WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/IF/33
8 April 1998
(98-1447)
Committee on Trade and Development
Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical AssistanceOriginal:  English
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY SUDAN
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO1
SUDAN
                                                     
1 Published pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5 (e) of the Integrated Framework for Trade-
Related Technical Assistance (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 2
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY SUDAN
A. Trade policy
(a) What are the sectors that you believe have unexploited or underexploited export
potential?
The following sectors are unexploited or underexploited:
(i) Agriculture:
- Groundnuts and groundnuts products;
- livestock and meat;
- leather and leather products.  The Sudan has vast resources of livestock-sheep, cattle,
camels, goats-estimated at over 120 million heads;
- fruit and vegetables:  mango, grape fruit, galia, lemon, onion, okra, tomatoes and
green beans;
- fresh water and sea fish.
(ii) Services:
Tourism:  scuba diving in the Red Sea, coral reefs and exotic fish, natural zoos,
games and parks.  In addition, ancient history museums and antiquities.
(iii) Mining:- Gold;
- mica;
-c r o m e ;
- petroleum.
Petroleum:1. Hydrocarbon exploration and production opportunities in the Sudan.
The Ministry of Energy and Mining has adopted the blockage system since 1992.
Accordingly, the Sudan basins were divided into many blocks.  Most of the blocks are free for
contracting with any company or group of interested companies.
2. Licenses Position in SudanThe International oil companies operating now in Sudan are:
- Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC);
- Chinese National Petr oleum Company (CNPC);
- International Petroleum Company (IPC);
- Gulf Petroleum Company (GPC).WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 3
(iv) Manufacturing:
- cotton yarn.  The Sudan is one of the main producers of large, medium and short
staple cotton;
- edible oils, e.g. groundnuts, sesame, sun flowers and cotton seeds.
(b) Could you please define your country's pers pective of the reasons for any changes in the
structure and direction of exports and imports?
- Exports:
As a result of the liberalization/privatization policies implemented since
February 1992, new products such as gold, meat and sugar entered the export list.
- Imports:
A similar liberalization policy was implemented in the import sector.  Import
licensing has been abolished and price control was removed.  The negative list now only
contains few goods, such as alcohol, wine, narcotics, gambling equipment and weapons.
Accordingly, imports increased by 12 per cent during the period 1991-1996.
(c) What have been the objectives of trade po licy in the most recent period, compared to,
say, two decades ago?
The objectives of trade policy is as follows:
- Exports:
In the export sector the aim is to reduce government intervention, enhance the role of
the private sector, streamline export procedures, improve promotional activities, diversify
trade by producing new exportable products.
- Imports:
As mentioned above, the long negative list which resulted in frequent shortage in
some commodities in the past, has been substantially shortened as a result of the liberalization
policy.
(d) What are the Ministries in charge of trade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation, enforcement and monitoring?  How is coordination made?  What are the
respective roles of the relevant Ministries (give particular attention to tariff policies and otherpolicies directly affecting exports and imports of goods and services)?
There are several Ministries and Departments responsible for trade and trade policy matters.
The overall coordination is done on a weekly basis in the ministerial committee for economic affairs.
Economic polices are approved annually in the cabinet and the legislative assembly.
1. The Ministry of Foreign Trade is the government agency responsible for formulation,
enforcement and monitoring of trade policy.
2. The Ministry of Finance and Economy is responsible for formulation of fiscal and monetary
policies.WT/COMTD/IF/33
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3. The Bank of Sudan, the Central Bank, is responsible for the formulation and implementation
of monetary policy, credit policy, supervision of commercial banks, the foreign trade proceeds,
collection and issuing of trade statistics.
4. The Ministry of Industry is responsible for industrial development, and implementation of
investment encouragement act in this sector.
5. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for agricultural development and implementation
of investment encouragement act in this sector.
6. The Ministry of Animal Resources is responsible for agricultural development and
implementation of investment encouragement act in this sector.
7. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies in
the fields of construction and rehabilitation of national roads and the operation and maintenance of
railways and river transport.
8. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for formulation and implementation of policies on legal
affairs and the enforcement of law.
9. The Ministry of Health is responsible for formulation and implementation of policies of
public health, pharmaceuticals, medical services, monitoring pharmaceutical industry and
administration of health, sanitary standards and environment.
10. The Sudanese Standards and Metrology Department is responsible for formulation and
supervision of standards of the imports and exports and locally manufactured goods.
11. The Customs Administration is responsible for the implementation of customs duties.  The
rate of duties is revised through consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, The Ministry
of Industry and Ministry of Foreign Trade.
(e) How are the private sector and academic in stitutions associated with the formulation
and conduct of trade policy?
Currently, and in the context of ongoing polic y reforms, the academic institutions, e.g.
Institute of Horticulture Export Products, Gezeera University, Food Research Centre, ARC are being
associated in the formulation and conduct of trade policy.  This is done through consultative
committees set up from time to time by the Ministry of Foreign Trade on trade policy issues, thechambers of commerce and export commodity councils.  The latter are advised by the Ministry on the
organization of the export sector and promotion of  the export of commodity and manufactured goods.
These councils are mainly composed of private exporters.
(f) What are the institutions in your country th at can play a role in implementation of a
trade-related project at the local level?  State their respective roles.
- Ministries of Finance and Economic Development in the local Governments of the
26 States.  The role of these ministries is:
- formulation and implementation of state budgets;
- implementation of border trade;
- administration of commodity markets;WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 5
- issuance of local trading licences;
- promotion and organization of internal trade within the state.
- Federal and regional chambers of commerce:
- collection and dissemination of trade information;
- cooperation with state governments on or ganization and development of state
trade.
(g) What are the main laws and regulations de aling with trade policy - on exports and
imports?  Please provide a short description of each.
- Company Law, 1995;
- Business Names Act, 1931;
- Partnership Act, 1933;
- Commercial Agents Licensing and Control Act, 1972;
- Importers Exporters Registration Act, 1984;- Bank of Sudan Law; 1959;
- Banking Practice Regulation Law, 1991;
- The Organization of non-Bank Dealers Regulations Law, 1995:
- Customs Law, 1986;
- Trade Marks Law, 1969;- Patents Law, 1971;
- Industrial Design Act, 1974;
- Sudanese standards and Metrology Organization Act, 1992;
- Investment Encouragement Act, 1996;
- Public Enterprises Disposition Act, 1990;- Law for Dealing in Foreign Currency, 1981;
- The Foreign Currency Regulation, 1979 amended 1983;
- Trade Regulation Act, 1992;
- Produce Control Act, 1972;
- Khartoum Stock Exchange Law, 1994;- Financial and Accountants Procedures Act;
- Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 1996.
(h) What are the main instruments of trade policy - on exports and imports?  Please
elaborate (e.g. on import restrictions, the questions might be:  on what products are there any
import bans; on what products are there quantitative import restrictions; licensingrequirements, etc.; what is the highest tariff ra te currently in use; are there any excise taxes,
other "domestic" taxes that are applied differenti ally to imported goods, or to goods of a type
that are principally imported?).
- Exporters and Importers require registration in the Importers/Exporters Registry,
Ministry of Foreign Trade;
- there are export bans on four items i.e. charcoal, firewood, raw hides and skins and
sorghum (temporary);
- there are import bans on narcotics, wine, gambling equipment arms and ammunition.
- the highest tariff rate currently levied is 250 percent on cigarettes;
- excise duties are levied on locally manufactured goods.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 6
(i) In case you are a WTO Member or are in the process of acceding, how is your country
preparing itself to comply  with the WTO Agreements?
The Sudan is now an observer in the WTO.  The government competent authorities are
finalizing the memorandum of foreign trade regime to be submitted to the WTO.  Prior to its
application for WTO membership, the Sudan had already embarked on economic policy reforms
comprising liberalization and privatization measures .  In preparation of WTO membership, a customs
valuation study has been completed.  Once it becomes a member of WTO, the Sudan would require
technical assistance to help in complying with WTO agreements.
