The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will organize the first International Forum for National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs) in cooperation with the International Trade Centre, the World Bank Group, the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization to support Trade Facilitation reforms in developing and Least Developed Countries.
The objective of the Forum is to empower the leaders of NTFCs and provide opportunities for NTFCs to access funding.
The Forum will cover all aspects of establishing and sustaining NTFCs, including the sharing of best practices and coaching techniques.
The Forum will also focus on accessing technical assistance for the NTFCs. In this regard, participants will hear from donor organizations about the assistance that is available, and they will discuss the challenges faced in identifying and sourcing necessary funding.
Significantly, recipient countries will have the opportunity to work with international donors and agencies present to identify possible match-making opportunities.
The Forum will discuss:
- Trade Facilitation efforts on a regional perspective
- The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement – Status of ratification, categorisation and notifications
- How to access technical assistance for the implementation of Trade Facilitation reforms
- How to make an NTFC sustainable in time
- Best practices on National Trade Facilitation Committees
- How to draft project proposals for Trade Facilitation reforms
- How to Guide your NTFC in the process of drafting a National Trade Facilitation Roadmap
- NTFC’s role in coordinating, harmonizing and simplifying trade procedures
- Key aspects of consultation
- NTFCs around the world – main challenges and lessons learned
The meeting is open to members of the National Trade Facilitation Committees from all countries that have been nominated to attend the meeting. Donors, international agencies and regional organisations are also invited to attend. – UNCTAD
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