WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/IF/30
14 April 1998
(98-1475)
Committee on Trade and Development
Integrated Framework for Trade-RelatedTechnical AssistanceOriginal:  French
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT SUBMITTED BY NIGER
Integrated Responses by World Bank, ITC, UNCTAD, IMF,
WTO and UNDP1
NIGER
                                                     
1Published in accordance with the provisions of pa ragraph 5(e) of the Integrated Framework for
Trade-Related Technical Assistance (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 2
TRADE-RELATED  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS
ASSESSMENT SUBMITTED BY NIGER
A. TRADE POLICY
(a) What are the sectors that you believe have unexploited or underexploited export
potential?
The sectors with underexploited export potential are, in order of importance:
1. Agricultural sector;
2. Mining sector;
3. Handicrafts sector;4. Industrial manufacturing sector;
5. Tourism sector.
Most exports are unprocessed.
(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?
The reasons for changes are as follows:
- The need to diversify and promote exports;
- import rationalization;
- exploitation of raw materials;
- weakness of productive and promotion capacity;
- the constraints (standards, quality, etc.) imposed by the developed countries;- deterioration of the terms of trade;
- and economic recession.
(c) What have been the objectives  of trade policy in the most recent period, compared to, say,
two decades ago?
- To increase exports;
- to bring our trade balance into surplus;
- to ensure that the domestic market is properly supplied.
(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 other
policies directly affecting exports and imports of goods and services)?
The various technical ministries have their parts to play, but it is the Ministries responsible for
Trade and Finance that are mainly involved in trade policy.
Coordination is made through technical meetings and at government level.The roles of the different ministries are:
- Ministry of Trade and Industry:  definition of import-export and production policies
and strategies;WT/COMTD/IF/30
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- Ministry of the Economy and Finance:  establishment, assessment and collection of
duties and taxes and protection of the economic environment.
(e) How are the private sector and academic inst itutions associated with the formulation and
conduct of trade policy?
The private sector and academic institutions participate in the formulation of trade policy
through technical meetings and consultation.
The private sector plays a dynamic role in the implementation of trade policy through the
Chamber of Commerce and its unions and associations.
(f) What are the institutions in your country th at can play a role in implementation of a
trade-related project at the local le vel?  State their respective roles.
- Chamber of Commerce;
-C N C E ;
- private sector promotion bodies.
(g) What are the main laws and regulations de aling with trade policy - on exports and
imports?  Please provide a short description of each.
- Book I of the Commercial Code institut ed by Ordinance No. 22-48 of 7.10.92.  This
deals with traders, whether natural or legal persons.  It concerns registration in the
Business Register and the obligation to keep accounts;
- Book II instituted by Law No. 95-011 of 20.6.95.  It concerns commercial acts and
unfair clauses;
- Book III instituted by Ordinance No. 96-038 of 23.1.96, which deals with the
commercial lease and goodwill;
- Ordinance No. 92-025 of 7.7.92 regulating prices and competition.  It aims to protect
consumers and to guarantee free competition among traders, manufacturers and
service providers;
- Ordinance No. 96-74 of 28.11.96 liberalizing the importation of medicaments and
pharmaceutical products;
- Decree No. 90-146/PRN/MPE of 10.7.90 liberalizing the import and export of goods.
This legislation abolished licensing for all imports, as well as exports and re-exports.
However, the Minister responsible for Trade may adopt specific measures to regulate
these operations;
- Decree No. 96-021/PCSN/MF/P of 12.2.96 as amended by Decree
No. 96-370/PRN/MEF/P of 18.10.96 instituting an import inspection and verification
programme in the Republic of the Niger.  Under this Decree the quality, quantity,
price, tariff description and origin of all goods of a value exceeding CFA 2 million
must be verified before loading and after unloading.WT/COMTD/IF/30
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(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 restr ictions;  licensing requirements, etc.;  what is
the highest tariff rate currently in use;  are there any excise taxes,  other "domestic" taxes that are
applied differentially to imported goods, or to  goods of a type that are principally imported)?
