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Implementing Trade Facilitation Instruments for Regional Integration. Symposium on WTO Trade Facilitation for African Countries. Dominique Njinkeu , Lead Trade Facilitation Specialist, TFF Program coordinator Nairobi, November 13-15, 2012. Outline. Trade Procedures
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Implementing Trade Facilitation Instruments for Regional Integration Symposium on WTO Trade Facilitation for African Countries Dominique Njinkeu, Lead Trade Facilitation Specialist, TFF Program coordinator Nairobi, November 13-15, 2012
Outline Trade Procedures Collaborative border management WTO negotiations related projects Challenges
Trade procedures • Alignment to international standards • COMESA: Common tariff nomenclature, common market regulation • CEMAC and UEMOA: Common tariff nomenclature • National Single windows as part of our customs projects in central, West and East Africa
Trade procedures Streamlining of international trade procedures: DRC, Cameroon Efficiency of customs through performance contracts: Togo and Cameroon Authorized economic operators, preferred traders
Collaborative border management Corridor projects in West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa Border-specific: Lesotho, Swaziland ECOWAS: OSBP Interconnection of gateway and landlocked countries’ customs: West, Central, and East Africa Corridor performance (SSATP)
Reference texts • 1. WTO Trade Facilitation Negotiating Group Consolidated Text • Information Accessibility, Consultative mechanism, Advance ruling, Appeal mechanism, Import alert, Fees, Clearance procedures, Consularisation, Coordination, Formalities, Freedom of Transit • 2. REC trade facilitation instruments • Common Tariff Nomenclature, Common Customs Code, Customs brokers criteria, simplified procedures (small goods), SPS border procedures WTO negotiations
Regional framework with activities at regional and national levels • Customs Union instruments: • Common Tariff Nomenclature, Common Customs Code, Customs brokers criteria • Information Accessibility on Trade and Transit regulations • SPS and metrology border procedures UEMOA TFF support
Challenges/Conclusion Holistic: political economy Work across ministries Link with the Bank teams in your countries