(j) What is the state of familiarity with the WTO framework:
- among government and government-related agencies?
- in the private sector?
Few government officials are familiar with WTO framework.  The familiarity of the private
sector and academic institutions is inadequate
(k) What are your technical assistance require ments with regard to your compliance with
the WTO Agreements?
Sudan will need technical assistance in the major areas covered by URAs, in particular those
related to legislative reforms human and institutional capacity building through local and external
training and to equip the newly established WTO focal point unit.
(l) In which specific areas of the WTO Agreements do you have technical assistance needs
(e.g. market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumpin g, subsidies, import licensing, rules of origin,
safeguards etc.), TBT and SPS, Services, TRIPs)?
Since Sudan was not party to the (GATT) it did not participate in the Uruguay Round.  Its
needs technical assistance in the major areas covered by the agreements namely:
- notification obligations;
- Rules of origin, subsidy, safeguard and dumping;
- TBT and SPS to ensure conformity with URA and standards of major importers;
- Customs Valuation:  to familiarize customs officials with the new procedures and
regulations pertaining to WTO customs valuation code and harmonized system.
- improve the capacity of institutions dealing with TRIPs.
- increase the general awareness of the concerned authorities about trade related
investment measures;
- creation of awareness on the General Agreement on Trade in Services.
- raise the negotiating capacity to particip ate fully in the new issues in the built-in
agenda.
(m) What is your assessment of your existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities, both
multilateral and bilateral, in areas already co vered by the WTO Agreements and other trade-
related areas, e.g. competition policy and trade and environment?
The capacity is very weak due to lack of training and limited participation in major global and
regional conferences.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 7
B. Obstacles to trade expansion
Obstacles to trade encompassing problems in export markets, infrastructure, human
capacities, institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems and gaps in trade information can
inhibit a least-developed country from taking full advantage of trading opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What are the main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity
of goods and services (e.g. customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management,
elimination of cumbersome legal and administrative procedures, paucity of human skills, access
at international prices to imported inputs, or inadequate telecommunication, port and transport
facilities etc.)?
- Land-locked countries may face addition al problems, such as having to ship
using costly or unreliable transport and ports systems.  In case this applies to your country,
please indicate such problems.  What kind of technical assistance would help you work out theseproblems?
The main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity of goods and
services are the following:
- a narrow base of export commodities (cotton, oil seeds, livestock, gum arabic)
accounts for 70 percent of exports proceeds;
- these export commodities, with the exception of cotton, are produced in rain fed
areas, and thus subject to vagaries of weather;
- weak physical infrastructure in particular inadequate road network and the weak
capacity of the railway system.  The long distance between production areas and the
main ports (Port Sudan) further aggravates these problems;
- the lack of adequate sieving units, slaughter houses and storage facilities including
cold storage;
- weak financing and credit facilities;
- lack of timely information about prevailing international prices and products
specifications;
- lack of adequate facilities for packaging and quality management;
- the problems of securing required inputs for agriculture and manufactured exports
due to foreign currency shortage;
- the problem of supply of energy, water and electricity;
- lack of experience among the private sector exporters;- lack of skilled cadres in the public sector who can provide efficient services to
exporters.
(b) Are there any institutional bottlenecks, wh ich may impede the efficient conduct of your
country's trade policies?  Provide details. For example, what are the problems perceived by the
different actors, e.g. exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies,
quality control, transporters etc), professional associations and Ministries?  Are problems
mainly perceived in the area of:
(i) human resources
(ii) management of the institutionWT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 8
(iii) financial and material resources
(iv) communication
- lack of skilled personnel due to shortage in training opportunities;
- absence of an export promotion plan coupled with weak export promotion
institutions;
- shortage of financial and material resources;- insufficient supporting services such as ports, telecommunications, roads, railways
and banking.
(c) What are the main bottlenecks to export diversification?
