Members address digitalization, capacity building at trade facilitation meeting
WTO members shared their national experiences on trade facilitation during thematic discussions and undertook a dedicated session on the technical assistance and capacity building needed to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at a 22-24 October meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation. The meeting was chaired by Ms Chanikarn Dispadung of Thailand.
In line with the Committee’s 2024 theme “Use of Digitalization to Facilitate Trade,” five members — China, El Salvador, Georgia, Jamaica, and Japan — shared national experiences with the use of digitalization in the “Single Window for Trade Facilitation” process. Under the TFA, members undertake to establish a single window enabling traders to submit documentation and data related to the importation, exportation, or transit of goods through a single entry point.
In addition, another six members — Bolivia, Chile, Fiji, the Kyrgyz Republic, Nicaragua, and Uzbekistan — made presentations at the Committee meeting on different topics related to TFA implementation, such as average release times for goods, pre-arrival processing, electronic certification of cross-border shipment of plastics, digitalization of border procedures, and regional trade facilitation strategies.
The TFA entered into force in 2017 and contains provisions for expediting the movement, release, and clearance of goods, including goods in transit, thereby enhancing efficiency, and promoting greater cooperation in cross-border transactions. It is the first WTO agreement in which developing members and least developed country (LDC) members can determine their own implementation schedules, in accordance with their national priorities and capacities, and seek to acquire implementation capacity through the provision of related assistance and support.
Technical assistance and capacity building
The Committee also organized a dedicated session on 24 October focused on technical assistance and capacity building, which allowed beneficiary and donor members as well as international development partners to interact and exchange ideas on the topic.
Members received an update on progress in technical assistance and capacity building support for the next two-year period through 2026, including a status report from the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility, which was set up to help developing and least developed country (LDC) members in the implementation of the TFA. This year, members redesigned the dedicated session to focus on interactive panel discussions. A first discussion took place on enhancing the coordination of technical assistance and capacity building, followed by a round-table discussion where members involved in both the delivery and receipt of technical assistance and capacity building addressed how to mobilize such support for sustained reform.
The Chair expressed appreciation for the constructive engagement of all members, which enriched the discussion and highlighted the importance of collaboration and the need to address ongoing challenges for sustained support. Additionally, member insights on coordination, monitoring, and tailored assistance will contribute to strengthening implementation efforts and ensuring that trade facilitation benefits all members, including developing and LDC members.
Separately, the United States presented a communication on technical assistance and capacity building which outlines considerations regarding its process of delivering technical assistance, including how to identify specific national contacts, prepare for engagement with donors, and contact donors. During the course of the meeting, the United Kingdom also circulated a paper outlining some general guidance that countries could follow to help guide them in seeking and successfully utilizing collaboration with donors for capacity building support.
Other Committee work
The WTO Secretariat provided a status report concerning the ratification and implementation of the TFA. Notifications submitted by developing and LDC members currently show they have committed to implement 79% of their TFA obligations. Developed members were required to implement all provisions of the TFA from its entry into force.
Other topics covered during the meeting included the United States’ concern over Indonesia’s customs procedures for intangible products. In addition, members continued discussions on a revised version of a Committee paper entitled “Good Practices and Building Blocks of Successful National Trade Facilitation Committees”, which seeks to reflect the experiences shared by members and international organizations in this area.
The next committee meetings will be held on 12-13 March, 4-5 June and 21-23 October 2025.
