G/TFA/TFAF/ 4 
 
2 June 2023  
(23-3771) Page: 1/26 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2022  
TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY (TFAF)  
Contents  
1   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 2 
1.1   Overall Activities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 2 
1.2   Grant Programme  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
1.3   Technical Assistance Activities  ................................ ................................ .....................  2 
1.4   Website  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  2 
1.5   Progress  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  2 
1.6   Budget  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  3 
2   TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  ................................ ................................ .............  3 
3   TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY  ................................ .............................  3 
3.1   Grant Programme  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
3.2   Technical Assistance Activities  ................................ ................................ .....................  9 
3.2.1   Summary of TFAF Technical Assistance Activites in 2022  ................................ .............  11 
3.3   Engagement with Annex D and Development Partners  ................................ ...................  12 
3.4   TFAF Website - TFAFacility.org  ................................ ................................ ...................  12 
4   EVALUATION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  13 
5   CROSS -CUTTING ISSUES  ................................ ................................ ...........................  13 
6   RISKS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  14 
7   2022 FUNDS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  15 
ANNEX 1 LOG FRAME  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 16 
ANNEX 2 ACTIVITY LOG  ................................ ................................ ................................  17 
ANNEX 3 TFAF ACTIVITY TRACKER  ................................ ................................ ................  24 
ANNEX 4 TFAF ACTIVITY CY CLE ................................ ................................ ....................  25 
ANNEX 5 KYRYGZ REPUBLIC PPG REPORT  ................................ ................................ ..... 26 
 
 G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  1  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
1.1.  This report sets out the activities and outcomes of the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement 
Facility (the Facility, or TFAF) for the calendar year 2022, as required by the Operational Guidelines. 
The report is organi zed according to the TFAF's priorities pr ovided in G/TFA/3 the updated framework 
for the operation and management of the Facility agreed in April 2022.  
1.1  Overall Activities  
1.2.  In 2022 , the work of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility was focused on delivering 
technical assistance, including on t he return to in -person activities, delivering the grant program me, 
working with a team of evaluators conducting an independent review of TFAF, and implementing 
reinforced transparency procedures set out in an updated framework.  
1.2  Grant Program me 
1.3.  The TFAF Gr ant Programme circulated five expressions of interest (EoI) in 2022. Partners 
stepped forward in response to three of the EoIs to support the implementation of just over 
35 provisions of the TFA. One unmatched EoI was developed into a project preparation g rant (PPG) 
application to be launched in 2023. One unmatched EoI was unable to progress to a PPG application 
as the applicant Member was in administrative measures regarding its WTO Membership.  
1.4.  One PPG project was completed in 2022 and matched with severa l development partners who 
offered implementation assistance for the two provisions of the TFA concerned. Another PPG project, 
finalised at the end of 2021, was matched with an implementation partner for one provision of the 
TFA in 2022.  
1.3  Technical Assistan ce Activities  
1.5.  The TFAF organi zed over 20 technical assistance activities throughout the year with just under 
half concerning direct support to LDC Members to meet the deadline to notify definitive dates for 
Category C commitments to the TF Committee, as se t out in the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). 
Two regional workshops, one with the Association for Latin American Integration (ALADI) and the 
other with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) were also held. Many activities continued to 
be deliver ed remotely due to the COVID -19 travel restrictions. In -person activities accelerated in 
the second half of the year. Assisting Members to meet notification deadlines and identifying 
implementation partners were the primary outputs of the activities held i n 2022.  
1.4  Website  
1.6.  The TFAF  website had a total of 99,894 visitors in 2022, generating 190,602 unique page views. 
Conversion of the French and Spanish versions of the website to a new content management system 
was completed.  
1.5  Progress  
1.7.  By the end of 2022, a to tal of 23 expressions of interest had been circulated by the TFAF grant 
programme since the program me was launched in October 2018. This represents just over 25% of 
eligible1 Members .2 Two successful PPGs in 2022 contribute to a total of seven PPGs that 
have led to a development partner(s) offering implementation assistance for a total of 
37 provisions of the TFA  notified under Category C.  
1.8.  TFAF technical assistance activities delivered trai ning and capacity building to 700 participants 
through a mix of online and in -person settings. This compares to zero activities that were delivered 
in 2021 due to the moratorium and as such, represents significant progress. A total of 10 LDCs 
 
1 Developing country and LDC Members who have ratified the TFA and presented Category C 
notifications.  
2 Two Members were not eligible to receive a grant under the rules of the programme as they were  in 
administrative measures regarding their WTO Membership . Two Members completed an expression of interest 
but did not wish to launch an application for a TFAF project proposal grant.  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  were supporte d through one -to-one meetings and subsequently submitted 
12 notifications to meet the deadline of 22 August.  
1.6  Budget  
1.9.  The full list of donors include: Australia, Austria, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, 
New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom, plu s three legacy donors, Ireland, Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and the United States .3  
1.10.  In 2022, the TFAF spent a total of CHF 421,471.95 from total funds of CHF  4,644,199.29 .4 
This is significantly less than the average spent during pre -COVID years, due to the continued travel 
restrictions. The closing balance on 31  December  2022 was CHF  4,222,727.34.  
2  TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  
2.1.  The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement entered int o 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. The WTO Trade Facilitation Committee (TFC) 
was also created when the A greement entered into force. The Committee held four formal and 
one informal meeting in 2022.  
2.2.  At the beginning of 2023, 154 of the WTO's 164  Members had successfully ratified the 
Agreement. Two  additional ratifications5 were received in 2022, bringing the  total to 156, just over 
95% of the Membership.  
2.3.  The TFA contains numerous notification requirements. The A, B, C related notification 
requirements have specific deadlines. These are the notifications required for developing and LDC 
Members taking advantag e of the provisions allowing them to self -determine the date of 
implementation for each TFA measure. All ABC -related notification deadlines for developing Members 
passed in 2019. The year 2022 contained a deadline requiring LDC Members to notify their defi nitive 
implementation dates for provisions notified in Category  C by 22 August. Other notification deadlines 
are based on the implementation schedule of the Member. Over the course of the year, developing 
and LDC  Members submitted 73  notifications relating  to the ABC requirements, transparency, and 
technical assistance and capacity building. Seven LDC Members and two developing Members 
submitted notifications relating to the arrangements of the technical assistance and capacity 
building.  
3  TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY  
3.1.  The TFAF was created to assist developing and LDC Members find the support they need to 
implement the TFA. It is operated by the WTO Secretariat and funded by WTO Members on a 
voluntary basis. It became operational at the end of 2014, mo re than two years before the WTO TFC 
was established.  
3.2.  Following a Member's request to define TFAF's relationship to the TFC, and following a 
moratorium on TFAF activities in 2021, imposed by this Member until the relationship was defined, 
Chair-led discuss ions concluded in 2022 led to a formal update to the governance framework in a 
Framework for the Management and Operation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility .6 This 
Framework supplements the Operational Guidelines and sets out priorities for TFAF . It requires 
two new additions to the TFAF work process. First, the Facility is to work jointly with a representative 
group of interested Members to prepare the workplan for the upcoming calendar year; and second, 
requests for national and regional techni cal assistance are to be posted on a password protected 
online activity tracker for Member review.  
 
