WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/TF/W/93 
6 April 2006 
 (06-1633) 
Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation Original:   English 
  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
  
 The following communication, dated 4 Apr il 2006, from the Delegation of the European 
Communities, is being circulated in advance of the Negotiating Group meeting of 5-7 April.  
_______________ 
  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING 
 
  
1. This submission provides an update of EC  technical assistance and capacity building 
programmes in the field of Trade Facilitation, notab ly with regard to the information provided in 
document TN/TF/W/37 of 29 April 2005.  Annex 1 sets out the projects financed at the EC level. 
Annex 2 gives examples of programmes by EC Member States.  Some examples of broader 
infrastructure projects, notably those relating to th e construction of port facilities and transit corridors, 
while not part of the WTO agenda, have also b een included (annex 3) for information purposes since 
such projects can help maximise the benefits of Trade Facilitation reforms. 
2. As noted in the document TN/TF/W/37, trade is  a priority area for EC development policy 
and thus in EC technical assistance and capacity building programming.  At the EC level, the 
European Commission negotiates multi-annual programmes with each partner country or region which set the priorities for the allocation of aid resources.  The needs and priorities expressed by 
beneficiary developing countries, including in rela tion to Trade Facilitation, are central to this 
process.  The next cycle of such aid programm es will run from 2007 through 2013, a timeframe well 
geared to supporting implementation of fu ture WTO provisions on trade facilitation. 
3. The list of projects linked directly to the Trade Facilitation negotiations is not exhaustive, at 
least in part as projects are continuing to develop.  More projects are planned, in part in anticipation of 
the WTO outcome and the inclusion of Trade Facilita tion and customs reforms in several bilateral or 
regional agreements.  The EC has committed to incr ease its trade related aid by about thirty per cent, 
to €1 billion per annum, and expects a considerable part of this aid to be requested to support trade 
facilitation.  EC Member States as part of their commitment to meeting the Millennium Development 
Goals have also committed to comparab le increases of trade related aid. 
4. EC technical assistance programmes at a regional level include projects with ASEAN, South 
Asia, Eastern Europe, Southern and Western Afri ca, the Caribbean, Central and Latin America, 
Oceania and the ACP region as a whole.  Examples of projects with individual countries include 
Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, I ndia, Moldova, Egypt, Rwanda and Argentina. 
Trade Facilitation is often a component of larger trade related assistance programmes, for example 
linked to institutional strengthen ing of trade-related institutions.  
  TN/TF/W/93 
Page 2 ANNEX 1 
EC technical assistance and capacity building projects  
Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Afghanistan  Needs Assessment of Trade and Trade 
Related Assistance  Establishment of a coherent trade strategy linked with the 
overall development plan of Afghanistan.  Focus on trade development, regional trading system and trade EU-Afghanistan. Included input on trade reform impact, intra-
government policy; donor coordi nation and trade facilitation. 2005 98  
Afghanistan  Border crossing facilities Pakistan and 
Tajikistan borders The main purposes are to facilitate legitimate cross-border 
trade and passenger travel, countering of illegal trade/ 
smuggling plus emphasis on revenue generation for Afghanistan.  The "Torkham Border" consists of setting up of all facilities [police, customs, controls, buildings and the transport corridor to Kabul etc.]. 2005 25,000  
Afghanistan  Border police deployment Afghanistan - 
Tajik border (Facilities, equipment, training)  To facilitate legitimate cross-border trade and passenger travel, 
countering illegal trade & smuggling & narcotic trafficking and better border control. 2006 7,000  
Africa Union Trade Facilitation workshop World Bank activities financially supported by EC to help 
African countries identify their needs and priorities in relation to the DDA Trade Facilitation negotiations and to address cost concern issues.  2006 98  
Albania Customs and integrated border 
management programmes To contribute to  exercising effective border controls and 
facilitating trade.  To ensure that customs systems in Albania 
remain effective to generate and improve revenue  and to 
improve the ability of the Albanian customs services to detect and prevent illicit trafficking.  Upgrading border management, border crossing points and border posts. 2001 20,500  
Albania  2005 CARDS Action Programme for 
Albania  Customs and taxation improvement 2005           3,000   
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 3Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
All ACP Facilities TRADE.COM As a major general capacity strengthening measure it will fund 
among other a network of some 55 regional and national trade 
advisors throughout the ACP.  Trade Facilitation is covered by 
this programme. 2005 50,000  
Argentina Trade Related Technical Assistance 
(TRTA) Programme Facilitating Argentina's participation and implementation of 
new and on-going internationa l trade agreements through 
policy-making support and capacity building activities (including one specific component linked to Trade Facilitation 
issues of  € 1 to 2 Mio) 2006 2,000  
Argentina Trade Related Assistance (TRA) 
Programme: Support to the institutional strengthening of SENASA The overall objective of the programme is to promote trade and 
investment flows between Argentina and the EU through policy-making support and capacity building activities. The specific objective is to support the institutional strengthening 
of the "ervicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad 
Agroalimentaria" (SENASA) a nd to enhance its technical 
capabilities to respond to the challenges of today’s international food markets.  An element of the project relates to Trade Facilitation. 
2006 9,800  
ASEAN Programme for Regional Integration 
Support  The purpose of the project is to support ASEAN integration 
and region-to-region contacts. It  will cover customs and trade 
facilitation, along with a couple of other trade related issues. 2006 7,287  
ASEAN Trade Facilitation workshop Trade Facilitation workshop - regional and multilateral focus 2006 50  
Bangladesh Bangladesh Trade Support Programme: 
Post Cancun  Assist Bangladesh in pursuing a trade and economic reform 
agenda in line with WTO agreements and build an enabling 
economic environment.  The purpose is to strengthen human 
resources and institutional capacity of relevant Government Agencies and private sector parti es in order to introduce trade 
reforms and remove barriers to trade, bearing in mind the links between trade and development, and poverty alleviation.  An 
element of the project concerns Trade Facilitation. 2003 7,800   
  TN/TF/W/93 
Page 4 Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Bénin Support for the private sector Overall objective:  Increasing integration in the regional and 
global economy; strengthening of economic competitiveness 
and fight against poverty.  Specific objective:  Create a private sector friendly environment. 2006 5 000  
Bhutan Bhutan Trade Capacity Development & 
Export Promotion Project Strengthening capacities of Bhutan in dealing with WTO 
issues with Trade Facilitation element.   1,200  
Bolivia Trade development investment promotion 
programme Overall objective: To improve the flow of foreign trade and 
investment. The specific objectives  include the strengthening 
of public and private sector ins titutions' capacity for technical 
and administrative management of activities relating to foreign trade and investments. 2004 6,300  
Bosnia and Herzegovina Annual Action Programme 2005 for 
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Integrated Border Management To enhance trade facilitation through better cooperation and 
coordination between the different services involved in border management. To create open but controlled and safe borders, 
and ensuring efficient movement of goods and persons 
crossing those borders. A technical assistance project will assist in revising the existing legislation, training of Integrated Border Management related institutions, and the creation of a Joint Analysis Centre. The TA project will be supported by the 
supply of the necessary IT equipment. 
2005 2,000  
Bosnia and Herzegovina Annual Action Programme 2005 for 
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Customs & 
Taxation Customs & taxation improvements 
2005           3,000  
Bosnia and 
Herzegovina  Integrated border management and 
customs programmes To ensure efficient movement of goods between BiH and 
neighbouring countries through design, construction, supervision and refurbishment of selected border crossing posts. Technical assistance and necessary expertise, training, equipment and logistical support, feasibility studies. 
2002           3,450  
  
