Updates were provided at a meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Committee on the percentage of implementation commitments under the agreement that contain provisions to expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods, including those in transit, and on members' technical assistance needs.
The meeting served to update the current rate of implementation of the commitments of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (AFC), which is from 70,1% for all WTO Members as of 22 April. The Organization expects this figure to rise to 83% by 2023 based on the notifications that Members have submitted by their respective implementation dates.
La insights It explains that, broken down by level of development, the current rate of compliance with commitments is equivalent to a 100% compliance rate by developed members and 61% among developing members and least developed countries (LDCs).
The WTO also reported on the amount of information received from Members, related to the technical assistance needs and support available to fully implement the TFA. Ninety-five members have reported their “Category C” designations, which identify TFA provisions for which additional time and assistance are needed. Eighty-seven of these members have reported on the technical assistance they require, with 14 of them reporting on donor arrangements and progress on technical assistance. Members also received updates on new implementation and technical assistance tracking features in the TFA database, as well as on outstanding notifications they need to submit.
On the other hand, Members continued to discuss plans to conduct the first review of the AFC implementation, which is due to take place this year, four years after the Agreement came into force on 22 February 2017.
At the meeting it was considered a United States proposal which called for the TFA Mechanism to be placed under the purview and direction of the Committee. It is worth recalling that the TFA Committee was established at the request of developing members and least developed countries to support the full implementation of the Agreement. Members expressed mixed views and called for further discussion.
A was also evaluated Proposal from Norway and the United States to eliminate “consularization requirements” or procedures that require consuls to process customs documentation in connection with the importation of goods. Several members indicated that this procedure is an obstacle to trade. They shared experiences on initiatives that can reduce and preferably eliminate consularization requirements. However, other members indicated that they needed more information and clarity to ensure that the proposal does not contradict paragraph 6 of Article 24 of the TFA, which refers to the obligations of WTO members under the GATT 1994 and other WTO agreements. Some members suggested moving towards the digitalization of personalized procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was held on 22 and 23 April 2021.
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