G/TFA/N/SWZ/5  
 
12 May 2021  
(21-4042) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT OF CATEGORY C DESIGNATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM  ESWATINI  
The following communication, dated 6 May  2021, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Eswatin i. 
 
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The Kingdom of Eswatini  hereby notifies information on the arrangements concluded and progress 
made in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support of the following 
category  C designations, in response to Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement  (TFA)  
(WT/L/931) . 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1. 1 Publication  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor s: World Bank  Group, International Finance Corporation  (IFC) 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini Trade Information Portal developed with assistance from World Bank Group, International Finance 
Corporation and launched on the 30th September 2021.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1. 2 Information Available 
through Internet  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor s: World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini Trade Information Portal developed with assistance from World Bank Group, International Finance 
Corporation and launched on the 30th September 2021.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indic ative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1. 3 Enquiry Points  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor s: World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini Trade Information Portal developed with assistance from World Bank Group, International Finance 
Corporation and launched on the 30th September 2021.  G/TFA/N/SWZ/5  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 5.3 Test Procedures  C 10 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  8 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.4 Risk Management  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor:  World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation , others to be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Eswatini  Revenue Authority (SRA) has a risk management system. Collaboration efforts between SRA and 
some partner regulatory agencies are ongoing; currently 4 agencies connect to ASYCUDA World.  
Preliminar y engagements with the World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation on improving SRA 
Customs Risk Management and engage all the relevant border agencies underway.  
No technical assistance received to date on the other areas . 
 
Provision  Heading/Descr iption  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.5 Post-clearance Audit  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
As part of the efforts aimed toward improving SRA Customs Risk Management, considerations for 
strengthening PCA alongside are underway  at organisational level . However, n o technical assistanc e and 
capacity building support received to date.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.6 Establishment and 
Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor: World Bank Group , International Finance Corporation  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The Word Bank Group conducted the Time Release Study  (TRS)  in February 2018 for Eswatini in collaboration 
with cross -border regulatory agencies and Eswatini Revenue Authority  Customs. Preparations for the next  
TRS 2021 are underway, with support also from the WBG – IFC. This will be a Mini-TRS, given the current 
limitations of the global pandemic . 
Furthermore, the recently developed  ASYCUDA Performance Measurement  System (ASYPM ) supported by  the 
SADC Trade Related Facility ( TRF), has opened a window for the country to explore opportunities for further 
opportunities to develop ASYPM  to include  certain indicators that measure release times  nationally. Technical 
support and capacity building will be required in this regard.  
 G/TFA/N/SWZ/5  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicat ive date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.7 Trade Facilitation 
Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C 10 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  7 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) with TA and funding by Sida and UK Her Majesty 's 
Revenue and Customs Services.   
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The SRA has implemented a Preferred Trader Programme (focusing on Customs compliance), where two 
traders have been accredited . 
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date on expanding the programme to 
Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) . 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 8 Border Agency 
Cooperation  C 10 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  7 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor s: World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, others to be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Article 8 (1) With support from WBG - IFC, the country has defined the Eswatini CBM concept and indicative 
model. Currently under develop ment is the CBM Blueprint for implementation.  
Article 8 (2) Discussions have been initiated and are ongoing with neighbouring South Africa for 
implementation of a One Stop Border Post at Oshoek - Ngwenya Border Post. However, to date, no technical 
support and capacity building has been received in this regard.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.1 Formalities and 
Documentation 
Requirements  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  7 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.3 Use of International 
Standards  C 5 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  11 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
 
Donor: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
No technical assistance and capacity building support received to date.  
 G/TFA/N/SWZ/5  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.4 Single Window  C 15 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  8 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor: World Bank , others to be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The World Bank has assisted Eswatini in implementing building bloc ks towards the implementation of the 
National Single Window  (NSW) , and they are:  
- developed 'As Is' and 'To Be ' business processes for al l trade regulatory agencies  
- developed the functional specifications for the NSW  
- conducted the ICT assessment for implementation of NSW  
- legal review of the legislation for implementing NSW and  
- developed the NSW Blueprint/Roadmap.  
No technical assist ance has been received  for the development of the NSW system and  the other areas 
required  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  C 15 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  10 years as of entry into 
force of the TFA  
Donor:  Sida; WCO and UK  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
a) Article 12 (1) C2B cooperation: The SRA is developing a programme for an accredited training on Customs 
clearance to build capacity and customs competence for clearing and freight forwarding  agents . The 
curriculum was documented with technical assistance provided under the SADC Trade Rel ated Facility  
b) Article 12 (2 – 11) C2C cooperation: Data exchange framework (legal framework and system procedure) 
has been put in place among SACU countries The initiative was advanced through support that was initially 
extended to the SACU region under S ida – WCO and more recently with the UK SRA is also using the SADC 
Protocol on Trade to process requests for administrative assistance and these are handled in line with legal 
provisions governing use of the information and ensuring the required confidentiality.  
c) Article 12 (12) SRA entered into a bilateral agreement to operationalise the electronic data exchange with 
SARS for exchange of customs declaration data.  
 
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