WTO TRADE FACILITATION Trade Facilitation Task Force (Committee, Working Group, etc)

1. WTO TRADE FACILITATIONTrade Facilitation Task Force(Committee, Working Group, etc) Sheri Rosenow WTO Trade Facilitation Section Trade Policies Review Division

2. Recommendations for way forward • Send results of NA to all stakeholders for review • Continued review and update of needs assessment findings • Stakeholders continue to meet • Establish better communication between Capital and Geneva

3. Today’s Objectives • Identify issues/problems for effective task force • Identify potential solutions • Better understanding of TOR and objective setting

4. Why a Task Force? • Support WTO TF negotiations • Support Needs assessment and follow-up • Lead, support and monitor implementation • Support SDT and sequencing of technical assistance • Create platform for input from private sector • Ensure coherent overall national TF policy

5. Potential Future Commitment Proposal for all countries to develop a national committee (task force) to oversee implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement TN/TF/W/158 JOB (09)/11

6. Composition and Working Arrangements • A mix of public and private sector • Appointment of Lead (Chair) • Appropriate level of officials • What number will represent a ‘quorum’ at meetings for effective decision making • Terms of reference/objective setting (Key Tasks) • Frequency of meetings • Agenda setting and minute taking

7. Ethos of the Task Force • Pro-active • Transparent • Supportive • Shared and joint agenda (public/private) • Alert to national interests

8. Stakeholders • 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.)

9. Existing Consultative Structures • WTO Working Groups (a subcommittee on trade facilitation) • Inter-ministerial consultative bodies that focus on regional or multilateral trade issues. • Other entity that brings stakeholders together on trade policy and implementation issues. 9

10. If such an entity exists . . . Is it appropriate for WTO TF issues? Does it require additional ministerial or legislative authority? Identify and empower lead agency to carry out consultations with stakeholders.

11. Follow-Up Words of Wisdom Funding – refreshments, allowances, retreats etc. to ensure sustainable participation Institutional knowledge – people change jobs or get too busy. Institutions should send more than one participant to the meetings.  Specific meetings – Meetings of specific stakeholders can be effective.  Calling smaller meeting or one-on-ones can expedite the preparations of position papers. Work plan and TOR – Detailed. All stakeholders consulted.  Include milestones with time frames. Makes budgeting both time and money easier Mandate – Once comfortable with WTO TF extend the mandate to have a national TF strategy.  Create a field of experts in the key institutions that can be called upon to provide advice and expertise whenever required.  

12. Thank you Sheri Rosenow WTO Trade Facilitation Section Trade Policies Review Division