The document discusses a World Trade Organization project to conduct needs assessments of member countries' ability to implement proposed trade facilitation measures. The assessments identify technical assistance and capacity building needs to help countries comply with the measures and determine their categories under special and differential treatment. Countries request the assessments, which are conducted by national task forces with guidance from WTO facilitators. The results are confidential charts and reports identifying each country's gaps and implementation needs for each proposed measure.

1. SShheerrii RRoosseennooww -- WWTTOO TTrraaddee FFaacciilliittaattiioonn SSeeccttiioonn 1

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WTO Technical Assistance for National SELF
Assessmentof Needs and Priorities on the Trade
Facilitation Negotiations
• 94 self-assessments of needs & priorities (2007-
2010)
• July 2012-Members request new needs
assessment project
• WTO Members and Observers
• Update results or first time
• Funded by Trust Fund
• Project Description
(WTO TF TACB website)

3. WHAT is a needs assessment?
Situational Analysis- where stand
Gap analysis- needed for compliance
A.2 INTERNET PUBLICATION
COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None___

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Self Assessment
Objectives
Identify TA/CB needs/priorities for the
implementation of proposed measures
Identify SDT ABC categories
Better determination of national
negotiation position for each proposed
measure
Be better prepared for implementation
Develop capacity to continue assessment of
needs and priorities - support negotiators

5. WHY have new needs assessment?
Update results from 1st assessment
Reforms made
Changes in negotiations
Determine Special & Differential Treatment
ABC Categories

6. Benefits:
X-Ray of country situation
Better understanding of role and status of various
border agencies and private sector
Better understanding of WTO TF and possible
results of negotiations
Better understanding of the proposed measures
New personal relationships which will promote better
cooperation
provides transparency to the process
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Based on evaluations of needs assessments.

7. WHERE is assessment conducted?
National- in your country

8. HOW is assessment conducted?
• Updated Guide
• Follows Negotiating Text (W/165)
• +/- 40 proposed measures
• Charts
• Review results of 1st assessment

9. WHO will conduct assessment?
 Countries that make a request
 45 to date
 National taskforce
 Geneva delegate
 Facilitators to guide the process
 Others: regional organizations, donor projects,
etc.

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Stakeholders – about 30
• Geneva/Brussels/Capital negotiators
• Implementing agencies (Customs (5 or 6), Quarantine, Standards
Board, Port Authority and Airport Authority, etc.)
• Attorney General/ Legal Department (legal reform, appeal)
• Ministry of Commerce (negotiations, competitiveness, trade flow,
industry protection, consumer protection)
• Foreign Affairs (negotiations)
• Economy and Finance (trade flow, controls budget)
• Ministry of Agriculture and Animals (controls requests for SPS)
• Ministry of Food and Drugs (human health issues)
• Ministry of Environment (human health and wildlife conservation)
• Central Bank (foreign currency controls)
• Private sector (big/small, importer/exporter, carrier, cargo
forwarders and owner, Chamber of Commerce, shippers
association, cargo forwarders association, main industries, etc.)
•Negotiation Support Guide TN/TF/W/51

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Facilitators
WTO Secretariat
International and Regional organizations
Experts from national customs administrations
In-country donor projects

12. Role of Geneva/Brussels Delegate
Importance of TF and NA
Coordinate with capital, WTO, facilitators
Presentation on WTO and TF
Encourage work groups – get what need
Work with facilitators/coordinators
Report to NGTF
Follow-up questionnaire
Ensure maximum results!
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13. Situation
Analysis GGaapp A Annaalylyssisis Identify
Situation
Analysis
Identify
Resources Implementation
Resources
Identify the measures
with which you
already comply, and
those with which you
will need to become
compliant
Identify the specific
legal, procedural, and
organizational
changes that need to
be made and the
timeframe for
implementation.
Identify persons,
resources, deliverables,
and deadlines to
resolve each of the
identified gaps.
Reform:
•Legislation
•Regulations
•Organization
•etc.
Path to Implementation