- High cost and lack of adequate investment resources;
- lack of adequate research capacity;
- weak physical and institutional infrastructure for promoting products and markets
diversification;
- reluctance by the business community to explore and initiate new export
opportunities due to lack of information and experience;
- lack of adequate market information particularly new market opportunities;
- lack of awareness by the business community of existing regional and international
preferential schemes GSP, GSTP, Lomé preferences and the export credit facilities ofthe regional and specialized institutions;
- lack and high cost of new technology.
(d) If investment in the production of goods a nd services is inadequate, what are the main
reasons?  Please elaborate them (e.g. structural co nstraints, difficulties in attracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, financing, lack of appropriate technology, etc)
- Infrastructural constraints:  water, energy and transport;
- inadequate investment, both domestic and foreign, in the production of goods and
services due to above constraints;
- locational disadvantages:  the concentration of services necessary to attract investors
in the capital and big cities thus creating distractions adversely affecting other parts ofthe country;
 - inadequate participation of the financial sector in the production of goods and
services;
- lack of funds to promote investment opportunities in the country;
- low return of investment due to the high cost of production.
(e) Is there a national policy to encourage export-related investment opportunities?  Please
elaborate.  What arrangements are in place fo r reviewing, drafting and negotiating contractual
arrangements with foreign investors?
The 1996 Investment Encouragement Act provides for:
- additional and more incentives to export-oriented investment;
- priority to finance the export-oriented projects;
- drawback schemes which refund the excise duty paid for manufactured goods when
exported;
- retention schemes provide for allocation of part of the foreign export proceeds.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 9
(f) What are the main obstacles to the transfer, development and acquisition of technology?
Is there any national policy/strategy in this area?  Please elaborate.
- Lack of knowledge and development in this area;
- lack of financial resources to acquire the required technology;
- lack of trained and skilled human resources.
(g) What are your technical assistance or oth er assistance needs with respect to supply
constraints?
- Human resource development;
- improving the efficiency of trade support institutions through the provisions of
training, software and equipment;
- improving the efficiency of the physical infrastructure mainly the transport sector;
- support to export promotion and diversification;
- support to the private sector to access finance and technology;- improving ports efficiency and enhancing Sudan's participation in multimodul
transport;
- improving enterprises efficiency.
Trade Promotion and Trade Support Services
Trade promotion comprises an integrated set of technical and financial services to enhance the
global competitiveness of enterprises and thus facilitate their entry and increasing participation in
international trade.
(h) Do your enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports?  What are these problems in the major export sectors?
- Lack of concessional financing;
- inadequate physical infrastructure;
- high cost of freight and handling charges;
- inadequate market information.
(i) What are the problems for your enterprises in obtaining reliable and up-to-date
information on export/import business opportunities?
- Lack of awareness about sources of information;
- inadequacy and lack of communication equipment.
(j) Can your enterprises offer products of in ternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers?  If not, what are the problems?
Most enterprises are not in a position, at present, to offer their products according to
internationally acceptable design, quality and packaging standards.  This is mainly due to obsolete
technology, lack of skilled labour and the high cost of securing the suitable raw material.
(k) What problems, other than in terms of trade policy, do you anticipate in developing the
export of services (e.g. computer software, tourism)?
There are several problems in this respect namely:
- Lack of experienced personnel;WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 10
- weak physical and institutional infrastructure;
- shortage of financial resources both domestic and foreign;
- shortage of advanced technology.
(l) What are the technical/professional problems encountered by trade support institutions
(e.g. trade promotion council, chamber of commerce, exporters association, etc) in your country
in providing their services to export/import enterprises?
- Lack of adequate data base;
- absence of active regional chambers of commerce;
- lack of technical supporting staff;
- inadequate communication facilities.
(m) What problems and deficiencies are experi enced by enterprises in  their international
purchasing and inventory management?
- Lack of information on international markets;
- lack of training and poor use of modern technology;
- insufficient familiarity with modern methods and techniques of international
purchasing and inventory management.
(n) What are the present availability and arrangements for trade finance facilities (e.g.
export credit guarantees, etc)?  Are there any perceived deficiencies in this area?
There is no national export credit guarantee scheme.  The utilization of regional export
guarantee schemes is negligible due to lack of awareness by the private sector and the limited
resources of these schemes.
(o) What are the main problems in the way of  improving export/import management skills
of your business enterprises?  Do you have trai ning programmes in the country?  What are the
deficiencies?
There are no national training programmes in this area.
(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade?  What are the
weaknesses?
Sudan has only four resident commercial representatives.  Within the limited resources
available to them they strive to promote trade thr ough exchange of information, trade missions, trade
fairs and business contacts.
(q) Briefly describe your technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and
support services.
- Provision of timely and adequate information on standards, quality, prices, etc. for
Sudan main export items;
- human resources development through training internally and abroad;
- hard and software equipment to enable the concerned authorities to follow
developments in the world trade;
- strengthen and support the existing trade information centre in the Ministry of
Foreign Trade (MFT);WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 11
- training for the private sector exporters to create awareness about opportunities
arising from Uruguay Round Agreements.
Market access
(r) What are your main market access problems?
- Export subsidy by third countries in our main export markets, e.g. agricultural
products and livestock exports;
- lack of information about market requirements and the distribution channels in the
importing countries;
- lack of information about NTB, TBT.
(s) What specific problems or barriers, and in which countries, are most troublesome for
your exporters?
NTB, TBT are the problems that face Sudanese exports mainly in EU and Saudi Arabian
markets.
(t) Regional and sub-regional trading arrangem ents (RTAs): please list RTAs to which
your country belongs.  Are you satisfied with th e performance with these RTAs?  Please state
the problems of each.  Do you have suggestions on how to solve these?
The Sudan is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA),
the Agreement on Trade Development and Facilitation between the Arab countries.  The level ofregional trade is very low, due to inadequate transport facilities, shortage of foreign resources, lack of
information and the narrow base of exportable commodities.
Suggestion for solving the above identified problems could include the following:
- Improvement of transport and communication systems;
- expanding the base of exportable commodities;- exchange of information among the business community of member countries;
- availability of finance for exports.
(u) Are there any problems in utilizing the exis ting market access preferences, such as GSP,
GSTP?  Please state the nature of problems relating to each of these.
Lack of awareness of market access preferences by the business community and the
government and the limited number of the Sudanese exports that benefit from these schemes.
(v) What are your technical assistance needs with respect to market access?
- Strengthening the capacity of the government and the private sector to analyze policy
options, formulate and implement trade policies and the formulation of sound market
access strategies and participate effectively in trade negotiations;
- raising the awareness of the business community about the opportunities arising from
the UR Agreements;
- improvement in products design, packing and quality;
- assistance in the formulation of competition policy and improving legislation and
procedures for restrictive business practices;WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 12
- raising the awareness about the potential for trade expansion through GSP, GSTP and
Lomé Schemes;
- help in establishing domestic focal points to facilitate and increase utilization of the
GSP and provide information on trade related regulations and market access
conditions in preference given countries;
- establishment of trade focal points to increase awareness and effective application of
information technologies to trade;
- TBT, SPS, Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and Safeguards.
C. Technical assistance
Technical assistance is normally provided to developing and least-developed countries to
build or enhance their human resources and institutional capacities, provide trade information and
trade-related legal support, as well as improve their supply capabilities in order to make them more
active players in the field of multilateral trade.
(a) To the extent this kind of information is easily available, could you please briefly
describe what trade-related assistance you have received over the past five years from bilateral
and multilateral sources and what projects/programmes are presently under consideration in
this area?
Technical assistance received over the pas five years:
- Sudan had received technical assistance from UNCTAD in the area of customs
reforms and computerization (Asycuda);
- ITC project on import management;
- ITC project on export promotion (on going);
- UNDP/UNCTAD technical assistance on the implications of WTO and Sudan
Accession to the WTO;
- ITC project for the business sector (on going);
- UNDP project on export promotion (under consideration);
- the technical assistance received is generally very little.
