre -arrival/preclearance procedures, PCA, Compliance Risk Based 
(CRB) analysis, and NII prepared  
 
Trade Component:  
 
• Pakistan's compliance with WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement requirements assessed and 
action plans for complia nce aligned to WTO obligations in line with best international 
practice developed  
• Scope of work for each selected measure agreed and aligned with ongoing reforms of 
Federal Board of Revenue, Time Release Studies Conducted, and Discussion Papers for 
Roadmap  on Authorized Economic Operators & Risk Management System completed  
• Gaps (and needs) of Border Regulatory Agencies for Integrated Risk Management and 
border coordination identified and one training delivered  
• Implementation of Trade Facilitation Portal  
• Public-private dialogue on trade facilitation strengthened  
 
6  UK TRADE PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMME (UKTP)  
Delivery Partner: International Trade Centre  
The UK Trade Partnerships (UKTP) programme delivers technical assistance and capacity building to 
the countries par ty to Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), trade agreements between African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the UK. UKTP will support our ACP partners to effectively 
implement and maximise the benefits of the EPAs, including Customs and Trade  Facilitation -related 
matters.  
 
Current Engagement:  
 
• CARIFORUM  
• Cameroon  
• Comoros  
• Cote D 'Ivoire  
• Fiji 
• Ghana  
• Madagascar  
• Papua New Guinea  
• Zimbabwe  
 
7  TRADEMARK EAST AFRICA (TMEA)  
Delivery Partner: TMEA  
TMEA aims to reduce barriers to trade by: improving the efficiency and capacity of trade and 
logistics; improving trading standards and reducing NTBs; improving and making more transparent 
trade processes and system; and improving the trade regulatory environment. This is achieved by 
ensuring internal cooperati on among agencies, reducing the complexity of formalities, streamlining 
release and clearance processes, and facilitating greater international cooperation between customs 
authorities. Funded by France, Belgium, Canada, the European Union, Ireland, Denmark , Finland, 
Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.  G/TFA/W/68  
 
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Current Engagement:  
 
• Burundi  
• Democratic Republic of the Congo  
• Ethiopia  
• Kenya  
• Malawi  
• Rwanda  
• Somalia  
• South Sudan  
• Tanzania  
• Uganda  
• Zambia  
 
8  ENHANCED INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK (EIF)  
Delivery Partners: WTO and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with 
implementers including WBG, International Trade Centre (ITC) and ODI.  
Supporting Trade Facilitation is a central pillar of the EIF. EIF support is both thro ugh policy and 
institutional support, as well as investments directly into trade facilitation projects. A cornerstone of 
this support for trade facilitation is the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS). While covering a 
whole range of trade issues, the re is almost always a dedicated chapter to trade facilitation, 
consequently laying the foundation for policy reform and investment. EIF is a multi -donor WTO trust 
fund. 
 
Current Engagement:  
• COMESA : EIF is funding a regional project, co -funded by the Standa rds and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF), to identify and prioritise major Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
constraints for export market access. The project is working across Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda 
and Uganda.  
• South Asia : Contributing to the implementation o f Government strategies and priorities 
aimed at facilitating trade and e -governance. The project has supported implementation of 
the WTO TFA as well as paperless trading commitments in RTAs and relevant initiatives in 
which many countries are already engag ed at the bilateral or sub -regional level.  
• West Africa : The overall objective of this project is the development of a sub -regional 
strategy for the implementation of the regional conventions on transit, transport and trade 
facilitation (TFA) issues. The pr oject is being implemented in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger 
and aims to achieve; Improved productive and export capacity through the implementation 
of a functional transit programme; a reduction of the costs of factors of production by 
increasing the compe titiveness of the land transport sector based on a comprehensive 
approach taking into account the economic and social dimension (externalities on the labour 
market in the transport sector) of the envisaged reforms; and better integration of the three 
benef iciary countries into the overall value chains through the coordinated implementation 
of Articles 8, 10.4, 11 and 23.2 of the TFA.  
• Bhutan : Supporting e -Infrastructure for trade and services development set up a ''One stop 
information center'' for trade & i ndustry related data and information. It also developed an'' 
eRegulations portal", with support from the Business Facilitation Program of UNCTAD, to 
provide on -line information on procedures for foreign and domestic investment.  
• Cambodia : The ongoing Go4ECA M project has a component related to trade facilitation of 
cross-border eCommerce through the synchronisation of the Custom clearance system with 
the Post clearance system for small parcels. The component is being implemented by the 
Universal Postal Union (UPU), UNCTAD, Cambodia Post, Custom office, Ministry of 
Commerce, with funding support from EIF, Switzerland, UPU and UNCTAD.  G/TFA/W/68  
 
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  • Lao PDR : The ongoing EIF project in Lao PDR is supporting improved public -private dialogue 
particularly around trade issues. To d ate this has included discussion at national level of 
seven issues specifically related to trade facilitation. The project has also provided support 
to improve policy advocacy capacity to selected local BMOs.  
• Rwanda : This project aims to improve strategic trade infrastructure and the cross -border 
business environment. The EIF, together with the Government of Rwanda, has set up 
CrossBorder Market Centers on the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the 
Congo to strengthen the trading facilities and improve the livelihoods and earning potential 
of people engaged in crossborder trade in Rwanda, of which 74% are women  
• Vanuatu : The first module of the Vanuatu Single Window for trade was launched in March 
2020. The project is also leveraging additiona l resources from the Government of Australia 
to implement a Humanitarian Supplies module for the National Disaster Management Office 
he implementation of movement restriction and social distancing policies. A separate project 
in Vanuatu with the UPU and UN CTAD is facilitating improved processing of small parcel, 
aiming to link the postal system with ASYCUDA.  
• Zambia : Support monitoring the status of implementation of categories A, B and C in 
preparation for WTO TFA Committee Meetings and to mobilise additional resources for 
implementing the TFA; supporting implementation of Article 3 TFA (Advance Rulings) with 
stakeh older education and assessments on Advance Rulings in Chirundu, Mwami and 
Nakonde; supporting implementation of Article 1.4 TFA (Notification) with consultative 
meeting with stakeholders to determine Zambia definitive dates for Category C designations; 
supporting the development of  a One -Stop Border Post in Kipushi. A separate project in 
Zambia, also co -financed with the STDF is also facilitating improved pest management 
processes for Zambia and the SADC region.  
 
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