WTO TRADE FACILITATION Self Assessment of Needs and Priorities Conducted In cooperation with Annex D Organizations and WTO Members

WTO TRADE FACILITATIONSelf Assessment of Needs and

Priorities

Conducted In cooperation with Annex D Organizations and WTO Members

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Self Assessment Objectives

• Identify TA/CB needs for the implementation of proposed measures

• Better determination of national negotiation position for each proposed measure

• Develop capacity to continue assessment of needs and priorities

• Be better prepared for implementation

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Other benefits:

Better understanding of role and status of various border agencies

Better understanding of WTO TF and possible results of negotiations

Better understanding of the proposed measuresNew personal relationships which will promote better

cooperation

Based on evaluations of needs assessments.

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• Part A- explains use of Guide

• Part B- needs assessment standards and texts of proposals

• Chart for each proposal

• Follows Secretariat Compilation A-M format (TN/TF/W/43 (as revised))

Self Assessment Guide

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o Heading/subheading (A-M + IM)o General descriptiono Basic standard- based on essence of the

proposals o Text of Proposalso Requirements to meet the Basic standard

o What needed to implemento A chart form, “Assessment tool”

The Guide provides for each proposed measure:

TN/TF/W/143/Rev…

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Basic Standard

• A standard based on Members' proposals developed as a common standard to measure against for the needs assessment.

• Members should assess their current situation and needs in relation to this standard.

TN/TF/W/143/Rev….

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First steps

Step 1: read general description, basic standard, text of the proposals and requirements to meet basic standard.

Step 2: discuss current situation in relation to this standard

Step 3: fill in first column of chart with complete details including eg. name of legislative acts, etc.

Step 4: determine current compliance with standard

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A.2 Internet Publication/ Establishment of Official WebsiteGeneral DescriptionThe publication of relevant information on an official website provides particularly high levels of both transparency and accessibility. It also allows timely publication of new and amended information.These proposals seek to provide greater transparency of and accessibility to trade regulations by making available to interested parties, via the internet, all legislation and trade-related procedures relating to or affecting the international trade in goods.Basic StandardA Member shall publish all trade related legislation, procedures and documents on a national official internet site or sites.Text of the Proposal(s) United States, TN/TF/W/145"Internet PublicationEach Member shall make available and keep current, on a publicly accessible Internet website:

A full and precise description of its customs procedures, including procedures for the appeal of customs determinations; andThe forms and documents required for importation into or exportation from the territory of that Member."

Hong Kong, China, Japan, Mongolia, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey, TN/TF/W/155"Recognizing that electronic means of publication would be the most cost effective and easily accessible format for publication of information, each Member shall make available and keep current on one or more publicly accessible official websites:

“an outline of its border agencies' procedures, including their appeal procedures, as well as its import, export or transit restrictions, in such a manner as to enable [interested parties] to become acquainted with them. all forms and documents required for importation, exportation or transit.

The outline referred to in paragraph (a) shall also include references to the relevant trade-related legislation as well as the titles of and electronic links to all forms and documents as provided for in paragraph (b). The language of publication for the outline referred to in paragraph (a) shall, whenever practicable, be one of the official languages of the WTO."Requirements to Meet the Basic StandardThe Member has organizational and other mechanisms in place to ensure that the information which it makes available is complete, accurate, relevant and timely. This may include the establishment of a national coordination point.

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A.2 INTERNET PUBLICATION/ ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICIAL WEBSITEBasic Standard: A Member shall publish all trade related legislation, procedures and documents on a national official internet site or sites.

COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: __

Current situation relative to the Proposed Measure. Describe in detail.(Put in bold the points where you are not in compliance)

Reason for non-compliance/ barriers (Complete this column (and the next 2) for points not compliant- use same numbering system- add sub-points as necessary)

Actions needed to meet basic standard (Consider needs in legal framework, administrative policy, human resources, training, equipment, organization, change management. If possible include estimated costs and/or implementation times.)

What can be done locally to address barriers? (Specify in detail)

Is Technical Assistance or Capacity Building support needed? If yes, specify in detail.

