Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) discussed a factual report on the operation and the Status of implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (AFC) which entered into force in 2017, following its ratification by two-thirds of its Members.
The Trade Facilitation Agreement refers to the simplification, modernization and harmonization of export and import proceduresIt sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other competent authorities on issues relating to the streamlining of trade and compliance with customs procedures, as well as provisions on technical assistance and capacity building in this area.
At the meeting on 22 and 23 June 2021, countries were informed about the information received from Members regarding the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, their technical assistance needs and the support available to carry out their commitments. On this subject, it was said that ninety-five members have notified their designations of Category C, which refers to a member needing additional time and assistance. Eighty-eight of these members have expressed the need for technical assistance, and 15 of them have communicated agreements with donors for the progress of technical assistance.
The WTO Secretariat also reported on the Recent and upcoming deadlines for members from developing and least-developed countries to implement their trade facilitation commitments according to the timelines they have chosen and notified to the committee. It was noted that 75 members have implementation deadlines for 399 trade facilitation measures during the period from May 2021 to December 2022, while 41 members have implementation deadlines for 149 measures from now until the end of 2021.
This situation of pending deadlines shows the urgency of providing the necessary technical assistance and capacity building to enable implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement as committed by members, according to the Chair of the Facilitation Committee, Christopher O'Toole (Canada). He also urged members to submit their notifications on donor arrangements and progress on technical assistance.
In this regard, it was reported that Brazil and the United States They announced new proposals to formalize collaboration with the private sector. Likewise, the European Union proposed that beneficiary countries with Category C commitments organize meetings with donors to review the aid situation; in turn, Japan proposed establishing a monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Finally, it was reported that the Initial draft of the First Review report on the operation and application of the
Trade Facilitation Agreement four years after its entry into force, will be distributed to end of July.
The next meeting of the Trade Facilitation Committee is scheduled for 19 July 2021. (WTO Press Release)
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