3 Legacy donors provided funds to the trade facilitation needs assessment trust fund that were 
transferred to the TFAF trust fund  when it was created.  
4 Including opening balance and interest on investments . 
5 One of which being the United Kingdom which had previously ratified the Agreement as a member 
State of the European Union.  
6 G/TFA/3 , 5 April 2022 . G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  3.3.  In 2022 , TFAF worked with a committee of 12 people from 10 Members to prepare the 2023 
work plan. The members of this work plan committee represented develop ment partners, developing 
countries, the LLDC and LDC groups. At a formal meeting of the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee 
held in June, WTO Members were invited to identify priorities for TFAF for 2023. Because no priorities 
were suggested at this time, th e first task of the workplan committee was to identify the priorities, 
and then to identify the specific activities that TFAF should conduct to meet these priorities. Before 
it was finalized, the 2023 workplan was reviewed by the Committee during its dedic ated session on 
assistance and capacity building held in October 2022, as required by the new Framework.  
3.4.  The activity tracker was launched on the TFAF website in 2021, after it was suggested during 
the Chair -led TFAF discussions, to enhance transparency on  Members' requests for events. Once an 
activity request is received through the online request form, the information is posted on the tracker 
and an email notification of the new posting is sent to all Members that have requested a password. 
These Members are given a short period of time to react, normally 2 weeks, before TFAF can begin 
to plan the event. To date, seven Members have requested a password.  
3.5.  The Operational Guidelines require an independent evaluation of the TFAF to be commissioned 
by the fifth  anniversary of the entry into force of the TFA. The evaluation was procured in early 2022 
and launched on 1 April. A team of external consultants carried out research of TFAF documents and 
reports and interviewed Members and stakeholders. In December 2022 , the Facility received the 
final draft report of the evaluation. The TFAF will work with Members in 2023 to consider how to 
implement its recommendations.  
3.1  Grant Programme7 
Expressions of Interest (EoI):  
3.6.  The first step of the TFAF grant program e is the su bmission of an expression of interest request 
in which a Member provides information on the TFA provisions for which it is seeking implementation 
support. TFAF circulates this EoI to the development partners with the aim of finding implementation 
support. In response to the circulation of the expressions of interest, development partners 
frequently provide information about on -going programs which further adds to the 
awareness/knowledge of TFAF staff.  
3.7.  The following table shows the expressions of interest ci rculated in 2022 and their outcomes. 
Information on successful matchmaking of needs with implementation partners resulting from the 
Expression of Interest is also found on the website .8 
 
7 https://www.tfafacility.org/grant -program . 
8 https://www.tfafacility.org/assistance -grants/grants -tracker .  
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 5 - Member  EoI 
concluded  Measures included in request  Outcome  
Madagascar  06/05/2022  Art. 1.1 - Publication  
Art. 1.2 - Information Available 
Through Internet  
Art. 1.3 – Enquiry Points  
Art. 1.4 - Notification  
Art. 2.1 – Opportunity to Comment 
and Information Before Entry into 
Force  
Art. 2.2 - Consultations  
Art. 3 – Advanced Rulings  
Art. 5.1 - Notifications for Enhanced 
Controls or Inspections  
Art. 5.3 – Test Procedures  
Art. 6.1 – General Disciplines on Fees 
and Charges  
Art. 6.2 - Specific Disciplines on Fees 
and Charges  
Art. 6.3 – Penalty Disc iplines  
Art. 7.1 – Pre-arrival Processing  
Art. 7.2 – Electronic Payment  Art. 7.3 – Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, Fees and 
Charges  
Art. 7.4 – Risk Management  
Art. 7.5 – Post-Clearance Audit  
Art. 7.7 – Authorised O perators  
Art. 7.8 – Expedited Shipment  
Art. 7.9 – Perishable Goods  
Art. 8 – Border Agency Cooperation  
Art. 10.1 - Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  
Art. 10.2 – Acceptance of Copies  
Art. 10.3 – Use of International Standards  
Art. 10.4 – Single Window  
Art. 10.6 – Use of Customs Brokers  
Art. 10.7 - Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  
Art. 11 - Transit  
Art. 12 – Customs Cooperation  EoI not matched, progressed to a 
project proposal grant application to 
be launched in 2023.  
Guinea  13/05/2022  Art. 1.1 - Publication  
Art. 1.2 - Information Available 
Through Internet  
Art. 3 – Advance Rulings  
Art. 5.1 - Notifications for Enhanced 
Controls or Inspections  
Art. 5.3 – Test Procedures  
Art. 7.1 – Pre-arrival Processing  
Art. 7.4 – Risk Management  
Art. 7.5 – Post-Clearance Audit  Art. 7.6 - Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  
Art. 7.7 – Authorised Operators  
Art. 7.8 – Expedited Shipments  
Art. 7.9 – Perishable Goods  
Art. 8 – Border Agency Coope ration  
Art. 10.2 – Acceptance of Copies  
Art. 10.3 – Use of International Standards  
Art. 10.4 – Single Window  
Art. 11 - Transit  Expression of interest not matched.  
Category III Administrative Measures 
– Ineligible for Project Proposal Grant  
El Salvador    Art. 4.6 - Procedures for appeal or 
review  
Art. 7.7 - Authorized Operators  
Art. 8 - Border Agency Cooperation  Art. 10.2 - Acceptance of copies  
Art. 10.4 - Single Window  
Art. 11 - Transit  
Art. 12 - Customs Cooperation  Matched with World Bank Grou p 
through direct request from TFAF 
before need for EoI to be circulated.   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 6 - Member  EoI 
concluded  Measures included in request  Outcome  
Lesotho  07/09/2022  Art. 1.2 - Information Available 
Through Internet  
Art. 1.3 - Enquiry Points  
Art. 4 - Right to Appeal or Review  
Art. 5.3 - Test Procedures  
Art. 7.1 - Pre-arrival Processing  
Art. 7.3 - Separation of Release  
Art. 7.4 - Risk Management  
Art. 7.5 - Post-Clearance Audit  
Art. 7.6 - Establishment and 
Publication of Average Release Times  
Art. 7.7 - Authorized Operators  Art. 7.8 - Expedited Shipments  
Art. 7.9 - Perishable goods  
Art. 8 - Border Agency Cooperation  
Art. 10.1 - Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  
Art. 10.3 - Use of International Standards  
Art. 10.4 - Single Window  
Art. 10.7 - Common Border Procedures  
Art. 10.8 - Rejected Goods  
Art. 10.9 - Tempo rary Admission of Goods  
Art. 12 - Customs Cooperation  World Bank Group responded to EoI: 
can assist on all provisions.  
Malawi  16/12/2022  Art. 3 - Advance Rulings  
Art. 4 - Right to Appeal or Review  
Art. 7.4 - Risk Management  Art. 7.5 - Post-Clearance Audit  
Art. 7.6 - Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  All needs incorporated in World Bank 
Group project. Will return to TFAF 
grant if any needs remain.  
 
