G/TFA/N/BGD/2  
 
20 August 2019  
(19-5358) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROV ISION OF TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND CAPAC ITY BUILDING SUPPORT  OF CATEGORY C DESIG NATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM B ANGLADESH  
The following communication, dated 19 August 2019  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Bangladesh  for Members' information.  
 
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Bangladesh  hereby notifies information on the arrangements concluded and progress made in the 
provision of technical assistance and capacity bui lding support of the following category C 
designations, in response to Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  
 C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor s: USAID, World Bank  
 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The National Enquiry Point (NEP) for Customs has been established by the National Board of Revenue with 
technical assistance from the USAID.  
 
Therefore, the NBR will require capacity development and training assistance from other development 
partners/WTO.  
 
The NEP for Ministry of Commerce for non -customs issues is being established with technica l assistance from 
the World Bank Group. WBG is providing the following assistance:  
 
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation with stakeholders through workshops, seminars and round table meetings  
3. Logistics for the ministry of Commerce  
 
Therefore, the Ministry of Commerce will require assistance from other development partners/WTO on –  
(i) Capacity development and training, (ii) Development of software connectivity with other 
Ministries/Departments and develop linkage with Ministry of Commerce, (iii) developmen t of a coordination 
mechanism  and (iv) logistics for other ministries and department.  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.1 Pre-arrival Processing  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: USAID 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The National Board of Revenue is currently working to implement this measure with technical assistance from 
the USAID. The USAID is providing technical assistance with respect to support for legislation, training, capacity 
building, and consultation with stakeholders.  
 
However, the NBR appreciates any opportunity from other development partners/WTO for the relevant officials 
to participate in capacity development and training activities on Pre -Arrival Processing.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.4 Risk Management  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: USAID, World Bank  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
A. The National Board of Revenue is currently working to implement this measure with technical assistance 
from the USAID and the World Bank Group (WBG). The USAID and the World Bank Group are providing technical 
assistance with respect to need assessment, support for legislation, training, and consultation with 
stakeholders. However, the NBR appreciates any opportunity  from other development partners/WTO for the 
relevant officials to participate in capacity development and training activities on Risk Management.  
 
B. The Plant Quarantine Wing has previously received training from the WBG. Currently it is not receiving an y 
assistance from any donor. It requires assistance from development partners/WTO for:  
 
1. Capacity development of surveillance mechanism  
2. Establishment of pest Risk Analysis (PRA) procedure  
3. Technical support on risk assessment and mitigation  
4. Documentary and a wareness development program in social media for moral and ethical responsibilities  
5. Preparation of some SOPs and manuals for risk management issues  
6. Legislation support and technical assistance for processing bio -security clearance  
7. Technical assistance for facilitation of the accreditation process in Developing laboratory facilities  
 
C. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) has previously worked to implement this measure 
wing technical assistance from the World Bank Group. Currently it is not receiving any assistance from any 
donor. It requires assistance from development partner/WTO for:  
1. Stabilization of the Risk management system following international best practices  
2. Training for the Risk Management Committee members  
3. On-site visit for Ri sk Management Committee that have successfully established the system  
 
No development partner is currently working with Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission in this regard. It 
requires assistance from development partners in the area of risk management.  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.5 Post-clearance Audit  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: USAID, Asian Development Bank (ADB)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The National Board of Revenue is currently working in collaboration with the USAID (for transaction -based 
audit) and the Asian Development Bank (for system -based audit) to become compliant w ith this Measure.  
 
The USAID and ADB are providing technical assistance with respect to support for legislation, training, and 
consultation with stakeholders.  
 
However, the NBR appreciates any opportunity from other development partners/WTO for the relevan t officials 
to participate capacity development and training activities on Post -clearance Audit.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.7 Trade Facilitation 
Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: USAID, Asian Development Bank (ADB)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The National Board of Revenue is currently working in collaboration with the USAID and the Asian Development 
Bank to implement the AEO system in Bangladesh.  
The USAID and ADB are providing technical assistance with respect to need assessment, support for legislation, 
training, and consultation with stakeholde rs. 
However, the NBR appreciates any opportunity from other development partners/WTO for the relevant officials 
to participate only in capacity development and training activities on Authorized Operator.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.8 Expedited Shipments  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: USAID  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The USAID is providing technical assistance to the National Board of Revenue in establishing an expedited 
courier system that complies with international best practice.  
 
