G/TFA/TFAF/ 6 
 
30 November  2023 
(23-8138) Page: 1/9 
Committee on Trade Facilitation   
 
 
 
TFAF WORK  PLAN 202 4 
CURRENT TFA IMPLEMENTATION STATE OF PLAY1 
The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force on 22 February 2017, when more 
than two -thirds of the WTO membership had ratified the Protocol of Amend ment to the WTO .2 No 
additional  ratification s were received in 202 3 giving  a total of 156 WTO Members ' ratification  
representing 95 .1% of the total WTO membership.  
In terms of notifications under Section II of the TFA, 87 developing Members  (97%) have 
presented their Category ABC designations. Over 95% of developing Members have presented 
notifications of definitive dates for the implementation of their Category B an d C designations, 
and details on their technical assistance and capacity building (TACB) needs required to implement 
their Category C designations.  
Thirty -two LDC Members  (91%) have presented their Category ABC designations. Twenty -nine 
LDC Members (91%) have presented all of their TACB requirements. Ninety -seven percent have 
presented definitive dates for the implementation of Category B and 84% for Category C 
designations.  
A full and up -to-date analysis of all ratifications and notifications can be found  on the TFA 
Database .3 These notifications inform the TF Committee, the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility 
(TFAF) and trade facilitation stakeholders -at-large of Members' TFA implementation progress, 
anticipated timelines and assistance needs.  
 
The im plementation rate , measured by the definitive dates submitted with the notifications,  is 
currently 7 7% globally with developed Members  implementing at a rate of 100%, developing 
Members implementing at a rate of 80%, and LDC  Members  implementing at a rate of 44%.4  
The majority of the implementation dates notified for categories B and C are spread out over the 
next five years.  Supporting Members to identify implementation support for the se impending  
Category C notified definitive dates  is therefor e a clear focus for the work of the Facility in the 
coming years.  
 
1  WORK PLAN OVERVIEW  
1.1.  In line with the Framework for the Management and Operation of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement Facility (document G/TFA/3 ), this document sets out the work plan for the F acility for 
the year 202 4. 
1.2.  Preparation of the plan was carried out with the TF Committee both via its direct inputs and 
via the representative group of Members that is made up of 1 5 representatives of 12 WTO Members. 
The participating Members include Botsw ana (on behalf of LLDC Group) , China, Ecuador, EU  
 
1 All implementation statistics are correct as of 19 September 202 3 on http://www.tfadatabase.org .   
2 The Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization done at 
Geneva on 27  November 2014 (WT/L/940).  
3 https://www.tfa database.org/notifications -matrix . 
4 Based on notifications provided to date.  G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
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  (2 representatives) , Jamaica, Mozambique  (on behalf of LDC Group), OECS Secretariat,  Peru, Togo , 
UK, US (3 representatives)  and Zimbabwe.  
1.3.  It was drawn up based on:  
a. Modes of delivery as set out in the Operat ional Guidelines and Framework ; 
b. Priorities identified by the Committee as conveyed during a formal meeting held before 
mid-year, under a specific agenda item entitled "The Facility Work Plan" ;  
c. Follow-up meetings with the representative group of Members ;  
d. Trade facilitation needs identified in the biennial Institute for Training and Technical 
Cooperation (ITTC) survey of Members' technical assistance needs as well as needs 
identified in Category C notifications ; and 
e. Activities proposed by partner organi zations.  
1.4.  The biennial survey  (d.) identifie d very broad priorities relating to trade facilitation  with 
continuous request s across all regions for technical assistance needs relating to the TFA. Discussions 
are on -going with the WTO Institute for Trai ning and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) to enhance the 
next survey with more focused questions on TF to capture  emerging TFA needs.  
1.5.  A draft of this  work plan was discussed during the annual dedicated session on assistance and 
capacity building of the CTF hel d on 5 October  2023, under agenda point 4. Members of the 
Committee had the opportunity to comment on the priorities and activities proposed in th e draft and 
to propose additions.  Following these discussions t he TFAF prepare d an updated draft and submit ted 
it to the representative group of Members  for approval/endorsement . This final document is now  
issued by the deadline of end November.  
1.6.  In addition to the proposed activities foreseen in section 3 of this work  plan, the TFAF will also 
accept activity reque sts5 to be submitted throughout the year  by Members . These requests are  dealt 
with by the TFAF team in line with the procedures described in JOB/TF/231 . This allows for a needs -
driven approach to emerging issues .  
1.7.  Any Member that has requested6 a username and password for the online activity tracker has 
access to the activity request form . An email is sent to these Members to inform them when a new 
activity is posted. Members are generally given two weeks to comment on the request before TFAF 
can commit to conduct the activity.  
1.8.  Details on all upcoming activities and feedback on recently c ompleted tasks, whether foreseen 
in this work  plan, or proposed via the activity request form, are communicated to stakeholders via 
regular updates throughout the year; notably in regular reports to the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Committee and in a comprehensi ve annual report.  
1.9.  To make progress towards these goals, in 202 4 the Facility , in cooperation with development 
partners , will deliver activities and outputs through its four modes of delivery:  
Modes of Delivery  
a. Grant Program: The Facility administe rs a gran t program : The procedures of the grant 
program are established in its Operational Rules.7 And more information is available on its 
website . 
 
