WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
7 July  2017 
(17-3649) Page: 1/41 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Aid for Trade  
    
 
  TRADE FACILITATION  
Joint OECD -WTO Aid -for-Trade Monitoring and Evaluation  Exercise  
for the Global Review  2017 
 
Contents  
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 2 
INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  3 
1  TRADE FACILITATION A S A DEVELOPMENT PRIO RITY  ................................ .................  4 
2  STATUS OF TRADE FACI LITATION AGREEMENT I MPLEMENTATION  ............................  13 
3  NATIONAL TRADE FACIL ITATION AGREEMENT IM PLEMENTATION SUPPORT  
NEEDS AND DONOR DIAL OGUES  ................................ ................................ ....................  17 
4  REGIONAL TRADE FACIL ITATION A GREEMENT IMPLEMENTAT ION SUPPORT 
NEEDS AND DONOR DIAL OGUES  ................................ ................................ ....................  27 
5  PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAG EMENT IN TRADE FACIL ITAITON AGREEMENT 
IMPLEMENTATION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  31 
CONCLUSION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  34 
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  35 
ANNEX 2  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  36 
ANNEX 3  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  41 
 
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
1.  This paper  presents an analysis of information  collected on  trade facilitation (TF) by the 2017 
Aid for Trade (AfT) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) exercise . Insights into TF priorities, status of 
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)  implementation , TFA implementation needs and aid -for-trade 
support are analysed in this document . The information presented is taken from  the 
111 questionnaire responses and 160 case stories that were received in response to the M&E  
exercise.   
2.  The analysis highlights that developing countries and their development partners view TF as a 
high priority  for AfT funding  and, more broadly, a s a key development objective. TFA ratification 
processes are well under way and partner countries e xpect to use flexibilities under Section II of 
the TFA. As such, additional Aid for Trade to implement the TFA will be sought. Many of the c ase 
stories (44% of which related to TF) show that AfT facilitation is already helping to reduce trade 
costs.  
3.  Speci fic messages emerging from the analysis include the following:  
 TF ranks highly as an AfT priority by both developing and least developed countries  
(LDCs) . Fifty -four of the 63 partner country respondents to the self -assessment 
questionnaire ranked it in the top five of their AfT priorit ies – up from 44 in 2015.  
 Most of the partner country respondents are planning to use flexibilities  under  Section II  
of the Agreement . More than half of the respondents indicated that Category B and 
C commitments are under pr eparation.  
 TFA implementation dialogues are well -advanced. Some  51 of the 62  developing country 
respondent countries  indicated that they were in a dialogue on TFA implementation with 
a development partner , while seven  respondents were not engaged in such d ialogue and 
four were unsure  as to whether it was taking place . 
 All seven  Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and transport corridors ( TCs) 
respondents  are engaging in a dialogu e with development partners on regional or 
corridor actions to implement the T FA or to undertake broader TF actions.  
 Among the 40 donors that responded to the questionnaire, 13 stated that they provide 
direct nationa l programming/project support. Half of the donor  respondents  also provide 
funding to implement the TFA through regiona l or m ultilateral funds. Some donors 
provide funding both bilatera lly and regional ly/multilateral ly, while eight stated that they 
do not provide funding in this area.  
 The private sector is support ing implementation of the TFA through project o r 
programme i dentification  and implementation  in-country , and through global business 
associations  and initiatives at global level.  
4.  The M&E exercise highlights the dynamic and significant ongoing activities relating to TFA 
implementation. It also underscores the necess ity for continued efforts to support implementation. 
Fifty-six out of 63 (89%) partner countries indicated that they plan to use the flexibilities set out in 
Section II of the TFA. The top three disciplines of the TFA cited by partner countries and for whi ch 
they are seeking support are: Article 8 (Border Agency Cooperation), Art icle 7 (Release and 
Clearance of Goods) and Art icle 1 (Publication and Availability of Information).  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  INTRODUCTION  
5.  This document provides an overview of the information collected on  TF by the 2017 AfT M&E 
exercise . It collates material  from two sources : responses to self-assessment questionnaires and 
submissions of case stories . The self -assessment questionnaire was addressed to partner countries 
(develop ing and LDCs ), RECs/TCs, dono rs (bilateral, multilateral) and South -South partners . 
Figure 1 below breaks down the responses  received by respondent . Figure 2 provides a breakdown 
of submissions  made in response to the call for case stories . Further information on respondents is 
provid ed in Annex 1.  
Figure 1 . Self-assessmen t questionnaires by respondents  
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
Figure 2 . Case stories by focus1 
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
                                                
1 Figure 2 is based on the 143 case stories received at the time of drafting.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  6.  The analysis of the TF information submitte d by respondents to the AfT M&E exercise is 
organized as follows : Section 1 discusses TF as a development priority as reflected in national and 
regional development plans . Section 2 examines the status of TFA implementation  reported by  
partner countries . Section 3 discusses TFA implementation  needs , on-going dialogues  with donors 
and examples of implementation support submitted as case stories . Section 4 discusses the same 
topics , but from a regional perspective . Section 5 discusses private sector participa tion in TFA 
implementation support activities . The final section concludes.  
1  TRADE FACILITATION AS A DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY  
Figure 3 . Trade facilitation as a priority for partner c ountries2 
1113 13
4312
917
9
7
First Second Third Fourth Fifth2015 2017
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
7.  From figure 3 , it is clear that TF ranks high ly as an AfT priority . Indeed, the prioritization of TF 
has increased  since the last M&E exercise  in 2015. At the time,  some 44 (77%) partner countries  
had ranked TF at the top of their AfT priorities . This number rose to 61 (87%) respondents in 
2017.  
Figure 4 . Partner Countries Aid -for-Trade Priorities  
54
39
30
29
24
23
20
20
19
19
10
8
8
2
10 10 20 30 40 50 60
Trade facilitation
Export diversification
Trade policy analysis, negotiations and implementation
Transport infrastructure (airport, roads, rail, port)
International competitiveness
Regional integration
Services development
Network infrastructure (power, water, telecommunications)
Connecting to value chains
Industrialization
Network and/or transport infrastructure of a cross border…
E-commerce
Other (please specify)
WTO accession
Adjustment costs
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
8.  Furthermore, the partner country questionnaire responses suggest that TF is being integrated 
(i.e. mainstreamed) as a pri ority in development policy frameworks.3 Eighty -four per cent  of 
                                                
2 The same M&E exercise was conducted for the Global Review of Aid for Trade  2015. A similar number 
of partner count ry responses in 2015 (61) were also collected in 2017 (63 responses).  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  respondents indicated  that TF was a priority in their national development strategies  – up from 
45% in 2015 . TF is also being better reflected as a priority in regional trade agreements with 55% 
of respondents noting it as a priority  area – up fro m 32% in 2015.  
9.  TF is also growing as a priority in regional development strategies  – 36% of respondents noting 
it as a priority – up 10 % from 2015 . Lastly, regional infrastructure  categories are also capturing TF 
in the view of 25 % of respondents  – up from 13 % in 2015 . TF has remained relatively constant in 
national sectoral strategies (up 3 % to reach 38 % of respondents)  and national infrastructure 
strategies (from 29 to 31 %). 
10.  Box 1  below highlights ho w TF is being reflected as a priority in development policies on the 
basis of additional information directly quoted from some respons es to the 2017 self-assessment 
questionnaire.  
Box 1 . Quotes from Member responses on trade facilitation as a development p riority  
Barbados : The region has adopted a coordinated approach to the implementation of the TFA to 
complement national efforts.  
 
Botswana : The Southern African Customs Union is in the process of developing a strategy on how 
the TFA can be implemented at a  regional level . Southern African Development Community 
(SADC)  has also developed a strategy that reflects the broader obligation of the TFA and suggests 
how members can achieve the implementation of the TFA.  
 
Burkina Faso : Trade facilitation is one of the  two axes in Burkina Faso's medium term plan.  
 
Central African Republic (CAR ): As the CAR is a landlocked country, trade facilitation is a 
starting point in reducing trade costs.  
 
Chad : [Trade facilitation is] a  priority in the national & regional developm ent policy.  
 
El Salvador : Trade facilitation is reflected as a priority in the Government's Five Year 
Development Plan 2014 -2019 and the Central American Trade Facilitation Strategy with Emphasis 
on Coordinated Border Management (in effect since October 2 015). Work is under way at national 
level to draw up a national trade facilitation policy and a mobility and logistics policy . Trade 
facilitation is one of the priority pillars in El  Salvador's Production Promotion Law.  
 
Guatemala : In addition to the nation al strategy, trade facilitation is included in the regional 
development strategy with a broader conception of trade facilitation.  
 
Malawi : Malawi developed a N ational Trade F acilitat ion Action P lan (NTF -AP) to guide 
imple mentation of trade facilitation programmes at national level . NTF-AP was developed by 
consolidating and prioritising recommendations from various study reports in the area of trade 
facilitation.  
 
Niger : As a landlocked country, Niger sees in trade and transport facilitation a means to 
strengthen its access to the sea and to enshrine freedom of transit.  
 
Pakistan : Pakistan eyes US$150 billion  exports by 2025 under Vision -2025, which requires a 
paradigm shift in nature and composition of exports by adding value and introducing innovation in 
existing export regime . Government is simultaneously working on major initiatives on economic 
integration and regional connectivity to turn Pakistan into a major trade and manufacturing hub in 
the region . China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), TAPI and KAS A 1000 -MGW are the major 
projects for economic integration and regional connectivity, which would enormously benefit 
Pakistan and region.  
 
                                                                                                                                                  
3 In the 2015  M&E exercise , none of the questions contained in the donor, South -South and REC/TC 
questionnaires probed as to the mainstreaming of TF in policy documents.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  Rwanda : Trade facilitation is reflected in both national and regional development policies as 
regional integration i s among government priorities.  
 
Sri Lanka : Trade Facilitation plays a key strategic role in Sri Lanka's economic development. In 
view of this importance, Sri Lanka has duly ratified TFA at an early date.  
 
Zambia : [The] current NDS (National Development Str ategy) was crafted before the 
establishment of the TFA. At national level Zambia has a National Trade Facilitation committee to 
oversee all Trade Facilitation Related Matters. At regional level Trade Facilitation is reflected as a 
priority in a broader sen se through the African Union initiatives.  
Source : OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
11.  Sixty-two of the 63 partner country respondents (98 %) stated that TF is reflected as a priority 
in thei r national development policy . Most of them  (46 or 73 % of the sample) replied that TF is 
integrated  as a priority in the national development strategy using a broad conception of TF 
(e.g. trade and transport facilitation ). Fewer respondents (13 or 21 %) stated that their national 
development strategy included a d irect link to the TFA. Fifty-two out of 61  (85%) said that TF was 
prioritiz ed in their national developm ent strategy, 38  (62%) noted that it was reflected in their  
national trade strategy, 24 (39 %) stated it was in their n ational sectoral strategy and 20 ( 32%) 
highlighted it as a priority in their national infrastructure development strategy.  
12.  In its partner country questionnaire , Mexico gave a detailed overview of how TF is reflected as 
a policy priority . Mexico  has promoted TF by developing a broad concept ion that seeks to deepen 
its scope and impact by considering the specificities and areas of opportunity for foreign trade in 
Mexico and the provisions of the TFA . This has led to the establishment of lines of action and 
strategies in the Government's progr amme documents (National Development Plan 2013  - 2018 
(PND) and the Innovative Development Programme 2013  - 2018 (PRODEINN)) . These lines of 
action and strategies have underpinned the design of a broad TF agenda based on the following 
three pillars : Trade Efficiency, Customs Procedures and Logistics Infrastructure . The TF agenda 
includes the announcement of some measures with a direct impact in relation to Article 1, 
Publication and Availability of Information of the TFA . These measures are:  
 The implementat ion of an electronic portal (Portal of the Mixed Commission for the 
Promotion of Exports (COMPEX)) which will answer requests for information and provide 
forms and documents, helping users involved in foreign trade to resolve problems 
throughout the import  and export process, thanks to coordinated action by the different 
government departments with responsibility for foreign trade matters ; and 
 
 The implementation of a single portal of the Government of the Republic containing all 
the information necessary t o become engaged in foreign trade (National Foreig n Trade 
Enquiry Point (SNICE)), which  through information management and access to 
innovative TF tools, will provide benefits to users ; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises  
(MSMEs) in particular, such as an information and knowledge database accessible 
without intermediaries, reducing the number o f websites from ten  to one and interaction 
with ten authorities at ten  different contact points to a single contact point.  
13.  Alongside these measures, two public consu ltations on foreign trade were launched in late 
2015. The first concerned impediments to trade and was aimed at enabling people with an interest 
in foreign trade to make suggestions, point out problems and put forward proposals regarding any 
area or aspect  of the country's foreign trade . It was completed in the first half of 2016, and the 
information is currently being processed and analysed with a view to drawing up a work 
programme aimed at making regulatory, administrative, operational, logistics and inf rastructure 
improvements in the area of foreign trade . The second was a technical consultation on the way in 
which the changes adopted under the Sixth Amendment of the Harmonized System of the World 
Customs Organization (WCO) will be implemented in Mexico' s Tariff  Schedule . Those engaged in 
foreign trade were invited to share their views on the descriptions of the tariff headings to be 
modified, with a view to simplifying the Schedule . Both consultations were a key exercise in 
government openness and dialog ue that allowed more efficient communication between the 
population, the trade sector and the government.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  14.  Likewise, the revis ed Customs Law of December 2 013 brought domestic provisions in  line with 
international best practices in customs matters, such as t he elimination of the customs agent 
requirement, which has put Mexico in a position to accede to instruments such as the WCO 
Revised Kyoto Convention . TF is a priority under customs policy 4/20 and also a priority of 
international customs policy, as eviden ced by the Strategic Customs Plan 2013 -2018, whose two 
main thrusts are facilitation and control.  
15.  Case stories also explained  how TF is being pursued as a priority in national and regional 
development planning . One such case  story (CS) from Burundi (CS 130) explains how , with 
regional sea ports over 1000  km away and in neighbouring countries, Burundi gives particular 
importance to TF in its policies . Burundi has established a national committee in charge of 
implementing the TFA, to assess the country's TF needs in and solicit the help of donors, assess 
the type an d level of actions to be taken and to contribute to raise awareness among both the 
public and private s ector for matters related to TF. The role of the Trade Facilitation C ommittee is 
also to  define  Burundi's position in regional and international fora with regards to TF, monit or and 
evaluate the status of TF negotiations . The case story provided information on various actions that 
Burundi has taken since 2005 to advance TF, including:  
 In 2005 the co untry's customs were upgraded to ASYCUDA standard of automation  and 
then to ASYCUDA++ in 2011.  
 
 Traffic at border posts has been streamlined though the signing of bilateral agree ments 
with bordering countries.  
 