- There is an absolute ban on the importation of drugs and products prejudicial to
public morality and restrictions on the importation of arms and ammunition;
- there are no products subject to quantitative import restrictions;- import licences are required only for hydrocarbon fuels;
- the highest tariff rate currently in force is 57.95 per cent on category 3 products
(luxury goods, tobacco, alcohol, etc.);
- there are no excise taxes;
- there are domestic taxes such as TPP (Petroleum Product Tax) and TBA (Alcoholic
Beverage Tax).
(i) In case you are a WTO Member or are in the process of acceding, how is your country
preparing itself to comp ly with WTO Agreements?
Niger has been a Member of the WTO since 13 December 1996.  The steps taken to comply
with the WTO Agreements include the establishm ent of a multidisciplinary body to monitor the
application of the Uruguay Agreements.  Measures are being taken to adapt the legislation to WTO
rules.
(j) What is the state of familiarity with the WTO framework:
- Among government and government-related agencies?
- in the private sector?
Little familiarity, particularly in the private sector which has had the benefit of only one
national seminar.
(k) What are your technical assistance requireme nts with regard to you r compliance with the
WTO Agreements?
Organization of seminars and workshops, doc umentation, training and logistical support.
(l) In which specific areas of the WTO Agreeme nts 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)?
- Market access for agricultural products (quality and standardization problems, aid in
the event of natural disaster);
- physical infrastructure (transport and communications) problems;- training of human resources.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 5
(m) What is your assessment of your existing tr ade analysis and negotiating capacities, both
multilateral and bilateral, in areas already  covered by the WTO Agreements and other
trade-related areas, e.g. competitio n policy and trade and environment?
Poor.  The assistance of the agencies is sorely needed.
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, frei ght 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 fa ce additional problems, such as having to ship using
costly or unreliable transport and ports sy stems.  In case this applies to your
country, please indicate such problems.  What kind of technical assistance would
help you work out these problems?
The main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of export capacity are:
- The high cost of transport due to the distance from the sea;- inadequate rail transport services and port installations;- paucity of human skills in industry;- the high cost of production factors which adversely affects the competitiveness of
Niger's products;
- industrial and agricultural product quality management;- inadequate telecommunications;- existence of several non-convertible currencies;
- complexity of some countries' admi nistrative rules and procedures;
- trade barriers and protectionism in Western countries;- the business community's lack of professionalism.To offset the effects of the high cost of transport and port services we propose assistance with
the extension of the railway from Parakou to Dosso or from Kaoura Namoda to Maradi.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 6
(b) Are there any institutional bo ttlenecks which 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, insura nce companies, quality
control, transporters, etc.), professional asso ciations and ministries?  Are problems mainly
perceived in the areas of:
(i) Human resources;
(ii) management of the institution;
(iii) financial and material resources;
(iv) communication.
- Complexity of the operations of the West African Clearing House;
- complexity of the import controls carried out by COTECNA;- the multiplicity of currencies at regional level;
- the non-convertibility of the CFA franc outside the Free Zone.
(c) What are the main bottleneck s to export diversification?
- Lack of development research;
- climatic uncertainties;
- deterioration of the productive base;
- inadequate domestic and foreign investment;
- too few joint-venture relationships;- high factor costs.
(d) If investment in the production of goods a nd services is inadequate, what are the main
reasons?  Please elaborate them (e.g. structural constraints, difficulties in attracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, fi nancing, lack of appropriate technology, etc.).
- Lack of suitable financing;
- difficulties in obtaining credit;
- limited enterprise development;
- lack of appropriate supporting structures (investment promotion centre).
(e) Is there a national policy to encourage expo rt-related investment opportunities?  Please
elaborate.  What arrangements are in place fo r viewing, drafting and negotiating contractual
arrangements with foreign investors?