The USAID is providing technical assistance with respect to support for legislation, training, capa city 
development and consultation with stakeholders.  
 
However, the NBR appreciates any opportunity from other development partners/WTO for the relevant officials 
to participate in capacity development and training activities on Expedited shipments.  
 
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  Prov ision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.9 Perishable Goods  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
No development partner has so far offered any assistance in the area of perishable goods.  
Assistance required:  
 
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation with stakeholders through workshops, seminars and round table me etings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development  
5. Infrastructure Support  
 
Again, Port authorities require both technical (feasibility study, drawing, design etc.) and financial 
(infrastructure, equipment, maintenance etc.) assistance.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 8 Border Agency 
Cooperation  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor s: World Bank , Asian Development Bank (ADB)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
(A) In-country border -agency cooperation:  
 
The World Bank Group is providing loan assistance to the Ministry of Shipping to develop facilities and 
infrastructure only at four ports, namely B enapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid and Burimari. Ministry of Shipping 
requires assistance from other development partners/ WTO in developing facilities and infrastructure at other 
ports.  
 
The ADB is considering to provide technical assistance to the National Boar d of Revenue for the development 
of facilities and infrastructures at Sonamasjid, Sonahut, Tamabil, Akhaura, Teknaf, Haluaghat, Bibirbazar, 
Nakugaon, Shaola, and Darsana land customs stations.  
 
On the other hand, Plant Quarantine Department is not currentl y receiving any assistance from any 
development partner.  
 
(B) Cross -border agency cooperation:  
 
No development partner has so far offered any assistance in the area of cross -border agency cooperation. 
SASEC program under ADB coordinates activities in different South Asian Countries.  
 
Assistance required:  
 
1. Negotiation and Consultation  
2. Capacity development  
3. Infrastructure  
4. Automation  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 
10.1.1(a)  Formalities and 
Documentation 
Requirements  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
No development partner has so far offered any assistance in the area of perishable goods.  
Assistance required:  
 
1. Training  
2. Capacity development  
 
Again, Plant Quarantine Wing requires assistance for - (a) the preparation of a valid organogram of Plant 
Quarantine Authority in Bangladesh, an d (b) the establishment of E -Phyto System.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 10.4 Single Window  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: World Bank  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The National Board of Revenue is currently implementing the project with loan assistance from the World Bank.  
 
The World Bank Group is providing loan assistance with respect to support f or legislation, training, capacity 
development and consultation with stakeholders, and development of coordination mechanism.  
 
However, the NBR appreciates any opportunity from other development partners/WTO for the relevant officials 
to participate in cap acity development and training activities on Single Window.  
 
Further, technical assistance for data standard management will be required at BCSIR. BCSIR is not currently 
receiving any assistance from any development partner in this area related to perishab le goods. Therefore, it 
requires assistance highlighted above from the development partners/WTO.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 11.5  Freedom of Transit  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor:  To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
No development partner has so far offered any assistance in the area of traffic -in-transit (establishing separate 
physical infrastructure for traffic -in-transit).  
Assistance required:  
1. Consultation with stakeholders through workshops, seminars and round table meetings  
2. Training  
3. Capacity development  
4. Development of Integrated Transit Policy  
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 11.9  Freedom of Transit  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
No development partner has so far offered any assistance in the area of traffic -in-transit (allowing advance 
filing and processing of transit documentation and data prior to arrival of goods under traffic -in-transit).  
Assistance  required:  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation with stakeholders through workshops, seminars and round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development.  
5. Development of Integrated Transit Policy  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 11.16  Freedom of Transit  C To be determined  To be determined  
Donor:  To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
1. No donor agency is working on this measure, so support is required  
2. Assistance is required for Development of Integrated Transit Policy  
 
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