Outcome: Five expressions of interest were circulated in 2022 which led to implementation partners stepping forward to assist with 32  provisions 
of the TFA.  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  Project Preparation Grants (PPGs) : 
3.8.  If the circulation of the expression of interest does not identify a suitable partner, the Member 
is then eligible to apply for a Project Preparation Grant. The Project Preparation Grant is used to 
engage an expert consultant to assist the Member to articu late their implementation needs for 
specified TFA provisions that the Member had notified in Category C, and to identify development 
partners to support implementation. If implementation support is not found for any of the TFA 
provisions that are subject o f the PPG, then the Member is eligible to apply for a TFAF Project 
Implementation Grant(s).  
3.9.  In 2022, implementation support was identified through the PPG process for two Members for 
a total of three TFA provisions.  
3.10.  The following table provides details on  each PPG in chronological order . 
  
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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Outcome: Two  TFAF  Project Preparation Grant (PPG) projects were completed in 2022, with both identifying implementation partners for 
three  articles of the TFA  Member  Grant duration  Measures included in 
request  Overall budget 
(USD)  Outcome of completed PPG  
Jamaica  01/08/2021 – 
28/02/2022  Art 6.1. – General 
disciplines on fees and 
charges.  USD 14 ,400  Finalisation of project report was delayed due to challenges establishing regular contact 
between the national trade facilitation committee and the expert engaged to carry out 
the project, during the time of travel restrictions and remote working caused by the 
Covid -19 pandemic.  
Following additional work by the TFAF  team, the consultant and the Jamaican 
counterparts, implementation support for Article 6.1 from the World Bank Group was 
agreed at a meeting on 21 June 2022.  
Kyrgyz 
Republic  01/01/2022 – 
04/04/2022  Art. 5.3 – Test 
Procedures  
Art. 10.1 – Formalities 
and D ocumentation 
Requirements  USD 14 ,020 Following the conclusion and circulation of the grant report, a round -table meeting of 
donors and development partners was scheduled for 1 July 2022, hosted by the TFAF 
with the attendance of USAID, P.R. China, UNCTAD, World Bank Group, UNECE, 
UNESCAP, International Trade Centre and World Customs Organisation.  
 
USAID offered to integrate needs into regional project  
ITC, WCO, UNECE all proposed elements of assistance  
UNCTAD followed up with UNIDO on Article 5.3  
UNESCAP p roposed Paperless Trade initiative  
WBG ready to support if any gaps remain  
China requested electronic copy of TFAF PPG which will be shared with capital  
 
