Trade Facilitation Self-Assessment: Guide and Process

WTO Negotiations on Trade Facilitation

Self Assessment Objectives

• More effective participation in the negotiations

• Determine overall compliance level

• Identify special and differential treatment needs– Measures needing more time to implement– Technical assistance needs

• National priority level of measures

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Outputs

• Identify the specific ACTIONS you must take to comply with each measure

• Estimate TIME you will need to implement each measure

• Identify the external TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE you will require to implement each measure (if any)

• Estimate COST to implement … where possible

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Needs AssessmentProcess/Schedule

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Working Groups

Working Groups

Plenary SessionPlenary Session

Presentation of Results

+Closing

Presentation of Results

+Closing

Legal Text

Explanatory Notes + Discussion Questions

Guide Contents

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Situational + GAP Analysis Chart

Questionnaire

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Working GroupsOverview

For each measure:

Situational Analysis

GAP Analysis

Summarize Results 7

Working GroupsSituational Analysis

Step 1: READ legal text of the measure carefully– Review Notes

– Ask questions, if doubts

Step 2: DISCUSS your current situation in relation to this measure – Use the discussion questions to aid your analysis

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Working GroupsSituational Analysis

Step 3: COMPLETE the first column of chart

• Describe fully your relevant procedures, institutional framework, infrastructure, etc.

• Use categories for your response

• Provide references to all relevant laws, rules, instructions, etc.

• Include ALL relevant agencies input

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Account for all agencies:

Describe Your Current SituationBarriers

(Give Reasons for non-compliance)

Actions/Resources Required & Cost

(Number the Actions)

TACB Resources

Needed(Specify Action

Number)

A. Policy/Legal Framework:

Customs:Customs Regulations Article 123 provides for . . .

Agriculture:AG Law Art 345 provides for . . .

Standards:Standards Reg. Art. 678 provides for . . .

Food Safety:Operating Instructions require . . . 10

Working GroupsGAP Analysis

Step 4: IDENTIFY all reasons for non-compliance

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Working GroupsGAP Analysis

Step 5: IDENTIFY the specific actions required to comply – Describe actions per

category– Quantify, where

possible, resources required for actions

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Working GroupsGAP Analysis

Step 6: IDENTIFY which actions require external Technical Assistance/Capacity Building support– Describe support

required

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Working GroupsQuestionnaire

Step 7: COMPLETE the questionnaire

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Working GroupsExcel Sheet

Step 8: COMPLETE the Excel Summary Sheet

Use the Drop-Down Lists, where provided

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Final Summary Report

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Working Groups

• Each group:– Record findings on laptop viewed on Powerpoint

• Situational + GAP Analysis• Questionnaire• Excel sheet

– When necessary borrow experts from other groups or make phone calls to the office

– Periodically provide completed charts and Excel sheet to coordinator- definitely at the end of each day!!!

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CONFIDENTIAL RESULTS

Be detailed and honest

The results are only for you and your negotiators

Definition of Legislation

• For purposes of this Guide, “legislation” should be understood to cover all provisions of general application enacted either by the legislature or by the executive and which are effective at the national level.

• This includes existing laws, regulations, rules and administrative instructions.

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Thank you