 Burundi  has also improved its regional cooper ation with the Common Market for Eastern 
and Southern Afri ca (COMESA) joining its harmoniz ed system designed to eliminate 
superfluous administrative costs.  
 
 Plans have been drawn  to build a railway linking count ries of the Great Lakes region.  
 
 In addition to the harmoniz ed payment system, Burundi is enforcing a transport licence 
system that allows trucks to hold a unique licence that allows drivers to work in ever y 
one of the countries crossed.  
 
 At the level of the East African Community (EAC)  the country h as put in place a national 
committee in charge of identifying and eliminating o bstacle s to non -tariff barriers.  
 
 The Revenue Digital Data Exc hange System interconnects the five  administ ration s of the 
EAC member states with  one-stop border posts.  
 
 At the le vel of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Central 
Africa Transport Plan seeks to integrate road lines between Bujumbura and Kinshasa.  
16.  Box 2 below provides an overview of the information provided on prioritization of TF within the  
case stories provided by WTO Netherlands Trainees and Mission Interns as part of the non -official 
reports they submitted on the status of TF in their own countries.  
Box 2 . Prioritization of trade facilitation in national and regional development strategie s 
A total of ten case stories were submitted by participants of the  WTO Netherlands Trainee and 
Mission Internship Programme (NTP/MIP). These case stories examine the place of TF in national 
and regional development strategies – together with the motivatio ns to prioritize TF as a 
development priority.  
 
The case story from Guinea (CS 132) illustrates the importance of TF by providing a  quote: 
whereas shipping a car from Japan to Abidjan costs US$1500, shipping the same car from Abidjan 
to Addis Ababa cost s US$5000. The author encouraged the African Development Bank (AfDB) and 
other donors to scale up their response s in financing aid for TF to help address implementation 
challenges faced by African countries. This  would be feasible through  making use of  AfDB's  
comparative advantage in terms of infrastru cture investments  and because growing awareness of 
the need to bridge the hard -soft infrastructure continuum by ensuring that soft aspects are 
mainstreamed within transport infrastructure projects right from the design stage. He also WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  encouraged the Bank to step up economic and sectoral work in this area and provide sound policy 
advice, identify  the lessons learnt and monitor results in regional member countries.  
 
The regional dimension was also perceptible in Buru ndi's case story (CS  130). A s a landlocked 
country improving trade logistics required extensive regional cooperation and investment in 
national and regional infrastructure , both at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(COMESA) and at  the East African Community (EAC) level. Burundi had ratified COMESA's Regional 
Customs Bond Guarantee Scheme, which aims to eliminate superfluous administrative and 
financial costs, collaborated in the constructions of the Great Lakes railway, levied  COMESA 
harmoni zed transit toll and  applied COMESA's transport licensing system. In addition, Burundi had 
set up a national committee to monitor the mechanism for identifying and eliminating non -tariff 
barriers (NTBs) within the EAC and participated in the construction o f the regional link between 
countries of the region. A COMESA, EAC, Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
Tripartite Free Trade Agreement was expected to open up new trade opportunities. A Revenue 
Authorities Digital Data Exchange system had been e stablish ed to connect five customs authorities 
within  the EAC. Another innovative measure was the installation of one -stop border posts to 
streamline customs procedures and reduce  the almost permanent queues at customs offices by 
improving response time.  
 
Togo (CS  133) highlighted the economic importance of ports and transport corridors for its 
economy and its neighbours '. The mission intern from Togo cited high service costs due to multiple 
services and taxes at the port, on the corridors and in transit as  factors driving the TF agenda 
nationally. In terms of sustainable infrastructure , the AfDB had played a leading role in the 
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (CS 137) with measures aimed at supporting employment 
and productivity. In 2014, transport times  were reduced from three to two  days, transport costs 
were down 5% and trade flows grew 10%. With regards  to regional integration , two studies  had 
been validated : one on the Kinshasa -Brazzaville connection and another to create multi -modal 
transpo rt betwee n the DRC, Congo and C had. The importance of ports and transport corridors was 
also highlighted by Burundi which outlined its trade and transport orientations in several of its 
policy documents ("Burundi 2015", its Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategic Fr amework, the 
East African Community Trade Policy Review and its Infrastructure Action Plan).  
 
Burundi had also set up a National Trade Facilitation Committee responsible for coordinating TFA 
implementation activities, identifying the country's needs in ord er to apply for funding from 
development partners, assessing the type and level of action required to implement the 
Agreement's range of measures, contributing to raising awareness of matters relating to TF, 
determining Burundi's position prior to regional  and international meetings , and monitoring and 
evaluating mission reports on national negotiations. In terms of policy documents, Togo 
highlighted the TF section of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS) completed in 2010 
within the framework of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) as offering a useful road map 
for action on this issue. The DTIS recommended action on eliminating illicit controls and reducing 
official controls to a minimum, accelerating standards compliance by trucks so as to en able the 
single window and other measures to speed up clearance in the port. Comoros 2007 DTIS (CS  
131) recommended that the Union of the Comoros should use exposure to regional and 
international markets as both a tool for economic development and a soluti on to the country's 
insularity. As a response, the Comoros has capitalised upon many regional options including by 
joining COMESA and its free trade agreement in 2006, several other trade agreement s were also 
signed . Advantage was taken of the GSP schemes and the emergence of the BRICS. The case 
story relates several TF projects including the US$5 million  single window programme, a US$ 9.7 
million institutional support for transport and TF programme which includes an upgrading of ports 
and customs modernisat ion as well as a central corridor facilitation agency and, a US$6  million 
upgrading of the existing IT system to expedite cargo clearance times (ASYCUDA World).  
 
Togo also highlighted how TF features in National Accelerated Development and Promotion of 
Employment Strategy (SCAPE) for 2013 -2017. The SCAPE gives a prominent place to the TF 
component in its strategic goals in the case of axis two: strengthening economic infrastructure 
through the corridor development using modern efficient multimodal transport , notably (i) 
maritime transport infrastructure (Autonomous Port of Lomé); (ii) road infrastructure; (iii) the rail 
network; (iv) as well as the airports for air transport. In this perspective, Togo intends to develop 
a strategic plan of development of tra nsport by 2030 as  an important tool of planning. At the level 
of customs, important innovations were introduced such as ASYCUDA ++ which allows the 
customs agents to make the statements by internet  – customs  officials  have much to do to reduce WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  the delays a nd expenses that they cause.  
 
The DRC intern outlined how his country had benefitted from financial and technical assistance 
from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie  (OIF), from Aid for Trade and from the 
International Trade Centre (ITC) (CS  129). A national workshop, organised in Kinshasa in 2014, 
resulted in the preparation of the country's Categories A, B and C notifications  for the elaboration  
of the TFA instrument of ratification.  
 
The Union of the Comoros placed importance on reducing b ottlenecks encountered through the 
trading process and pointed out the needs for technical assistance to support the development of 
the legal framework, provide technical experts (to enable the use of ASYCUSA++ for International 
Ship and Port Facility Secu rity (ISPS) regulations, with equipment, training of customs officers and 
awareness -raising among civil society and parliament.  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
17.  Thirty -four out of 61 (56 %) partner country respondents said that TF was p rioritiz ed in 
regional trade agreements, 23  respondents  (38%) noted it in their regional developmen t strategy, 
16 respondents (27 %) highlighted it in their regiona l infrastructure strategy and 16 respondents 
(22%) pointed to TF as a priority in their re gional corridor strategy . Box 3 below highlights the 
additional comments directly quoted from partner countries  and RECs/TCs in reply to the question 
as to how TF was reflected as a priority in national or regional development policy.  
Box 3 . Quotes on Member responses as to whether trade facilitation is reflected as a 
priority in national or regional development polic ies 
[Trade facilitation is reflected in the…]  
 
Antigua & Barbuda: …Caribbean Community Aid for Trade Development Strategy 2015 OECS 
Growth and De velopment Strategy.  
 
Botswana: … Southern African Customs Union has some work on Customs cooperation and the 
Tripartite has a chapter on Trade Facilitation that mirrors the TFA.  
 
Caribbean Community  (CARICOM) : Trade Facilitation elements are captured in th e CARICOM 
Harmonized Customs Legislation and Regulations. CARICOM is presently developing a Regional 
policy on Trade Facilitation in response to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
 
Comoros: Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) of Comoros [which]  puts great emphasis on 
trade facilitation. It is important to report that Comoros is not party to the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement.  
 
Costa Rica : At national level, it can be found in the National Development Plan (PND), and at 
regional level in the Central A merican Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness Strategy.  
 
Congo : …National trade strategy, Trade Policy Review, Diagnostic Trade Integration Study and 
National Development Strategy: 2017 -2027 strategic plan to validate.  
 
Côte d'Ivoire : …WAEMU & ECOWAS Inte r State transit protocol.  
 
Dominica : … Growth and Social Protection Strategy.  
 
Gabon : … Emergent Gabon Strategic Plan.  
 
The Gambia : The National Trade Strategy is being developed with support of the EIF and is 
expected to cover the Gambia's trade facilitat ion capacity needs as reflected in the Gambia's 
Category B and C notifications.  
 
Guatemala : There is a Central American Strategy for trade facilitation.  
 
Guinea : …Trade policy document, Trade Policy Action Programme, Diagnostic Trade Integration 
Study (DTI S). WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  Guyana : … 3rd WTO Trade Policy Review of Guyana (Sept 2015).  
 
Honduras : … Agreement No 01 -2015 (COMIECO - LXXIII) date d 22 October 2015 by COMIECO.  
 
Mexico : …National Development Plan 2013 2018 (National Development Strategy, national trade 
strategy, n ational infrastructure development strategy) ‒ Innovative Development Programme 
2013 2018 (national trade strategy, national sectoral strategy) ‒ Working Group on Trade 
Facilitation of the Business Advisory Council for Economic Growth in Mexico ‒ (a) Pacif ic Alliance 
Subgroup on Trade Facilitation and Customs Cooperation (regional trade agreements).  
 
Namibia : …Transport and Logistics Master Plan.  
 
Niger : … The trade policy document, the DTIS and the sectoral policy for transport development 
ensure that trad e facilitation.  
 
Pakistan : … Pakistan Vision 2025. Government's vision is to achieve sustainable economic growth 
by having major thrust on export sector. The China -Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) offers a unique 
opportunity to Pakistan to integrate with regio nal developments and become a hub for trade and 
manufacturing. Pakistan is also aiming to take advantage of the Central Asia Regional Economic 
Cooperation (CAREC) Program as it helps Central Asia and its neighbours realise their significant 
potential by pr omoting regional cooperation and trade facilitation.  
 
Papua New Guinea : … National Executive Council Decisions.  
 
Senegal : … Emerging Senegal Plan Strategy Paper on regional integration for West Africa 2011 -
2015 Regional Indicative Programme, 11th European Development Fund.  
 
Uganda : … National Trade Sector Development Plan Northern Corridor Implementation Projects 
National Development Plan 2.  
 
Yemen : …DTIS update  [which]  has underscored it as a priority area. Yemen is a member of the 
Great Arab Free Trade Ar ea (GAFTA), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Yemen is 
aiming to include the trade facilitation as a separate policy in the near future within its National 
Development Strategy.  
 
Zambia : … National Trade Policy, National Export Strategy and Na tional Development Plan.  
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
18.  Ten partner country respondents indicated that TF would be included as a priority in future 
development planning documents  - with eight respondents stating it would be prioritiz ed in their 
national trade strategy, six  noted in their national sectoral strategy, three  in their nati onal 
development strategy and, two  in their infrastructure development strategy . At the regional level, 
four said that TF would figure in reg ional trade agreements  (RTAs) , two  in their reg ional 
development strategy and one  in their regional infrastructure strategy.  
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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19.  Among the regional economic 
community/transport corridor ( REC/TC ) 
questionnaire respondents, all the submissions 
noted that TF is a priority in their regional 
development strategies . The Walvis Bay Group, 
the Commission of the Economic Community of 
West African States (ECOWAS) and Trade  Mark 
East Africa noted that TF was a priority in their 
regional infrastructure strategies . ECOWAS and 
the Wal vis Bay Group replied that it was a 
priority in their regional corridor strategies . The 
EAC noted that TF was a priority in its regional 
customs strategy . ECOWAS noted that it is in 
the process of finalising its Community Code 
which will provide an impleme ntation framework 
for a number of the TFA provisions including 
Publication and Availability of Information, 
Authorized Operators, Border Agency 
Cooperation, Conveyance and Customs Control 
of Goods . Other initiatives which support 
implementation of TFA incl ude the 
establishment of Joint Border Posts, improving 
customs interconnectivity.  Figure 5 . RECs/TC A id-for-trade Priorities  
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
20.  TF is reflected in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Growth and 
Development Strategy . The Caribbean organization  has agreed to establish a customs union to 
facilitate free circulation of goods . Since obligations arising from the  TFA are important to facilitate 
circulation of goods, there is an agreement to imple ment measures at the regional level as far as 
practicable . In addition OECS member s tates are also parties to the CARICOM  single market and 
economy which requires regional harmoni zation in t he implementation of measures . 
21.  Among donor respondents, 36 of the 
42 (86%) submissions indicated that TF was 
reflected as a priority in their AfT 
programming . For 17 donors (41 %) this was 
done through their AfT strategy with a 
broader conception of TF (e.g. trade  and 
transport facilitation). Ten  of the 42  donor 
responden ts (24 %) stated that there was a 
direct link to the TFA in their TF 
programming . TF was also apparent in 
overarching development strategies for 
15 donors (36 %), in the broader sense of 
transport and TF for 12 donors (29 %) and 
with a direct link to the TFA for 3 donors 
(7%). Box 4 gives an overview of additional 
information provid ed by donors in response 
to the  question as to how TF is reflected as a 
priority in AfT programming.      Figure 6 . Donor A id-for-trade Priorities  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid-for-Trade M&E exercise  (2017) . 
 
22.  Many  developing countries remain  unable to ben efit from  the opportunities afforded b y 
international market s where goods typically fetch higher prices . This situation affects  traders of  
many regions where exchanges are stifled by bureauc ratic hurdles, lengthy customs procedures 
0 10 20 30 40
Trade facilitation
Trade policy analysis, negotiations…
Connecting to value chains
International competitiveness
Regional integration
Transport infrastructure (airport,…
Network infrastructure (power,…
Export diversification
Services development
E commerce
WTO accession
Other (please specify)
Industrialization
Network and/or transport…
Adjustment costsDonor AfTprioritiesWT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 12 - 
 
  and difficulties obtaining import and export licences . To address this situation, Germany has 
engaged in a range of TF activities (CS 66) with a view to reduc ing trade costs and increas ing the 
competitiveness of developing countries international ly. These activities  can be regrouped around 
five areas : 
 Policy advice on TF; 
 Coordination and linking actors and stakeholders;  
 Advisory services and technical assistance in the improvement of customs procedures;  
 Advisory se rvices in the areas of regulatory, quality and safety standards ; and 
 Advice on transportation, regulation an d infrastructure.  
23.  Case stor ies submitted by Germany  further outlines how in Central Asia, the German Federal 
Ministry of Economic Cooperation and De velopmen t supported partners in moderniz ing national 
standards organiz ations , simplify ing procedures for the verification of these standards  and 
promoting  the establishment of a single window system . In ECOWAS, Germany is assisting with 
the implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) which enforces  duty-free 
transactions  within the region, reducing bureaucratic obstacles and working with the private sector 
to improve ETLS regulations . In both regions, this has resulted in lower trade cos ts, fewer trade 
barriers and an increased access to foreign markets . Longer -term impacts are expected to be 
economic growth, job creation and personal development opportunities for each and every 
individual.  
Box 4 . Quotes on Member responses on whether tra de facilitation is reflected as a 
priority in their Aid-for-Trade programming  
AfDB : We have an in -house facility called the Africa Trade Fund which allocates a significant 
portion of resources to the implementation of aspects of the TFA.  
 