In subsequent bilateral discussions, China and Kyrgyz Republic were exploring 
cooperation to launch implementation projects.  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  3.11.  All PPG reports are available to Members upon request. The report of the Kyrgyz Republic 
grant is available upon request as an example of the work produced.  
3.12.  As more PPGs have been completed a number of lessons were learned leading to t he 
emergence of best practices:  
• Project preparation grants represent a great opportunity to identify implementation 
partners. To date all but one completed PPG has resulted in at least one partner offering 
support. This success arose from instructions to t he PPG consultants to make identification 
of donors a priority, as well as through regular TFAF communications with partners 
reporting on upcoming, in -progress and recently completed grants. In 2022, the TFAF 
adopted the approach of organizing a roundtable  meeting of donors and development 
partners to discuss completed PPG reports. This proved to be a very efficient and valuable 
way of identifying potential support and will be applied to all future grant projects. The 
roundtables also build capacity of the Member in understanding how to consult with 
donors.  
• Learning from the challenge of delivering grants remotely during the COVID 19 pandemic, 
locally based PPG experts were sought in 2022. This approach was able to generate a 
particularly positive outcome in  the case of the Kyrgyz Republic PPG project producing a 
comprehensive report which formed the basis of a successful donor and development 
partner roundtable meeting which identified various sources of potential support. 
Depending on the articles included in the grant application, the language requirements of 
the work in question and the available expertise, the TFAF will seek out and propose local 
experts to undertake grant projects where possible.  This reduction in travel also 
contributes to reducing the  environmental impact of our work and increases value -for-
money.  
• The grant programme continues to receive applications covering high numbers of TFA 
provisions. The emphasis remains therefore on matching these needs with implementation 
partners either at Eo I or PPG stage. A a TFAF implementation grant to cover multiple 
articles of the TFA would have a serious impact on the remaining resources in the trust 
fund. 
• Preparations for a PPG for Madagascar, the first LDC to move to this stage, made good 
progress in 2022. An expert will be hired to conduct the work in 2023, ideally by identifying 
implementation partners. Now that LDCs have notified their implementation dates, it is 
expected that the TFAF grant process will be able to assist more LDC Members find 
imple mentation support. Project Implementation  Grants (PGs):  
3.13.  As all PPG projects completed in 2022 successfully identified implementation support for the 
needs in question, no applications were received for a project implementation grant this year. This 
stage o f the grant programme remains as an option to serve as a 'safety net' for unmatched needs.  
3.2  Technical Assistance Activities  
3.14.  All national and regional activities conducted in 2022 were posted on the activity tracker, as 
described above. All activities fell u nder the types of activities set out in the Operational Guidelines 
and Framework, namely, identifying implementation assistance, ratification of the Agreement, 
notifications under the Agreement, and strengthening the operation of National Trade Facilitatio n 
Committees.  
3.15.  Due to the continuation of COVID -19 travel restrictions many activities were conducted 
remotely with in -person activities recommencing in the final quarter of the year.  
• Regional Border Agency Cooperation Workshop with Asociación Latinoamerica na 
de Integración (ALADI), 1 -4 February, online  
TFAF coordinated with the General Secretariat of the Association of Latin American 
Integration Organization (ALADI), to conduct a "Second Latin American Meeting of 
National Trade Facilitation Committees" from  1-4 February. This virtual workshop was a 
follow -up to a similar event held in 2019 and aimed to strengthen the national committees. G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  It was attended by more than 150 participants from National TF Committees from 
17 countries. Speakers included experts fro m the Market Access Division, UNCTAD, and 
the WCO, as well as the participants.  
 
Outcome:  The overall score given by the participants for this activity was 8.3 out of 10, 
and the sessions were evaluated between 4 and 4.6 out of 5, with the majority of the 
participants who responded to the evaluation with an overall score of 9.  
• Global Forum  for National Trade Facilitation Committees, 1 -4 February, Online  
At this forum, organized in cooperation with the UN  Conference on Trade and Development 
(UNCTAD), the  World Bank Group, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the Global 
Alliance on Trade Facilitation, with an overall audience of 250  participants, from 
44 countries. TFAF -organized sessions covered the TFA  ratification and notifications 
processes focusi ng on section II of the TFA for developing and LDC  WTO Members, as well 
as the donor support and TFAF  grant program session mentioned above under 
workstream  'A'. 
 
Outcome: This activity made a direct contribution to one of the TFAF's key priorities, 
namely , to coordinate support from the Annex  D organizations for TFA  implementation.  
• LDC notification drop -in sessions, March, May, July  
TFAF offered additional one -on-one sessions with interested LDC  Members to follow up on 
a letter from the Chair of the Trade Facilitation Committee , reminding LDC Members of the 
22 August 2022 deadline for the category C definitive dates. These meetings commenced 
in March and May and were held again in July. At these meetings the Member's notification 
status was reviewed. For any notifications not yet provided guidance was offered on, for 
example, how to find and complete the relevant template, and to find assistance to 
complete the notifications. Information on TFAF a ctivity request forms and the grants was 
also offered. A total of 13 meetings were held overall.  
 
Outcome: 100% of Members attending the drop -in sessions that had an outstanding 
notification(s), submitted timely notifications to the WTO TF Committee by the  22 August 
deadline. Participants submitted a total of 12 notifications and two requests for an 
extension of time.  
• Maldives , 23 May  
An on -line meeting was held with Members of the Maldives national trade facilitation 
committee to discuss a possible future workshop that was ultimately held in early 2023.  
During these discussions TFAF encouraged submission of notifications.  
 
Outcome: As a result of this meeting, e ven before the workshop was held, Maldives 
submitted draft notifications of early implementation  of some articles to the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Committee.  
 
• Presentation of Kyrgyz Republic PPG report to regional meeting of Central Asian 
NTFCs in Kazakhstan 20 -22 June 2022  
A PPG project with the Kyrgyz Republic was completed in May 2022 – see section A above 
for details. The grant report was presented by TFAF at a regional meeting of Central Asian 
NTFCs including representatives of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and 
Uzbekistan, organized by GIZ. Representatives of the public and private se ctors from 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz  Republic , Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, international 
experts, development partners and representatives of international organizations 
discussed progress on the realization of measures aimed at trade facilitation an d further 
plans and priorities of regional cooperation. Special attention was given to the initiatives 
on digitalization of trade procedures and improved access to information for the private 
sector.  
 
Outcome: The meeting gave an opportunity to disseminate  the experience and outcomes 
of the Kyrgyz TFAF project proposal grant report to an audience of national trade 
facilitation committee representatives to its regional trade partners and to encourage 
others to apply to the grant programme as needed. It was a lso a chance to engage with 
WTO Members that might struggle to engage with the TFAF due to language issues.  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  • Madagascar NTFC, extraordinary meeting, 26 July  
The National Trade Facilitation Committee of Madagascar has funding for two regular 
meetings per ye ar. TFAF supported an extraordinary meeting that allowed  Madagascar to 
notify definitive dates for its Category C provisions by the deadline of 22 August. 
38 participants of which 17 women, came together from across government and the 
private sector to dis cuss implementation needs and identify realistic dates.  
 
Outcome: Madagascar notified its definitive dates for category C commitment on 
19 August, within the deadline.  
 
