Establishing a National Working Group on Trade Facilitation

Establishing a National Working Group on Trade Facilitation Challenges and Lessons Learned Presented by Elizabeth Tamale Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry Uganda

Introduction • Uganda carried out self needs assessment in 3 -7 December 2007 • Participants Recommended that: • Private sector should participate more in the negotiating issues of TF • Further consultations should occur to determine how to best strengthen the functioning of agencies with trade-related responsibilities involving private and public sector. • Accountability and monitoring strategies through regular interagency meetings coordinated by MTTI should be developed.

• Received technical assistance from UNECE/ Camlexa Consulting to analyse TF using Buy-Ship-Pay concept using module developed by CAMLEXA, 2008. • Participants emphasized the need for a National Working Group on Trade Facilitation to handle all matters related to Trade facilitation and not only the negotiations as previously envisaged • Developed a draft Workplan for the establishment of the NWGTF

Tasks identified • • Build upon the report and matrix of Uganda’s self assessment on TF needs on a regular basis Build on the National TF plan developed during the Entebbe Workshop 20 -24 October 2008 Provide support to Geneva based officials, involved in WTO negotiations and ongoing TF negotiations Provide technical advice on TF negotiations in the EAC, COMESA and EPAs Monitor implementation of measures arising from different negotiations Identify capacity building needs and donor assistance for their implementation Develop and monitor the COMESA Simplified, Trade Regime (STR) work plan

Tasks • Work with the Tripartite Task Force of the Regional Trade Facilitation Program to address TF harmonization in the EAC, COMESA and SADC regions. • Analyse barriers to trade facilitation and make policy recommendations on reform • Identify issues affecting the cost and efficiency of the country’s international trade • Provide a national focal point for the collection and dissemination of information on best practices in international trade facilitation • Review and evaluate progress of negotiations and make recommendations for adjustments in a timely manner.

Membership • • • Private Sector members include the following; Uganda Clearing and Forwarding Association Private Sector Foundation Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) Uganda Manufacturers Association Exporters Association Transport Operators Financial services including insurance

Government Ministries and Agencies • • • Ministry of Tourism Trade and Industry Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of ICT Ministry of Works and Transport Uganda Revenue Authority Uganda Export Promotion Board Uganda National Bureau of Standards Uganda Investment Authority

Key External Partners identified • • • WTO OECD UNCTAD UNECE UN/CEFACT World Customs Organization (WCO) International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Regional trade facilitation projects Local Donors

Structure • NWGTF chaired by MTTI/deputized by Private sector Organization • 3 sub-committees have been proposed: • Customs –Uganda Revenue Authority • Transport-Ministry of Works and Transport • Technical assistance and capacity building – Ministry of Finance • All deputized by private sector repr. • MTTI to provide the secretariat • The terms of reference for these subcommittees are yet to be established

Cont • Operating on limited budget under the External Trade Dept of MTTI • Meetings held quarterly/before negotiations, 2 have been held in 2009 focusing on WTO/TF negotiations • Cabinet info paper prepared • Work plan needs refining taking into account the tasks which have been identified.

• The NWGTF will also use the UN CEFACT supply chain reference model as a basis to examine commercial, transport, regulatory and financial procedures to ensure simplification, transparency, predictability and efficiency.

Challenges • Needs assessment done in 2007, need to review the progress taking into account the development in the negotiations • Limited capacity of the NWGTF to analyse TACB needs, develop schedule of commitments and implementation plans • Capacity to follow up on the regional initiatives • MTTI is the secretariat but has limited capacity (financial and human resources)

cont • Recognition and support of other agencies and ministries and agencies i. e. Ministry of Finance • TF border committees not yet in place yet are important source of information • Coordination with other agencies and programs handling TF elements/ negotiations COMESA, EAC and EPAs and other Trade facilitation task forces. • Sustainability of the NWGTF

Conclusion • The NWGTF should be treated initially as project with external funding. Can evolve into a permanent fixture at a later stage • Support required to fund activities of the task force including a secretariat • Widening of the mandate of the working group requires support from all agencies including political support • TACB required to develop work plan, budgets • Share experience with successful working groups.

Thank you for your attention