 
   
  
      
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Recipient 
country / region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in € thousands)  
Cambodia Cambodia Multilateral Trade Assistance Multilateral trade negotiations. Su pport to trade negotiations, 
training, technical assistance and support in managing and implementing trade liberalisation and WTO commitments. 2001           2,080  
Cambodia  TRA package Assisting Cambodian deve loping, formulating and 
implementing policies for international trade and investment, with specific regard to international fora like WTO and ASEAN, with Trade Facilitation component 2007  7000 -8000  
Caribbean Caribbean regional Trade Development 
Programme The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to the 
strengthening of the CARIFORUM member states, through 
support of overall trade diversification. The main components 
of the programme include: competitiveness and quality improvement; economic integration and trade policy formulation; trade information; trade promotion and institutional development. This includes customs. 2002           1,471  
Caribbean Trade Facilitation workshop World Bank activity with EC financial support to help 
Caribbean countries identify their needs and priorities in 
relation to the DDA Trade Facilitation negotiations and to 
address cost concern issues.  2006   
     
     
     
      
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Page 6      
Recipient 
country / region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in € thousands)  
Caribbean  Caribbean Trade and Private Sector 
Development Programme To address specific constraints to export development in the 
Caribbean countries and to provide support for business facilitation and trade developmen t to assist with the further 
integration of the Caribbean region into the world economy. 
The Programme will provide trade policy and information services, business support services and services for business support organisations.  2006         13,400  
Central America  Central American Customs Union The overall objective is the regional integration of Central 
America through the creation of a Central American Common Market. The project's specific objective is the creation of a 
Central American Customs Uni on. This objective involves the 
following aspects: Telematic interconnection of the customs and fiscal environments of the recipient countries. Creation of a Central American Customs School with a view to training 360 officials from the customs and tax administrations of the Central American countries involved.  
2001           8,000  
Central Asia  Regional Action Programme: Border 
Management programme for Central Asia   2005           6,000  
Central Asia  Central Asia Action Programme: Border 
Management in Central Asia (BOMCA) Cross-border co-operation betw een border and customs guards 
of the 3 countries concerned (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan). 2003           4,800  
Central Asia  Central Asia Action Programme: Customs 
Modernisation Development of Central Asia n Customs Administrations 2004           3,400  
Chile Customs modernisation Strengthen national customs services in four areas including 
customs valuation, intellectual property rights, ATA (temporary admission) books and carnets. 2004           6,700  
China Workshop on Trade Facilitation (Beijing 
March 2006) and Trade Facilitation 
survey Seminar 2006    
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 7Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Croatia Croatia 2005 Phare National Programme  Interoperability of IT Systems with the EU Customs Systems 2005           7,075  
Croatia Croatia 2006 Phare National Programme Integration of the Croatian Customs Information Systems with 
the EU Customs Information Systems 2006           5,275  
Dominican Republic Institutional Support to Regional 
Integration  Strengthening the Dominican Republic's capacity for greater 
trade integration with its EPA partners, both in Europe and the 
Caribbean region. It provides trade policy and implementation 
support, including customs reforms as required. 2006           5,000  
Eastern Europe and Central Asia TACIS 2005 CBC Action programme: 
Border Crossings To facilitate the legal flow of people, goods and services 
across the European Unio n’s external borders. 
2005           4,000  
Egypt Trade enhancement programme (TEP-B) The TEP-B programme aims at encouraging and accelerating 
the implementation of policies and reforms already decided and carried out in their essential principles by the Egyptian government, but still insufficiently implemented and deserving 
to be intensified and extended. These policies and reforms aim 
primarily at reducing the duration and the costs of foreign trade operations (esp. import, export and transit of goods). 2003         40,000  
Egypt Trade enhancement programme  
TEP-C The programme supports reforms carried out by the Egyptian 
Customs authorities. The focus is on institutional capacity building, technical assistance and training of the Customs middle management. 2003           6,000  
Recipient country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Egypt Trade enhancement programme (TEP-A) Through a comprehensive  Trade Enhancement Programme the 
EC supports Egypt in implementing trade liberalisation 
including with regard to Trade Facilitation. 2002  20000  
El Salvador  Project for Competitiveness Strengthening 
for Micro and Small Enterprises, in El Salvador The project will support El Salvador government for trade 
agreement negotiations at a macro level. The TRTA small component should strength  negotiation capacities as well as 
compliance with commitments. There will be training and 
technical assistance in those fields.   2005  10000   
  TN/TF/W/93 
Page 8 Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Former 
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Customs and integrated border 
management programmes Technical Assistance in the area of custom. Upgrade of border 
management system, border crossing points and border posts.  
2003         13,500  
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia CARDS 2005 Action Programme for the 
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Customs & Taxes improvements with regard to drawing 
legislation 
2005           3,000  
Former 
Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia Border control points: communication 
networks The project activities will support: (i) the transfer of data 
between Border Crossing Points and the Ministry of Interior, 
and also the processing and analysis of such data; (ii) development and implementation of  the local data collection, 
collation and primary processing systems of the Border Crossing Points and (iii) implementation of security features and procedures to enable secure data transfer.  2005           1,200  
Former 
Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia Border police: equipment supply The project will aim to improve the operational capacity of the 
border police service and its integration within the general 
police service, at an operation level.  It will provide vehicles (CARDS 2003) and national digital radio communications system (CARDS 2004) in order to establish proper lines of communication between the border police and the in-land police. 2006         11,800  
Former 
Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia Border police: Technical Assistance 
(twinning)  The project will provide Member State technical assistance to 
help with the approximation of border management functions.   2006           1,880  
     
     
      