• Regional Workshop for Pacific Island Countries.  13 -16 December  
TFAF, the World Bank Group, and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) conducted 
a regional trade facilitation workshop for Pacific Island countries in Australia on 
13-16 December 2022.  The workshop was originally scheduled for 2020 but was 
postponed because of the pandemic.  
The goal of the workshop was to support full and effective implementation and ownership 
of the TFA and trade facilitation reforms, improve border agency cooperation , enhance 
private sector participation, exchange best practices and lessons learned in making border 
processes and procedures more inclusive for all traders, and assist policymakers in 
monitoring and evaluation of trade facilitation reforms through the ado ption of regional 
and national action plans that will enhance the existing regional strategy.   
Around 70 people participated in the event from nine Pacific Island countries, including all 
six Pacific developing WTO Members. Other participants/speakers included experts from 
the Australian Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (DAFF) and the Department 
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the World Customs Organization (WCO), UNCTAD, 
the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Re lations (PACER Plus) Implementation Unit, 
the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Oceanic Customs Organization (OCO), as 
well several private sector representatives.  
 
Outcome: This activity directly contributed to several of the TFAF's primary tasks: to 
collaborate with partner organizations, build the capacity of the national committees as 
well as the individual participants, enhance regional cooperation, and understanding of 
TFA notification requirements.  
 
3.2.1   Summary of TFAF Technical Assistance Activites in 2022  
Activity and date  Desired outcome  No. of participants  
Regional workshop with Latin American  Integration 
Association  (ALADI)  
1-4 February 2022  
Online  Enhance the operation of the 
national trade  facilitation committee  150+  
UNCTAD Global forum 2022 for national trade  
facilitation committees  
1-4 February 2022  
Online  Enhance the capacity of the national 
tradefacilitation committees  200+  
One-to-One sessions for LDCs –  
13 sessions between March, May and July 2022  Preparation of TFA  notifications by 
August deadline.  40+ 
In-person Kazakhstan mission to regional TF 
committee meeting – follow up to Kyrgyz Republic 
PPG 
20-22 June 2022  Enhance the operation of National 
Trade Facilitation Committees  150 
Meeting of Central Asian NTFCs, 
donors/development partners Presentation of 
Kyrgyz Republic PPG report  
1 July 2022  Find assistance for implementation 
of the provisions of the TFA  20 
Support for Madagascar meeting of NTFC to 
identify definitive dates  
26 July 2022  Submit TFA  Section II notifications 
by the deadline  40 
Pacific Regional Workshop, Australia  
13-16 December 2022  Enhance the operation of national 
trade facilitation committees, 
support regional initiative.  
Find assistance for implementation 
of the provisions of the TFA  70 (including 
facilitators)  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
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  3.3  Engagement with Annex D and Development Partners  
3.16.  TFAF continues to maintain close communication with its partner organizations to provide 
information that can support partners' role in TFA implementation, enhance coordination and avoid 
duplication. Cooperation with Annex D partners continues to play an essen tial role in the TFAF grant 
program me, with partners receiving and engaging with all expressions of interest and at the project 
preparation stage. A large majority of implementation partners identified during the TFAF grant 
programme are represented by the  Annex D partners.  
3.17.  In July and September, TFAF organized in -person meetings with the Annex D+ partners to 
share updates and discuss collaboration in future events. A meeting was held on 30 November with 
the core Annex D partners to plan a retreat to be hel d early in 2023 that will focus on enhancing 
collaboration, in particular on implementation of the TFAF 2023 workplan.  
3.4  TFAF Website - TFAFacility.org  
3.18.  The TFAF website serves multiple functions. First, it provides transparency to the 
administration and wor k of the TFAF by publishing operational rules and guidelines, workplans and 
reports, as well as information about TFAF events and grants. Second, it provides a platform to make 
resources available, in an easily accessible manner, that can assist Members to  implement the TFA. 
For example, the TFA resources provides tools, instruments, guidelines, and case studies for each 
provision of the TFA. To assist developing and LDC Members to find implementation support, the 
website contains information and contact po ints for development partners and a searchable database 
of past and ongoing implementation assistance projects. Third, it provides a platform for Members 
to request activities and grants.  Fourth, it provides a forum for Members and partner organizations 
to advertise relevant events or highlight trade facilitation success stories.  
Outcome: In 2022, the website received  99,894 visitors, generating a total of  190,602 unique 
page views.  This is a slight increase in the number of visitors in 2021.  
The Top 10  most visited core* pages were:  
 
1. Homepage  
2. Article Resources  
3. About the Facility  
4. E-learning  
5. Notifications & Ratifications overview page  
6. Notifications  
7. Ratifications  
8. ITC page  
9. Annual Report 2020  
10. Contact points and profiles  
 
*Core pages denotes main pages on the website and excludes content such as news items . 
 
The top 10 visiting countries were:  
 
1. United States  
2. China  
3. Switzerland  
4. Mexico  
5. India 
6. Netherlands  
7. Indonesia  
8. United Kingdom  
9. Germany  
10. Kenya  
 
3.19.  In 2021 , the English version of the website was upgraded to a new co ntent management 
system. This was the first upgrade since the website was first launched in 2015. The upgrade of the 
French and Spanish versions of the website were finalized in 2022. This brought the first major 
upgrade of the website's content management  system to its conclusion. In addition to providing 
strengthened security, this upgrade allowed for the expansion and enhancement of the site's G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 13 - 
 
  features and functions, as well as easier dissemination of information all while making the site more 
user-friendly. Throughout the year the site continued to be expanded to further assist members in 
finding resources as well as information on grants and activities.  
3.20.  To enhance support for Members in 2022, the following pages and tools were improved:  
General Resourc es   
 
3.21.  The general resources page was revamped to include  a section on resources by topic. Trade 
Facilitation resources related to Agriculture, Covid 19 & TFA resources, Digitalization & Technology, 
Environment, Gender & Trade Facilitation, Global Value Cha ins/supply chains, Transport & Transit 
and more can be found under this section. The section continues to be populated and serves as a 
fast and efficient way to find specific resources. The publications and regional resources section also 
continue to be ex panded upon.  
Activity Tracker  
 