5 TFAF-TA -Activity Request Form - Formstack   
6 Via email request to TFAF@WTO.org . 
7 https://www.tfafacility.org/assistance -grants/tfaf -grant -program . G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
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  b. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: The Facility respond s to requests from 
developing Members and LDC Members for technical assistance and capacity building on 
the Agreement.  
c. Engagement with Annex D and Development partners: The Facility maintain s close contact 
with Annex D and Development partners to share inf ormation and allow for coordination 
and non -duplication of efforts on trade facilitation.  
d. Maintain the Facility website: The TFAF maintains and further develops its website to 
ensure that it constitutes a comprehensive information sharing/exchange platfor m.  
1.10.   The TFAF pays special attention and prioritizes the needs of LDC Members. In line with 
development partners' priorities, it also endeavours to enhance the participation of women in all 
TFAF-organized activities.   
1.11.   The activities carried out by the TFAF  will be conducted respecting the Paris Principles of Aid 
Effectiveness, namely ownership, alignment, harmonization, managing for results and mutual 
accountability.  
2  PRIORITIES FOR 202 4 
2.1.  The representative group of TF Committee Members identified  the followi ng topics that should 
be considered as priorities in 202 4: 
i. Transit . 
ii. Capital -based officials' participation in dedicated session , emphasi zing donor 
engagement and coordination.  
iii. Issues identified in the context of the 5th Anniversary of the TFA event and 4 -year 
review of the TFA . 
iv. Top 5 measures for implementation in 2024-25 (as identified by notified definitive 
dates of implementation) .8 
v. National Trade Facilitation Committees: Incorporating strategies for private sector 
engagement.  
vi. Support for regional coord ination . 
vii. Implementation of TFA to improve Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster 
Preparedness .   
 
2.2.  Inclusion of priorities in this work  plan should not be understood as a commitment by TFAF to 
ensure implementation of related TFA articles. Some priorities will be supported through the delivery 
of directly associated activities (see table in section 3.7), while others will be supported by TFAF 
through its website, coordination of partner efforts and by monitoring and reporting to the 
Committee.  
2.3.  Additional  activities may be  proposed by Members throughout the year via the activity re quest 
form, they will be asked to identify contributions to the priorities.  
2.4.  Experts engaged to deliver support through the TFAF Grant Program are also prompted to 
identify alignment of their work with the priorities.  
2.5.  Activities and grants will be monitored throughout the year to measure their impact . When the 
annual report for 20 24 is prepared, a section will identify the specific outputs of TFAF activities that 
have contributed to making progress on the priorities.   
 
8 Due Implementation commitments by dates | TFAD - Trade Facilitation Agreement Database 
(tfadatabase.org) . G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
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  3  ACTIVITIES  
3.1.  The following activities , in line with the four modes of delivery, will be organi zed in 2024 : 
Grant pr ogram  
3.2.  The grant program9 provides for  project preparation and project implementation grants for 
Members that are unable to find the assistance needed to implement provisions designated in 
Category C. The first step of the process is the submission of an E xpression of Interest (EoI) form 
detailing the assistance needs and steps taken to seek support. This information is circulated to 
development partners to attempt to find implementation support and to avoid duplication with 
existing assistance programmes. If no partner offers to assist with implementation, the applicant is 
eligible to apply for a TFAF grant.  
3.3.  Further work will take place throughout 2024, to strengthen the grant program's 
responsiveness to TFA implementation needs. To increase the awareness and understanding of the 
grant program's application procedures presentations on these topics will be included at events 
organi zed and attended by TFAF throughout 2024.   
3.4.  The TFAF will provide updates on the grant program at each meeting of the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Committee.  
3.5.  During  the Committee meeting in October, TFAF held bilateral meetings on TACB needs with 
24 Members. Following these meetings, 15 expression of Interest (EoI)  and three  applications for 
Project Implementation Grants (PG) , following up on previous P roject Proposal Grants (PPGs)  will be 
drafted . The table below shows the current estimate of expected  EoI and PG  applications . 
EoI 15 (Angola, Cambodia, Camero on, Congo, Ghana, 
Jordan , Lao PDR, Mali, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, 
Niger, Senegal, St. Lucia, Tanzania)  
Project Implementation Grants (PG)  3 (Grenada, Guyana, Kyrgyz Republic)  
 
