G/TFA/N/ LCA/5 
 
13 October 2023  
(23-6905) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT OF CATEGORY C DESIGNATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM SAINT LUCIA  
The following communication, dated 10 October  is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Saint Lucia . 
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Saint Lucia  hereby notifies information on the arrangements concluded and progress made in the 
provision of technical assis tance and capacity building support of the following category B and 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 Point  
 C 31 December 2018  30 June 2023  
Donor s: Saint Lucia was unable to identify or secure a donor to assist with implementation of this measure. In 
2022, Saint Lucia made a request to a development partner for assistance to establish its enquiry point  system  
including a request for assistance for ano ther measure,  however , at the time of the request,  priority was given 
towards assisting Saint Lucia with the other measure  due to the availability of resources .  
 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
Using nati onal resources, Saint Lucia implemented  an enquiry point system through a helpdesk feature on the 
Saint Lucia Customs and Excise Department website to deal with enquiries in relation to Article 1.1. of the WTO 
TFA including other trad e and customs related enquiries . The helpdesk feature  is acce ssible via the following  
link - www.customs.gov.lc  / http://www.customs.gov.lc/contact -us.php .  
 
Saint L ucia also has a national enquiry point in place, details of which is ava ilable on the Customs website which  
is accessible via the same link as the help desk.  
 
On this basis, Saint Lucia is satisfied that it has met the requirements of this measure.  
 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 3 Advance Rulings  
 C 28 May 2021  30 June  2024 
Donor s: World Bank Group  
 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The Government of Saint Lucia has been successful in securing assistance from the World Bank Group under 
its Trade Facilitation Support Programme for technical assistance and capacity building to implement an 
Advance Ruling Regime for Saint Lucia in accordance with Article 3 'Advance R ulings' of the TFA.  
 
An in -country mission was conducted by a team from the World Bank from 7-10 March 2023 to undertake a 
needs assessment to determine what Saint Lucia requires to implement an Advance Ruling Regime.  
 G/TFA/N/ LCA/5 
 
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  On 21 August 2023, the Saint Lucia Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the development of the legislative, 
regulatory, administrative and operational framework required for the implementation of an Advance Ruling 
Regime with the support of the World Bank Group.  
 
Having received Cabinet 's endorsement to proceed with the necessary legal reforms, regulatory and 
administrative work, efforts are continuing towards developing the framework for Saint Lucia 's Advance Ruling 
Regime.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indica tive date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.6 Establishment and 
Publication of Average 
Release Times  
 C 28 July 2028  31 December 2023  
Donor s: Investment Climate Reform Facility  
 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
In 2022 , Saint Lucia received technical assistance under the Investment Climate Reform Facility to develop its 
Average Time Release Study and was successful in implementing this measure  having completed and launched 
the Time Release Study on 26 January 2023 as part of activities in observance of World Customs Day.  
The Time Release S tudy is accessible via the Ministry of Commerce 's website – www.commerce.gov.lc  / 
https://commerce.gov.lc/resources/index/17/page:3  and the Cu stoms and Excise Department website – 
www.customs.gov.lc  / http://www.customs.gov.lc/TRS_2022.pdf   
Saint Lucia is satisfied that it has implemented this measure.  
 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 10.4 Single Window  
 C 29 December 2023  31 December 2023  
Donor s: Canada -CARICOM Expert Deployment Initiative  
 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
 
The Government of Saint Lucia has been successful in securing the services of a Consultant through the Canada -
CARICOM Expert Deployment Initiative. This Consultant has been contracted to develop the technical 
specifications for Saint Lucia 's National Electronic Single Window. The technical work in this respect is still 
ongoing. This information is critical to redefining the scope of the platform to be implemented, costing the 
project, and in determining the level of external assistance and capacity building support that would be required 
for the successful implementation of the measure.  
 
Once the technical specifications have been developed, Saint Lucia intends to approach development partners 
for technical assistance and capacity building including financial support to obtain the necessary IT system 
notified as a requirement for implementation of this measure.  
 
 
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