Australia : Objective one of the Strategy for Australia's Aid for Trade Investments, released in 
July 2015, is 'to improve the regulatory environment in developing countries '. 'Trade and 
investment policy and trade facilitation ' is the first priority area linked to this obj ective . Trade 
facilitation is one of the key pillars of Australia 's six aid investment priorities, as outlined in 
Australia 's development policy available at http://dfat.gov.au/aid/Page s/australias -aid-
program.aspx . Australia broadly defines trade facilitation and related assistance as all activities 
and efforts that remove obstacles to the movement of goods and services across borders . This 
includes simplification and harmonisation of import and export procedures , support to customs 
departments , tariff reforms , sanitary and phytosanitary measures  and regulatory reform.  
 
Canada : Yes, Overall Development Strategy with a broader conception of trade facilitation 
(e.g. trade and transport fa cilitation) . 
 
European Union : 2007 EU joint Aid for Trade St rategy currently under revision  to include explicit 
references to the TFA.  
 
France : France is extremely eager to see the Trade Facilitation Agreement that was concluded in 
Bali in December 2 013 ac tually come into force so that we can give our development partners new 
export opportunities by increasing the fluidity of trade and improving the efficiency of border 
control procedures . In this connection, France was able to support the International Tra de Centre 
in 2014 in launching a regional trade facilitation project directed towards the WAEMU Secretariat 
and its member States to help them to programme their commitments under the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 13 - 
 
  New Zealand:  The New Zealand Aid Programm e's 'Trade and Labour Mobility' investment priority 
includes 'improve trade facilitation and market access with implementation assistance for the 
Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus, and support to improve biosecurity 
and customs sy stems' as a focus area. For reference, see p20 of the New Zealand Aid Programme 
Investment Priorities 2015 -19 https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid -and-development/our -approach -
to-aid/ 
 
Sweden:  Of the total spending on support to Trade Policy and Regulations in 2016, around 11% 
(30m SEK) was spent on trade facilitation.  
UNDP:  UNDP provides Aid for Trade support as per the priorities of its Strategic Plan 2014 -2017 
which may includ e in certain country and regional programmes support to trade facilitation. This is 
the case in particular, of UNDP's support under the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States which 
has a component on trade facilitation.  
 
United Kingdom:  Supporting develo ping countries to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Agreement is a core part of DFID's Trade for Development Department's business plan and an 
important element of DFID's economic development portfolio.  
 
World Bank Group (WBG):  This is an area of strong  demand. With support from donor partners 
the WBG implements a US$36 million Trade Facilitation Support Program, which is targeted at 
supporting TFA implementation and connecting countries to larger -scale support for 
implementation from the WBG or other pa rtners. Trade facilitation is included in the WBG Trade 
Strategy and is a key theme in the Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice. Wider trade 
facilitation (e.g. encompassing transport issues, competition policy, and the services sector) is a 
growing pr iority. The WBG also has a leading role in a number of international partnerships on 
trade facilitation, including the "Annex D" group, the Global Infrastructure Connectivity Alliance, 
and the Global Facilitation Partnership for Transportation and Trade.  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
24.  Brazil, Chile and Indonesia responded to the South -South assistance self -assessment 
questionnaire . In its response, Indonesia indicated that TF was reflected in its AfT strategy with a  
broad conception . In Brazil's strategy, TF was reflected with a direct link to the TFA. In Chile's  
strategy , TF was not reflected as a priority.  
25.  Brazil submitted a case story ( CS 83) about the TFA implementation support it offered other 
Portuguese -speaking  WTO Members . This  was done  in collaboration with the ITC after both  had 
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to coordinate actions to provide technical 
assistance to African countries on TF initiatives . As a result of this MoU, two workshops were held, 
in Angola and Mozambique, with a focus on the implementation of TFA measures . The workshops 
had good results as they allowed for an exchange of experiences between the Brazilian, Angolan 
and the Mozambican governments . One of the most positive aspects of this cooperatio n is the 
synergy from the joint contribution of governments which are currently implementing TF initiatives 
and an AfT implementing institution . The following steps of this cooperation will encompass the 
continuation of provision of technical assistance, m ainly through videoconferences, and the 
exchange of experiences and expertise as the countries advance in the implementation of the TFA 
provisions.  
2   STATUS OF T RADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  IMPLEMENTATION  
26.   Implementation of the TFA is a dynamic process . The analysis in this section is based on 
the status of implementation at the end of January 2 017.4 On February 22, the TFA entered 
into force with 11 2 instruments of acceptance deposited . Of the 61 partner countries that outlin ed 
their ratification status, 30  had already ratifi ed the TFA by depositing their instrument of 
acceptance . Table 1 summarizes the status of deposit of instruments of acceptance for the TFA as 
indicated by the responding countries.  
                                                
4 As of 22 Febru ary 2017, 110 WTO Members had deposited their instruments of acceptance before the 
legal entry into force of the TFA.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Table 1. Partner country responde nts s tatus of deposit of instruments of acceptance for 
the Trade Facilitation Agreement ( January 2 017)  
Acceptance of 
Amendment Protocol 
("Trade Facilitation 
Agreement 
ratification") 
deposited  
 Acceptance of 
Amendment Protocol 
("Trade Facilitation 
Agreement  
ratification") but not 
yet deposited  
 Acceptance of 
Amendment 
Protocol ("Trade 
Facilitation 
Agreement 
ratification") 
awaiting 
parliamentary or 
executive 
approval  Acceptance of 
Amendment 
Protocol ("Trade 
Facilitation 
Agreement 
ratification") not 
yet prepar ed 
 
(33 respondents)  (4 respondents)  (21 respondents)  (3 respondents)  
Bangladesh, Belize, 
Benin, Botswa na, Cote 
d'Ivoire, Dominica, 
El Salvador, Gabon, 
Grenada, Honduras, Lao 
PDR, Lesotho, 
Madagascar, Mali, 
Mauritius, Mexico, 
Myanmar, Niger, 
Pakistan, Pa raguay, 
Peru, Philippines, 
Rwanda, Samoa, 
Senegal, Sri Lanka, 
Saint Kitts and Nevis, 
Saint Lucia, S aint 
Vincent and the 
Grenadines,  Togo, 
Uruguay, Viet  Nam, 
Zambia  Cameroon, the Central 
African Republic, 
Guinea, Uganda  Burkina Faso, 
Burundi, Colombia, 
Congo, Congo, 
Costa Rica, 
Democratic Republic 
of the Congo,  
Dominican Republic, 
The Gambia, 
Guatemala, Guinea -
Bissau , Indonesia, 
Malawi, Namibia, 
Nepal, Papua New 
Guinea, Sierra 
Leone, Suriname, 
Tanzania, Zimbabwe  
 Antigua and 
Barbuda, Barbados,  
Tonga and Yeme n 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility  & OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
27.  A series of ca se stories shed further  light on national processes for  TFA ratification . The 
Republic of Myanmar  (CS 59) noted that it had always been supportive of the multilateral trading 
system. Despite its supply -side constraints, Myanmar presented the country's instruments of 
acceptance and had handed over its ratification of the TFA to Director -General Roberto Azev êdo at 
the 10th WTO Ministerial C onference in Nairobi. Myanmar had been striving to overcome its 
challenges and constraints and hoped that international organizations, donor countries and other 
development partners would work alongside it to improve the so cio-economic condition of its 
people . Economic research and field evidence show that removing administrative and regulatory 
bottlenecks at borders can have powerful effects on reducing trade costs and increasing trade .  
28.  According to Myanmar, the TFA allows  LDCs to determine when it will implement each TF 
measure, and to determine the support needed for its implementation.  Philippines (CS  57) and 
Saint Vinc ent and  the Grenadines (CS 143) describe  how their governments, having ratified the 
TFA, are already ta king steps to implement commitments.  The conclusion of the TFA negotiations 
in Bali prompted  the Philippines to pass legislation for Modernizing Customs and Tariff 
Administration in 2016. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines implemented the customs "Gold Card"  
program for Authorized Economic Operators (TFA Art. 7) to benefit fro m faster clearance at 
borders. Table  2 summarizes the status of Category A commitments by partner country responses 
to the AfT M&E exercise . WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Table 2. Status of Ca tegory A commitments of Member responses to the M &E exercise  
(as at 22 February  2016)  
Status  Number  % Member  
Category A 
commitments 
deposited  36 66% Barbados , Botswana , Burundi , Cameroon , Central African 
Republic , Chad, Colombia , Congo, Côte d'Ivoire , Dominica, 
El Salvador , Gabon, Grenada , Guatemala , Indonesia , Lao PDR , 
Madagascar, Malawi , Mauritius , Namibia , Pakistan , Papua New 
Guinea , Philippines , Samoa , Senegal , Sri Lanka , Saint Kitts and 
Nevis , Saint Lucia, S aint Vincent and the Grenadines , Rwanda, 
Suriname, Tanzania , Uganda , Uruguay , Zambia , Zimbabwe  
Category A 
commitments 
under preparation  12 22% Congo DRC , Dominican Republic , The Gambia , Guinea , Guinea -
Bissau , Lesotho , Mali, Myanmar , Niger, Togo, Tonga, Yemen  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exer cise (2017).  
 
29.   Nigeria deposited its instrument of acceptance of the TFA on 16 January 2 017. A case story 
(CS 62 ) outlines the process and support that Nigeria received in this regard . The DFID supported 
the development of its strategic action plan for the  period 2010 -2013 which was adopted and 
reviewed with support from the EU and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale 
Zusammenarbei t (GIZ) to achieve the categoriz ation of Nigeria's commitments . In addition, in 
2014, Nigeria benefited from an ITC prog ramme on TF aimed at assisting countries to categorize 
TF measures . The United States Agency for International Development  - Nigeria Expanded Trade 
and Transport Project  in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry and Trade is assisting 
the Nati onal Trade Facilitation Committee in preparing  Nigeria's T F implementation Commitment of 
its Category B and C . These various supports including the implementation of customs reform and 
modernization initiatives  and lead to the adoption of the Single Window  Trade Portal . The World 
Bank scoping mission to Nigeria in 2016  has assisted and continues  to assist the National 
Committee on Trade Facilitation .  
30.  More recently in October  2016, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 
(UNCTAD) organized th e Empowerment Programme for the N ational Committee on Trade 
Facilitation (N CTF) in Nigeria . The programme fits within the framework of the "Transparent Trade 
Procedures in the region of the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS)" project . The 
programm e is aimed at increasing the understanding of the NCTF on the benefits of TF benefits, its 
impact on development, its implications for global supply chain management, and best practices . 
The project was funded by the GIZ . Nigeria is also benefiting from th e ECOWAS -EU-BMZ-UNITAR 
e-Learning course on "WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement  & Regional Trade Facilitation Rules and 
Regulations " aimed at enhancing individuals' knowledge on the TFA.  Box 5 summarizes national TF 
ratification p rocesses highlighted in case stories  submitted by WTO NTP/MIP interns . 
Box 5 . National Trade Facilitation Ratification processes  
Further information on national ratific ation processes emerges from  case stories that were 
submitted by participants of the Netherlands Trainee and Mission  Internship Programme s. 
 
Burundi : As a general rule, binding international treaties signed by the Republic of Burundi must 
be ratified by Parliament before they are enacted by the Head of State . With regard to the WTO 
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), th e Ministry of Trade has already set up the National Trade 
Facilitation Committee  and the instrument to ratify the Protocol of Amendment . So far, Burundi 
has notified its C ategory A commitments under the TFA. (CS130)  
 
Comoros:  Though Comoros is an observer to the WTO, The Government is putting in place the 
following actions relating to the TFA: i) simplifying and expediting import and export procedures; 
ii) reducing import and export costs; iii) strengthening inter island relations and coordination; 
iv) increasing transparency, including through publication of information and the establishment of 
enquiry points; v) capacity building for customs officers and trade operators; vi) building transport 
infrastructure (roads, ports and airports); vii) establishing a  framework where all stakeholders are 
involved in formulating TF policy and regulations; viii) providing the traders concerned with 
protection against customs decisions or omissions that are not fully in conformity with the laws 
and regulations in force; i x) establishing measures on fees, taxes and the imposition of fair, 
transparent, impartial penalties; x) modernizing customs (migration to ASYCUDA World). (CS131)  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 16 - 
 
  DRC:  In the Democratic Republic of Congo, draft laws for ratification of an international bi nding 
instrument are prepared by the Ministry responsible foreign affairs and submitted for adoption by 
the council of Ministers before the Prime M inister who then transmits it to Parliament for 
ratification. Once Parliament ratifies the instrument, it is submitted to the President of the 
Republic for sanction and promulgates the law. (CS137)  
 