3.22.  TFAF continued to post activities on the password protected activity tracker. The activity 
tracker lists both national and regional activities requested by Members with the purpose of fulfilling 
objectives ranging from preparation of TFA notifications to enhan cing the operation of their National 
Trade Facilitation Committees. In 2022 several activities were added and the tracker continued to 
be a useful tool, allowing those with access to stay up to date with TFAF's activities. No Members 
requested a password i n 2022, the number of Members that have password access remains at seven.  
4  EVALUATION  
4.1.  The Operational Guidelines require TFAF to commission an independent review within five years 
of entry into force of the TFA, which was 22 February 2017. Following a procu rement process that 
was conducted in 2021 and early 2022, KPMG Norway was awarded the contract to conduct the 
evaluation. During 2022 , the TFAF  team worked with the evaluators to help them understand the 
nature of TFAF's work and the needs of the Members. TFAF also identified individuals from WTO 
Members and partner organizations that could provide input to the evaluators through interviews 
and c ompletion of surveys. These included Members that received TFAF activities and grants, 
partners that are involved in the activities and grants, and donors to the Trust Fund.  
4.2.  TFAF reviewed drafts of the KPMG report for accuracy and to provide guidance on su ggestions 
for the way forward to make sure they were within the TFAF mandate. The final report was issued 
in December 2022. TFAF will work with the interested Members that are on the Workplan Committee 
to determine the best way to take into account the sug gestions for improvements. The cooperation 
of Members and partners in this process is greatly appreciated.  
5  CROSS -CUTTING ISSUES  
5.1.  Prioriti zing the needs of LDCs is a continued focus of TFAF. Work with LDCs to prepare for the 
notification deadline for Categor y C definitive dates in 2022 led to close collaboration after the 
disruption of the COVID -19 pandemic had made face -to-face encounters impossible. As LDC 
Members can have connectivity challenges, this meant that they were at risk of being 
disproportionatel y impacted by the period of remote working. This collaboration led to a number of 
follow -up activities, including the launch of the first TFAF project proposal grant with an LDC – 
Madagascar. This experience reinforces TFAF's commitment to prioritize suppo rt to LDCs and further 
informs the need to support them to successfully apply for TFAF grants.  
5.2.  TFAF expressions of interest requested by two LDC Members led to the identification of 
development partners for the implementation of eight provisions of the TFA .  
5.3.  Each project preparation grant contains a section on cross -cutting issues which seeks to 
contextualise the proposed implementation of the TFA provisions within the applicant Member's 
national policies on gender, environment, and climate change.  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 14 - 
 
  6  RISKS  
6.1.  In 2022, the two highest impact risks were the continued impact of the COVID -19 pandemic 
that limited direct contact with Members, and the moratorium on activities requested by a Member 
in the WTO TF committee. The pandemic -related risk was managed by conduc ting activities virtually. 
This was sometimes beneficial. For example, some of the small group consultations with the LDC 
Members were conducted virtually which had the added benefit of allowing capital -based officials to 
participate. As described in secti on C above, updated transparency procedures were implemented 
that led to the lifting of the moratorium in April.  
6.2.  A risk register will be maintained for all activities in 2023, with lessons and mitigations 
measures identified for the subsequent annual repor t. 
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 15 - 
 
  7  2022 FUNDS  
7.1.  TFAF expenditure rose from CHF 307,744.61 in 2021 to CHF 421,471.95 in 2022. This 
represents an increase of CHF  113,727.34, or just under 37%.  The increase in expenditure, 
can be explained by the resumption of in -person technical assistance  activities. It is still lower than 
previous years (2019 as a reference) because the travel restrictions were still in place at the 
beginning of 2022, and in -person events were slow to resume.  
7.2.  All the figures in the following tables are in Swiss Francs (C HF)  
Opening Balance as at 1  January  2022  4,650,567.58  
Australia (contribution to TTFAF and transfer from TTFNA)  473,148.34  
Austria (contribution to TTFAF)  123,673.36  
China (contribution to TTFAF)  597,928.53  
Czech Republic (contribution to TTFAF)  40,947.29  
Finland (contribution to TTFAF)  251,159.79  
France (contribution to TTFAF)  246,453.20  
Ireland (transfer from TTFNA)  20,259.34  
New Zealand (contribution to TTFAF)  27,750.78  
Norway (contribution to TTFAF  and transfers from TTFNG and TTFNA)  2,614,169.76  
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
(transfer from TTFNA)  19,735.33  
United Kingdom (contribution to TTFAF)  209,999.79  
United States (transfer from TTFNA)  25,342.07  
 
 TOTAL FUNDS9 2021  4,644,199.29  
 
 TOTAL EXPENDITURES  
 421,471.95  
 BALANCE IN FAVOUR OF DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS  4,222,727.34  
 
BALANCE PER DEVELOPMENT PARTNER  
 
Australia  429,619.91  
Austria  112,295.73  
China  542,920.64  
Czech Republic  37,180.26  
Finland  228,053.73  
France  223,780.14  
Ireland  18,395.53  
New Zealand  25,197.78  
Norway  2,373,672.87  
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  17,919.73  
United Kingdom  190,680.35  
United States  23,010.67  
 
TTFAF: Trust Fund for Trade Facilitation Facility  
TTFNA: Trust Fund for Trade Facilitation National Needs Assessments  
TTFNG: Trust Fund for Participation of Capital -Based Officials in Negotiating Group Meetings  
 
9 Opening balanc e minus interest deductions .  
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 16 - ANNEX 1 LOG FRAME  
 
 
 
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 17 - ANNEX 2 ACTIVITY LOG  
Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
ALADI Regional 
Workshop,  
1-4/02  4. Enhance the 
operation of their 
national trade 
facilitation 
committees  B.4. Regional 
and sub -
regional 
workshops  Increased 
awareness of 
necessary changes 
to domestic 
guidelines, 
procedures or 
legislation to align 
with TFA  Participant 
feedback as 
recorded in final 
report  Remotely delivered 
activity will prevent 
necessary 
interactions to fully 
embed training  Activity w as 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Guatemala requested 
extension 22/02.  
The overall score given 
by the participants for 
this Encounter was 8.3 
out of 10, and the 
sessions were 
evaluated between 4 
and 4.6 out of 5, wit h 
the majority of the 
participants  
were evaluated 
between 4 and 4.6 out 
of 5, with the majority 
of the participants who 
responded to the  
the evaluation with a 
score of 9.  0.00 ALADI 
contacted with 
a TFAF activity 
request to 
follow up on 
workshop in 
2019 
UNCTAD Global 
Forum on NTFCs,  
1-4/02  4. Enhance the 
operation of their 
national trade 
facilitation 
committees  C.6. Thematic 
workshops  Increased 
awareness of TFA 
provisions among 
target group.  Feedback from 
host organi zation Remotely delivered 
activity will prevent 
necessary 
interactions to fully 
embed training  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  This activity made a 
direct contribution to 
one of the TFAF's 
primary tasks, namely, 
to coordinate supp ort 
from the Annex D 
organizations for TFA 
implementation.  0.00 Mongolia 
contacted with 
a TFAF activity 
request to 
follow up on 
workshop in 
2019 
LDC notification 
session: Senegal, 
04/03  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. N ational 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  Notification (or 
request for 
extension) to 
definitive dates for 
Category C 
submitted to the 
WTO TF 
Committee by 
22/08 deadline  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Activity request  
Follow up session 
hosted by World Bank  
 
