DFID Post-Bali Support to the AUC on the Trade Facilitation Agreement1st AU Trade Facilitation Forum August 19, 2015

Ilmari Soininen, Project Coordinator

Project overview

• DFID selected Saana Consulting to assist the AUC’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to define, establish and deliver its Post-Bali work programme around the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

• The Saana Team includes leading technical experts on trade facilitation, with experience from the different sub-regions in Africa.

• The technical experts are supported by Saana staff based in Addis, Arusha and Abuja who act as Regional Co-ordinators for the project.

• The project kicked off in late 2014 and will run up to January 2016.

Key project deliverables

• Development of an overall AU TFA implementation support strategy, building on the BIAT Action Plan and other continental initiatives.

• Design and development of an AU TFA e-platform to monitor implementation progress and the TA needs of member states and provide regular TFA-related analysis to the AUC and its structures.

• Development of a viable business dialogue platform to engage with PSOs and corporates on TFA implementation.

• Mapping ongoing and planned TFA-focussed assistance from bilateral and multilateral development partners.

• Briefing reports on TFA implementation status and donor support in Africa.

TFA in Africa e-Platform

• The e-platform will provide a user-friendly, "helicopter view" monitoring information system to track TFA implementation across the continent.

• Country pages for each AU Member State which will include TF indicators, national contacts and other key information.

• Pages for RECs and Corridor Agencies.

• Private sector engagement platform.

• Mapping of development partner support for TFA implementation.

• Africa TF experts virtual network page.

Advocacy for TFA implementation

• The e-Platform will be a critical tool for the AU to inform its advocacy efforts on trade facilitation, including through:

• Showing progress on TFA notifications

• Highlighting common gaps

• Encouraging regional co-ordination

• Regular status reports to AU Summits, Customs DG and Trade Ministers meetings, and private sector forums.

TFA Notifications from AU member states

• The TFA will come into force once two-thirds of WTO members have ratified it. Botswana, Mauritius and Niger are the three AU Member States which have ratified the agreement thus far.

• As of August 2015, 68 countries had submitted Category A notifications, including 15 AU Member States.

Analysis of TFA Notifications from AU member states

• African countries have been cautious in notifying Category A provisions in the TFA. 31% fully notified sub-articles, compared with 67% in the Asia-Pacific.

• Many countries have not notified particular articles at all, or have opted for a partial notification approach (some sub-articles but not others).

• Kenya is the leader in terms of full notifications, followed by Senegal. Counting partial notifications as well, Tanzania and Tunisia also move into the leading group.

TFA Notifications from AU member states

• Nearly all countries have fully or partially notified Article 9, as well as Articles 5, 7, and 10.

• Article 8 on Border Agency Cooperation is the least notified article—a concern in the African context.

• Advance rulings and Customs cooperation are also relatively rarely notified.

Advocacy for Business Engagement• Saana conducted an informal survey of African business

associations and private sector platforms during the Inception Phase.

• Agencies consulted include the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI), Regional Business Associations, Corridor Management Agencies, Transport and Logistics Associations, the Africa E-Single Window Alliance among others.

• Significant opportunities for Geneva-based agencies to contribute to this engagement strategy

Requests from the private sector surveyed (1)

• Simplified information on the TFA and TF in RTAs (eg the EAC Customs Management Act)

• Bi-annual trade facilitation dialogues between the business community and trade facilitation agencies

• Active participation in the National TF Committees

• Training on Rules of Origin, Export and Import Procedures

• Facilitation of transparency through TFA updates to the websites of EABC, COMESA business council, PACCI and others

• Establishment of the equivalent of a Private Sector ‘National Enquiry Point’ in Member States

• Active involvement in national and regional AEO programmes and Single Window programmes

Requests from the private sector surveyed (2)

• Capacity building on the appeal and review process, the pre-arrival process and Electronic Payments

• Capacity building on effective procedures to maximise the private sector’s role on National and Regional Trade Facilitation Committees

• Capacity building of the private sector border and port committees

• Workshops on experience sharing and best practices in Single Windows and their contribution to implementation of the TFA

• Simplified information on the TFA implementation agenda and targeted dissemination to SMEs, including Women Informal Cross Border Traders

Mapping TF-related partner support in Africa

• Donor support towards customs modernisation, customs cooperation, coordinated border management, one-stop border posts and national trade facilitation committee, is already addressing some measures under the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

• A relatively small group of countries mostly from East, West and Southern Africa received the largest number (between 8 and 12) of different trade facilitation interventions.

• According to the initial analysis, Central Africa has received relatively lower levels of support.

Practical collaboration going forward • Cross-referrals and signposting to match TA suppliers with AU

Member States and RECs.

• Facilitation of contacts and effective dialogue between AU Member States, RECs and TA suppliers

• Co-ordinated communications efforts on TFA and highlighting progress made (e.g. #TFAAfrica, new AUC TFA micro web site, participation in events eg WTO AfT GR5).

• Information sharing via electronic platforms, Annual Donor Conference and TFA TA in Africa Report

• Other suggestions from partners welcome – these are just to start the conversation!