General Description: provide background information of your situation to assist your negotiator and any other stakeholder that might review the results. (by agency where appropriate): Specifics describe for each agency (customs, standards, agriculture, etc. where practices differ) provide website address:1.Publicly accessible Internet website2.keep current3.convenient manner 4.administer in a uniform, impartial and reasonable manner 5.full and precise description of customs procedures 6.the appeal of customs determinations7.forms and documents 8.outline of its border agencies' procedures 9.their appeal procedures 10.restrictions 11.manner as to enable [interested parties] to become acquainted 12.references to the relevant trade-related legislation 13.one of the official languages

Priority for Technical Assistance: High: Medium: Low: None: Comments:

Lead agency or organization and other stakeholders that would be responsible for implementation of this measure :

Stakeholders not participating in assessment of this measure(s) that should be consulted:

Issues to note (any comments or recommendations for negotiators, etc.):

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Current situation relative to the Proposed Measure. Describe in detail.

(Put in bold the points where you are not in compliance)

Reason for non-compliance/Barriers




Priority for Technical Assistance: High: Medium: Low: None: . Comments:




1. Complete this column first

2. Then determine status

3. Work across line by line

5. Determine priority last

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COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: .

A.2 INTERNET PUBLICATION/ ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Basic Standard: A Member shall publish all trade related legislation, procedures and documents on a national official internet site or sites.

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Actions needed to meet basic standard

Local action TACB






Remember this is a “living document” that you will continue to use and improve so details are important.

No need to complete the rest of chartif current situation complies

General Description: provide background information of your situation to assist your negotiator and any other stakeholder that might review the results. (by agency where appropriate):

Specific to the proposal:

Analyse how the basic standard is currently implemented. Provide complete details. Provide legislation



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Multiple AgenciesCurrent situation relative to the requirements to meet the Basic Standard

Reason for non-compliance/Barriers Actions needed to be taken to achieve Basic Standard

Local remedy/action

TA Lead agency

Customs:

1.

2.

3.

Standards:

1.

2.

3.

Agriculture:Stakeholders consulted during the course of this Assessment:

Comments:

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General Description: provide background information of your situation to assist your negotiator and any other stakeholder that might review the results. (by agency where appropriate):

Specifics describe for each agency (customs, standards, agriculture, etc. where practices differ) provide website address:

1. Publicly accessible Internet website






COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: X Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: .



1. Publicly accessible Internet websiteE.G.- Customs has a publicly accessible internet website. www.customs.com – Ministry of Trade does not have a publicly internet website

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Current situation relative to the Basic Standard. Describe in detail.










COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: X Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: .






http://www.customs.com/

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Current situation Reason for non-compliance/Barriers


Local action TACB

What prevents compliance?Lack of awareness

Resistance

Lack of trained personnel

Lack of political will

Can be more than one barrier for each “current situation”

Dig deep to find core barrier(s)

Reason: Often a problem must be resolved locally before TA can be effective.









http://www.customs.com/

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Current situation

Barriers Actions needed to meet basic standard (Consider needs in legal framework, administrative policy, human resources, training, equipment, organization. If possible include estimated costs and/or implementation times.)








What can be done locally to overcome the barriers

Be specific:1. awareness training for 100

officials in the Ministry of Trade

2. Set up an IT unit to regularly load and update information on internet site

TA needed to overcome the barriers

Be specific:

2. Equipment (PCs, IT network) for IT unit at Ministry of Trade



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Local Action TACB

Priority for Technical Assistance: High: Medium: X Low: None: . Comments:

Lead agency or organization and other stakeholders that would be responsible for implementation of this measure:

Useful for future technical assistance and implementation phases to know who is responsible

Underline lead agency


Purpose: ensure result reflects views of all relevant stakeholders.





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Local Action TACB





Comments on important issues in the negotiations can be made here e.g. why this proposal is a national priority (or not), questions on proposals or clarifications needed. Comments on difficulties in the needs assessment, e.g. assumptions made if standard too vague. Or useful information for your negotiator e.g.: Not implementing now but is in 5 year plan.Approximate time frame to implement can go here if not listed above.




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Stakeholders not participating in assessment of this measure (s) that should be consulted:





5. Determine priority last

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COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: X Medium: Low: None: .



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NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• Working groups 8-10 people

• Each group:– Assesses part of the proposals– Representatives of all agencies/private sector– Facilitator spot– Records findings on laptop – Periodically provides work to secretary for compilation

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Role of the Facilitator

Explain proposals

Explain Guide

Oversee process and provide feedback

Sit with working groups but don’t lead

Keep on track

Ensure all stakeholders consulted

Draw out shy people

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CONFIDENTIAL RESULTS

Be detailed and honest

The results are only for you and your negotiators

Thank you

Documents

WTO TRADE FACILITATION Self Assessment of Needs and Priorities Conducted In cooperation with Annex D Organizations and WTO Members