G/TFA/W/43  
 
16 June 2021 
(21-4949) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
REPORT BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY TO THE  
TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE  
22-23 June 2021 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  This document provides information on the work of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement 
Facility (TFAF) since the last report made to the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee on 22-23 April 
2021. In this period the focus of TFAF's  work has been  the ongoing deli very of the  grant program 
and further strengthening  the website . 
2  WEBSITE  – WWW .TFAFACILITY. ORG 
Upgrade  
2.1.  Work continues on the first upgrade of the website's content management system since its 
launch in 2014. In addition to providing strengthened security, this upgrade will allow for the 
expansion and enhancement of the site 's features and functions. A soft launch of the new version is 
on track for late spring and an official launch approximately one month later after any problems 
have been identified and co rrected. The transition should be smooth, and users are not expected to 
experience any disruption during the upgrade. New features and improvements will allow for easier 
dissemination of information between TFAF and Members while making the site more user -friendly. 
Additions/improvements will include:  
− A delegate/member portal that could provide ea sy login and access to tailored information  
in addition to providing a more streamlined way for Members to update contact point 
information, request meetings with TFAF, FAQs and more ; 
 
− Improve user experience via a new, modern and easy to navigate design ; 
 
− Provide a mobile responsive site that Members, partners and external audiences can easily 
access on any mobile device ; 
 
− Easier access to contact point information, resources, guidelines, case studies, reports, 
events and more ; 
 
− Allow Members to easily acce ss and download relevant templates in one place such as 
notification -related templates and the instrument of ratification ; 
 
− A more interactive map linked to implementation support  needs ; 
 
− Automatic data syncing from the TFA database to the TFAF site for up -to-date notification 
and ratification information. This also ensures greater cohesion between the website and 
database ; 
 
− Improved search and filter function ; 
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  3  TFAF GRANT PROGRAM  
3.1.  Progress continues in the delivery of the grant program. Project Preparation Grants (PPG) have 
now been completed for the Dominican Republic (for three TFA provisions), Namibia (for eleven  TFA 
provisions) and Guyana (for nine TFA provisions) which was comp leted on schedule at the end of 
May. TFAF is working closely with two specific development partners to find implementation 
assistance for these Members, as well as for Grenada, whose PPG was completed in March (for eight 
TFA provisions). If implementation assistance cannot be provided by development partners for any 
of the provisions covered by these PPGs, the Member will be advised to request a TFAF Project 
Implementation Grant (PG) for those provisions, using the results of the work carried out by the 
expert consultant in the PPG phase.  
Recent and Upcoming Project Launches  
3.2.  On 1 April a Project Preparation Grant was launched with Mongolia (for four TFA provisions) 
and will be concluded on 31 July. On 1 June a first regional Project Preparation Grant was lau nched 
with CARICOM (on Article 7.4) which will be concluded on 31 July, to be followed by a project with 
Jamaica (on Article 6.2) to be launched in August. As always, these grant projects will result in an 
articulation of the implementation needs for the T FA provisions at issue and will seek to identify 
potential development partners. Work is on -going with other Members to assist them to complete 
their grant applications. A revised expression of interest for Kyrgyz Republic was circulated to 
development par tners, with a deadline of 15 June to signal any concerns of duplication of effort. If 
no concerns are raised, an application will be considered in the second half of June and July.  
PG Selection Committee  
3.3.  In order to consider applications for TFAF Project Implementation Grants (PGs) in accordance 
with the operational rules of the grant program, two representatives of development partners are 
needed to participate on the selection committee. (This is to replace the current representatives 
from development par tners. The developing and LDC representatives on the selection committee 
remain in place.) Full information on the selection committee can be found in the rules at the 
following link: https://www.tf afacility.org/grant -program . 
Implementation Assistance Needed  
3.4.  Information on approved grants, including the TFA provisions for which assistance is needed, 
can be found at: https://tfafacility.org/g rant-applications . TFAF would like to encourage all 
development partners, including developing country Members in a position to provide assistance, to 
periodically review this information, and take note when TFAF sends a request, and inform TFAF 
where assi stance can be offered. Experts preparing the PPGs also systematically reach out to 
representatives of development partners within the region.  
4  TFAF TRUST FUND  
Situation  
4.1.  The trust fund currently contains around USD 5 million . Expenditures were made during  this 
period under the grant program to support the recently completed Project Preparation Grant of 
Guyana and the ongoing Project Preparation Grant of Mongolia.  
5  COORDINATION OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS  
5.1.  TFAF continue s to stay in close communication with its partner organizations  to provide 
information  that can support partners' role in TFA implementation, enhance coordination and avoid 
duplication . During this period TFAF provided information requested by various partn ers, including 
assistance in finding speakers for partner events. Cooperation with Annex D partners has also played 
an essential role in the TFAF grant programme to date, with partners receiving and engaging with 
all expressions of interest and at the proj ect preparation stage to avoid any duplication of efforts. 
This collaboration has led to five Members launching detailed discussions with partners with a view 
to receiving support for their TFA implementation needs.  G/TFA/W/43  
 
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  6  ACTIVITIES  
6.1.  The Facility plans its activi ties based on the TFAF Operational Guidelines, the requirements and 
timeline of the Agreement, issues and priorities identified in this Committee, and the needs 
expressed by developing and LDC Members.  
6.2.  In light of the interventions made by a Member at the Committee meetings in October and 
March and  reiterated at the Chair-led consultation  on TFAF held  on 9 June,  TFAF continued to curtail 
its participation in activities and events during this period.  
7  MONITORING AND EVALUATION  
Annual Report  
7.1.  The Annual Report for the year 2020 will be available before the end of June deadline as 
required in the Operational Guidelines.  This report, which includes a narrative and financial report 
covering the previous calendar year, will be posted on the website at: 
https://www.tfafacility.org/annual -reports  
Evaluation  
7.2.  The Operational Guidelines require TFAF to commission an independent review within five years 
of entry into force of the TFA, which will be 22 Februar y 2022. The TFAF is currently initiating the 
procurement process following the WTO procurement procedures.  
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