Togo:  Under the Togolese Constitution, more specifically Article 137 thereof, the negotiation and 
ratification of international treaties and agreements fall within th e prerogatives of the President of 
the Republic, who will often delegate this authority to the technical ministries. In the case of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
Cooperation prepared the ful l text and the statement of reasons and submitted them to the 
Council of Ministers for approval. Having ruled on the matter, the Government drew up the 
instrument of ratification which it submitted for approval to the National Assembly via its General 
Secretariat. Once passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President of the Republic, 
the instrument was deposited at the WTO on 1 October 2016. (CS 136)  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
31.  Among partner country respondents, 5 6 out o f 63 (89 %) indicated that they plan to us e the 
flexibilities set out in S ection II of the TFA . A further seven  respondents stated they were unsure . 
Table 3 below gives an overview of the status of C ategory B & C commit ments ( January 2 017). 
Table 3. Status of Category B & C  commitments ( as at 22 February  2016)  
Status  Number  % Member  
Category B 
commitments 
deposited  10 5 18% Benin , Chad, Central African Republic , Colombia , Dominican Republic , 
Malawi, Mauritius , Samoa , Uruguay , Zambia  
Category B 
commitments 
under 
preparation  38 69% Barbados , Belize, Botswana , Burkina Faso , Cameroon , Congo , Costa 
Rica, Côte d'Ivoire , Democratic Republic of the Congo,  Dominican 
Republic , El Salvador , Gabon, The Gambia , Grenada, Guatemala , Guinea , 
Guinea -Bissau , Lao PDR , Honduras , Madagascar , Mali, Myanmar , 
Namibia , Nepal, Niger, Pakistan , Papua New Guinea , Philippines , 
Senegal , Sri Lanka , St Vincent and the Grenadines , Suriname , Tanzania , 
Togo, Tonga, Uganda , Yemen , Zimbabwe  
Category C 
commitments 
depos ited 7 15% Chad, Central African Republic , Mauritius , Malawi, Dominican Republic , 
Sierra Leone , Samoa , Zambia  
Category C 
commitments 
under 
preparation  39 71% Barbados , Belize, Botswana , Burkina Faso , Cameroon, Colombia , Congo, 
Costa Rica , Côte d'Ivoire , Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica , 
Dominican Republic , Lao PDR , Gabon, Mali, El Salvador , The Gambia , 
Guatemala , Grenada , Guinea , Guinea -Bissau , Myanmar , Namibia , Niger, 
Pakistan , Papua New Guinea , Paraguay , Philippines , Senegal , Sierra 
Leone , St Vincent and the Grenadines , Sri Lanka , Suriname , Tanzania , 
Togo, Tonga, Uganda , Yemen , Zimbabwe  
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
32.  In its self -assessment questionnaire reply, the ITC noted that in the last two years th at its 
Trade Facilit ation Programme ha d supported developing countries to reduce the time and cost it 
takes for SMEs to engage in international trade . In partic ular, ITC has supported some 
45 countries in their categorization process under WTO's TFA, contributed to the offici al notification 
of Category A commitments by 20 countries and the official ratification of the TFA by 11 countries . 
The U nited States supported 28 needs assessments along with a robust campaign to encourage 
TFA ratification with outreach to all member coun tries. ITC ha d also worked on estimating the time 
and costs required to implement specific measures identified in 13 countries in Category C. I n 
addition, ITC contributed to the esta blishment and strengthening of seven  National Trade 
Facilitation Committee s, in collaboration with UNCTAD . ITC had also trained some 600 p rivate 
sector representatives through  TF workshops in benefic iary countries and organized 12  private 
sector -dedicated events to build business capacity to comply with  the TFA. 
                                                
5 It is important to note that  at the time of drafting this document,  9 Category B co mmitments had  been 
officially notified to the WT O. These numbers reflect Member s' responses to t he monitoring exercise in 
February  2017 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 17 - 
 
  3  NATIONAL TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT  NEEDS 
AND DONOR DIALOGUES  
33.  Among par tner countries, 51 out of the 63  respondents indicated that they engaged in a 
dialogue with development partner(s) on their TFA implementation needs . Eight respondents 
(Barbado s, Belize, Burundi, Congo, Philippines , Surin ame, Uruguay and Zambia) stated  that they 
were not engaged in such a dialogue with a donor on their development needs . Respondents from 
Antigua and Barbuda, Indonesia, Tonga and Viet Nam answered that they were unsure.  
34.  Among the 40 don ors that responded to the questionnaire , 13 stated that they provide  direct 
national programming/project support.6 20 donor s also responded  that they provide funding to 
implement the TFA through regional or multilateral funds .7 Some donors (Germany, the 
Inter-American D evelopment Bank  (IDB), Chinese Taipei ; and the  United States ) provide both 
bilateral programmes and give funding to regional or multilateral funds . Eight donor respondents 
stated that they do not provide funding in thi s thematic area and one further donor respondent 
was unsure.  
35.  The five donors most commonly cited by partner countries as being engaged in a dialogue 
with their government on TFA implementation needs were : the WBG (cited by 69 % of 
respondents), the World Cu stoms Organization (WCO) (57%), the ITC (50%), EU institutions 
(42%) and the United States (27 % - the highest among bilateral donors ). The AfDB was also cited 
by 16 % of respondents . Table 4 below gives a more detailed overview taken from partner country 
responses.  
Table 4. In-country dialogues on Trade Facilitation Agreement implementation needs  - 
as reported by partner country respondents  
Name & number of dialogues  Dialogue partner(s)  
World Bank Group (34)  Bangladesh, Burkina Faso,  Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo , 
Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea -Bissau, El Salvador, Lao PDR, Lesotho, 
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, 
Papua N ew Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sudan, Togo, 
Uganda, United States, Zambia  
World Customs Organization (2 9) Bangladesh, Botswana, Chad,  Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Colombia, 
Democratic Republic of the Congo , Dominican Republic, Guatemala, 
Guine a, Guinea -Bissau, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Mexico, Paraguay, Malawi, 
Mali, Mauritius, Namibia , Samoa, Sri Lanka, S aint Lucia, S aint Kitts and 
Nevis, Pakistan, Sudan, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia  
 
International Trade Centre (2 3) Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Camer oon, Chad, Democratic Republic 
of the Congo , Dominica,  Guatemala, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, 
Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Paraguay, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri 
Lanka, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Sudan, Zimbabwe  
EU Institutions (21 ) Botswana, Burk ina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Dominican 
Republic, Gabon, Guinea -Bissau, Malawi, Mauritius, Myanmar, Papua 
New Guinea, Niger, Paraguay, Senegal, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, 
Rwanda, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia  
United States (11 ) Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Guinea, Mauritius, 
Namibia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Senegal, Togo, Zambia  
African Development Bank (10) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Guinea -Bissau, 
Rwanda, Togo, Uganda, Zambia  
UNDP (9)  Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Guatemala, Mauritius, St Kitts and 
Nevis, Togo, Uganda  
Germany (7)  Dominican Republic, Guinea, Guinea -Bissau, Myanmar, Senegal, Togo, 
Uganda  
Inter-American Development Bank 
(5) Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico  
International Monetary Fund (5)  Guinea -Bissau, Mauritius, Paraguay, St Kitts and Nevis, Togo 
Mexico (5)  Chile, Colombi a, El Salvador, Peru, Trinidad and  Tobago.  
                                                
6 Chinese Taipei, Islamic Development Bank, Germany, the Inter -American Development Bank, France, 
Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, UNDP, Spain, United Stat es, UNECE, the World  Bank Group.  
7 AfDB, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the ITC, the European Union, Finland, Japan, 
Kuwait, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Name & number of dialogues  Dialogue partner(s)  
Global Alliance for Trade 
Facilitation (4)  Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guinea -Bissau, Peru  
Islamic Development Ba nk (4)  Guinea -Bissau, Guinea, Senegal, Sudan  
France (3)  Dominican Republic, Guinea, Togo  
Netherlands (3)  Benin, Dominican Republic, Uganda  
Sweden (3)  Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Uganda,  
United Kingdom (3)  Dominican Republic, Guinea, Uganda,  
Asian D evelopment Bank (3)  Lao PDR, Samoa, Myanmar  
International Finance Corporation 
(3) St Kitts and Nevis, Uganda, Grenada  
Belgium (2)  Dominican Republic, Benin  
Denmark (2)  Dominican Republic, Uganda  
Finland (2)  Dominican Republic, Mauritius  
Japan (2)  Myanmar, Uganda  
Norway (2)  Dominican Republic  
Spain (2)  Dominican Republic, Honduras  
Arab Fund (2)  Guinea -Bissau , Sudan  
China (2)  Uganda, Zambia  
Austria (1)  Dominican Republic  
Czech Republic (1)  Dominican Republic  
Greece (1)  Dominican Republic  
Ireland (1)  Dominican Republic  
ITU (1)  Uganda  
Italy(1)  Dominican Republic  
Korea (1)  Myanmar  
Luxembourg (1)  Dominican Republic  
Portugal (1)  Dominican Republic  
Slovenia (1)  Dominican Republic  
Switzerland (1)  Bangladesh  
Hungary (1)  Dominican Republic  
African Development Fund (2)  Guinea -Bissau, Malawi  
Caribbean Development Bank (1)  Dominican Republic  
India (1)  Uganda  
Malaysia (1)  Uganda  
European Free Trade Association 
(EFTA)  countries (1)  Mauritius  
Central American Bank for 
Economic Integration (CABEI)  (1) Guatemala  
Trade  Mark East Africa (1)  Tanzania, Uganda  
United Nations Conference on 
Trade and Development (UN CTAD ) 
(1) Burkina Faso, Chad, D emocratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, 
Grenada, Paraguay, Sudan  
West Africa Economic and 
Monetary Union ( WAEMU)  (1) Côte d'Ivoire  
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
36.  Eight partner countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Dominica, Paraguay, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, 
Yemen) noted that they were in discu ssions with UNCTAD about their TF needs . Important to note 
here is that the survey under -reports the TFA implementation activities of UNCTAD due to an 
oversight in the questionnaire design .8 The DRC noted that UNCTAD was supporting the General 
Directorate of Customs and Excise in the use of ASYCUDA and ASY CUDA World ++ modules in the 
computerization of customs procedures . Grenada is working with UNCTAD to set up an Electronic 
Single Window . Box 6 below highlight s the views of Guinea on what the AfDB should do to ensure 
that the TFA benefits Africa.  
                                                
8 UNCTAD did not appear as an implementing agency option in the questionnaire and was not included 
as one of the implementing agency tick  box options in the questionnaire . References to UNCTAD were made in 
additional comments provided by partner countries.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 19 - 
 
  Box 6 . What should the African Development Bank do to ensure that the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement benefits Africa?  
The adoption of the TFA in Bali is a call for development partners such a s the African Development 
Bank, bilateral and multilateral donors to step u p their efforts  - in a coordinated manner  - to help 
address legitimate TFA implementation challenges that African countries must address . The AfDB 
has a comparative advantage in terms of investment in infrastructure and there is a growing 
awareness of the need to ensure the continuum of hard -soft infrastructure by ensuring that soft 
aspects such as TF are integrated into transport infrastructure projects such as roads, ports and 
railways from the design stage . The respondent encourage s the Bank to also inte nsify its 
economic and sectoral action in this area to provide policy advice, identify lessons learned and 
monitor results in the regional member countries.  
Source: Case story 132 , (Bangoura 2017 ), OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
37.  Further addi tional comments were offered by a range of partner  country respondents . 
Colombia highlighted that the National Tax and Customs Department of Colombia maintains 
permanent dialogue with the WCO. Colombia is carrying out a pilot project with the Global Allian ce 
for Trade Facilitation . Côte d'Ivoire referenced ongoing assistance from USAID and WAEMU  Funds 
to support the National Trade Facilitation C ommittee . The DRC stated that the ITC had supported 
the organization of a workshop on the categorization set out i n the TFA . El Salvador noted that 
USAID  was supporting building human resources and capacity . Grenada is working with CARICOM 
to develop a strategy to get assistance to implement the TFA . Guatemala recalled that it is in 
discussion with other regional dono rs, notably the Central American Bank for Economic Integration 
(CABEI) . Honduras stated that funds from USAID and FONDO España had been received . Liberia 
referred to the E nhanced Integrated Framework (EI F). Mauritius highlighted its dialogue with EFTA 
countries. Mali has received the support of the ITC wh ich has developed ten TFA implementation 
projects at a total estimated cost o f €3.7 million. N iger stated that discussions have started with 
the indicative EU regional programme . Zambia noted that USAID is assisting with the National 
Trade Portal and the World Bank is funding the Great Lakes Corridor Development  Project . 
Figure  7 below provides an overview of the different disciplines of the TFA for which partner 
countries indicated that they would seek support to implement.  
   
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 20 - Figure 7 . RECs/TCs Aid-for-trade Priorities  
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%No Aid-for-Trade support being sought to implement TFAOther (please specify)Art 9: Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs ControlArt 2: Opportunity to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and
ConsultationsArt 4: Procedures for Appeal or ReviewArt 11: Freedom of TransitArt 5: Other measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non discrimination and
TransparencyArt 6: Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with
Importation and Exportation and PenaltiesArt 3. Advance RulingsArt 12: Customs CooperationArt 10: Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and TransitArt 1: Publication and Availability of InformationArt 7: Release and Clearance of GoodsArt 8: Border Agency Cooperation
%Disciplines of the TFADisciplines for which  partner countries are seeking Aid -for-Trade support to implement
2017
2015
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017). .WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 21 - 
 