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance n eeds as well as other needs as reflected in
this check-list.  Please rank them in terms of priority.
1. Human resource and institutional development by improving the efficiency of trade
support institutions e.g. customs department, chambers of commerce, export councils
etc. and through the provision of training and hard and software equipment;
2. market research and studies for exportable products;3. technical assistance to help in preparing Sudan to comply with WTO Agreements;
4. support to export promotion;
5. support to diversification efforts through development of local research capacities;
6. improvement in products design, packaging and quality;
7. strengthening the trade negotiating capacities;
8. establishment of trade points for collection, storage and dissemination of information
and application of information technology;
9. supporting the WTO focal point in the Ministry of Foreign Trade through training and
provision of necessary equipment;
10. improving the understanding of both public and private sectors of major issues
covered by URA/WTO through workshops/seminars.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 13
(c) In the light of the information you have been able to provide so far in response to the
questions in this check-list, what types of information are, in your view, still missing or could be
improved upon?  In order to assist you in providing this missing information, would you need
technical assistance?
(d) Does your country have the technological capacity and human resources to make use of
the new information/ communication technology t ools such as CD-Rom, the Internet etc.?  What
assistance would you need to enable your country to use these tools in the context of training
and, more generally, in the context of trade development?
With the increasing importance of information technology and the significant role it plays
particularly in the facilitation of trade and trade efficiency, the Sudan is in need of technical assistance
in the form of software hard equipment and development of human resources through training, (train
for trade) workshops and seminars.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 14
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO
SUDAN
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(k):
Technical assistance requirements as
regards compliance with WTO Agreements
Technical assistance in the major areas
covered by the Uruguay Round
Agreements, in particular those related to
legislative reforms.  Human and
institutional capacity building through local
and external training.  Equipping the newlyestablished WTO focal point.UNDP Through a micro project financed under the
regional project RAB/96/001, UNDP
intends to provide technical assistance to the
Government of Sudan (and notably to the
Ministry of Foreign Trade) to prepare for
Sudan's accession to the WTO.
WTO See A(l) and A(m).
UNCTAD/UNDPA national conference on the impact of
globalization and liberalization on the
Sudanese economy and Sudan's accession to
WTO is planned in 1998. (Funding still
under discussion with the Islamic
Development Bank)
UNDP is willing to cover part of the cost of
the conference.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 15
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(l):
Technical assistance needs as regards
specific WTO Agreements
1. Notification obligations WTO Assistance may be provided on request after
Sudan has completed its accession to theWTO.
2. Rules of origin, subsidies, safeguards and
anti-dumpingWTO A three-week trade policy course for African
English speaking least-developed countries
will be held in 1998 and 1999.
Specialized regional seminars and/or
workshops on WTO provisions will be
organized in 1998 or 1999 for English-
speaking LDCs.
3. TBT and SPS to ensure conformity withWTO and standards of major importers
4. Customs valuation: to familiarizecustoms officials with the new procedures
and regulations pertaining to the WTO
customs valuation code and the harmonized
systemIMF Assistance to improve the efficiency of
customs valuation and to improve revenue
collection, including specifically advice on
tariff reform.
Agreement in principle 1998.
UNCTAD A UNDP funded customs modernisation
project has been completed. A review of
customs operations including valuation can
be undertaken with a view to upgrading theperformance of customs functions.*
WTO See A(l)2.
5. Improve the capacity of institutionsdealing with TRIPSWTO See A(l)2.
6.  Increase the general awareness of the
concerned authorities about trade related
investment measuresUNCTAD An advisory mission can be fielded subject
to further clarification of the exact nature of
the request.*
WTO See A(l)2.
* Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 16
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question A(l) (cont'd.):
7. Creation of awareness on the General
Agreement on Trade in ServicesUNCTAD An advisory mission can be fielded subject
to further clarification of the exact nature ofthe request.*
WTO See A(l)2.