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 Page 9Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Georgia  Statistics / Customs  Support to the Georgia State Border Guards 2002           2,400  
India  EU-India Trade and Investment 
Development Programme  The objective of the project is to assist India in building an 
enabling economic environment and to improve economic governance with a view to enhancing trade and investment with the EU. Five components cover (1) improving Indian testing and certification facilities to match European standards in order to increase exports of Indian foodstuffs to Europe, (2) 
establishing investment facilitation desks in key Indian cities to 
assist European investors in making successful investments in India, (3) setting up a dedicated website giving comprehensive information on markets and regulations for both Europeans doing business in India and Indians doing business in Europe, 
(4) improving Indian customs controls in order to make 
exporting and importing quicker and cheaper and (5) supporting the enforcement of intellectual property rights legislation in India in orde r to better protect businesses. 
2005         13,400  
Indonesia Customs project Improve the capacity of the Indonesian customs administration 
in post-release audit, related intelligence functions and fight 
against fraud with specific attention towards the design and 
implementation of a new hu man resources development 
system. 2006           3,890  
Indonesia Trade support programme Promote EU-Indonesia trade by tacking identified  barriers. 
This has a Trade Facilitation component.                                      2005           8,500  
Kosovo  2005 CARDS Action Programme for 
Kosovo Integrated Border Management 2005           1,500  
Kosovo  2005 CARDS Action Programme for 
Kosovo Customs and taxation improvement 2005           1,500  
Mercosur EU-Mercosur Customs Co-operation The project aims at contributing to customs integration and 
setting up a commons market by introducing a second phase of customs EU and support market growth. 2001           5,300   
  TN/TF/W/93 
Page 10 Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Mexico Programme for the Facilitation of the EU-
Mexico Free Trade Agreement The aim of the project is stimulate economic development via 
increased trade flows resulting from a better functioning of the EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement. The project is expected to improve the functioning of the free trade area between Mexico 
and the EU. The European Commission and the Mexican 
Government  have tentatively identified a number of areas where they consider that enhanced cooperation could have a significant and positive impact for operators of both sides. Among them, customs co-operation. 
2004           8,000  
Moldova Border management Training to the customs and border guard service on the 
Ukrainian border.  2002           1,700  
Moldova and Ukraine Regional Action Programme: Support to 
border cooperation between Ukraine and Moldova To facilitate goods and persons flows across some selected 
border posts on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border while increasing the capacity to detect and counteract illegal activities related to border crossing (smuggling, trafficking). 
2005           6,600  
Montenegro Action Programme for Montenegro Customs & taxes improvement 2005           1,000  
NIS  Border crossing Interventions at Suopera-Kortesalmi road borders.  2002           6,000  
Oceania  Pacific ACP Regional Economic 
Integration Programme (REIP)  Regional programme that includes  Trade Facilitation 
elements. 2003           9,200  
Philippines  Trade-related technical assistance in the 
Philippines  Major activities under the Trade Facilitation component are: 
development, installation of and training on a risk management 
system; installation, customisation of and training on a valuation database; and Customs human resources development strategy upgrading, and development of the Customs Academy’s courseware and training. 2005           1,300   
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 11Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Romania  Phare National Programme for Romania 
2005: Border Management Control,  Project 1: Optimisation of the Institutional System and of the 
System of Human Resources within the Border Police and 
National Customs Authority. 2005           7,500  
Russia  TACIS 2005 Russia Action Programme Promoting Cross-Border Cooperation 2005           3,500  
Rwanda Trade Facilitation - costs concerns and 
needs and priority identification DG TRADE Funding for World Bank activity to help Rwanda 
identify its needs and priorities in relation to the DDA Trade 
Facilitation negotiations and to address cost concern issues.  2006  n.a.  
Rwanda Rwanda Institutional Support for 
Economic Management Support to improve Rwanda's trade negotiation position and 
Rwandan private sector capacity. 2006              710  
SACU 
(Southern African 
Customs 
Union) Economic Integration Support Programme 
to SACU Contribution Agreement (grant) and technical assistance to 
assist the SACU Member States in the implementation of the SACU Agreement (2002).   
2005           6,000  
SADC REGION Support to SADC Member States on 
Customs Modernisation and Trade Facilitation towards the SADC Customs Union  The project purpose is to support and achieve closer regional 
integration and harmonisation of Customs legislation and procedures, including improved transit flows, and to prepare for the smooth transition to the proposed SADC Customs Union by 2010. 
2005         18,000  
Serbia  2005 Action Programme for Serbia Customs & taxes improvement 2005           2,500  
Serbia and 
Montenegro Customs and integrated border 
management programmes Modernisation and developmen t of the Federal Customs 
Administration and customs area,  support to the customs and 
taxation administration, improve the main border crossing, technical assistance and necessary expertise, training, equipment and logistical support, feasibility studies.  2002         41,200  
Serbia and Montenegro 2005 Action Programme for Serbia and 
Montenegro Customs & taxes improvement 
2005              500  
      
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Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Serbia and 
Montenegro/ Kosovo as defined by 
UNSCR1244 Customs & Taxation Assist the local Authorities to complete a comprehensive 
programme of modernisation a nd development of the Customs 
Administration. 
2002           2,500  
South Asia EU-SAARC programme of Economic 
Cooperation   The objective of the project is to support regional integration 
by providing assistance with the implementation of the South 
Asia Free Trade Agreement and building awareness of the benefits of regional integration. The project will target: customs reform and cooperation (including the establishment of a pilot modern transit corridor between India and Nepal), 
standards harmonisation and netw orking and awareness raising 
in the private sector and academia.  2007           3,000  
Sri Lanka Trade Development Project Strengthening the capacity of the government of Sri Lanka and 
other stakeholders in unde rstanding and managing WTO 
negotiations and meeting Sri La nka’s commitments from WTO 
agreements including in the field of Trade Facilitation.   2003           1,400  
Syria Institutional Sector Modernisation Facility 
- ISMF Assist the Syrian Government in the formulation and 
implementation of a modernisation programme and in the 
preparation and implementation of the Association Agreement 
with the EU. Includes review of legislative and regulatory framework, e Government and assistance in streamlining the mechanism of granting import licences. 2003         21,000  
Syria Support to the Ministry of Finance - Syria Modernisation of Ministry of Finance - customs, taxation 2004           8,000  
Tajikistan Central Asia 2003 Action Programme: 
Tajikistan Customs Support to customs 2003              500  
Thailand Small Project Facility - Trade 
Development This includes issues resulting from the WTO Doha Ministerial 
Declaration and trade policy issues including in respect to 
Trade Facilitation 2003           5,000  
      