  38.  Some 21 re spondents provided additional information in their answers on whic h provisions 
they were seeking AfT support  to implement . These responses are compiled in Box 7 below.  
Box 7 . Additional information regarding the disciplines of the T rade Facilitation 
Agreement  respondents are seeking Aid -for-Trade support to implement  
Botswana : [On the] t est[ing] procedure s [of the]  Single Window  
Burkina Faso : [On the] Single window  
Cameroon wishes to obtain support for most of the measures, with the exception of those rela ting 
to Articles 10.6 & 11.4 of the Agreement, which has been notified under Category A and those 
related under Category B.  
Colombia:  Obtaining support under the framework of Aid for Trade, in particular on the concrete 
measures of the articles of the Agre ement (for example, single window, authorized dealer, etc.) . 
Comoros:  Other measures require technical assistance for their implementation: Focal Point, 
Appeal or review, Pre -arrival treatment, Electronic Payment Control after border clearance, 
Authorized Operator International Standards, Single Window, Procedures and common documents  
Congo:  [On] Electronic payment  [and]  risk assessment.  
Dominica  is also seeking support to implement the following measures under Aid -for-Trade Single 
Window Operation Authoriz ed Operators Average Release Times.  
DRC: Support for the development of regulatory texts in the relevant sectoral ministries 
concerned with the activities of the single wind ow for external trade. Support -for-the coordination 
of the Single Window to improve  work between the different offices across the country. 
Computerization of ministries involved in the sector in relation to one -stop shop activities. The 
General Directorate of Customs And Excise needs the equipment and as well as support in order to 
estab lish a data bank and also to train customs staff. The EIF suggests supporting t he National 
Committee on Trade F acilitation and assistance for the extension and democratisation of support 
to TF at the national level.  
El Salvador:  Other measures require tech nical assistance for their implementation: Focal Point, 
Appeal or review, Pre -arrival treatment, Electronic Payment, Control after border clearance, 
Authorized Operator, International Standards, Single Window.  
Gabon:  [On] i nformation points, consultations,  early decisions, notification of monitoring or 
reinforced inspection, general retention disciplines concerning fees and charges imposed on 
importation and exportation, or on the occasion of importation and exportation, specific disciplines 
concerning fees  and charges imposed on the importation and exportation or on the occasion to 
import and export, electronic payment, risk management, PCA, establishment and publication of 
the average time necessary to release, TF measures for approved operators, cooperati on between 
border agencies, formalities for required documents, acceptance of copies, use of international 
standards, Single Window, procedures at borders and requirements regarding the uniformity of 
required documents, freedom of transit.  
The Gambia  expec ts Aid-for-Trade support to develop its capacities to implement the 
commitments in its Category B and C notifications.  
Grenada : Grenada is seeking assistance from UNCTAD to set up an electronic Single Window.  
Guinea : [On the]  Single window  
Guyana : Single W indow (Art. 10.4), Pre -arrival Processing (Art. 7.1.2), Separation of Release 
(Art.7.3.1), Authorized Operators (Art 7.7), Perishable Goods (Art. 7.9), Advance Rulings (Art. 
3.1), Test Procedures (Art.  5.3, Post Clearance Audit (Art. 7.5), Average Release Times (Art. 7.6) 
and Common Border Procedures (Art. 10.7).  
Honduras : One-stop shop, authorized operators, support in information technology infrastructure, 
software, hardware, high tech equipment, training in handling technique, etc.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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  Mauritius : Art 1.3 : Inquiry Point s Art 5.3 : Test Procedure s Art 7.4 : Risk Managemen t Art 7.6 
Establishment and publication of Average Release Time . Art 10.9.2 Inward and Outward Processin g 
For additional info on Mauritius ' Categories , please consul t WTO document reference : 
WT/PCTF/N/MUS/2 . 
Nepal : Test procedure  (specifically for establishing and strengthening the testing labs), single 
window, perishable goods etc.  
Niger  needs technical and final assistance for Single Window implementation.  
Papua New Guinea : [For] Implementation  of [the] Single Window Initiative  
Sri Lanka : [On] o ther disciplines : Infrastructure facilities at the Border ( e.g.: Cold room facilities ) 
Additional information : Some of these areas have been identified with the assistance of the need 
assessment study con ducted by the World Bank.  
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines : [On the] Single Window  
Surinam : [On] notification, publication, information available through internet and expedited 
shipment.  
Tonga : [On articles]  1.2; 2.1; 3.1; 5.3; 7.4; 7.5; 7.6; 7.7; 10.1; 10.2; 10.3 
Tanzania : [A] copy of the result of needs assessment  [is available at] : TN/TF/W/143/Rev.7  
Uganda : [For the] Single Windo w Authorized Economic Operator . 
Zambia : [For] Single Window Implementation,  [and] One-Stop Border Posts . 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
39.  Among donor organizations, 15 respondents noted that they were programming TFA 
implementation as part of ongoing national or regional programmes . A further 14 respondents 
noted that they were programming support as part of d edicated global thematic programmes.  Five 
respondents indicated that they were programming support on an article -by-article basis on the 
basis of requests for specific support for Category C implementation.  
40.  The World Bank noted that its support is driven b y country demand, and that requests for 
support on TF - while already growing before the TFA  - have picked up . The World Bank works at 
country, regional , and global levels . The United Kingdom stated that its TF support is funded 
bilaterally and regionally such as through the Trademark East Africa, South Asia Regional Trade 
and Integration Programme, and globally through DFID's centrally managed Support for the 
Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Programme (SITFA) . The latter funds the World 
Bank's Trade Facilitation Support Programme, the Global Alliance on Trade Facilitation 
(public -private partnership) and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility . UNECE noted that 
studies are used by its member states to guide activities associated with meeti ng their 
commitments under the TFA . Some member states also use the studies and the Centre for Trade 
Facilitation and Electronic Business' ( CEFACT ) recommendations to inform their categorization of 
commitments . Box 8 below provides an overview of additiona l information provided by donors on 
the disciplines  of the TFA for which they are providing AfT support.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 23 - 
 
  Box 8. Additional information on disciplines of the Trade Facilitation Agreement for 
which development partners are providing Aid-for-Trade support  
Australia : Support to the Trade Facilitation Agreement is directed to the agreement in its entirety, not 
to defined articles within the agreement.  
 
Canada : Integrated Border Managemen t Gender Integration at One Stop Border , Posts Single Custom 
Territor y Single Window . 
 
Denmark : Contributions are not earmarked to any specific discipline . 
 
European Union : Various, according to Partner Countries' needs, and following a joint programming 
process.  
 
Finland : Provides overall support to above mentioned categories thr ough multilateral channels.  
 
German y: Single Windows, trade facilitation committees . 
 
ITC: ITC has established a network of partnerships with leading organizations (both public and private ) 
working in the area of TF, including : UNCTAD, WTO, WCO, ICC, UNECE , UNESCAP, Brazil Ministry of 
Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, UPU, PUAS P and WEF.  
 
Ireland : We are providing funding via the International Trade Centre and the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Agreement Facility which provide support across the disciplines of the Trade Facilitation Agreement . 
 
Japan : We provide various types of support both directly and through specific international 
organization s like WCO and APEC.  
 
Korea : In addition to the aforementioned disciplines of the TFA, AfT support is provided wit h respect to 
AEO (Authorized Economic Operator), single window, risk management, TRS(time release study), 
electronic clearance system, etc.  
 
Luxembourg : Financial support in the framework of our Business Partnership Facility is on demand.  
 
The Netherlands  supports the World Bank TF -SP program . 
 
Norway : Norwegian support for the Trade Facilitation Agreement is provided via multilateral channels 
i.e. the WTO's TFAF and the IFC's TFSP . The support is demand -driven.  
 
Spain : Currently -provided support focuses on  the possibility of sharing our facilities and experience in 
technical assistance projects relating to TF training.  
 
Sweden : Contributions are not earmarked ; they are made to support the implementation of the TFA in 
its entirety.  
 
Switzerland : Support is n ot specified for specific Articles or parts of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, 
but for the entire Agreement and beyond depending on demands.  
 
United Kingdom : UK support is not just for any single TFA measure, but for any depending on 
developing country d emand and implementation plan.  
 
United States : US trade facilitation support is based upon country needs and demand through bilateral 
and regional programs such as the East/West/South Africa Trade and Investment Hubs. Globally, US has 
contributed to the Wo rld Bank's Trade Facilitation Support Programme, the Global Alliance on Trade 
Facilitation (public -private partnership) and project specific assistance to the International Trade Centre . 
 
World Bank Group : We are supporting all aspects of the TFA, but also  helping countries go beyond the 
letter of the text to implement more advanced TF reforms, as well as implementing non -mandatory 
provisions of the Agreement.  
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 24 - 
 
  41.  Various donors provided additional informati on on their TFA implementation activities . 
Australia noted that its total assistance for implementation of the TFA totalled $A 10 million  over 
four years . This included support to the World Bank Trade Facilitation Support Program, the WTO 
Trade Facilitatio n Agreement Facility and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation . Belgium stated 
that its AfT support to implement the TFA is provided through direct national programming/project 
support (i.e. organization of internships for African trainees) an d fundin g regional/multilateral TFA 
implementation mechanism, including its €400  million  to the EU and staff for capacity building 
missions of the WCO and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime  (UNODC ). Ireland recalled 
that in 2014 , it soft -earmarked 10 % (amounting to €90,000) of its contribution to the ITC to work 
on TF. 
42.  The United Kingdom has committed  £180 million  to TF programmes for the period  2015 to 
2022. This is in the form of bilateral, regional and multilateral programmes.  Germany has 
developed a c omprehensive approach towards TF for its partners which involves all relevant 
stakeholders. Germany offers policy advice on TF, coordination and linking up of actors, advisory 
services and technical assistance in the area of simplification of customs and p rocedures, advisory 
services in the areas of quality and standards and advice on transportation, regulation and 
infrastructure. Germany supports TF across regions with tailor -made solutions such as in Central 
Asia with the moderni zation of standards agenci es, the implementation of the Single Window 
making the export of goods simpler and faster. In ECOWAS, German cooperation is supporting the 
ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) allowing the duty -free trading of agricultural and 
industrial products.  
43.  France stated that it's Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxation had supported 
TFA implementation through different channels . It has provided experts through the WCO 
(missions under the MERCATOR programme) and through the European Commission (TAIE X, for 
example), and had also been involved in bilateral cooperation activities, chiefly in Africa . Japan 
supported capacity -building activities of the WCO for TFA implementation through the Customs 
Cooperation Fund of Japan.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides support for TF in the 
Pacific . Additional support to implement the TFA can be included on the PACER Plus regional 
implementation work programme, once it enters into forc e and if requested and prioritiz ed by the 
Parties (expected to be the 14 Pacif ic Forum Island Countries).  Spain's c urrently -provided support 
focuses on the possibility of sharing its facilit ies and experience in technical -assistance projects 
relating to TF training.  Sweden's contributions have been given to CUTS International for 
Implementation of the TFA, the Trade Policy Training Center in Africa (TRAPCA) for a Trade 
Facilitation Facility, UNCTAD and, as of 2017, to the WBG for the Trade Facilitation Support 
Program (TFSP) . In addition, improved TF is an explicit objective of many bilateral, regional and 
global contributions.  Total WBG support for TF totals more than US$7 billion, with a key rapid 
response facility being the US$36 million TFSP - http://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/trade -
facilitation -support -program . 
44.  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) explained that its 
contribution to TFA implementation complemented the efforts that governments, the donor 
community, and in ternational development agencies were undertaking in order to implement the 
WTO TFA with the ultimate goal of reducing trade costs . The Bank's operations specifically focus on 
providing finance to public and private sector entities, some of which contribut e indirectly to the 
implementation of the TFA . The EU highlighted its TFA implementation activities through National 
Indicative Plans, Regional Indicative Plans, thematic instruments and through contributions to 
multi-donor initiatives and facilities ( i.e. World Bank Trade Facilitation Facility) . Finland stated that 
it provides support to the TF programmes of WTO, ITC and WCO . 
45.  The UNDP provides AfT support as per the priorities of its Strategic Plan 2014 -2017 which may 
include in certain country and regiona l programmes support to TF initiatives relevant for the 
implementation of the WTO TFA. Under the Aid -for-Trade Initiative for Arab Stats specifically, 
UNDP 's support seeks to improve Arab countries ' connectivity through the facilitation of cross -
border ope rations and strengthening of integrated management systems.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 25 - 
 
  Box 9 . Facil itating trade between Egypt and its neighbours through the Aid -for-Trade 
Initiative for Arab States  
In the Aid -for-Trade Initiative for Arab States, and in line with the priorities id entified by partner 
countries, UNDP has assisted the design and activation of the trade and transport corridor that 
links Sudan, Egypt and Jordan, and potentially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as other Arab 
countries.  
 
UNDP's support consists on the  design of the technical models (on bilateral basis while taking into 
account international standards), policy dialogue on the policy and regulatory framework required 
for the operations of the corridor, cooperation and information exchange between customs  
administrations, facilitation of technical consultations at national and sub -regional level between 
concerned countries, organization of specialized training and deployment of ICT equipment to 
support information system s at country level (e.g. at Qust ol, Egypt bordering Sudan  in 2015).  
 
UNDP's work to facilitate in Qutsol (bordering Sudan), has helped reduce transportation costs for 
trucks from US$1,000 to US$ 500. The local community in Ishkate (Sudanese side of the border) 
also benefits from job creation . 
 
Since 2015, UNDP worked with the Government of Egypt in the formulation of a Roadmap for the 
establishment of Egypt's National Single Window. Cooperation also involves training of 
approximately 70  technical experts, policy makers and representatives fro m the private sector. 
The Roadmap has been used as the basis for the technical committees in charge of the 
operationali zation of the Single Window or EgyTrade.  
 
UNDP foresees continued collaboration with the Government of Egypt in this area, guided by the  
inter-ministerial Council and within the framework of national policies and strategies as relevant. 
UNDP is also partnering with the Government of Jordan in the review and upgrade of Jordan's  
National Single Window. Finally, UNDP promotes South -South coop eration and sharing of 
experience s among countries in the region and beyond.  
 
- UNDP questionnaire/ Egypt (CS 55) 
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
46.  Donors were asked which region(s) they were active in providing AfT support to implement 
the TFA. Among the regions cited, most donors were active in Sub -Saharan African 
(20 responses).  Fifteen  donors stated they were active in Asia and the Pacific and 14 selected 
North Africa and the Middle East . Latin America and the Caribbean was indicated  by 12  donor 
respondents and a further 10 donors said they were active in Eastern Europe and the 
Commonwealth of Independent States . Some donors, including the World Bank, noted that they 
were active in all regions.  
47.  Difficulties faced in programming and pro viding support to partner counties or regional 
economic communities to implement the TFA were mainly related to national coordination and 
demonstration of political will for TFA reform (48 %), ensuring TFA implementation is a priority in 
national developmen t planning documents (36 %), differing priorities of partner countries (28 %), 
problems accessing external funds (28 %) and accessing the necessary expertise (24 %). 
Fifty-eight per cent  of respondent said that they were working with the private sector to supp ort 
implementation of the TFA.  
48.  As part of their AfT activities, donors expected to face the following difficulties in programming 
support for the TFA : national coordination and demonstration of pol itical will for TFA reform 
(58%); integrating TFA implement ation into on -going programmes (42 %); lack of prioritization of 
TFA implementation in national  development planning documents (44 %); differing prior ities of 
partner countries (42 %); and programming of TFA implementation support already being 
undertaken as part of an AfT strategy (39 %). Donors also estimated that formalities connected 
with importati on, exportation and transit  (47%), border agency co -operation (44 %), customs co -
operation (36 %), rele ase and clearance of goods (33 %) and final ly the agreement as  a whole 
(28%) would prove the hardest for developing countries to implement . The TFA would benefit 
other development  programmes as a whole for (78 %) of respondents . These programmes were 
would bring spin -off effects  on governance programmes   (75%), reduce  costs and delays WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 26 - 
 
  associated with procurement by in -country programmes (68%) and reduce  delays in disaster and 
human relief operations (36%). 
49.  A series of case stories have been submitted on  national TF implement ation activities. Trade 
Mark East Africa's (T MEA) work in Eastern Africa illustrates how TF measures can bring short -term 
gains . The Automation of the Application and Issuance of Certificates of Origin in Kenya by the 
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CS 73) resulted in an average time  reduction 
to obtain a certificate of origin of 86 % from 84 hours to 12  hours . Since traders are no longer 
required to physically travel to obtain certificates, logist ics costs fell from US$75 to US $17. TMEA 
notes that minimal human interaction has elimina ted the possibilities of illicit activities . TMEA's roll  
out of the Customs Business Systems Enhancement Programme (CBSEP) (CS 79) in Uganda 
recorded a number of results including the reduction of clearance times from 5 days to 2 days, 
costs savings of US $300 per customs declaration and a time saving of 2 6 days and a cost saving 
of US$1,644  to clear a container at the port of Uganda . Furthermore, the  construction of the Busia 
One-Stop-Border Post (OSBP) in Uganda (CS 71) resulted in a reduction in the avera ge time to 
cross from Uganda to Kenya by 80 % while the average time to cross from Kenya to Uganda has 
recorded a 79 % reduction . Customs processing time for Busia Kenya was reduced by 98 % and for 
Busia Uganda by 69 %. TMEA also recorded an UGSH 20Bn (US$5.5 million)  increase  in revenue 
collected.  
"I can tell you today that I am saving at least US $300 per container in processing costs, to say 
nothing of the handling time which has drastically reduced, we now save at -least US$31,200 a 
year." 
 
