G/TFA/W/28  
 
15 October 2020  
(20-7109) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
REPORT BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY TO  THE 
TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE  
20-21 October 2020  
1. This report provides information on the work of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility 
(TFAF) since the last meeting of the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee and will cover the time period 
of February – October 2020.  
2. The Facility plans its activities bas ed on the requirements and timeline of the Agreement, 
issues and priorities identified in this Committee, and the needs expressed by developing and LDC 
Members.  
3. In this period the biggest focus of our work was on making information available on TF and 
COVID-19, providing information to assist Members to prepare TFA required notifications, and 
coordinating and collaborating with partner organizations and associations to make information 
available through joint activities and events.  
COVID -19 RELATED ACTIVITI ES 
COVID -19 Resource Page  
4. In the early stage of the pandemic the TFAF created a webpage with links to COVID -19 
resources created by the WTO and partner organizations and associations. This was later replaced 
by the TF and COVID -19 repository.  
TF and COVID -19 Repository  
5. Copious resources were created by partner organizations and associations to help 
governments and private sector to cope with the pandemic. The TFAF, working with IATA, the 
Commonwealth Secretariat, Annex D's and other partners, created a sear chable repository of 
resources to facilitate access to this information in one location. This repository currently contains 
around 350 resources from 30 organizations and associations. These resources include, inter alia, 
articles, case studies, instrument  and tools. We continue to add new partners and resources. It can 
be found here:  https://www.tfafacility.org/covid19 -trade-facilitation . 
COVID -19 Survey  
6. The TFAF conducted a survey on t rade facilitation and COVID -19 in cooperation with the 
International Chamber of Commerce and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation. The 199 survey 
respondents from government officials and private sector representatives worldwide were asked to 
identif y which import, export and transit processes have become more cumbersome or time 
consuming in the context of the COVID -19 containment efforts, which processes have become less 
cumbersome or time consuming, and which trade -related processes would have the m ost positive 
impact if implemented in the current circumstances. A report on the findings, and how 
implementation of the TFA can help overcome the barriers, can be found here: 
https://www.tfafacility.org/tfaf -covid-19-survey -final-results . G/TFA/W/28  
 
- 2 - 
 
  ANNEX D+ TFA Implementation Support During COVID -19 
7. In order to help WTO developing and LDC Members find information on implementation 
support programs during the pandemic, the TFAF created a document that provides information on 
the Annex D+ organizations. It can be found here:  
https://tfafacility.org/sites/default/files/file_or_link/annexdcovi d19.pdf . 
WTO COVID -19 Report  
8. The TFAF contributed to a report, published by the WTO Secretariat on "How WTO Members 
Have Used Trade Measures to Expedite Access to COVID -19 Critical Medical Goods and Services1". 
The report identifies a number of TFA -relate d measures which could expedite access to COVID -19 
critical goods and services. This report can be found here:  
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news20_e/serv_16sep20_e.htm . 
TFA NOTIFICATIONS  
New Notifications Webpages  
9. In order to help Members to complete the required TFA notifications we developed two new 
webpages for the TFAFacility.org website. One page provides general information on all the TFA 
requirements for notification s related to the ABC categories, as well as the transparency 
notifications, assistance arrangements, shifting categories and time extension, and notifications 
related to implementation assistance. The second webpage provides detailed information on How to 
Prepare each of these notifications with links to templates, explanations on how to complete the 
templates, and sample extracts from Member notifications. These pages have received over 700 hits 
with around 400 unique views. The pages can be found here:  
Notifications General Information:  
https://www.tfafacility.org/wto -tfa-notifications -general -overview . 
How To Prepare Notifications:  
https://tfafacility.org/how -prepare -trade -facilitation -agreement -notifications . 
New Notification Brochure  
10. We created a new brochure that highlights the requirements for the implementation support 
arrange ments, Article 22 and transparency and notifications. It can be found here:  
https://tfafacility.org/sites/default/files/brochure_2_tf_notific ation_brochure_final_may_2020.pdf . 
 
EVENTS (IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER)  
11. One of the roles of the Facility is to enhance coordination and cooperation of partner 
organizations and to discourage duplication of events. For this reason, we frequently participate in 
events organized with or by our partners.  
WCO TFA Working Group Meeting (TFAWG) (4 -5 March 2020)  
12. The WTO participated in the 12th meeting of the WCO TFAWG. The previous Chair of the WTO 
TFC, Ambassador Haqjo gave a keynote address. The WTO p rovided an update on the state of play 
of the TFA. The meeting featured experience sharing sessions on time release study, post clearance 
audit, transit, and single window. In break -out sessions WCO members also discussed border 
management, and separation of release from clearance. The meeting was attended by over 200 
participants from customs, other administrations, development partners, private sector associations 
and international organizations.  
 