8. Enhance the capacity to fully participatein negotiations relating to the issues on the
built-in agendaUNCTAD An advisory mission can be fielded subject
to further clarification of the exact nature of
the request.*
* Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 17
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A(m):
Assessment of the existing trade analysis
and negotiating capacities
The existing trade analysis and negotiating
capacities are very weak due to lack of
training and limited participation in majorglobal and regional conferencesWTO The three week trade policy course will
reinforce the capacity building.  During such
Trade policy course negotiating capacitieswill be addressed and a training for a better
participation in multilateral trade
negotiations will be undertaken.
ITC/
UNCTAD/
UNDPIn the period 1997-2000 Sudan will benefit
from the regional Capacity Building
Programme for Trade and Development
(RAF/96/001) aimed at strengthening the
capacity of Institutions in charge offormulating trade policies, including
national and sub-regional sectoral studies, to
enhance Sudan’s existing capacity for trade
analysis and negotiation.
In addition, a training course in international
commercial diplomacy will be organized.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 18
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(g):
Technical assistance needs as regards
supply constraints
1. Human resource development ITC/
UNDPSee A(m).
2. Improved efficiency of trade support
institutions through the provision of
training, software and equipmentITC/
UNDPUnder the ongoing Export Development and
Promotion project (1998-1999), ITC will
strengthen the trade support functions of the
Ministry of Commerce, Cooperation and
Supply through direct training and provisionof EDP equipment.
3. Improved efficiency of the physical
infrastructure mainly the transport sector
4. Export promotion and diversification ITC/
UNDPUnder the above-mentioned Export
Development and Promotion project, ITCwill assist in export promotion of selected
agricultural produces.
In addition, as part of the ongoing projects
Market Potential for Organic Products and
All Africa Leather Convention, a number ofseminars and marketing events will be
organized to improve the export
performance and diversification of
agro-based and leather products.
5. Enhanced private sector access to finance
and technology
6. Improved ports efficiency and enhancedparticipation of Sudan in multimodul
transportUNCTAD A mission to assess the current situation and
make relevant recommendations to improve
ports efficiency can be undertaken.*
* Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 19
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(g) (cont'd.):
7. Improved enterprise efficiency World Bank Sudan’s portfolio with the Bank is not active
at present.  There is, however, potential fornon-lending technical assistance through
economic and sector work (ESW), and
Institutional Development Facility (IDF),
details of which would have to be worked
out between the Government and Bank
Management.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 20
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(q):
Technical assistance needs in the area of
trade promotion and support services
1. Provision of timely and adequate
information on standards, quality, pricesetc. for Sudan main export itemsITC Timely information on world prices and
market trends for agricultural produces andhides and skins will be provided through the
Market News Service.
2. Human resources development through
training (internally and abroad)WTO See A(l) and A(m).
ITC/
UNDPSee A(m).  In addition, direct training in
business development will be provided
under the Export Development and
Promotion Project.
3. Hard and software equipment to enable
the concerned authorities to follow
developments in world tradeUNCTAD The Trade Information Centre in the
Ministry of Foreign Trade is the focal point
for TRAINS and as such will regularly
receive the relevant CD-Rom and
handbooks.
WTO See C(d).
ITC/
UNDPEDP Equipment is being provided under the
Export Development Project.
4. Strengthen and support the existing tradeinformation centre in the Ministry of
Foreign TradeUNCTAD See 3 above.
ITC/
UNDPThe main objective of the Export
Development Project is assisting the
Ministry of Commerce, Cooperation and
Supply to strengthen the Trade Information
Services in both Khartoum and Port Sudan
to provide business information to exporters.The project will also link the TIS in
Khartoum with international and regional
trade-related databases.
5. Training for private sector exporters in
order to create awareness about
opportunities arising from Uruguay RoundAgreementsUNDP Through its national project "Support to the
Sudanese Chamber of Commerce" UNDP
will address part of this request.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 21
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(q) (cont'd.):
WTO See A(l) and A(m).