- Jennifer Mwijuky e, Managing Director of Unifreight Cargo Ltd, Uganda on Customs Business 
Enhancement Programmes (CS79)  
 
50.  Other case stories on OSBPs have also highlighted the importance of effective border 
cooperation to  facilitate transit trade and  link landlocked develo ping countries to markets . The 
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commissioned a 
project implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) 
on Trade Facilitation along the Dakar -Bamako Corridor (CS 65) . Actions include the simplification 
and harmonizati on of customs processes, providing  information on transit and related regulations 
and establishing a coordination mechanism for cross -border cooperation . Overall, the project 
contributes t o the implementation of the WTO TFA in both  Senegal and Mali . A reduction of 
transport and transaction costs is enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector and 
reducing co nsumer prices, especially in landlocked  Mali. Germany notes that Mali will be  better 
connected to international markets and would be able to increase its attractiveness as a place for 
doing business while Senegal would  enhance its competitiveness as a place  to clear goods . 
"If you were a truck driver, it would take you about three days to cover the distance of around 
1500 kilometres  of the North corridor from the port of Dakar in Senegal to Mali´s capital Bamako . 
You would cross the border with about 300 to 400 other truck drivers . You would have to go 
through 18 customs controls, e leven on the Senegalese side, plus seven on the Malian side ." 
 
- Germany (CS 65)  
 
51.  Landlocked developing countries also highlight the importance of TF in enhancing their 
participation in global trade . Case stories on  AfT support to national TF implementati on include 
technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to establish a National Transport 
and Trade Facilitation Committee (NTTFC) in Bhutan (CS 60) and Cze ch Republic's support to the  
road transport regulatory framework in Mongolia (CS 58) . Afghanistan views it land  lockedness as 
an opportunity to become a regional transit hub connecting the ancient Silk Road route between 
Central and South Asia (CS 61) . The Chahbahar Port Agreement between Afghanistan, India and 
Iran is expected to upgrade the Iranian port of Chahbahar and to provide alternative trade links 
from Afghanistan to the sea . The Government of Malawi expects the World Bank's support to the 
establishment of the Malawi Trade Portal ( CS 52) to reduce trade costs and improve Malawi's 
World Bank D oing Business Index and G lobal competitiveness rankings.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 27 - 
 
  "It is expected that the [Malawi Trade Portal] will help improve Malawi 's rankings in World Bank 's 
Doing Business Index and the Global Competitiveness Index. " 
- Malawi  
 
52.  Likewise, USAID 's support to  the development, testing and launch of a Trade Portal and Trade 
Repository in Myanmar (CS 149) meets the WTO TFA requirement on publication of import and 
export regulations online . It also meets ASEAN 's requirement of establishing a National Tra de 
Repository (NTR) . USAID notes that the Trade Portal helps advance a rules -based trading system 
in Myanmar that can help attract increased foreign investors and thereby drive economic growth 
and reduce poverty.  
53.  In Haiti, USAID programs are empowering Hai tian textiles and apparel p roducers to take 
advantage of U S trade preferences extended by the Haitian Hemi sphere Opportunity through 
Partnership Encouragement II Act (HOPE) and the Haitian Economic Lift Program (HELP). These 
programs support an estimated 3 0,000 jobs in Haiti created by the apparel industry, a core export 
industry and primary source of employment growth.  
54.  Case stories from Ghana (CS 128) and Senegal (CS 135) show how the establishment of 
electronic si ngle windows have improved  their WB Doing Business rankings and logistics 
performance . Senegal was ranked the best reformer in the WB Doing Busines s 2009 and is 
amongst the top ten  improvers worldwide . In the framework of the South -South partnership s, 
Senegal offers its expertise and technology tr ansfer to other developing countries including Kenya 
and Burkina Faso . The Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) Programme (CS 128) enables 
ePayment of customs duties  and greatly reduces the time and cost of doing business in Ghana . 
According to the case sto ry, the GNSW reduces unnecessary human interface in trade 
transactions, allowing most processes to be undertaken automatically . This greatly increases 
transparency and reduces the possibilities for irregular interventions and payments . The GNSW 
has seen a substantial increase in the ranking of Ghana in the World Bank Trading Across Borders 
Report, rising 13 places from 167th place in 2016 to 154th in 2017 . This was associated with a 
reduction in the time and cost of import  procedures of 400 hours and US$50, respectively, per 
consignment . Similar improvements were registered in the World Bank Logistics Performance 
Index (LPI), where Ghana rose 12 places from 100th in 2014 to 88th in 2016, the largest 
improvement since the survey was launched in 2007.  
"It is e stimated that implementation of the [Ghana National Single Window] Strategy will reduce 
the time and cost of trade related procedures in Ghana by approximately 50% and that this will 
result in savings to the economy of over US$120 million  annually ." 
 
- West Blue Consulting (under Ghana Revenue Authority) (CS128)  
 
4  REGIONAL T RADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT NEEDS 
AND DONOR DIALOGUES  
55.  All the RECs/TCs that responded to the M&E exercise (seven in total) stated  that they were 
seeking AfT suppor t to implement disciplines of the TFA at regional or cor ridor level;  this was true 
for all 12 Articles  of the TFA disciplines . All were engaged in dialogue with development partners 
on regional or corridor actions to implement the TFA or to undertake broad er TF actions . Bilateral 
country donors discussing  TFA implementation with REC s/TCs included  the US, the EU and its 
member S tates, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, the U nited Arab Emirates . 
Multilateral donors included  AfDB, the Global Alliance  for Trade Fac ilitation, IDB, International 
Finance Corporation, ITC, UNCTAD, WBG and  WCO. South-South par tners referenced included 
China, India, Mexico and  Colombia . Other partners cited included  the Dangote Foundation, the 
Tony Elumelu Foundation and Cen tre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).  
56.  Virtually all donors provide AfT facilitation as part of  on-going programmes offering regional 
support for TFA implementation (51.6 %), for on-going programmes offering national support for 
TFA implantation ( 48.4%), dedicated global thematic programmes (45.2 %) and  regional aid 
programming dialogues (29 %). Donors provide AfT facilitation support in the following 
geographical region s: Sub-Saharan Africa (64.5 %), Asian and the Pacific (48.4 %), North Africa 
and th e Middle East (45.2 %) and Latin America and the Caribbean (38 %). Donors also provide AfT 
support for all 12 articles of the TFA disciplines . Difficult ies faced by partner countries in the WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 28 - 
 
  process are numerous but mainly consist of national coordination and  demonstration of political 
will for TFA reform (48 %), ensuring TFA implementation is a priority in national development 
planning documents (36 %), differing priorities of partner countries (28 %) and problems accessing 
external funds (28 %). Table 5 provides  an overview of the development partners in dialogue with 
RECs/TCs on AfT facilitation.  
Table 5. Development partners in dialogue with REC s/TCs on Aid-for-Trade facilitation  
Bilateral donors  Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Japan, the 
Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United 
States, EU institutions, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, the 
United Arab Emirates,  
Multilateral donors  AfDB, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (World Economic 
Forum), International Finance Corporation, ITC, WBG,  WCO, 
UNCTAD, Dangote foundation,  Tony Elumelu Foundation, Centre  
for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)  
South -South partners  China, India, Mexico, Colombia  
Source: OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise  (2017).  
 
57.  A series of case stories show that regional TF implementation activities are particularly 
effective for at -the-border measures or along regional corridors . Case stories  largely  focus on 
regional single windows, one -stop border posts, corridor act ivities and the implementation of 
regional TF policies.  
58.  The AsDB submitted case stories on their regional TF programmes for CAREC (CS 150,107), 
the Greater Mekong Sub -region (GMS) (CS 121, 125) and for the South Asian Subregional 
Economic Cooperation (SASE C) (CS 106, 120) . The CAREC Transport and T rade Facilitation 
Strategy 2020  includes the establishment o f six transport corridors, the facilitation of efficient 
movement of people and goods along the corridors and across borders and the develop ment of  
susta inable, safe, user -friendly transport and trade networks . AsDB work in the GMS strengthens 
TF through partnerships with the private sector . In Myanmar, p ublic-private partnerships between 
customs and private sector operators including customs brokers, econ omic operators, the 
international trade supply chain and  chambers of commerce  has resulted in nationwide buy -in and 
effective implementation .  
59.  The SASEC Trade Facilitation Program seeks to reduce or remove institutional, administrative 
and technical barrie rs to trade in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal . India is self -financing its TF 
reforms as part of implementation under the SASEC Trade Facilitation and Transport Working 
Group . AsDB's assessment in 2014 noted that Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal complied with mo st 
of the identified policy actions more than a year before program completion . This is viewed as a 
strong indication of the countries' commitment to pursuing key TF reforms . Bangladesh's case 
story (CS 69) notes that the project has been critical for thes e countries to understand the "as -is" 
situation in order to identify bottlenecks and prioritize recommendations for the implementation of 
TF measures . The project also contributed to the effective implementation of the Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement . The recent survey conducted by CUTS 
(CS 26) shows that the lack of customs cooperatio n in the BBIN region hinders  efficient movement 
across borders . CUTS recommend  that BBIN countries accede to the Customs Convention on the 
International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets.  
60.  In South Asia, US programs have helped facilitate trade and transit agreements between 
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan which have increase d Afghan exports to neighbouring South 
Asia Free Tra de Area countries by more than 30% . 
61.  Other TF agreements in Asia also seek to reduc e trade costs and enhance regional 
connectivity . The Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross -border Paperless Trade in Asia 
and the Pacific (FA -PT) by UNESCAP m ember states (CS 86) is expected to be a useful tool to 
support implementation of the WTO TFA, building on the bilateral and regional single windows and 
cross-border paperless trade initiatives . It is estimated that implementation of cross -border 
paperless trade in  the region co uld reduce export costs by 15 -30% on average, increasing export 
potential of the region by US$257  billion  when fully implemented . The US -ASEAN Connectivity 
through Trade and Investment (US -ACTI) project launched a regional single window that connects WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 29 - 
 
  and integrates national single windows of ASEA N member states (CS 146) . Since its live launch in 
2016, the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) has transmitted data from  thousand s of certificate of 
origin documents among the participating countries . US-ACTI is con tinuing to work with remaining 
member states to enter into the ASW, and to add further critical documents to the system.  
It is estimated that implementation of cross -border paperless trade in the [Asia and Pacific] region 
could reduce export costs b y 15 to 30% on average, increasing export potential of the region by 
US$257  billion  when fully implemented.  
 
- UNESCAP (CS86)  
 
62.  In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) , the IDB's implementation of the Foreign Trade 
Single Window (VUCE) (CS 160) is aimed a t eliminating some of the inefficiencies in international 
trade procedures . To date, 14 LAC countries9 have engaged in designing, implementing or 
upgrading their VUCEs with tangible outcomes . IDB's research suggests that trade expanded due 
to these measure s. IDB's regional technical cooperation support to VUCE initiatives is the 
interoperability among the Pacific Alliance (PA) countries . The PA countries have established  the 
first ever electronic exchange through their VUCEs in the LAC region . These countri es are now able 
to exchange a harmonized phytosanitary certificate to export/import agricultural products . Box 10  
describes results of IDB's establishment of a VUCE in Peru.  
Box 10 . How to reduce trade c osts with modest i nvestments: results from Peru  
The IDB, through the A id for Trade Fund and an investment loan, has supported the establishment 
of Peru 's Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) . The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and 
Tourism of Peru (MINCETUR) has made compelling progress in terms of efficien cy, increased 
number of users, improved quality of the services provided and financial savings . The VUCE in 
Peru resulted in the following outcomes in 2015:  
 
• 15 participating agencies  
• More than 31,000 registered users  
• 273 administrative procedures co vered, thereby reducing manual transactions  
• Time has been reduced each year by 30%  
• More than 10  million  sheets of paper saved  
• Estimated total savings of US$50  million , including reductions in travel, time and paper.  
 
Moreover, Peru expects to further  decrease the number of days to carry out international trade 
procedures from 8.4 in 2014 to 6.4 in 2021, as well as to reduce the average logistic costs.  
 
- IDB (CS 160)  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
63.  IDB is also partnering with the  EU to stre ngthen  economic integration in Central America in 
line with the region's Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness Strategy  the Road Map for a Central 
America Customs Union and the TFA of the WTO . Actions include : modernization and convergence 
of regional regulatory frameworks , Trade Facilitation regional IT infrastructure , and  the Central 
American Digital Trade Platform, which includes the interoperability of VUCEs in the region . 
El Salvador was the first country to implement the Central American I nternational Goods in Transit 
(TIM) initiative (CS 140) that allows goods in transit to be processed under a unified system 
requiring the presentation of a single transit document . The reduction in merchandise delivery 
costs, for instance, has changed the modus operandi . The 27 % reduction in these costs led to an 
increase in exports, their value rising to US$5.1  billion  in 2013. 45 % of these exports were 
destined for countries in the region . The TIM has also led to an increase in firms' exports . In 2013, 
approximately 2,300 exporters made more than 400,000  shipments to sell 3,277  products to 
almost 9,300 buyers . Benefits recorded have been heterogeneous across exports, with perishable 
goods having benefited more from transit facilitation than others. 26 % of total export value and 
28% of export transactions were channelled  through the TIM in 2013.  
                                                
9 Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, 
Peru, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay  
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 30 - 
 
  64.  According to the World Bank Doing Business Trading Across Borders indicators, the cost of 
trade transactions in the WAEMU region remains 15 % higher than the world av erage . The high 
time and cost to trade across these borders contributes to relatively low levels of intra -regional 
trade, which in 2014 accounted for only 13 %. To address these challenges, WAEMU and ITC are 
working with WAEMU m ember s tates towards a region ally harmonized and coordinated 
implementation of the WTO TFA  (CS 56) , with a view to establish ing a more consistent and 
predictable trade environment and to reduce implementation costs through economies of scale . 
Five of the eig ht WAEMU m ember states have  ratified the TFA and national and regional TF 
committees have been established . ITC is also working with the Brazilian Government to provi de 
technical assistance to Portuguese -speaking  Africa on the implementation of the TFA (CS 83) . As a 
South -South part ner, Brazil is sharing its experience and best practices on TF implementation in 
Angola and Mozambique.  
65.  The ECOWAS region has taken various steps to facilitate the movement of goods and people 
in the region . One such policy is the ECOWAS ETLS which seeks t o eliminate Certificate of Origin 
(COO) requirements for unprocessed agricultural products originating and traded within the 
ECOWAS region . In practice, the USAID -funded West African Trade and Investment Hub (CS 151) 
found that implementation has been low along trade corridors and at border crossings . The Hub is 
working with various ECOWAS member states to ensure effective implementation of the ETLS . 
Advocacy and sensitization has resulted in successfully abolishing COO requirements for 
agricultural product s in Burkina Faso, Togo and Cote d'Ivoire . The Hub is planning similar 
sensitization activities in other ECOWAS countries.  Germany is also assisting with the 
implementation of the  ETLS.  
"Now tha t the Certificate of Origin requirement has been dropped in To go, we can export  
thousand s of metric tons of cereal throughout the region without any hitches ." 
 