There is a national policy of encouraging export-related investment which is defined in the
framework document on national private sector promotion policy.  The provisions relating tocontractual arrangements are contained in the Investment Code and concern, in particular:
- Non-discrimination, with foreigners being accorded the same advantages as nationals;- the transfer of income of all kinds derived from invested capital and the proceeds of
sale of the investment;
- the possibility of recourse to the CIRDI for the settlement of disputes relating to
investment.
(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.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 7
There is no obstacle to the transfer and development of technology.  Transfers of technology
within the framework of licensing or assignment agreements must be submitted within 12 months of
their conclusion for the inspection and prior approv al of the competent national authority.  Then,
within 12 months of approval they must be entered in the special register of the African Intellectual
Property Organization.
(g) What are your technical assistance or other assistance needs with respect to supply
constraints?
- Logistical assistance for determining standards and controlling the quality of
exportables;
- support for the training of human resources and the development of irrigated crops.
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 faci litate their entry and increasing participation in
international trade.
(h) Do your enterprises, especia lly small and medium enterpri ses, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports?  What are thes e problems in the major export sectors?
- Financing of export operations;
- red tape relating to third-country market access formalities;- cost and duration of transport operations;- deterioration of merchandise due to transport conditions, state of the roads and
packaging;
- quality;- competitiveness.
(i) What are the problems for your enterpri ses in obtaining reliable and up-to-date
information on export/import business opportunities?
Most businessmen are illiterate and therefore do not take advantage of the reliable
information available.
- Means of information not available;
- means of information inaccessible.
(j) Can your enterprises offer products of internationally accepted design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers?  If not, what are the problems?
Yes, to some extent.  The problems relate to quality, standards and quantities, taking into
account the technology employed.
(k) What problems, other than in terms of tr ade policy, do you anticipate in developing
exports of services (e.g. computer software, tourism)?WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 8
- Problem of capacity.
In the tourism sector the problems include the insufficient capacity and comfort of the
tourist facilities;
- low level of professionalism of tourist industry staff and service providers.
(l) What are the technical/professional proble ms encountered by trade support institutions
(e.g. trade promotion council , chamber of commerce, exporters' a ssociation, etc.) in your country
in providing those services to export/import enterprises?
Lack of management skills and financial resources.
(m) What problems and deficiencies are experi enced by enterprises in  their international
purchasing and inventory management?
- Slowness of financial transactions;
- non-observance of bilateral trade commitments;- slowness of the insurance companies in settling claims;
- inadequate storage infrastructure.
(n) What are the present availabili ty and arrangements for trade finance facilities (e.g. export
credit guarantees, etc.)?  Are there any perceived deficiencies in this area?
- Internally, this possibility does not exist;
- the OIC, of which Niger is a member, has a longer-term foreign trade financing
system, as does the IsDB.  However, the conditions of eligibility (non-traditionalproducts, financing of 30 to 40 per cent of the operation) are not very favourable.
(o) What are the main problems in the way of improving export/import management skills of
your business enterprises?  Do you have traini ng programmes in the country?  What are the
deficiencies?
The enterprises have commercial services, but no services concerned with exports/imports.
There are no national training establishments.
(p) Does your trade representation  service actively promote your trade?  What are the
weaknesses?
Not particularly, since we have only one trade representation office abroad.  However, there is
a programme for creating commercial attaché posts.
(q) Briefly describe your technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and
support services.
- Assistance in the areas of quality, standardization, testing and metrology;
- assistance in the areas of technology and information;
- training and documentation.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 9
Market access
(r) What are your main market access problems?
- Standardization, quality and environmental protection criteria;
- information about foreign markets.
(s) What specific problems or barriers, and in  which countries, are most troublesome for
your exporters?
- The high cost of transport;
- administrative harassment;
- the slowness of financial transactions.
(t) Regional and subregional trading arrangements (RTAs):  Please list RTAs to which your
country belongs.  Are you satisfied with the performance of these RTAs?  Please state the
problems of each.  Do you have suggestions on how to solve these?
- AEC/OAF, ECOWAS, UEMOA, etc.
Problems remain since the various commitments undertaken are not always respected.