1 https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news20_e/serv_16sep20_e.htm . G/TFA/W/28  
 
- 3 - 
 
  The WTO TFA: Supporting Strategic and Effective Implementat ion in the Pacific Region. 
(March 2020 - Postponed)  
13. Because of the pandemic the TFAF had to postpone a regional border agency cooperation 
workshop for Pacific Islands that it had organized in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum, 
World Bank Group, an d Commonwealth Secretariat; with experts from other partner organizations 
and development partners. This workshop has been tentatively rescheduled for the end of 2021 
pending the resumption of travel. In the meantime, the WTO will participate in webinars o rganized 
for this region (see two examples below).  
Food Trade Logistics, Navigating the Risks of COVID -19 (11 June 2020)  
14. The WTO Agriculture Division and World Economic Forum (WEF) created a series of Trade 
Dialogues on Food to create a conversation around  the role of international trade in food security. 
In a webinar on Logistics and Navigating the Risks of COVID -19, the WTO presented on how the TFA 
can reduce red tape, the state of play of implementation, and implementation support. The webinars 
can be vi ewed here:  https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/reser_e/tradedialonfood_e.htm . 
ADB and UN Pacific Regional Office Webinar on Discussion of multisectoral support to 
safely reopen p oints of entry into Pacific Island Countries (22 July 2020)  
15. The ADB and UN Pacific Regional Office organized a high -level roundtable meeting on safe 
border reopening for Pacific Island countries. The goal of this meeting was to facilitate information 
sharing on the needs of the countries and the available support from various development partners. 
The TFAF provided written information on its programs and participated in this event to answer 
questions about these programs. It was attended by approximately 50  people.  
Consultation of CARICOM Trade Facilitation Agreement Focal Points (23 July 2020)  
16. The objective of this consultation was (1)to receive updates on TFA implementation and (2)to 
facilitate discussion and sharing of experience among CARICOM WTO Members  on the impact of the 
COVID -19 pandemic on national implementation of the TFA, as well as measures/policies that have 
been adopted at the national and regional levels to facilitate trade and to ensure business continuity. 
The WTO Secretariat presented the results of the TF and COVID -19 survey, the TFA notification 
requirements and available resources. TFA Focal Points representing the 15 CARICOM Member 
States participated.  
Thompson/Reuters Interview (August/September 2020)  
17. The WTO Secretariat and ICC were a sked for an interview on the results of the TF and 
COVID -19 survey findings, access to information, TF and technology, and the role of the TFAF. This 
information was published in an article in their Business Insight publication.  
International Chamber of Co mmerce Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission 
(15 September 2020)  
18. The International Chamber of Commerce held a meeting for the Members of its Customs and 
Trade Facilitation Commission to provide an update on its activities. AT this meeting the WTO 
prese nted the results of the TF and COVID -19 survey results, TFAF resources, and an explanation 
of the role of the WTO TF Committee.  
Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (Ga) Private Sector Working Group 
(16 September  2020)  
19. The GA organized a meeting for its private sector working group to provide an update on their 
work. The WTO presented the results of the TF and COVID -19 survey results, TFAF resources, and 
an update on the WTO TF Committee meetings. The meeting was attended by their approximately 
65 glo bal business partners.  G/TFA/W/28  
 
