2021 part4

33/ Members hold dedicated session on supporting TFA implementation

21 OCTOBER 2021

WTO members on 21 October discussed the provision of assistance for developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), with many noting that support was critical amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The dedicated session was held back-to-back with the formal meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation on 19 and 20 October.

Nepal, in a statement delivered on behalf of the LDC Group, reported that many LDCs have submitted information on their technical assistance needs and are seeking additional support from development partners as TFA implementation requires digital infrastructure and coordination with various domestic institutions and stakeholders. Future technical assistance programmes were requested to be designed in consideration of the constraints posed by the pandemic. At present, LDCs have committed to implement 37% of TFA provisions , according to timelines they notified to the WTO.

Tonga shared its experience expediting clearance for imported vaccines and other medical products with the assistance of the World Bank. Cambodia presented its implementation of TFA provisions it designated into “Category C,” which enables it to take additional time and seek capacity building support to implement such measures. The European Union updated members on its ongoing support for TFA implementation for developing countries and LDCs, noting it was crucial to help members “build back better” after the trade disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Kingdom highlighted a document providing detailed information on  the UK’s trade facilitation capacity-building projects and emphasizing the need for enhanced coordination among donors. Japan also presented its capacity building programmes, noting that its recent contributions accounted for 31% of the Customs Cooperation Fund of the World Customs Organization.

Several organizations — the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, International Trade Centre, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank Group, the WCO, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) — provided updates on their respective activities.

The TFA is the first WTO agreement in which developing and LDC members can determine their own implementation schedules, with progress in implementation explicitly linked to technical and financial capacity. Developed members were required to implement all provisions of the TFA from its entry into force on 22 February 2017.

According to an update from the WTO Secretariat at the  meeting of the Committee on 19 October, 32 members have implementation dates due in the period from October to December 2021 for 116 measures. From October 2021 to December 2022, 72 members have implementations dates due for 367 measures. Twelve members have further requested an extension of their implementation dates for 33 measures, which the Committee subsequently endorsed. Members were also reminded of upcoming notification deadlines.

The Secretariat of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF), which assists developing and least-developed countries in implementing the TFA, updated members on the status of applications for implementation support. Members are further considering an online tool to enhance the transparency of TFAF Grant Program applications.

TFA implementation review

Members continued to work on finalizing a report on the First Review of the Operation and Implementation of the TFA ahead of their 15 November deadline, with discussions being held in informal and formal meetings of the Committee. The TFA requires the Committee to review the operation and implementation of the Agreement four years from its entry into force, and periodically thereafter.  The TFA entered into force on 22 February 2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of the WTO membership.

Next meeting

The next formal meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for 1-2 March 2022.

Source: wto.org