Technical assistance and capacity building  
3.6.  The TFAF TACB activities relate to the following outcomes  from the TFAF log frame  (Annex 110): 
identifying implementation assistance, ratification of the Agreement, notifications under the 
Agreement, and strengthening the operation of National Trade Facilitation Committees. Activities in 
2024 are divided between those that are priority -driven  (identified in section 2 above) and those 
stand -alone activities that are not directly associated to a specific priority, but that contribute to 
TFAF's overall mandate .  
3.7.  The TACB activities in 2024 are delivered through training and sensitization workshops and  
TFAF experience exchanges that allow Members to share information on good trade facilitation 
practices and learn from each other. TFAF organi zes these activities in partnership with the Annex  D 
and other implementing partners.  
Priority  Activity  
Transit  Activities to follow  up the 2023 TFAF Transit workshop.  Additional topics 
to be explored include  cooperation on A uthori zed Operators  along transit 
corridors, and  donor coordination on transit issues . 
This may include f unding of capital -based delegates to participate in the 
CTF dedicated session on Transit.   
Capital -based officials' 
participation in dedicated 
session  
 TFAF to fund capital -based officials to attend the CTF meeting with 
dedicated session on technical assistance and support for capacity 
building.   
Activities to support matchmaking and engagement with donors and 
development partners . 
 
9 TFAF Grant Program | TFA F (tfafacility.org) . 
10 In English only.  G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
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  Priority  Activity  
Issues identified in the 
Anniversary event and 4 -year 
review  Knowledge wo rk on thematic topics . Example: exploring  digitalization , 
implementation of smart border management , connectivity and 
narrowing the digital divide  in the context of implementation of the TFA.  
Top 5 202 4-25 
(Definitive  dates)  Based on Members' requests and notifications.  
Jamaica: Training for border officials on coordinated inspection practices 
(Article 8)  
Support to National Trade 
Facilitation Committees  Cooperating with development partners on support to and tools for 
enhancing the role of national trade facilitation committees  and 
strengthening private sector engagement , through capacity building, 
data collection on status of NTFC , and best-practice  sharing.  
Jordan: Training for the NTFC on international export and import 
controls . 
Support for regional 
coordination  Regional activities have been requested by the following : 
[CARICOM , ECOWAS , ALAD I, SADC ]  
The regional activities will address specific thematic implementation 
needs and support regional coordination for the TFA implementation.  
Implementation of TFA to 
improve Humanitarian 
Assistance and Disaster 
Preparedness  Activities in view of promoting the implementation of TFA to improve 
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Preparedness (communication 
with traders including enquiry points, border agency cooperation, review 
of formalities and border procedures) . 
 
Stand -alone activities  
3.8.  Stand -alone TACB activities may be conducted to support specific Member 's TFA 
implementation needs. The support can be delivered by training and sensiti zation, short -term legal 
or expert advice , or peer-to peer learning and experien ce sharing.  
3.9.  Four Members (Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines) have expressed needs for such activities.  
Engagement with Annex D and Development partners  
Activity  Detail  
Upon invitation, TFAF will 
partic ipate in sessions 
hosted by partner 
organizations  Based on lessons learned, the aim of this participation will be to 
strengthen the coordination of TFA implementation efforts. Participation in 
external events has proven to be a cost -effective method to wi den the 
TFAF's reach to deliver an accurate, consistent,  and aligned message on 
the TFA and the Facility, without the need to dedicate the necessary 
resources to organize and host national and regional events in all 
locations globally.  
Co-host activities with 
partner organizations  As above, when appropriate, TFAF will co -host activities with partners in 
order to bring together the appropriate expertise according to the needs 
of Members and to achieve cost -efficiencies compared to hosting alone.  
 
