The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reported significant progress in the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), highlighting 196 measures that developing and least-developed country (LDC) members aim to implement by 2025. These measures, which require technical assistance and capacity-building, mark a peak in commitments extending to 2050.
According to the WTO Secretariat, five key TFA measures due for implementation in 2025-26 include setting up a "single window" for traders, ensuring cooperation among border agencies, establishing a risk management system for targeted controls, creating test procedures for adverse findings, and providing benefits to trusted traders or "authorized operators."
Developing and LDC members have committed to implementing 77.5% of their TFA obligations. In contrast, developed members were required to implement all provisions from the agreement's entry into force.
The Committee noted first notifications from Comoros and Timor-Leste, recent WTO members who ratified the TFA in August 2024. Timor-Leste emphasized trade facilitation's role in economic growth and competitiveness. Several WTO members welcomed these ratifications.
An experience-sharing session covered digitalization efforts by China, South Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Nigeria, and the United States under the theme "Digitalization: Using technology to implement the TFA." The second theme focused on trade facilitation measures for authorized economic operators (AEOs), with presentations from Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nigeria, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.
Other topics discussed included concerns over Indonesia's customs procedures for intangible products. Indonesia stated it would soon provide a comprehensive written response regarding its online application system flexibility.
Members received updates on technical assistance support from the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility aimed at helping developing and LDC members implement the TFA. Representatives from various groups called for increased development partner assistance.
The next committee meetings are scheduled for June 4-5 and October 21-23.