ITC/
UNDPSee B(q)2.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 22
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B(v):
Technical assistance as regards market
access
1. Strengthen the capacity of the
government and the private sector toanalyze policy options, formulate and
implement trade policies, formulate sound
market access strategies and enhance the
effectiveness of Sudan's participation in
trade negotiationsITC/
UNDPSee A(m).
UNCTAD/
UNDPSee A(k).
2. Raising the awareness of the business
community about the opportunities arising
from the Uruguay Round AgreementsITC/
UNDPSee B(q)2 and B(q)5.
3. Improvement in product design, packing
and qualityITC/
UNDPSee B(g)4.
4. Assistance in the formulation of
competition policy and in improving
legislation and procedures for restrictivebusiness practicesUNCTAD Sudan will be invited to participate in a
seminar on competition policy in Cairo in
the first half of 1998.  UNCTAD canundertake an identification and advisory
mission.*
5. Raising the awareness about the potentialfor trade expansion through the GSP, GSTP
and Lomé schemesUNCTAD A national workshop on the rules of the GSP
and the Lomé Convention and their potential
for trade expansion can be held in 1999.
(Subject to confirmation by donor)
6. Establishment of domestic focal points to
facilitate and increase utilization of the GSP
and provide information on trade related
regulations and market access conditions inpreference given countriesUNCTAD An advisory mission to assist in the
establishment of domestic focal points for
increasing the utilization of GSP will be
undertaken in 1999. (Subject to confirmationof funds)
7. Establishment of trade focal points to
increase awareness and effective
application of information technologies totradeITC/
UNDPSee B(g)2 and B(q)4.
* Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/33
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Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B(v) (cont'd.):
8. TBT, SPS, Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and
SafeguardsUNCTAD Advisory services on policy implications of
these issues can be provided.*
WTO See A(l) and A(m).
* Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 24
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(b):
Summary of technical assistance needs
according to priority
1. Human resource and institutional
development; improved efficiency of tradesupport institutions e.g. customs
department, chambers of commerce, export
councils etc.; provision of training and hard
and software equipmentIMF See A(l).
UNCTAD See A(l)4.
The implementation of the upgraded
ASYCUDA++ system offering improved
system functionality to enhance
import/export data processing can beundertaken.*
WTO See A(l) and A(m).
ITC/UNDPSee A(m), B(g)2, B(q)2, B(q)3, B(q)4.
2. Market research and studies for
exportable productsITC See B(g)4.
3. Technical assistance to help in preparing
Sudan to comply with WTO AgreementsUNCTAD See A(k) and A(l).
WTO See A(l).
4. Support to export promotion ITC/
UNDPSee B(g) and B(q).
5. Support to diversification efforts through
development of local research capacities
6. Improvement in product design,packaging and qualityITC/
UNDPSee B(g)4 for quality improvements.
7. Strengthening trade negotiating
capacitiesUNCTAD See A (m).
WTO See A(m).
* Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/33
Page 25
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question C(b) (cont'd.):
ITC/
UNDPSee A(m).
8. Establishment of trade points for
collection, storage and dissemination of
information and application of information
technologyITC/
UNDPSee B(q)4.
9. Supporting the WTO focal point in the
Ministry of Foreign Trade through training
and provision of necessary equipmentUNCTAD See A(k), A(l) and A(m).
UNDP See A(k) (RAB/96/001).
WTO See C(d).
10. Improving the understanding of major
issues covered by the WTO of both thepublic and the private sectors through
workshops/seminarsWTO See A(l) and A(m).
UNCTAD/
UNDPRefer to A(k) and A(m).WT/COMTD/IF/33
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Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C(d):
Technical assistance needs in the area of
information technology including training
of human resources
There is a need for hardware and software
and the development of human resourcesthrough training (train for trade) workshops
and seminarsWTO On request one computer would be provided
to the Department of Trade Industry &Employment. This would include a link to
the Internet.Training on access and use of
Internet resources and CD-Roms would also
be provided.
ITC/UNDPSee replies under B(g) and B(q).
__________