(u) Are there any problems in utilizing the existing market access preferences, such as GSP,
GSTP?  Please state the nature of problems relating to each of these.
Problems exist concerning the utilization of market access preferences because of the
eligibility conditions.  Their complexity, due to the existence of a multitude of schemes, also makes
them inaccessible.
(v) What are your technical assistance n eeds with respect to market access?
Institutional and technical support (training, logistical support with standardization and
quality control).
C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Technical assistance is normally provided to de veloping and least-developed countries to build
or enhance their human resources and institutiona l capacities, provide trade information and trade-
related legal support, as well as improve their s upply capabilities in order to make them more active
players in the field of multilateral trade.
(a) To the extent that 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/progr ammes are presently under consideration in this
area.
(i) In the context of the implementation of the Uruguay Agreements, our country has
already benefited from:
- Technical assistance with the preparation of our schedule of concessions and
the organization of a national awareness seminar on the Uruguay Agreementsat Niamey;WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 10
- financial assistance through the sponsoring of Nigerian participants in the
various seminars organized on the Uruguay Round Agreements and the
initiation of a study on a proposed programme for the development of exports
by private sector enterprises;
- UNCTAD is planning to provide assistance with the preparation of an
evaluation of the impact of the Uruguay Round on Niger's economy.
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance need s as well as other needs as reflected in this
checklist.  Please rank them in terms of priority.
List of assistance needs, in terms of priority:
- Support for the preparation of an export promotion plan;
- logistical support for the body monitoring the application of the Uruguay Agreements
and foreign trade promotion bodies (DCE, CNCE);
- technical assistance with capacity building in the areas of competition, quality and
standards;
- support for the training of human resources;- technical and financial support for the organization of private sector awareness
seminars.
(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?
Any new needs will be notified in due course.
(d) Does your country have the technological ca pacity and human resources to make use of
the new information/communication technology tool s such as CD-Rom, the Internet, etc.?  What
assistance would you need to enable your country to use these to ols in the context of training and,
more generally, in the context of trade development?
Niger has the technological capacity.  However, we need training in the use of the equipment.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 11
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY WORLD BANK, ITC,
UNCTAD, IMF, WTO AND UNDP
NIGER2,3
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question A(k):
Technical assistance for compliance with
WTO Agreements
Organization of seminars and workshops,
documentation, training and logistical
support.UNCTAD Studies of the impact of the WTO
Agreements on particular sectors
could be undertaken, followed by
technical workshops, in accordance
with procedures to be determined.
WTO A national seminar will be
organized in 1999
Participation of Nigerrepresentatives in the specialized
seminars organized for French-
speaking LDCs in 1998 and 1999.
A three-week trade policy training
course will be organized for French-
speaking LDCs in 1998 and 1999.
This course will include amultilateral trade negotiations
simulation exercise.
A services seminar will be
organized in February 1998.
ITC/
UNCTAD/
UNDPIn February 1998, seminars open to
Nigerian management personnel
will be organized under the African
regional trade development
programme (RAF/96/001).
                                                     
2The agencies note the Government's intention to hold a round table (under the sponsorship of UNDP)
during 1998.  In this connection, the agencies suggest that the Government should submit this provisionaltechnical assistance programme on that occasion, as pr oposed in the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical Assistance, in particular paragraph 5(d) and (e ).  The agencies are ready to give full assistance with
the preparations for this round table.
3The agencies have noted that some of the Government's replies deserve further elaboration.  At the
next WTO seminar, the on-the-spot representatives of the World Bank and UNDP will hold themselves at theGovernment's disposal for the purpose of updating this document.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 12
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question A(l):
Technical assistance in specific areas of the
WTO Agreements
Market access for agricultural products
(review the problems of quality and
standardization, aid in the event of natural
disaster)World Bank Two on-going projects (Small Rural
Operations Project and National
Agricultural Research Project)
include measures to improve market
access for agricultural products and
also deal with the problems ofquality and standardization.
