The World Trade Organization (WTO) has focused its recent efforts on the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), addressing transit issues and enhancing capacity-building measures. The TFA aims to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods, including those in transit. Notably, it allows developing countries and least-developed country (LDC) members to set their own implementation schedules based on national priorities and capacities.
The WTO Secretariat reported that 80% of implementation commitments by developing and LDC members have been achieved. Furthermore, 65 members are committed to implementing Category C measures, which require technical assistance and capacity-building over the next two years. Developed members were required to implement all provisions of the TFA upon its entry into force.
Efforts are underway to increase transparency regarding TFA implementation. The WTO Secretariat is gathering survey data on capacity-building partners and assistance gaps at the member level through the TFA Facility (TFAF). Tools deployed by the WTO Secretariat via the TFA Database allow members to track deadlines and request extensions for implementation dates as needed.
A dedicated session on transit was held, with preliminary findings from a study coordinated by Botswana being presented. This study examines how corridors serving landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) efficiently implement TFA measures to reduce trade costs. Findings indicate that digital tools and coordination mechanisms can lead to transit time reductions of 20-40%. For instance, the Northern Corridor connecting Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan through Mombasa reduced transit times from 11 days to five days.
In addition, experience-sharing sessions covered digitalization initiatives like Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) with presentations from various countries including China on cross-border e-commerce. The European Union emphasized digital trust-building through customs "single windows" while other presentations focused on digitalizing trade documents.
Several learning sessions accompanied these discussions. A Time Release Study methodology session organized by the World Bank and World Customs Organization provided insights into measurement techniques and resource requirements for effective implementation.