3.10.   In 2024, TFAF will continue to organize meetings with the Annex D and other development 
partners to strengthen coordination of TFA implementation efforts, build partnerships for delivering 
TACB activities,  avoid duplication, and support  matchmaking of Me mbers' TFA implementation 
needs .  
3.11.   The TFAF will participate in TFA -related events organized by other international or regional  
organizations, national governments, and private sector associations; virtual participation is 
prioriti zed where feasible .  
Websi te 
3.12.   The TFAF website has a key role in to disseminat ing information on the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and its requirements. The TFAF will continue a wareness raising on website  streamlined 
in TFAF organi zed activities.  TFAF will explore venues to collect user feedback in view of enhanced 
functionalities.  Maintenance and development will make up the majority of costs related to the 
website.  
  
  G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
- 6 - 4  MONITORING AND EVALUATION  
4.1.  The activity and reporting cycle of the TFAF.  
 
 
 
Evaluation
(Did activity deliver 
objectives/priorities -
participants)
Back to Office Report 
(BtOR)
(Did activity deliver 
objectives/priorities -
trainers)
Activity log
(Record outcomes 
with evidence from 
Evaluation and BtOR)
Review and develop 
requests (in line with 
work plan priorities)Post to TFAF online 
activity tracker 
(notification to 
Members)
15 daysDelivery
Annual 
Report  
ACTIVITY REQUEST  
Including objectives and 
2024 priorities (from work 
plan and  log frame)  G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
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  5  RISKS  
5.1.  The Facility faces a risk to the timely execution of the grant program due to administrative 
processes and procurement rules within the WTO, and slow responsivenes s on the Member side. To 
mitigate this risk, the Facility will ensure that the project scope is clear , realistic and aligned with 
Members' expectations. Furthermore, the Facility will identify a critical path of minimum task s to 
ensure delivery of each pro ject and monitor the execution closely.  
5.2.  The Facility also faces constraints on its funding  resulting in the prospective risk that not all 
planned activities can be carried out in 2024 . To address this risk, t he Facility will consult with the 
Committee t hrough the representative group to identify activities  to be prioriti zed. The Facility  will 
review its approach to fund raising under guidance from the Committee.  
5.3.  External shocks, such as natural disasters and political crisis, are ongoing risks  for many 
Members and they are a persistent risk to the implementation of TFAF activities.  
  G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
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  6  DRAFT BUDGET  
ACTIVITY  NUMBER  UNIT AMOUNT  
IN CHF   
(TOTAL ) 
Delivery Mode A: Operation of TFAF grant funding program 
- Project preparation grants  3 + applications received 
during the year  28,000  
(84,000)  
Delivery Mode A: Operation of TFAF grant funding program 
- Project implementation grants  11 + applications 
received during the year  180,000  
(2,000,000) 
Numbers reflect number of current EoIs  and prospective PGs (see 3.5)  The actual number may be lower 
when and if donors and implementing partners match EoI through their programmes and projects  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity 
Building: National activities  (see 3.7 and 3.9)  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  6 + activity requests  
received during the year  20,000  
(120,000)  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity 
Building: Regional (or sub -regional)  activities  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  Full scale (200'000)  
Minimal scale (50'000)  50,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity 
Building: National needs assessments  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  [1] + activity requests  20,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity 
Building: Matchmaking events and thematic knowledge 
work activities   
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  
 
Funding Capital based officials   
Transit meeting ( 30 LLDC capital -based officials)  
Dedicated session ( 40 LDC  capital -based officials)   
2 + activity requests  
 
 
 
1 
1  
20,000  
 
 
 
110,000 
150,000  
(280,000) 
Delivery Mode C: Engagement with Annex D and 
Development partners  5 + activity requests  6,500  
(32,500)  
Delivery Mode D: TFAF Website  
Maintenance and development  1 15,000  
Staff Member at grade 7 position  
Monthly salary, insurance, and pension  
 
Staff Member at grade 9 position  
Monthly salary, insurance, and pension  
 
Internship for Graduate Student  
(Cost estimate is based on possibility to host intern)  1 
 
 
1 
 
 
1 175,000  
 
 
200,139 
 
 
5,000  
TOTAL (estimates for known  costs. Not including 
additional grants and activity requests)   2,981,639 
Note:  Interested Members will be notified of activity requests and expressions of interest, as submitted  
throughout 2024, and can therefore monitor ongoing expenditure beyond that foreseen in this 
budget. 
  G/TFA/TFAF/6  
 
- 9 - Annex 11 - The TFAF Log frame  
 
_________  
 
1 In English only.