Trade Facilitation Support Programme (TFSP) phase II

The Trade Facilitation Support Programme (TFSP) was launched in June 2014 to support countries seeking assistance in aligning their trade practices with the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA). The TFSP¿s funding helps countries¿ particularly developing countries (DCs) and less developed countries (LDCs)¿achieve full and effective implementation of the WTO TFA and related trade facilitation reforms. The second phase of the Trade Facilitation Support Programme (TFSP II) will support partner countries to Identify existing constraints and bottlenecks to cross border tradeDesign and plan for implementation of practical reform strategiesIncrease the predictability transparency and harmonization of systems and procedures in line with international standards covering import export and transit activities Key areas of assistance include but are not limited to · Supporting the ratification and notification of the WTO Trade Faclitation Agreement (TFA) · Undertaking WTO TFA Gap Assessments and implementation of reform action plans · Supporting the establishment and strengthening of National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs)· Assisting with the design of risk based approaches for border clearance· Preparing for Single Window implementation· Leveraging global and regional partnerships and knowledge sharing to ensure optimal delivery of support.Activities implemented through the TFSP involve experts from the World Bank (WB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to engage both the public and private sector perspectives in reforming trade facilitation laws procedures processes and systems to align with the WTO TFA.They implemented the first phase of this programme.