Notification submitted 
by deadline TFD  
11/08  0.00 Activity 
requested by 
Member in 
follow up t o 
offer of 
assistance by 
TF Chair   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 18 - Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
LDC notification 
session: 
Mauritania, 
10/03  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA  
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  Notification (or 
request for 
extension) to 
definitive dates for 
Category C 
submitted to the 
WTO TF 
Committee by 
22/08 deadline  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  TF Secretary provided 
detailed overview of 
how to notify, TFAF 
followed up with 
assistance available to 
implement  
 
Notification submitted 
by deadline TFD  
19/08  0.00 Activity 
requested by 
Member in 
follow up to 
offer of 
assistan ce by 
TF Chair  
LDC notification 
session: 
Solomon Islands, 
17/03  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA  
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  Notification (or 
request for 
extension) to 
definitive dates for 
Category C 
submitted to the 
WTO TF 
Committee by 
22/08 deadline   LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  2x notifications 
submitted by deadline 
TFD 
 
19&22/08  0.00 Activity 
requested by 
Member in 
follow up to 
offer of 
assistance by 
TF Chair  
LDC notification 
session: 
Vanuatu, 17/03  3. Submit TFA  
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  Notification (or 
request for 
extension) to 
definitive dates for 
Category C 
submitted to the 
WTO TF 
Committe e by 
22/08 deadline   LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  *Vanuatu no longer 
LDC (DEC 2020)  
 
Tonga submitted its 
article 16 (16/06)  
instigated by the 
meeting at PIFS.  0.00 Activity 
requested by 
Member in 
follow up to 
offer of 
assistance by 
TF Chair  
LDC notification 
session: 
Madagascar, 
18/03  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  Notification (or 
request for 
extension) to 
definitive dates for 
Category C 
submitted to the 
WTO TF 
Committee by 
22/08 deadline  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time Expression of interest 
launched  
Activity request form 
sent to UNCTAD on 
NTFC strengthening  
Follow up meeting 
organised 25/05  
Activity request form 
circulated 14/06 with 
deadline 01/07 to 
support NTFC meeting 
to identify definitive 
dates 26/07  0.00 Activity 
requested by 
Member in 
follow up to 
offer of 
assistance by 
TF Chair   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 19 - Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
LDC notification 
session: Guinea, 
18/03  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA  
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  Notification (or 
request for 
extension) to 
definitive dates for 
Category C 
submitted to the 
WTO TF 
Committee by 
22/08 deadline  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Expression of interest 
launched - unable to 
progress to PPG 
application as in Cat. 3 
Administrative 
measures. Put in 
contact with WCO for 
advice ahead of 
notification  
 
Request for extension 
29/07  0.00 Activity 
requested by 
Member in 
follow up to 
offer of 
assistance by 
TF Chair  
Workshop on 
TFA and benefits 
of a regional 
plan for its 
sustainable 
implementation 
in OIC countries, 
23/03  1. Find assistance 
for 
implementation of 
the provisions of 
the TFA  B.4. Regional 
and sub -
regional 
workshops  Application for 
support to 
implement 
category C 
commitments 
submitted  Activity requests 
or grant 
expressions of 
interest received 
by TFAF  Remotely delivered 
activity will prevent 
necessary 
interactions to fully 
embed training  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no c osts 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Attendance was low, 
approximately 15 -20 in 
person and under 10 
online.  
 
This activity made a 
direct contribution to 
one of the TFAF's  
primary tasks, namely, 
to coordinate support 
from partner 
organi zations for TFA 
implementation.  0.00 OIC requested 
input by TF 
Committee 
colleagues, but 
one session of 
the workshop 
focussed on 
available 
assistance  
Sénégal session 
on definitive 
dates for Cat C 
with NTFC 05/05  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  D.8. 
Participation in 
external events  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
deliver ed remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  This request was 
processed as a TFAF 
Activity request, but 
triggered a response 
from WB and USAID, 
alongside UNCTAD and 
ECOWAS to deliver the 
session with a view to 
finalising dates and 
identi fying assistance 
on remaining Category 
C measures  0.00 Follow up to 
Chair's letter 
offering 
assistance to 
LDCs 
Maldives Activity 
request  
23/05  4. Enhance the 
operation of their 
national trade 
facilitation 
committees  A.1. 
Matchmaking 
activities  Funding Secured 
for 
implementation of 
category C 
commitments  Follow -up activity  Remotely delivered 
activity will prevent 
necessary 
interactions to fully 
embed training  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Cooperation with 
UNCTAD and ADB 
based on needs 
identified and existing 
implementation 
partners.  
 0.00 Activity request 
received   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 20 - Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
Notification drafts 3 & 
4 reviewed and 
submitted to 
committee  
Notification of early 
implementation dates - 
definitive dates 
brought forward, 
submitted to 
Committee  
 
Category shift and 
time extension 
received 14/06  
LDC notification 
session: Lesotho, 
23/05  1. Find assistance 
for 
implementation of 
the provisions of 
the TFA  A.2. Grant 
Program  Application for 
support to 
implement 
category C 
commitments 
submitted  TFAF Grant 
programme  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Notification process 
appears to be on track 
to meet deadline.  
Requested to launch 
and express ion of 
interest  
Draft EoI sent to 
Lesotho for approval 
on 23/05  
 