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Recipient 
country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
the countries under the Stabilisation and Association 
Process CARDS Regional - Action Annual 
Programme 2003: Integrated Border Management Integrated Borger Management strategies and action plans 
2003           1,000  
TRACECA Regional Action Programme: TRACECA 
programme Overall objective is to further harmonise trade and transport 
policy between the EU and the TRACECA countries 
(Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgar ia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, 
Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Ukraine) along the TRACECA corridor, by facilitating regional cooperation, by capacity building and training 
measures, by feasibility studies and investment appraisals and 
through selected priority investments. 2005         10,000  
Turkey 2004 National Programme for Turkey: 
Modernisation of the Turkish Customs Administration The project aims at modernising the Turkish Customs 
Administration (TCA), in order that it: Among others, strengthens customs enforcement operations to meet the responsibilities for the protection and control of the external borders of the enlarged EU; strengthens the infrastructure of  
customs laboratories, and creates a centralised customs archive 
facility. 
2004         22,550  
Turkey 2003 National Programme for Turkey: 
Customs modernisation project Strengthening the administrative and legislative environment 
of the Turkish customs administration and its capacity with regard to customs controls and laboratory tests. 2003           5,406  
Turkey  Phare 2005 National Programme for 
Turkey: Establishing New Border Inspection Posts in the Republic of TurkeyThe overall objective of the project is to set up a new regime of 
control at the external borders of Turkey, in compliance with 
EU directives, so as to improve animal and human health. The project addresses a medium term priority of the Accession 
Partnership to strengthen the food safety and control system. It 
will provide institution building support (including training) 
for control activities at the external borders, and it will co finance the building and equipping of 6 Veterinary Border Inspection Posts at the external borders of Turkey. 2005         10,000   
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country / 
region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in 
€ thousands)  
Turkmenistan Central Asia 2003 Action Programme: 
Turkmenistan Customs Improving customs and border controls 2003              500  
Uzbekistan Central Asia 2003 Action Programme: 
Uzbekistan Customs Support to customs 2003           1,000  
Viet Nam Vietnam MUTRAP II - Multilateral Trade 
Assistance Project Capacity Building WTO accession, research, co-ordination of 
WTO projects. Services, SPS, TBT, Trade Facilitation, 
agriculture and horizontal issues. 2003           5,100  
Viet Nam European Technical Assistance Project for 
Vietham II, component 3: Customs  To support General Department of Customs in producing 
legislation to international standards, especially in the areas 
linked to WTO, Revised Kyoto and ITA Conventions, as well as development and implementa tion of planning systems, 
management, operational control, HR issues, communications and procedures. 2005           2,059  
West Africa Support for transport facilitation Technical Assistance to ECOWAS to support the 
implementation of the regional road transport and transit programme.  2004           2,000  
West Africa Support for transport facilitation and trade Improvement of the regional pub lic transport facilities in order 
to cut costs and facilitate free movement of people and intra-regional trade flows(by elimination of non-tariff barriers). Facilitation of customs procedures for transit, enhancement of 
transport facilities, harmonisation of norms and procedures , 
particularly aiming at the elimination of NTBs and supporting free circulation. 2007         63,800  
West Africa Support to  Regional Integration and to 
the EPA negotiations between the EU and the West African Region Support to the West African region for the EPA negotiations 
with the EC. Coverage of need s in preparation by supporting 
the regional integration process and enhancement of capacities 
of all groups involved in the negotiation process. 2005 7,000 
     
      
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Recipient 
country / region Project title Project description Start  Amount 
committed (in € thousands)  
West Africa Support to Regional Integration in West 
Africa This project aims at further integrating the West Africa region 
into the world economy, consolidating the economic space and accelerating their integration process.  The main results expected are the achievement of the ECOWAS custom union, the consolidation of the WAEMU customs union and the 
removal of barriers to free movement of people, services and 
capital, reinforcing economic stability by enhancing the 
convergence of macro-economic policies, strengthening the 
WAEMU and ECOWAS institutional framework, reinforcing consulting and coordinating mechanism between the two 
regional bodies for West African  integration and enhancing 
grassroots involvement in the integration process.  Of 105 million euros, 76.4m will be under a centralised form through a contribution agreement (9 ACP ROC 16), 28.6 m under a decentralised form via a programme estimate (9 ACP ROC 15). 2006 105,000  
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ANNEX 2 
 
Technical assistance and capacity building pr ogrammes in the field of Trade Facilitation  
     
Finland      
     
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
(in € thousands) 
CAFAO as a whole under Eurocustoms 
leadership  Building administrative 
capacity, prepare for EU accession  The aim is to modernise law, procedures and systems in order to 
build administrative capacity, commitment and governance 2006 - 2008 n.a.
Montenegro (as 
part of CAFAO programme ) Customs enforcement  As one area of the whole project customs enforcement actions, 
provision of customs expertise.  2006 n.a.
Russia (Barents 
region) Barents area customs co-
operation  The aim is to facilitate trade in the Northern region by targeted 
twinning actions in the region and by joint web pages, which gives information on customs issu es to all 4 countries (Russia, 
Sweden, Norway, Finland) and also to economic operators.  2006 - 2007 85
Russia (mainly 
North West 
Customs Administration and Kaliningrad) Customs co-operation in 
neighbouring area The aim is to facilitate land and sea traffic at the border region 
(EU Eastern border) by clarifying processes used in customs 
procedures and clearance, by promoting electronic clearance systems and by changing information on current legislation of both parties. The main features of EU Customs legislation and Russian Customs legislation are compared through practical operations and consultations.   2006 - 2007 150
Sub Sahara 
region/Latin 
America, or some 
other area. to be defined together with WCO  Capacity Building  Capacity Building projects as joint Nordic
  projects in co-
operation with  WCO  2006 n.a.
    