- Yakoubou Nagnango, Executive Director, La Centrale des Producteurs de Céreales du Togo 
(CS 151) 
 
66.  Donors working with the EAC on TF implementation also high lighted results . The Integrated 
Border Management to Reduce Trade Costs in East Africa (CS 35) , a project worth US$560  million 
involves eight donors (Canada, US, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Finland) . 
Some project activities include equipp ing and setting up 13  one-stop border posts, using ICT and 
web-based procedures and supporting the EAC Customs Directorate in customs revenue 
management . Canada's case story records an 11.6 % reduction in transport times from Dar es 
Salam -Bujumbura and Momb asa-Kigali . Trade Mark East Afri ca's work in the EAC has resulted  in 
the elimination of 87  out of 112 identified non -tariff barriers (CS 72) . Box 11  summarizes 
associated outcomes.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Box 11 . Showing Results: The elimination on non -tariff barriers in the EAC  
Kenya : On the Northern Corridor there has been a reduction from 6 to 4 weighbridges . The 
number of police road blocks has also  been reduced.  
 
Uganda : The number of weighbridges in Uganda has been reduced to 4 and permanent police 
road blocks have been elim inated . Uganda introduced the electronic non-tariff barrier ( NTB) 
Reporting System in July 2014, with 64 NTBs reported, 54 of which have been resolved.  
 
Tanzania : Since 2010, weighbridges have been reduced from 15 to 8, with a target of 3, subject 
to on -going infrastructure investments . Roadblocks have been reduced from 58 to 8, now all 
connected with weighbridges . Inland transportation times from Mombasa to Kigali and 
Dar es Salaam to Kigali have also dropped considerably, now to 5 and 3.5 days respectivel y. 
 
Rwanda : The Rwanda NMC has demonstrated strong consistent attendance and a Memorandum 
of Understanding with Uganda has yielded positive results in contributing to reduced NTBs . A road 
transit survey and road freight competitiveness study has  been under taken on the central and 
northern corridors, which are critical to building an evidence base . Rwanda has a NTB reporting 
system with 12 registered NTBs in 2015. There has also been a reduction in the costs involved in 
trade . The cost for transporting a sta ndard (40 foot) container from Mombasa to Kigali is now only 
US$4,800 , down from US$6,500 in 2011 . This  is estimated to have generated a saving (at 
constant volumes) of approximately US$7  million  on the Mombasa -Kigali route alone.  
 
Burundi : Although the ti me to import to Burund i is the highest in the EAC, delays have been 
reduced and have gone from 60  days in 2010 to 43 days in 2014.  
 
Harmonization of road tolls : The Rwanda NTB project supported the development of diagnostic 
studies including the "Rwanda Ro ad Freight Industry Competitiveness Study 2014 " which was 
commissioned by the Ministry of Trade and Industry . A key finding was that high road tolls in 
neighbouring countries, especially Tanzania, were causing a decline in Rwanda 's share of the road 
freigh t market . For example, a Rwanda registered truck entering Tanzania was charged 
US$500  while a Tanzania registered truck entering Rwanda charged only US$152 . Policy makers 
used these finding s to broker an agreement wit h the Government of Tanzania. This proc ess then 
resulted in the  harmoniz ation of road tolls at US$152 , saving an estimated US$800,000 for 
Rwandan transporters . A costs and benefits analysis of the Rwanda NTB project indicates that this 
activity saved an equivalent of 44% of the total budget of Rwanda's 5-year NTB project and is a 
saving that may continue into the future.  
 
- Trade Mark East Africa (CS 72)  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
5  PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT IN T RADE FACILITAITON AGREEMENT  
IMPLEMENTATION  
67.  Eighteen out of the 31 donors (58 %) that responded to the M&E exercise are working with the 
private sector to support  the implementation of the TFA mainly in the area of project or 
programme identification (8 9%), implementation (72 %), private associa tions in partner count ries 
(61%) and global business associations (50 %). A number of case stor ies highlight  private sector 
participation in the design and implementation of TF project s.  
68.  According to the  WBG, the  Bank engage s with b usiness groups to foster public -private 
dialog ue through National Trade Facilitation Committees. Challenges at the country level are 
identified through private sector engagement (among other methods) for the World Bank's  Doing 
Busines s Trading Across Borders analyse s, Enterprise Surveys and the Logist ics Performance 
Index. The private sector  is also involved in  the World Bank's trade facilitation  reform prio rity 
setting and implementation  or as implementers of components of projects such as  National Single 
Windows.  UNDP noted that it broadly promote d Public Private Partnerships around the TF agenda.  
69.  The ITC (CS 56) states  that the benefits of the TFA for the private sector can only be achieved 
if the implementation modalities reflect the needs of business. Therefore, representatives from the 
business co mmunity must systematically be included in all activities. In addition, the private sector WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 32 - 
 
  could  act as a relay in countries to keep the reform momentum high. This was the case for the 
AsDB's project in the GMS (CS 125) where the project's involvement of t he private sector in 
actions has avoided using it simply as a mechanism for exerting pressure on Government and has 
instead  highlighted the private sector's role in  TF, encouraging positive interaction , public sector 
confidence and goodwill. One of the les sons learned , in Yemen's view,  from STDF's su pport to the 
fisheries sector  (CS 36) was that the p rivate sector can be  a good force in ensuring project  targets  
are achieved .   
70.  TMEA's support to the SMS  non-tariff barrier  (NTB) reporting system in East Afric a (CS72) 
enables the private sector to report, monitor and use information as evidence to advocate for the 
removal of NTBs and allows the public sector to analyse and understand the extent and scope of 
NTBs encountered. The Tanzanian (through the chamber o f commerce) private sector was 
responsible for the design and implementation of the system which in TMEA's view resulted in 
efficiency and sustainability  of the project . The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry  is also responsible for issuing ce rtificate s of origin . The IDB's Americas Business Dialogue 
(ABD) brings together more than 60 business associations from 30 countries in the Americas. This 
dialogue serves as a platform to offer a regional dimension for the promotion and implementation 
of the VUCEs (CS 160).  
71.  One South -South partner, Brazil, said that it was  working with the private sector to support 
implementation of the TFA through global business associations . The main initiative of cooperation 
with the private sector consists of a Memor andum of Understanding with an Institute that gathers 
businesses  from several areas of the private sector, such as manufactur ing, agriculture  and 
logistics . The trade community provides the government with input in terms of mapping of the 
foreign trade pro cesses from a private sector perspective and also identifies opportunities for 
improvement in these processes. Procomex is also consulted on important project initiatives and 
participates in the validation phase of the  new systems being developed.  
(http://www.procomex.org.br/ ) 
72.  In addition to engaging in TF projects, the private sector is forging alliances with donors 
through public -private partnerships.  Launched on the o ccasion of the 10th WTO Ministerial 
Conference,  the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation was established as a  public -private platform 
to support the implementation of the TFA. The Alliance comprises the World Economic Forum, the 
International Chamber of Commerce, th e Center for International Private Enterprise and the 
Governments of Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. A  
growing number of multinational enterprises  also take part . Box 12  summarizes.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 33 - 
 
  Box 12 . The Global Allia nce for Trade Facilitation  
Recognizing that neither governments nor the private sector can deliver on the full potential of the 
TFA on their own, the World Economic Forum, the International Chamber of Commerce and the 
Center for International Private Enter prise together with the Governments of Australia, Canada, 
Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States have joined forces in the Global Alliance for 
Trade Facilitation.  
 
The Alliance partners have worked closely to estab lish a public -private platform to leverage 
business expertise, leadership and resources to support effective TF reforms measured by real -
world business metrics.  
 
With the overarching aim of accelerating ambitious TF reforms, the core activities of the Alliance 
include:  
 Building understa nding of the benefits of TF within both the public and private sectors;  
 Establishing sustainable multi -stakeholder dialogues on TF; 
 Mobilizing public -private partnerships to drive change, engaging local businesses and 
associations;  
 Technical and financial assistance in support of capacity building;  
 Benchmarking and evaluation based on established business metrics.  
 
The Alliance supports efforts in developing countries and emerging economies on an annual 
basis—while also working at global and regional levels  to enhance stakeholder awareness of the 
importance of TFA and of the role of public -private cooperation in implementing customs and 
border reforms. To ensure synergy with the activities of other international programmes, the 
Alliance will actively engage with other international bodies, donors and associations.  
 
With the full political endorsement of national governments, the Alliance’s in -country projects 
leverage the expertise and resources of leading companies and international organizations — and 
provide a platform for local business communities to identify trade bottlenecks and to work 
collaboratively with governments to support effective reforms. In the implementation of in -country 
programmes, The Alliance also benefits from the expertise a nd network of GIZ – the German 
Government’s enterprise for international cooperation.  
 
The Alliance’s work stream on building national and global level metrics seeks to provide a 
yardstick of country -level progress and create a competitive incentive for countries to  implement 
TF reforms — making them more attractive for trade and investment and empowering their local 
business community.  
Source:  Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation  
 
73.  Australia has committed $A 3 million over three years (2016 -18) to support the Glob al 
Alliance . $A 2.5 million of this commitment will be disbursed to the WEF to manage the day -to-day 
activities of the Global Alliance and the Steering Group. Australia's Department for Foreign Affairs 
and Trade ( DFAT ) has retained $A 500,000 to deliver TF projects within the Indo -Pacific region . In 
December 2016 , DFAT and the Global Alliance hosted the  'Trade Facilitation Reform - A Business 
and Government Partnership' conference  to increase  domestic and regional understanding of the 
benefits of TF reform,  including ratification of the TFA  building upon successful private sector 
dialogues held in previous years by the US, UK and Germany. The US  has contributed over US$20 
million to date for Global Alliance support to WEF and in -country projects in Viet Nam, Central 
America and West Africa . Canada's questionnaire indicates that the Alliance is currently preparing 
projects in Ghana, Kenya, Colombia, a nd Vietnam with a view to start implementation  in 
early 2017.  
 
 
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 34 - 
 
  CONCLUSION  
 
74.  On 22 February 2017, the WTO TFA entered into force. Responses to the AfT monitoring 
exercise indicate that of the 63 partner country respondents, 36 had notified  their Category A 
commitments, ten  their Category B commitments and seven  their Category C commitments. A 
further 12 (Category A), 38 (Category B) and 39 (Category C) commitments were under 
preparation.10   
75.  This joint paper has illustrate d that partner countries and REC s/TCs are prioritizing TF 
implementation in their trade -related policies, AfT planning and their national/regional  
development objectives. Similarly, it can be seen that donors and South -South partners are 
emphasizing TF implementation, particularly the TFA, in their AfT programming. Fifty -one out of 
the 63 developing country respondents indicated that they  were engag ed in a dialogue with 
development partner(s) on their TFA implementation needs.  
76.  Partner countries and development partners are also engaging the private sector in dialogue s 
and as key stakeholders in the design and implementation of TF measures. A number o f case 
stories show how private sector participation in , and delivery of , TF can deliver sizeable gains . 
Public -private partnerships such as the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation bring together donors 
and the business community to support TF reforms.  
77.  The paper also showed  that efforts are under way to implement TF measures in partner 
countries. Development partners have been instrumental in providing assistance to a number of 
initiatives ranging from the establishment of National Trade Facilitation Co mmittees to providing 
hard and soft infrastructure between borders and along corridors. Case stories underscore the 
importance of regional approaches for measures requiring the cooperation between two or more 
countries. Landlocked developing countries also  emphasize the importance of TF in linking them to 
their regions and to global markets.  Most importantly, case stories also show that TF measures 
provide quick gains in reducing trade costs.  
78.  The M&E exercise highlights the dynamic and significant ongoing a ctivities relating to TFA 
implementation. It highlights the necessity for continued efforts to support  implementation of the 
Agreement. Fifty-six out of 63 (89%) partner countries indicated that they plan to use the 
flexibilities set out in Section II of t he TFA. The top three disciplines of the TFA cited by partner 
countries and for which they seek support are; Art icle 8 (Border Agency Cooperation), 
Article 7 (Release and Clearance of Goods) and Art icle 1 (Publication and Availability of 
Information).  
 
 
_______________  
 
 
                                                
10 These numbers reflect Member s' responses to the monitoring exercise at the time of entry into force 
i.e. 22 February 2017.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 35 - 
 
   
ANNEX 1  
Table 6. Respondents to the Self -Assessment Questionnaire  
Partner Country Respondents (63)  
Africa  Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Central African 
Republic; Chad; Congo; Comoros; Côte d'Iv oire; Democratic Republic of 
the Congo; Gabon; The Gambia; Guinea; Guinee -Bissau; Lesotho; 
Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritius; Namibia; Niger; Rwanda; Senegal; 
Sierra Leone; Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe  
 
Arab and Middle East  
 Yemen  
Asia and Pacific  
 Bangladesh; Indonesia; Lao PDR; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan;  
Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Samoa; Sri Lanka; Tonga; Viet Nam  
 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean  Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Belize; Colombia; Costa Rica; 
Dominica; Dominican Re public; El Salvador; Grenada; Guatemala; 
Honduras; Mexico; Paraguay; Peru; Saint Lucia; Saint Kitts and Nevis; 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Uruguay  
 
Regional Economic Community/Transport Corridor respondents (7)  
REC/TCs  CARICOM; COMESA; EC OWAS; OECS; SIECA; TradeMark East Africa; 
Walvis Bay Corridor Group  
 
Donor respondents (38)  
Bilateral donor  Australia; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Czech Republic; Denmark; 
European Union; Finland; France; Germany; Iceland; Ireland; Japan; 
Korea, Republic o f; Kuwait, the State of; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; 
Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Portugal; Slovak Republic; Spain; 
Sweden; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; United Kingdom; United States  
 
