Single
Window Adoption for WTO TFA Implementation
Building on the first review of the operation of the Trade Facilitation
Agreement (TFA) conducted in 2021, WTO members considered new updates on implementation
and notification timelines at the 4-5 April meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation.
Members also held a dedicated session on transit issues of landlocked country members
in line with the review’s recommendations.
Members
considered, as a new standing agenda item, the timeliness of members' TFA implementation
based on the definitive dates each had respectively notified. Between 1 January
and 31 December 2022, 31 members have implementation dates due for a total of 229
measures according to a report from the WTO Secretariat. Between
1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023, 47 members have 444 measures due for implementation.
The most common include the establishment of a single window that allows traders
to submit documents to one contact point, the publication of information on trade
procedures on the Internet, measures relating to risk management, the measurement
and publication of average release times for merchandise, and cooperation among
border agencies.
At present,
notifications submitted by WTO members indicate that they have committed to implement
74.9% of TFA obligations. Among the developing members and least-developed country
(LDC) members, the figure stands at 67.2%. The TFA is the first WTO agreement in
which developing and LDC members can determine their own implementation schedules
and seek to acquire implementation capacity through the provision of related assistance
and support. Developed members were required to implement all provisions of the
TFA from its entry into force.
During
the meeting, two members provided voluntary updates on the status of their implementation
under this new agenda item. Mongolia reported on its implementation of nine measures
due in 2021 and two measures due in 2022, noting that it attached great importance
to its timely implementation of the TFA.
Ukraine outlined its difficulties in implementing the TFA given the ongoing
conflict.
Also
at the meeting, many members took the floor to express their strong opposition to
the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian delegate responded by saying that the WTO was
not the proper venue for a discussion of this nature.
Members
also considered updates on overdue notifications, another new standing agenda item.
A total of 114 notifications are overdue from members, latest data show. The United States highlighted
overdue notifications related to the TFA's transparency provisions, noting that
36 members have self-identified a definitive implementation deadline for these measures
but have not yet submitted the necessary information to the Secretariat.
Members,
moreover, held a dedicated session on transit issues faced by landlocked country
members to share experiences on challenges including those brought about by the
COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers noted the importance of infrastructure developments,
digitalization, the streamlining and transparency of procedures, and collaboration
between landlocked and transit countries. Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked
country, indicated its support for a communication from over 40 members seeking
the accelerated implementation of the TFA in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also
in line with last year's review, members noted the ongoing work to prepare a document
containing good practices and building blocks of successful National Committees
on Trade Facilitation.
Members
heard a presentation from Ghana on its establishment of a single window. The United
States noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the latest member to join as co-sponsor
of the communication seeking the accelerated implementation
of the TFA. The United Kingdom presented information on the assistance it provides,
in partnership with other organizations, for TFA implementation by developing and
LDC members.
The next
Committee meeting will be held on 29 June to 1 July. Members are also preparing
an event on 29 June to mark the 5th anniversary of the TFA's entry into force.