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 Page 17   
Germany    
   
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
(in € thousands) 
Serbia Advice to the 
Commercial Sector of 
the Republic of Serbia in Customs related issues (GTZ) Objective
: The commercial sector is able to apply current and 
reformed customs rules and regul ations adequately. The project 
provides assistance in the estab lishment of a comprehensive 
customs-related training system for the commercial sector and the establishment of an information system , containing all relevant export rules and regulations. Jan-03 1.5
Palestinian 
Territories Establishment of a 
Palestinian Customs Administration (GTZ) The project aims to strengthen technical and operational customs 
capacities in line with internationa l standards and best practice (as 
developed e.g. by the WCO). Transparent, streamlined and efficient customs services are important for the private sector, especially tourist industry, and for the government. 2003 1.8
Regional SADC Governance and Reform 
Programme: 
Strenghtening the SADC 
Secretariat  (Component on Trade Facilitation and Customs) (GTZ, see also Inwent project with SADC) The aim of the overall programme is that the SADC Secretariat 
competently promotes the regional integration process. The 
Component on Trade Facilitation and Customs supports the 
SADC Secretariat through the following results: 1. A strategic management vision in customs is  agreed upon and Good practises 
of information exchange are est ablished and applied in other 
SADC member states (Strategic Management Support); 2. A communication strategy is developed and functions effectively 
and a partnership forum at the regional level with respect to 
customs issues is established (Institutionalised channels of 
communication) 2004 2
Former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia Reform of the 
Macedonian customs administration (temporary working title) 
(GTZ) The project aims at strengthening the Macedonian customs 
administration in line with standards of the European Union. The poject supports the Macedonian government in the field of organizational development a nd human resource management. 
The objectives of the government are a improved positioning on 
the international market in the s hort-run and the integration in the 
European Union in the long-run. under 
preparationn.a.
   
   
    
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Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
(in € thousands) 
PR China Strengthening the 
Implementation Capacity 
for WTO related rules and regulations in the PR China (Inwent) The focus of this programme is to strengthen institutional and 
personal capacities which are important to support the further 
integration of the PR China into the world trade system.   2005 210
Lao PDR Supporting the WTO-
Integration Process in Lao PDR (Inwent) The overall objective of this project is to offer qualified 
assistance for policy-making officials of various Laotian institutions who actually affect the integration of Lao PDR into 
the world trading system, aiming at improving the knowledge 
about updated WTO issues relate d to Laos initial position and 
about the implementation effects of various policies, and at improving coherence and inte r-ministerial cooperation. 2005 270
Cambodia Requirements arising 
from WTO Membership for the Economic Policy in Cambodia (Inwent) The overall objective of this project is to offer qualified 
assistance for policy-making officials of various Cambodian institutions who actually affect the integration of Cambodia into the world trade system. Hence aiming at improving the knowledge about updated WTO issues related to Cambodia’s 
WTO-Membership and about the implementation effects of 
various policies, and further at  improving the coherence and 
inter-ministerial coordination. This is also important for the further integration of trade policy into the national development strategy. The project shall utili ze local expertise where possible 
and complement it with international expertise. 2005 235
EAC Promotion of the East 
African Community 
(Inwent) This programme in cooperation w ith the EAC Secretariat shall 
contribute to the strengthening of management capacities with 
regard to a EAC customs union. Participants will be accustomed with the challenges of WTO-requirements for the EAC customs union. Exchange of experiences is  also one important aspect of 
the project. 2005 400
   
   
   
    
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 19   
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
(in € thousands) 
SADC / EAC Global Trade – New 
challenges for customs policy and customs 
administration (Inwent) The objective of this one-year programme in Germany is to 
increase the professional know-how and practical expertise of officials so that they may assume responsible tasks at a later stage 
in modern customs policy and administration, in international and 
regional negotiation teams on trad e and customs, regional and 
international institutions respectively and last but not least to serve national interests at their home organization. 2005 2.05
     
     
Italy      
     
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount (in € 
thousands) 
Jordan  Twinning Support to the customs de partment in the implementation of the 
EU Jordan association agreement  2006 1000
Lebanon  Twinning Capacity building an d modernisation of the petroleum 
warehousing operations  2006 125
Morocco  Twinning Facilitation of the extern al trade procedures in order to increase 
the commercial exchanges at the bor ders within the framework of 
the implementation of the association agreement  2005 690
Tunisia  Twinning Strengthening of the cu stoms services capacities as regards the 
suspension schemes the rues of origin and communication  2006 240
   
   
   
   
   