- 4 - 
 
  ITTC Capacity -building webinar for ECOWAS - (15-16 September in English and 
5-6 October in French)  
20. The ITTC organized an event for government officials, Chambers of Commerce, national trade 
facilitation committees, institutions and s pecialised agencies in the ECOWAS region. The topics 
covered included the TFA, a regional ECOWAS proposed TFA implementation timeline, the WTO TFA 
database, the role of national trade facilitation committees, the TFAF grants. Sixty -seven and 42 
participant s respectively.  
COMSEC Trade Working Group. Guidelines for Establishing Effective National Trade 
Facilitation Bodies in the OIC Countries. (22 September 2020)  
21. WTO Secretariat presented in the 15th Meeting of the COMSCEC Trade Working Group for 
Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. The focus of this meeting was on national 
trade facilitation committees and featured the launch of the new COMSEC Guidelines for Establishing 
Effective National Trade Facilitation Bodies in the OIC Coun tries. The WTO presented the global view 
of national trade facilitation committees, the role of the WTO TF Committee, and the TFA state of 
play. Several countries presented case studies on their committees. The meeting was attended by 
approximately 65 comp uters (in some cases multiple officials) from OIC countries.  
Regional Workshop for Pacific Island Countries. Towards a Pacific Regional Trade 
Facilitation Strategy: key issues, challenges and opportunities. (6 and 8 October 2020)  
22. The Commonwealth Small Sta tes Office and Pacific Islands Forum, in cooperation with WTO 
and Annex D partners, organized a two -part workshop on Trade Facilitation for Pacific Island 
countries. The activity provided a forum to discuss impacts and lessons learned from COVID -19 and 
how trade facilitation can help alleviate the impacts. The workshop included sessions on the 
CARICOM and OECS regional TF strategies that would have been presented in the workshop that 
was postponed. It also aimed to include the same participants that would h ave attended the 
postponed workshop. The WTO presented on the results of the TF and COVID -19 survey and TFAF 
resources. Approximately 80 people participated from 14 countries.  
23. A news release this event can be found here: https://www.forumsec.org/2020/10/09/pacific -
islands -forum -commonwealth -joint-media -release -pacific -islands -officials-discuss -regional -trade -
facilitation -approaches ; and https://tfafacility.org . 
IATA Cargo Border Management Webinar - (8 October 2020)  
24. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) conducted a webinar for i ts members that 
included a session on COVID -19 pandemic impact on cross border trade that was presented by the 
WTO and WCO. The WTO presented on numerous topics including: TFA state of play, the TF and 
COVID -19 survey and repository, TFAF role and resource s, measures taken by Members to cope 
with the pandemic, how private sector can encourage implementation of TF measures, and the role 
of the WTO TF Committee. Some 450 people were registered for this event.  
TFAF Webinar for Capital -based officials (14 Octob er 2020)  
25. Due to travel restrictions the TFAF was unable to fund the participation of capital -based 
officials in the WTO TF Committee meeting and dedicated session. In order to help capital -based 
officials to participate fully, the TFAF organized a webinar one week before the Committee meeting 
to explain the meeting program and formalities, how to use Interprefy, TFAF resources and grant 
program. Speakers were from TFAF and other colleagues in the Market Access Division. Invitations 
to this event were sent t hrough the missions. Around 45 people participated in the webinar.  
TFAF GRANT PROGRAM  
26. The TFAF awarded its first grant in September 2020. A consultant with extensive experience 
in the Caribbean and in Grenada was engaged to support Grenada's NTFC to fully develop an 
application for support to implement a number of its category C designations for which no other 
partner was identified. This work will be completed in 2020 and will again seek to identify bilateral G/TFA/W/28  
 
- 5 - 
 
  and regional donors and development partners in  Grenada or develop the needs into applications for 
TFAF Project Implementation Grants.  
27. A further 9 Members have completed Project Preparation Grant applications and only need to 
give the go -ahead for their application to be considered while one regional a pplication is close to 
completion. The TFAF will support these Members to have their applications considered and a grant 
awarded where they are eligible.  
28. We continue to present the TFAF grant program at every opportunity, including the recent 
webinar for c apital -based officials participating in this meeting remotely. We will encourage and 
support Members who have unmet needs among their category C designations to submit expressions 
of interest as a first step to seeking a TFAF Grant.  
WEBSITE  
Upgrade  
29. The TFA F began an upgrade and redesign of the website in order to significantly improve 
Member's access to information. The website's platform has not been updated since its launch in 
2014 so it needs to be updated in order to enhance user experience and host new  features and 
functions. The new version of the site will launch in mid to late 2021.  
Toolkit of TFA Resources by Provision  
30. The TFA Article Resources page contains over 400 resources in the form of guidelines, 
recommendations, technical notes, case studies , etc. that are grouped by TFA Article. To make it 
easier to see what is available we created a "toolkit" chart that lists all the resources in one 
downloadable document. This document called List of All Resources by Provision" can be found here: 
https://www.tfafacility.org/article -resources . 
Coordination of Partner Organizations  
31. As evidenced by the joint activities mentioned above the TFAF stayed in close contact with 
partner organizations. In addition to the document "ANNEX D+ TFA Implementation Support During 
COVID -19" that is mentioned above, the TFAF also organized an updated document on Annex D++ 
activities and resources for this October Committee meeting. This document wa s circulated to the 
Members and will be available on the website here:  https://tfafacility.org/implementation -support . 
Reports  
32. TFAF annual report. The TFAF annual report on activities for 2019 was completed in May and 
is available in all three WTO languages on the TFAFacility.org website here:  
https://www.tfafacility.org/annual -report -2019. 
Work Plan for 2021. A draft workplan that sets out the types of activities that will be conducted by 
the TFAF in 2021 was circulated to the Committee for comment last week. Members are welcome to 
send comment s or suggestions to TFAF@wto.org  by 12 November. The final report will be issued at 
the end of November and will be available in all three WTO languages on the TFAFacility.org website. 
Requests for specific activities ca n be made here:  https://wto.formstack.com/forms/tfaf_ta_virtual . 
 
__________