Notification submitted 
by deadline TFD  
09/08  0.00 Follow up to 
Chair's letter 
offering 
assistance to 
LDCs 
LDC notification 
session: 
Myanmar 24/05  3. Submit TFA  
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Put in contact with 
WCO who have 
followed up. TFAF 
ready to look at grant 
application if useful.  
2x notifications 
submitted by deadline 
TFD 
19 & 22/08  0.00 Follow up to 
Chair's letter 
offering 
assistance to 
LDCs 
LDC notification 
session: 
Cambodia 31/05  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs) TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Follow up meeting on 
08/06  
 
2x notifications 
submitted by deadline 
TFD 
19 & 22/08  0.00 Follow up to 
Chair's letter 
offering 
assistance to 
LDCs  
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 21 - Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
LDC notification 
session: 
Bangladesh 
02/06  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Draft activity request, 
EoI and grant ToR 
circulated  
 
Notification submitted 
by deadline TFD  
22/08  0.00 Follow up to 
Chair's letter 
offering 
assistance to 
LDCs 
Kazakhstan 
mission to 
regional TF 
committee 
meeting - follow 
up to Kyrgyz 
Republic PPG  4. Enhance the 
operation of their 
national trade 
facilitation 
committees  B.4. Regional 
and sub -
regional 
workshop s Increased 
understanding of 
application 
process / 
programming for 
technical 
assistance    Language issues 
present a challenge 
to engage with the 
WTO   E-Learning to private 
sector  
CV expert to ITC / 
WCO 
Follow -up meeting with 
Kyrgyz Republic, see 
below  
Further cooperation 
with GIZ including 
renewed contacts for 
grants  
 
This activity made a 
direct contribution to 
one of the TFAF's 
primary tasks, namely, 
to coordinate support 
from partner 
organisations for TFA 
implementation.  5,058.67   Following 
invitation fr om 
GIZ and as a 
follow -up to the 
Kyrgyz Republic 
Grant  
Haiti 13/06  2. Ratify the TFA  D.8. 
Participation in 
external events  Member has 
ratified TFA  TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered in 
margins of MC12, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Organi zed by ITTC.  
Follow -up session 
planned for 05/07 and 
potentially 26/07  0.00 Meeting 
organi zed by 
ITTC at request 
of Haiti  
LDC notification 
sessions: 
Djibouti 14/06  3. Submit TFA  
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  Activity was 
delivered in 
margins of MC12, 
therefore no costs 
were in curred 
beyond staff time  Convening meeting of 
Annex D Partners to 
help Djibouti 
understand how long 
to request an 
extension, how long it 
will take to mobili ze 
necessary TA to inform 
process  
 
Extension request 
received 17/06  0.00 Following up 
previous 
meeti ng 
requested by 
Djibouti in 
December 2021   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 22 - Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
Kyrgyz Republic 
meeting with 
Development 
Partners 01/07  1. Find assistance 
for 
implementation of 
the provisions of 
the TFA  A.2. Grant 
Program  Funding Secured 
for 
implementation of 
category C 
commitments  Meeting outcome  Lack of 
engagement/respons
e to technical 
requests by donor 
partners  Activity was 
delivered at WTO 
and remotely, 
therefore no costs 
were incurred 
beyond staff time  Follow -up meeting on 
KR PPG 01/07/2022  
USAID offered to 
integrate  needs into 
regional project.  
ITC, WCO, UNECE all 
proposed lements of 
assistance  
UNCTAD followed up 
with UNIDO on 5.3 and 
waiting for a response  
UNESCAP proposed 
Paperless Trade 
initiative  
WBG ready to support 
if any gaps remain  
China requested 
electronic copy of TFAF 
PPG which will be 
shared with capital  
Bilateral contact with 
China has continued 
and support has been 
proposed  0.00 Requested by 
KR during 
regional activity 
in Kazakhstan  
Madagascar 
meeting of NTFC  
to identify 
definitive dates 
26/07  3. Submit TFA 
Section II 
notifications within 
agreed deadlines  B.3. National 
workshops  Members have 
submitted TFA 
section II 
notifications 
(Category A, B 
and Cs)  TFA database  LDC capacity 
constraints  2 participants 
travelled to attend. 
30 in person. Room 
hire and other 
eligible costs 
covered by TFAF  Notification submitted 
by deadline TFD  
19/08  10,147.95  Requested by 
Madagascar in 
the context of 
discussions 
around 
notification 
deadline.  
Budget exists 
for NTFC 
meetings, bu t 
only 2 a year - 
this 
extraordinary 
meeting 
allowed the 
group to 
identify 
definitive dates 
and meet the 
notification 
deadline.   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 23 - Activity  Outcomes  Outputs  Indicators  Source and 
means of 
verification  Risks or 
Assumptions  Participant 
details and TFAF 
funding  Additional 
information  Cost Decision log  
Pacific Regional 
Workshop, 
Australia  
13-16/12  4. Enhance the 
operation of their 
national trade 
facilitation 
committees  B.4. Regional 
and sub -
regional 
workshops  Increased 
awareness of 
necessary changes 
to domestic 
guidelines, 
procedures or 
legislation to align 
with TFA  Meeting outcome   
 A geographically 
isolated region at 
risk of being 
disproportionately 
impacted  by travel 
restrictions imposed 
during the COVID -19 
pandemic  Participants were 
from regional 
NTFCs.  
 
TFAF funded 
conference 
facilities.  World 
Bank provided all 
other funding.   24,539.51  Postponed from 
2020 due to 
COVID.   
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 24 - ANNEX 3 TFAF  ACTIVITY TRACKER  
The online activity tracker compiles the activity requests and is accessible to Members who have requested access:  
 
  G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 25 - ANNEX 4 TFAF  ACTIVITY CYCLE  
This diagram shows how the transparency procedures  fit in the activity and reporting cycle of the TFAF.  
 
 
G/TFA/TFAF/4  
 
- 26 - 
 
 ANNEX 5 KYRYGZ REPUBLIC PPG REPORT  
Document available upon request from TFAF.  
 
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