    
  TN/TF/W/93 
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Lithuania    
   
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
(in € thousands) 
GUAM countries 
(Georgia, Ukraine, 
Azerbaijan and Moldova) Euro-Atlantic technical 
assistance programme The Lithuanian Customs officer is assigned as Customs Adviser 
at the Euro-Atlantic Advisory Team supporting the GUAM states 
(Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) to implement the GUAM Trade and Transport Facilitation Project and the GUAM Virtual Law  2005 n.a.
Kazakhstan Reform and 
Modernization of the Customs Control Committee of the 
Republic of Kazakhstan  
(TACIS programme project, Eurocustoms implementation)  Assistance of Lithuanian experts in the fields of Customs 
legislation and training. 2006 n.a.
Kyrgyz Reform and 
Modernization of the Department of the 
Customs Service of the 
Kyrgyz Republic  (TACIS programme project, Eurocustoms implementation) Assistance of Lithuanian experts in the field of appeal 
procedures, and possibly in the other areas of customs legislation. 2006 n.a.
Moldova and 
Ukraine Border management Within the framework of the EU initiative to assist Moldova and 
Ukraine for establishing an intern ational customs control on the 
Transnistrian segment of the common border, 4 Lithuanian 
Customs officials participate in the EU Mission on the border of Moldova. 2005 n.a.
   
    
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 21   
   
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
(in € thousands) 
Tajikistan Reform and 
Modernization of the Customs Department of the Republic of Tajikistan  (TACIS 
programme project, 
Eurocustoms implementation)  Assistance of Lithuanian experts in the field of training. 2006 n.a.
Turkmenistan Modernisation of the 
State Customs Service of 
Turkmenistan (TACIS programme project, Eurocustoms implementation) Participation of the Lithuanian Customs Officials in the 
implementation of Legislation sub-project.  2006 n.a.
Uzbekistan Reform and 
Modernization of the Department of the Customs Service of the 
Kyrgyz Republic 
(TACIS programme project Eurocustoms implementation) Planned assistance of the Lithuanian experts in the fields of 
customs legislation, international cooperation and anticorruption. 2006 n.a.
   
Netherlands      
     
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount  
(in € thousands) 
ACP DDE International 
Lawyers and Economists against Poverty ILEAP Trade negotiations, to enhance negotiating capacity of 
ACP countries in global and regional negotiations, Trade Facilitation being a main focus 2005 819
Bulgaria DZO Non-ODA Macro-
steun Support for the purchase of customs equipment 2003 2200 
  TN/TF/W/93 
Page 22 Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount  
(in € thousands) 
Georgia. Moldova, Armenia EBRD Trade Facilitation 
GAM Contribute to EBRD Programme on Trade Facilitation in 
Georgia, Moldova and Armenia 2004 9500
Ghana In preparation: Support 
to Ghana Trade Sector Support Programme Adequate and efficient facilities at ports, customs clearance 2006 500
Macedonia Twinning Customs Technical Assistance on customs modernisation 2005 418
Rwanda Cold storage Construction and manageme nt of cold storage facility at border 2005 543
     
     
Portugal       
     
Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount  
(in € thousands) 
Angola Bilateral Customs 
Administration assistance Auditing on Angola’s after custom s clearage operations  2006 n.a.
Angola Bilateral Customs 
Administration assistance Analysis of Angola’s customs legislation 2006 n.a.
Cape Verde Bilateral Anti-Fraud 
assistance Local evaluation of anti-fraud measures (based on inquiries 
made) 2006 n.a.
CPLP – 
Community of Portuguese Language Countries Multilateral Kyoto 
Protocol assistance Meeting in Lisbon for transla tion reviewing and terminology 
harmonisation, followed by final draft and subsequent adoption 2006 n.a.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 23Spain    
   
Amount Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date 
(in € thousands) 
Multi donors/  
total :458Interregional  
Global African & Latin-American 
countries Capacity building in 
developing countries & LDC to support effective 
participation in the WTO 
negotiation process on trade facilitation To assist developing countries members of WTO in better 
understanding the issues at stake, in defining their position regarding the treatment of trade facilitation with the context WTO 
negotiations in TF and in formulating the modalities for an 
effective implementation of the negotiated commitments. 2005
Spain:  117
   
   
   
   Sweden 
 
   
Amount 
Committed by 
Sweden Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date 
(in € thousands) 
Global 
WTO/DDAGTF   Activities in the area of trade facilitation is a priority to the WTO 2005 169
Global 
WTO/DDAGTF   Activities in the area of trade facilitation is a priority to the WTO 2006 169
Global WCO New directorate for 
capacity building Capacity building including diagnostic studies 2005 212
South-east African 
WCO-region Establishment of a 
capacity building centre 
in Kenya   2005 212
Global Swedish 
Customs Capacity building  Transfer of knowledge about modern customs procedures  2005 160
Global World Bank Trade Facilitation 
Negotiations Support Project Capacity building in the relation Ge neva negotiations and capitals 2005 87 
  TN/TF/W/93 
Page 24 Recipient country 
/region Project title Project description Start date Amount 
Committed by 
Sweden 
(in € thousands)  
Global UNCTAD Trade Facilitation 
Framework A number of activities such as workshops and technical notes 
with LDC focus 2004 426
Global OECD A number of studies on 
implementation costs and 
the study “To identify good practices for development cooperation in the area of trade 
facilitation”   2005 138
Timor Leste Support for Automation 
of Customs Process in Timor-Leste 
(ASYCUDA II) The aim of the project is to enhance the effectiveness and 
transparency of customs management and control by expanding and deepening the use of ASYCUDA++. 2005 404
   
