Five members — China, Colombia, Ecuador, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the Republic of Moldova — shared their experiences of using digitalization to facilitate trade at a recent trade facilitation meeting. Their presentations aligned with the committee's 2024 focus on this topic.
Earlier this year, members presented their use of data and technology to simplify trade procedures and promote the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) through digital approaches and smart technologies. The discussion also covered the digitalization of border procedures.
Ambassador Athaliah Molokomme from Botswana opened a discussion on challenges faced by landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in transit operations. Burkina Faso, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Zambia discussed their experiences with cross-border coordination and operational cooperation in inspections, risk management, harmonized procedures, and information sharing. They emphasized involving relevant stakeholders such as customs officials, government agencies, and the private sector. This session was moderated by Ecuador.
In another discussion moderated by Mozambique on managing transit operations at border crossing points, Eswatini, the European Union, the Republic of Moldova, and Niger shared their practices regarding border clearance for transit consignments.
The WTO Secretariat provided a status report on ratification and implementation of the TFA. Entered into force in 2017, the TFA aims to expedite goods movement including goods in transit. It is unique as it allows developing members and least developed country (LDC) members to determine their own implementation schedules while seeking assistance for capacity building.
As of July 10th, notifications from developing members and LDC members show they have committed to implementing 74% of their TFA obligations. Developed members were required to implement all provisions from its entry into force. Five members are yet to deposit their ratifications of the TFA. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela formally accepted the agreement on June 11th.
Other topics discussed included concerns raised by the United States over Indonesia's customs procedures for intangible products and an agenda for an upcoming session on technical assistance and capacity building. Members reviewed a report on "Humanitarian Aid for Trade" from a panel held at the Global Review of Aid for Trade on June 27th. Updates from the TFA Facility were also provided.
Additionally, a revised version of “Good Practices and Building Blocks of Successful National Trade Facilitation Committees” was discussed based on shared experiences from various members and international organizations.
The committee chair Ms. Chanikarn Dispadung announced that the next committee meeting will be held from October 22-24th.