IGOs AfDB; EBRD; IaDB; IsDB; ITC; UNDP; UNECA; UNECE; World Ban k 
Group  
 
South -South Partner respondents (3)  
South -South  Brazil; Chile; Indonesia  
 
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  
 
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
- 36 - 
 
   
ANNEX 2  
Table 7. Respondents Submitting Case Stories  
#  
SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITLE  
1 International Trade Centre  Moroccan businesses boost exports of processed food, seafood and 
leather goods  
2 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Affordability Report 2015/16  
3 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Affordable internet in Ghana: the s tatus quo and the path ahead  
4 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Affordable Internet in the Dominican Republic  
5 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Delivering affordable internet in Myanmar  
6 Alliance for Affordable 
Internet (A4AI)  Nigeria:  how Africa's largest economy is prioritising affordable internet  
7 Mace Promotions, Ltd.  Sustainability and Empowerment Initiative  
8 Samoa  Samoa Submarine Cable Project  
9 ITU Standardization enabling trust in cyberspace  
10 ITU ICTs for Sustainable D evelopment  
11 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU Where does the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable 
Development believe broadband can drive significant progress in 
sustainable development?  
12 Chinese Taipei  Repair and Upgrade of  Bonriki International Airport (Kiribati)  
13 Chinese Taipei  Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project 
(Belize)  
14 Chinese Taipei  Project for strengthening farmers' organizations and improving fruit 
and vegetable production technology  in Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  
15 African Development Bank  Impact of mobile payments and banking on the unbanked in African 
countries  
16 African Development Bank  Connect Africa Initiative  
17 1Point Commerce  Global commerce made easy, simple, and a lmost local for buyers to 
buy better and sellers to sell more; enable businesses to expand into 
new markets at minimal costs and risk  
18 Intel Corporation  Intel® She Will Connect  
19 Intel Corporation  Connection equals opportunity  
20 The Internet Societ y Promoting Content in Africa  
21 Alibaba Group  About the "Rural Taobao" Initiative  
22 Alibaba Group  The life of Taobao couriers  
23 Alibaba Group  E-commerce in rural China  
24 Indonesia  Capacity Building Programme on Quarantine Inspection and 
Agricultu ral Trade -Related Supply Side Capacity  
25 GSMA  1. Telenor's mobile internet training projects in India: raising 
awareness of the benefits of getting online 2. Unlocking Rural 
Coverage: Enablers for Commercially Sustainable Mobile Network 
Expansion 3. GSMA  Case Study: Bindez - Connecting the people of 
Myanmar with information and content in their own language  
26 CUTS International  Promoting Regional Connectivity through BBIN MVA: Role of TIR 
Convention  
27 eBay with ITC  E-commerce development and efforts t o bridge the "digital divide".  
28 eBay Crece Con eBay  
29 International Trade Centre  T4SD: Sustainability Map: Helping businesses chart a path to more 
sustainable trade  
30 International Trade Centre  NTM: Increase Transparency, Identify Challenges and Red uce Trade 
Costs  
31 International Trade Centre  EuroMed TIFM: Facilitating trade and investment across the 
Mediterranean region  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
- 37 - 
 
  #  
SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITLE  
32 International Trade Centre  Made in Morocco: case study on linking SMEs to the world of 
e-commerce  
33 Telenor Group  Disbursin g girl stipends via Mobile Money in Pakistan  
34 360 Degrees International  Accelerating Women & Youth Economic Empowerment through Digital 
Marketing Skills for Entrepreneurs  
35 Global Affairs Canada  Integrated Border Management to Reduce Trade Costs in Ea st Africa  
36 Yemen  Yemen fish exports access European market  
37 TFO Canada  Design Africa Programme: Market Access, Export Competitiveness and 
Digital Bridge for Made in Africa Artisans Products to Canadian and 
International Buyers  
38 Myanmar  Ministry of  Commerce, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, handed 
over the Ratification for the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)  
39 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU More than half the world is still offline, what is the main reason...?  
40 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU If we want to connect the next 1.5 billion people, where should we be 
focusing?  
41 Broadband Commission for 
Sustainable Development / 
ITU The State of Broadband Report 2016 - recommendations for policy  
makers & world leaders. Which are the most urgent?  
42 CCTV -News China  E-commerce boosts China's rural economy  
43 Alibaba Group  Alizila News: E -commerce in Rural China  
44 Telenor Group  Telenor's mobile internet training project in India: raising awarene ss 
of the benefits from getting online  
45 Telenor Group  Project Prayaas  
46 Telenor Group  Project Sampark  
47 GSMA  Unlocking Rural Coverage: Enablers for Commercially Sustainable 
Mobile Network Expansion  
48 GSMA  GSMA Case Study: Bindez - Connecting the p eople of Myanmar with 
information and content in their own language  
49 Sally Walkerman  CDS: Water and electricity in Mauritania  
50 Sally Walkerman  ACEP Cameroun - Microfinance  
51 Qualcomm  "Taroworks Provides Social Enterprises with New Services for Succ ess" 
52 Malawi  Malawi Trade Portal  
53 Centre for Empowerment 
and Development, Nepal  Coffee Cooperatives Value Chain Model for Production, Income and 
Employment (PIE): A reflection from Nepal  
54 TradeMark East Africa  Trade Certificates at a Press of a Bu tton: Automation of the 
Application and Issuance of Certificates of Origin in Kenya by the 
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)  
55 Egypt  Trade Facilitation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and Sudan  
56 International Trade Centre  Leveraging the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to boost intra -
regional trade in West Africa  
57 Philippines  Philippines Customs Modernization: The Way for Trade Facilitation  
58 Czech Republic  Improvement of the Situation and Regulatory Framework in Road 
Transport in Mongolia  
59 ECOWAS  Review of E -commerce Legislation Harmonization in the Economic 
Community of West African States  
60 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Instituting a National Committee on Trade Facilitation in Bhutan  
61 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Charbahar Port - A new trade gateway for Afghanistan  
62 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Overcoming the challenges of implementing the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement in Nigeria  
63 Germany  IT strategy in Kosovo Supporting the export of IT services and 
software  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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SUBMITTED BY   
CASE STORY TITLE  
64 Germany  Advising Ukraine on Agricultural Trade Issues  
65 Germany  Trade Facilitation Development Cooperation - Trade Facilitation along 
the Dakar -Bamako Corridor  
66 Germany  Trade Facilitation in German Development Cooperation  
67 Earth Divas  Empowering Women Through  E-commerce  
68 STDF Safe Trade Solutions (2015) A film produced by the Standards and 
Trade Development Facility (STDF)  
69 Bangladesh  South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) initiative to 
establish a sustainable trade and transport facilitatio n monitoring 
mechanisms (TTFMM) in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal  
70 United Kingdom  G-Soko market system - Linking small holder farmers to grain buyers 
across East Africa.  
71 TradeMark East Africa  Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP)  
72 TradeMark East Africa  Elimination of non -tariff barriers to trade in East Africa  
73 TradeMark East Africa  Trade Certificates at the Press of a Button  
74 Jumia  Changing traders' lives via eCommerce in Africa: Case of Cameroon  
75 Japan  Achieving Quality Infrastructure through  the ICT of Japan  
76 EBRD  Rehabilitating railway infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina with 
EBRD's support  
77 EBRD  EBRD and EU prepare businesses for free trade area in Georgia, 
Moldova and Ukraine  
78 TradeMark East Africa  Contribution of standards harmonisation and certification towards 
reduction in the conformity assessment clearance time and cost of 
testing -the case of the EAC  
79 TradeMark East Africa  Uganda Revenue Authority customs business systems enhancement 
programme  
80 TradeMark East Afric a Mombasa Port Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Project: 
Gate18/20 and Yard 5 projects.  
81 Sweden  Services Trade, Industrial Development and the African Continental 
Free Trade Area  
82 Spinna Circle Ltd  Changing lives through the adoption of e -commerce and mobile 
technology as a platform for global connectivity and market access for 
women entrepreneurs and small businesses in fashion and textiles.  
83 Brazil  Technical assistance provided to African countries on trade facilitation.  
84 STDF Electro nic Sanitary and Phytosanitary certification for faster and safer 
trade 
85 Trini Trolley  e-commerce in the Caribbean  
86 UNESCAP  Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross -border Paperless Trade 
in Asia and the Pacific: A New Tool for  
Enhancing Digital Connectivity  
87 Pakistan  Pakistan's digital economy: national perspectives on bridging the 
digital divide  
88 Amazon  How a small rural business in a developing country was empowered to 
effectively expand internationally through e -commerce with Amazon  
89 Copenhagen Consensus  Bangladesh Priorities Prioritizing Smart Solutions through Benefit -Cost 
Research  
90 World Bank Group  ShopSoko connects local Artisans to Global Markets  
91 World Bank Group  Kopo Kopo empowers small businesses to shift from cash to dig ital 
payments  
92 World Bank Group  Maxcom Africa makes paying utility bills fast and convenient  
93 World Bank Group  Farmia connects local Farmers to Regional Markets  
94 Asian Development Bank  Microfinance in Indonesia: Bringing Banks into the Community  
95 Sidley Austin  Pro Bono Legal Advice for Trade Facilitation  
96 Asian Development Bank  Instituting e -Government Procurement in Nepal  
97 Asian Development Bank  Tonga's high speed revolution  
98 UPS The U.S. -ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SMEs  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
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CASE STORY TITLE  
99 World Bank Group  Economic Opportunities for Jordanians and Syrian Refugees 
Programme for Results  
100 World Bank Group  Myanmar Investment Policy Project  
101 World Bank Group  Using automated data exchange to improve sanitary registration and 
boost region al trade in Central America  
102 World Bank Group  Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Regional Connectivity for shared prosperity  
103 World Bank Group  Gender in Agri -Value Chains, Kosovo, Moldova, Armenia  
104 World Bank Group  Senegal - Warehouse Receipts Financing  Reform Initiative  
105 Asian Development Bank  CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation: Partnerships for Prosperity  
106 Asian Development Bank  SASEC Trade Facilitation Programme  
107 Asian Development Bank  CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy 20 20 
108 Asian Development Bank  Digital Economy Study in Central and West Asia  
109 UNIDO  Breathing New Life into Armenia's Garment Industry  
110 Asian Development Bank  Instituting e -Government Procurement in Nepal  
111 Asian Development Bank  Integrated Inf ormation Communication Technology Strategies for 
Competitive Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific  
112 UNIDO  Building confidence, compliance, and international recognition for a 
world -class cosmetic sector in Colombia – Safe+  
113 Asian Development Ban k Developing Myanmar's Information and Communication Technology 
Sector Towards Inclusive Growth  
114 The Internet Society  Zero-Rating  
115 Asian Development Bank  The Development Dimension of e -Commerce in Asia: Opportunities 
and Challenges  
116 Asian Devel opment Bank  Towards e -Development in Asia and the Pacific  
117 Asian Development Bank  Papua New Guinea Expansion of Microfinance Project  
118 Asian Development Bank  Banking on Business in Afghanistan  
119 Asian Development Bank  Indonesia: Improving Access to Finance in Aceh and North Sumatra  
120 Asian Development Bank  Trade Facilitation in South Asia  
121 Asian Development Bank  The Greater Mekong Sub Region Transport and Trade Facilitation 
Action Programme  
122 UNESCAP  Enhancing Connectivity Through Implem entation of National Trade and 
Transport Facilitation Monitoring Mechanisms (TTFMMs) in South Asian 
Least Developed Countries  
123 Asian Development Bank  Going Digital with the Pacific: Lessons from Samoa's Online Firms  
124 Asian Development Bank  A snaps hot of e -commerce in Central Asia  
125 Asian Development Bank  Strengthening Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Sub Region 
through Partnerships with the Private Sector  
126 CBI Exporting to Europe through ecommerce the case of CBI's support to 
tropica l flower SMEs in Colombia  
127 International Trade Centre  SheTrades Initiative  
128 Ghana (West Blue 
consulting)  Ghana National Single Window Programme  
129 HUB & SPOKES II 
OIF/MCEC  Case study on the facilitation of trade between Congo and its 
neighbours  
130 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges du Burundi (F02)  
131 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges aux Comores (F09)  
132 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Facilitation des échanges e n Guinée (F04)  
133 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Togo - Facilitation Des échanges: premier poste de guichet unique 
(F05)  
134 Enhanced Integrated 
Framework, RDC  Projet de renforcement des capacités productives et commerciales de 
la filière palmier à huile dans le bassin elaecole du Mayombe dans la 
province du Kongo centrale (F06)  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/71  
 
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CASE STORY TITLE  
135 Senegal  Le Guichet unique "ORBUS" (F07)  
136 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges de la République 
Démocratique du Togo (F08)  
137 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  Rapport non -officiel sur la facilitation des échanges de la République 
Démocratique du Congo  
138 NTP/MIP Internship, WTO  L'état de préparation de la Côte d'Ivoire au commerce électronique 
(F10)  
139 SIECA  Integración Energética: La experie ncia de Centroamérica en el diseño 
e implementación del Mercado Eléctrico Regional  
140 SIECA  El Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías (TIM): logros y resultados en 
El Salvador  
141 Bangladesh  A2i and e -commerce  
142 Bangladesh  Access to information program me 
143 UNIDO  Strengthening the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) in Nigeria to 
increase the competitiveness of Nigeria's goods and services on the 
domestic, regional and global markets  
144 UNIDO  The promotion of agrofood quality labels in Tunisia  
145 UNIDO  Promoting Connectivity: Easing the woes of clearance  
146 USAID  The US -ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (US -ACTI) 
project launches live implementation of the  
ASEAN Single Window (ASW)  
147 USAID  Food Security - Mobile Money Accelerato r Programme (MMAP)  
148 USAID  Women in Informal Cross Border Trade in Southern Africa  
149 USAID  A Trade Portal Improves Transparency for Imports and Exports in 
Myanmar  
150 USAID  Peru's progression to higher value technologies with Standards 
Alliance supp ort 
151 USAID  Removing Certificate of Origin Requirements to Facilitate Trade in 
Agricultural Products in West Africa  
152 Digital Divide  Digital Divide Data and Impact Sourcing  
153 Facebook  She means business: when women succeed, we all win!  
154 Facebo ok Telecom Infra Project (TIP)  
155 Australia  Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Cambodia  
156 Australia  
 International Labour Organization Better Work Programme - Stage 3  
157 Australia  Australia -World Intellectual Property Organization Funds in Trust  (FiT) 
Programme  
158 Facebook  Facebook Express Wifi Empowering Entrepreneurs in Nigeria  
159 UNIDO  Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development for Shared 
Prosperity: Programmes for Country Partnership (received after 
closing of the exercise)  
160 Inter-American 
Development Bank  How to Reduce Trade Costs with Modest Investments - The Foreign 
Trade Single Window in Latin America and the Caribbean (received 
after closing of the exercise)  
Source:  OECD/WTO Aid -for-Trade M&E exercise (2017).  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/ 71 
 
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ANNEX 3  
LIST OF REFERENCES  
"Sixth Global Review Aid -For-Trade Monitoring Exercise" WTO, 2016 . Available at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/a4t_e/a4tmonit_6gr_e.htm  
 
"Aid for Trade at a Glance, 2015" WTO/OECD, 2015 . Available at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/aid4trade15_e.pdf  
 
"Country income Groups (World Bank Classification) ", 2017 . Available at:  
http://chartsbin.com/view/2438  
 
"Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility ", 2017. Available at:  
http://www.tfafacility.org/  
 
Full body of case stories, O ECD/WTO A id-for-Trade Monitoring exercise, 2017  
 
 
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