   
United Kingdom  
     
Recipient country Project title Project Description Start Date Amount 
committed (in € 
thousands) 
Africa Regional G8 Preferential Acess 
Scheme Study   2003 98
Global Boksburg roundtables 
05-06 To fund the Administration and Organisation of Roundtable 
meetings around the theme of trade facilitation for developing 
countries representatives 2003 474
Global OECD OECD Trade Facilitation 
Study Trade Facilitation: A Study to Identify Good Practices for 
Development Co-operation, in Support of the 2005-6 Development Assistance Committee Work on Trade and 
Development 2005 49
Global OECD OECD Trade Facilitation 
Study companion report 
on UK assistance Companion report to OECD study 2006 49 
   TN/TF/W/93
 Page 25Recipient country Project title Project Description Start Date Amount 
committed (in € 
thousands) 
Global OECD OECD Global Trade 
Forum Oct. 05 To enable the participation of developing country delegates from 
LDC's and low income countries to the OECD Global Forum on Trade Facilitation in Colombo, Sri Lanka to discuss, in particular the context of WTO negotiations: the benefits of trade facilitation 
at country level 2005 63
Global World Bank Trade Facilitation and 
Growth: the Development Dimension To advance the understanding of  the linkages between trade 
facilitation, private sector-led grow th and poverty re duction. This 
includes: 1) Investigating how to increase trade opportunities by lowering of trade transaction costs, through regulatory and administrative reform, in particular with respect to customs, and other border agencies. To provide assistance to developing 
countries in WTO trade facilitation negotiations. 2005 1,100
Malawi Malawi Trade and 
Poverty Programme 2   2002 973
Mozambique Integration of Customs 
into Revenue   2004 3,263
Mozambique Integration of Reformed 
Customs   2004 441
Rwanda Rwanda Revenue 
Authority V   2004 6,335
St Helena St Helena Access   2003 2,425
Sthrn Af Dev 
Coord Ctte Regional Trade   2003 16,287
Tanzania Support to Tanzania 
Revenue Authority   2001 6,118
Yemen ASYCUDA Phase II   2003 838
Zambia Zambia Trade Policy 
Support   2004 147TN/TF/W/93 
Page 26  
 
   
ANNEX 3 
Examples of Infrastructure Projects
 
   
Amount 
Recipient country / region Project  (in € thousands) 
Afghanistan Road construction and transport facilities                  
80,000    
Africa 
(Northern Corridor)  Northern Corridor rehabilitation                   
78,184    
Africa 
(Southern Corridor) Southern Corridor rehabilitation                   
32,000    
Africa 
(West African highway)  Freetown-Conakry Highway                 
17,800    
Caribbean Improvement in Road infrastructure - Northern 
regions of Haiti and Dominican Republic                  
45,000    
Chad  Doba-Sahr route – technical studies, etc                  
747    
Comoros  Study on maritime access at Moheli                   
41    
Bosnia and Herzegovina Assessment, design and construction of border 
crossing points                  
17,000    
Benin Road rehabilitation Banikoara-Kandi, - 
corridor « route inter états n°7 »                  
23,000    
Benin Road Godomey – Cacaui (exit Cotonou west) – 
future project, connection for the port Cotonou                  
40,000    
Congo (Democratic Republic of)  Support programme for transport rehabilitation                   
80,000    
Guinea  Conakry autonomous port                  
12,000    
- Feasibility study on the Shire-Zambezi Waterway                  
135    
Malawi - Malawi Backlog Maintenance and 
Rehabilitation Programme                  
38,000    
Mauritania  Study for tanker port                   
700    
Morocco  Budgetary support programme for transport 
sector reform                   
96,000    
Republic of Congo  Study on the rehabilitation of the port of 
Brazza on the Congo river                  
200    
Rwanda Northern Corridor rehabilitation - route 
Ruhengeri-Gisenyi - project is still under the feasability study phase                 
31,000    
SADC region Lubango-Sta. Clara road (Angola)                  
40,000    
SADC region Milange-Mocuba road (Mozambique/Malawi)                   
30,000    
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines   Rehabilitation of the Windward Highway – 
Whyrehab                   
6,400    
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines   Reception and Palletisation Centre 2                  
810     TN/TF/W/93 
 Page 27 
 
 
  Recipient country / region Project Amount  
(in € thousands) 
Suriname  Rehabilitation, upgrading and institutional 
strengthening of the Nieuwe Haven Terminal, Paramaribo                   
29,800    
Tanzania  Rehabilitation of Zanzibar port                   
709    
Tunisia  Port sector modernisation                   
20,000    
     
Examples of Infrastructure Projects - Sweden  
   
   
Amount Recipient country / region Project  (in € thousands) 
                 
1,274    Mozambique Support to Maputo port improvement 
  
Nile Basin Countries Regional Power Trade Project within the Nile 
Basin Initiative                  
1,805    
Southern Africa: 
Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, 
Zimbabwe, Namibia, 
Lesotho, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Malawi and Tanzania Southern African Power Pool                  
1,062    
Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan African Transport Policy 
Programme                  
2,017    
 
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