Training of human resources WTO See A(k).WT/COMTD/IF/30
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Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question A(m):
Assessment of trade analysis and
negotiating capacities
The assistance of the agencies is sorely
needed.WTO See A(k).
ITC/
UNCTAD/
UNDPThe joint ITC/UNCTAD/UNDP
regional project on "Strengthening
capacities for trade and development
in Africa" provides for the
strengthening of international tradetraining institutions.
See A(k).  UNCTAD will organize
seminars with a view to the
preparation of future trade
negotiations within the framework
of UMEOA (UNDP project
RAF/96/001).WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 14
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question B(g):
Technical assistance needs with respect to
supply constraintsWorld Bank Two on-going projects (Small Rural
Operations Project and National
Agricultural Research Project)
include measures to improve marketaccess for agricultural products and
also deal with the problems of
quality and standardization.
The World Bank will also assist
with the development of a coherent
strategy to alleviate the effects of
the drought.
Logistical assistance for determining
standards and controlling the quality of
exportables
Technical assistance for solving thephysical infrastructure (transport and
communications) problemsWorld Bank Transport Infrastructure
Rehabilitation Project, privatization
of SONITEL (telecommunications
company) under the Public Sector
Adjustment Facility.
Support for the training of human resourcesand the development of irrigated cropsWorld Bank Private irrigation pilot project to
promote the development of low-
cost irrigation techniques.WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 15
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question B(q):
Technical assistance needs in the area of
trade promotion and support services
Assistance in the areas of quality,
standardization, testing and metrologyWorld Bank See A(l).
Assistance in the areas of technology and
informationITC The TOPS database on trade
opportunities for ECOWAS member
countries will be made available to
the Ministry of Trade, together with
the JURIS database on the legalaspects of international trade which
will be made available to the
government institutions concerned
UNCTAD The CD-Rom TRAINS will
continue to be supplied on a regular
basis.
Training and documentation ITC See above and A(m).WT/COMTD/IF/30
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Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question B(v):
Technical assistance as regards market
access
Institutional and technical support
(training, logistical support with
standardization and quality control)IMF Assistance regarding
implementation of the common
external tariff of the West African
Economic and Monetary Union.
(Agreement in principle 1998).
ITC See A(m).WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 17
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question C(b):
Summary of technical assistance needs,
in terms of priority
Support for the preparation of an export
promotion planITC/UNDP The UNDP, in collaboration with the
ITC, will help the government to prepare
and implement an export developmentstrategy.
World Bank In consultation with the ITC and UNDP,
the World Bank is providing support for
the development of an agricultural
product export promotion strategy by
studying the facilitation of trade in these
products.
Logistical support for the bodymonitoring the application of the WTOAgreements and for the foreign trade
promotion bodies (DCE, CNCE)
Technical assistance with capacitybuilding in the areas of competition,
quality and standardsUNCTD An advisory and needs identification
mission in the area of competition policy
could be arranged.
Support for the training of humanresourcesITC/
UNCTD/
UNDPSee A(m).
UNDP Trade seminars for national management
(Government and private sector) will be
organized within the framework of theprivate sector support program.
WTO See A(k).
Technical and financial support for theorganization of private sector awarenessseminarsUNDP There are provisions for meeting this
request within the framework of theUNDP's private sector support
programme.  In this connection, it should
be mentioned that UNDP intends to help
the government to organize a sectoral
consultation (Round Table) with Niger'sdevelopment partners on private sector
development.
WTO See A(k).WT/COMTD/IF/30
Page 18
Technical assistance needs identified in
the questionnaireOrganization Response
In response to question C(d):
Technical assistance needs in the area of
information technology, including
training of human resources
Niger needs training in the use of the
new tools of information technologyUNDP Will continue to support the General
Information Technology Directorate with
the development of the Internet in Niger.
WTO In March 1998, the WTO will make a
computer and a laser printer available to
the Ministry of Trade.  The WTO will
also make the necessary connections
between the focal point and the Internetand will supply two CD-ROMs, one on
the results of the Uruguay Round and the
other on the multilateral trading system.
__________