14. SITUATIONAL
ANALYSIS
GAP ANALYSIS SPECIFIC
ACTIONS
REQUIRED
RESOURCES
NEEDED
COST OF
REQUIRED
RESOURCES
We have . . .
We don’t have. . .
Legal provision
missing…
Amend X articles of
law
n lawyer(s) Daily Rate (range) x
Days (range)
We do this . . .
We don’t do this . ..
No understanding of
requirements…
Training n trainer(s) Daily Rate (range) x
Days (range)
We do this . . .
We don’t do this . ..
Declaration
processing system
needs to be changed…
1. Analyze
2. Develop Software
3. Test software
4. Roll out
n business analysts
n software engineers
n testers
Daily Rate (range) x
Days (range)
etc.
Stages
Not part of
WTO
Assessment

15. Calculation of Needed
Resources
Proposals more focused
Improve on experience of first assessments
Guide
 More guidance on what might be needed to
implement
Correct stakeholders
Encourage accuracy of details

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Results of the Week
Chart for each measure with:
Situational and Gap analysis
Resources needed
Implementation/TA needs
Overall compliance level
SDT ABC category
Estimated time needed to implement
Executive report compile/analyze results
Results are confidential- for your use only

17. When?
 Provide preferred time period
 Appropriate facilitators available
 LDC priority

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What WTO provides:
Logistical/administrative arrangements
Training for Geneva delegates
Facilitators
Guide and other Materials
Complete kit: Model invitation letters,
Powerpoint slides, instructions for secretary,
certificates for participants . . .
Quality control

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COST$
Can you provide?
Participation of Geneva Delegate
Meeting room
Coffee breaks and lunches
You Shall provide:
 Meeting equipment, laptops, projector, etc.
 Secretary
You provide if necessary:
Interpretation
Sit-in fees
Travel of participants
Secretary fees

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How to Request
Official letter requesting a WTO trade facilitation
needs assessment
Notification - electronic
– Geneva delegate
– Capital coordinator

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When to Request?
Preparation time
Better overall plan
trust fund
facilitators
Get in queue
Now!
But can apply anytime!

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Status of Requests from Africa:
Angola Lesotho
Botswana Malawi
Burkina Faso Mauritius
Cape Verde Morocco
Central African Republic Mozambique
Democratic Republic of Congo Namibia
Egypt Nigeria
Ethiopia Sudan
Gabon Swaziland
Ghana Zambia
Kenya Zimbabwe

23. www.wto.org –
(easily found through A-Z list
on main webpage)
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24. SShheerrii RRoosseennooww -- WWTTOO TTrraaddee FFaacciilliittaattiioonn SSeeccttiioonn 24

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National Needs Assessment
Agenda
Advance meeting- hi-level officials/private sector
Day 1: facilitator & Geneva delegate presentations
Background WTO and TF negotiations
Guide
Divide into working groups
Day 2-4: Needs assessment in working groups
Day 4: Review of initial assessment in plenary
Day 5: analyze results & present to high-level
officials and private sector

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Results of the Week
Completed chart for each proposal
Summary report
Powerpoint presentation
Results are confidential- for your use only

27. Calculation of cost$ of
implementation?
Self Assessment
 Invite government specialists in costing
 Invite your donors
 Send results to your donors

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Preparation
• Official request
• Notify WTO
• Identify Coordinators & Stakeholders
• Set dates
• Coordinate with WTO and facilitators

29. of the relevant trade transaction, at the request of an interested person who has provided the Member
with all necessary information
COMPLY: Yes: No: Partially: Not applicable: National Priority: High: Medium: Low: None: 29
C.1 PROVISION OF ADVANCE RULINGS
Basic Standard: A Member shall issue legally binding rulings in a timely manner, and in advance
Current situation relative to the
Basic Standard. Describe in detail.
Barriers to meeting Basic
Standard
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.
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.):

30. Results?
 Chart for each measure
 Situational analysis- where stand
 Gap analysis- implementation/TA needs in enough
detail to estimate resources
 Overall compliance level
 SDT ABC category
 Estimated time needed to implement
 Executive report compile/analyze results
ALL RESULTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL