WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and support for implementation - Mercator Programme -

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1 WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and support for implementation - Mercator Programme - Karolyn Salcedo World Customs Organization Karolyn.salcedo@wcoomd.org 1

2 WCO s Role in Trade Facilitation Capability and responsibility for global standard setting for Customs Standard Setting Network of accredited experts from Customs Administrations Cooperation with other international organizations and other agencies Capacity Building / Technical Assistance delivery 2

3 WTO TFA and WCO key developments December 2013 The WTO concluded the Trade Facilitation Agreement at the Ministerial Conference. December 2013 March 2014 June 2014 November 2014 The WCO adopted the Dublin Resolution to emphasize the WCO s commitment to the efficient implementation of TFA at the Policy Commission. 1 st Meeting of the TFA Working Group The WCO adopted the Mercator Programme to ensure its strategic initiative to support Trade Facilitation. The WTO adopted a Protocol of Amendment to insert the new Agreement into the WTO Agreement. (The TFA will enter into force once two-thirds of members have completed their domestic ratification process.) 3

4 WTO TFA and WCO WTO DG Roberto Azevêdo attended the WCO Council in June He congratulated the WCO on the creation of the new WCO Trade Facilitation Working Group and the launch the WCO Mercator Programme to support implementation of the TFA. 4

5 Mercator Projection The Mercator projection is a cylindrical map projection presented by the Flemish geographer and cartographer Gerardus Mercator in The Mercator projection enabled mariners to plot straight courses and take correct compass readings, thus supporting trade. It became fundamental to understanding the world and ultimately led to increased interconnectivity. Gerardus Mercator Mercator Projection 5

6 Mercator Programme Key Objectives Tailor-made technical assistance and capacity building Harmonized implementation based on WCO s global standards Effective coordination among all stakeholders Beneficial for developing and least developed countries, all government agencies, donor institutions and private sector 6

7 Mercator Programme Tailormade track Needs assessment Planning Delivery Monitoring TRS Various diagnostic reports Self-Assessment Annual Survey Strategic planning CB/TA delivery TRS Performance indicators Donor Funding/ Resource Mobilization Showcase success stories Customsbusiness Partnership ROCB CBM Funding Approaching donors Regional integration Other areas Experts Accreditation of experts Awarenessraising Regional WS with other government agencies ROCB/RTC Survey on National Committees on TF National WS with other government agencies NCTF Guidelines Coordination with other international organizations Overall track Harmonized Implementation Economic Competitiveness Package Promotion of CBM Compendium Promotion of Customs-Business Partnership Guide Conference on regional integration Promotion of WCO standards for regional integration Promotion of Transit Handbook, development of Transit Guidelines Upgrade of WCO s tools and best practices Promotion/regular update of TFA Implementation Guidance Ensuring integrity 7

8 WCO tools to support TFA The WCO has developed a number of instruments and tools, which respond to Members needs as regards TFA implementation. The WCO is continuing to develop and fine-tune an inter-active guidance tool designed to help Customs implement the TFA. Examples of WCO tools Transit Handbook SAFE Framework of Standards Time Release Study Guide Single Window Compendium Data Model Globally Networked Customs Risk Management Compendium Post Clearance Audit Guidelines CBM Compendium IT Guide for Executives Capacity Building Development Compendium Customs-Business Partnership Guidance 8

9 WCO Main Instrument to support TFA The WCO Council adopted the revised Kyoto Convention in June 1999 as the blueprint for modern and efficient Customs procedures in the 21 st century. Was the basis for the TFA negotiations Currently 103 Contracting Parties 9

10 National Committees on Trade Facilitation The WCO is also actively supporting Members in the establishment and maintenance of TFA National Trade Facilitation Committees (NCTFs). Based on a WCO survey regarding the TFA NCTFs, 33 Members (out of the 78 Members who have so far replied to the survey) have already either established a National Committee or designated an existing body to carry out this role. 10

11 Effective Coordination - Working Group The TFAWG is the platform for Members to share experiences regarding the implementation of the TFA among the WCO s 180 Members, coordinate with the donor community, engage with other international organizations and bodies, as well as with the private sector. -Formed for the purpose of taking up the practical aspects of meeting expectations arising out of the TFA; -Reports to the Policy Commission on policy matters and to the Permanent Technical Committee and Capacity Building Committee on technical matters. Last meeting 29 February 1 March

12 Analysis of Section I To provide relevant information and guidance for preparing for TFA implementation by using the WCO instruments and tools To identify links with the WCO instruments and tools and possible discrepancies To explore links with other WTO agreements To explore ICT considerations To identify relevant WCO bodies To reflect results of discussions in WCO bodies Living document 12

13 Analysis of Section I, Rev. 2, November

14 Implementation Guidance The WCO has launched on its website the WCO Implementation Guidance for the TFA to support WCO Members in their efforts to implement the TFA Available in: English French Spanish RECENTLY UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION ADDED The Implementation Guidance is available on the public WCO web site and an Offline Version can be downloaded 14

15 Implementation Guidance 15

16 Implementation Guidance The Guidance presents the relevance of WCO instruments and tools such as the Revised Kyoto Convention for TFA implementation. WCO tools for Article 7.7 (Authorized Operators) Revised Kyoto Convention SAFE Framework of Standards AEO Implementation Guidance AEO Compendium Model AEO Appeal Procedures AEO Benefits: Contribution from the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group The Authorized Economic Operator and the Small and Medium sized Enterprise (FAQ) Mutual Recognition Arrangement/Agreement Guidelines AEO Template 16

17 Implementation Guidance The Implementation Guidance introduces Members practices and experiences of implementing the TFA. Members experience regarding Article 10.4 (Single Window) 17

18 Conclusion The Implementation Guidance provides links between the TFA provisions and the WCO instruments and tools, as well as Members practices. The Analysis of Section I complements the Implementation Guidance and provides more detailed information about the links between TFA Section I provisions and the WCO instruments and tools and other WTO agreements (SPS and TBT), as well as IT implications. 18

19 Thank you for your attention! 19