TTFSE Stability Pact1302
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Transcript TTFSE Stability Pact1302
Trade and Transport Facilitation in
Southeast Europe
http://www.seerecon.org/ttfse.htm
Preliminary Lessons and Challenges
World Bank
Stability Pact Working Group
on Trade Liberalization and Facilitation
May 13-14, 2002
TTFSE Program
Regional Investment Program - US$120 million, WB $78 million
Co-financed with the US, partnership with the EU
8 countries/one project in each - implementation started in 2001 for first six
Three years implementation
Goals: (a) reduce : (i) processing time for legitimate traders/transporters, (ii)
facilitation payments, and (iii) corruption related to international transport and
trade; and (b) in parallel improve effectiveness of controls and of anti-smuggling
efforts
Components: (i) TA for border agency modernization (Customs), (ii) IT
equipment and TA, (iii) border crossing improvements, (iv) training to trade &
transport communities, (v) website on all applicable rules/procedures of border
agencies
TTFSE Principles
Holistic approach (all border agencies included)
Measurement of performance related to trade and transport
facilitation
Use of regional mechanisms:
*Regional Steering Committee (RSC)
*Regional Website
*Regional Training for border users
Strong Involvement of users:
*Constant dialogue (participation in RSC)
*Building on an existing regional network (PRO-Committees)
*User surveys (in each country)
*implementation of trade facilitation component
*Building distance learning programs with professional associations (IRU, FIATA)
Performance Indicators
comparable across countries
Customs efficiency indicators
-
6 measures of national customs performance
- allow for comparison (evolution)
Pilot site indicators
-
data collected regionally
- overall processing measurement (from entry to exit)
- three main indicators linked to loan/credit covenants : (I) percentage of
vehicles cleared in less than 15 minutes; (ii) percentage of physical inspections; (iii) trucks
opened at border.
- consistency of data collection to ensure comparability
www.seerecon.org/ttfse//RegionalInitiatives/TTFSE/TTFSE_Manual.pdf
Customs Performance Indicators:
Revenue Collected per Staff (US$)
Croatia
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
1999
Yugoslavia
Romania
Moldova
2000
Macedonia
Croatia
Bulgaria
2001
BiH_RS
BiH_Fed
Albania
0
Regional User Survey
First phase (2001/2002) – strengthening baseline and
methodology
Objectives:
-
supplementing performance measurements through survey, interviews
and discussion groups to analyze improvement of border agencies’
performance in each country
- drawing attention to decision makers on areas of priority improvements
(strong tool)
Sample: 150 companies, with validation from international cities
Six dimensions: Customs law; Communication; Procedures; Personnel;
Logistics; Integrity
Phasing methodology: refined after phase I to increase comparability of
results (2002, 2003); transfer to Chambers of Commerce in phase II
User Survey Results
Problem groups
all problems above average
communication the most acute
Bulgaria closest to average
Example
Integrity Assessment
covers petty/small corruption only
main recipients Customs officers
highest level of payments BiH
highest frequency Macedonia
Ttfse cost and trade map
TTFSE and Distance Learning
Professional competence-an EU
requirement for road transport Operators
*EU-accession legal harmonization
*Creation of 13 vocational training centers
(EU-PHARE/TACIS)
Next steps in Distance Learning
*Creation of a web platform for the Global
Facilitation Partnership-Distance Learning
Initiative (GFP-DLI) (under finalization)
*IRU Academy established regional quality
standards/planned Distance Learning
*Creation of a mechanism for new Bank
projects to build on available content and
programs with certification and support their
expansion, as appropriate to new countries
*Bank/TTFSE program catalyst to attract
funding for knowledge transfer
*Prof. Associations: Leadership role *WB:
catalyst to attract funding and help in
content pooling.
*Distance Learning Certificate of
Professional Competence for truckers: two
countries being piloted BA, MK - 2 other
enrolled-three more involved shortly
*Sustainable capacity building tool
Similar approach with FIATA-Preparation
of a Distance Learning Program for
Forwarders, started in SEE
*Integration and use of content produced
by donors, professional associations
*Development of a Supply Chain Manager
Program
*Cooperation with other regions to see
what program could be expanded
TTFSE Achievements
after on year of implementation
Sharp improvement in performance at some pilot sites through streamlined
procedures:
-Inland terminal (HR) : processing time reduced by 50% (150 minutes); Border crossing exit
time (HR) reduced by 75%;
-Advanced declaration module (BG): reduction of clearance from 210 to 15 minutes for precleared goods, and average reduction to 40 minutes
RSC: decision on International Weighing Certificate recognized by Customs
New Customs Law adopted in Croatia and Macedonia
Customs modernization: introduction of Mobile Enforcement Teams (MK)
Border inter-agency cooperation: joint check points Customs-Border Police (RO)
Improved communication: regional website launched
Increased awareness of border users: leads to pressure on authorities to improve
User surveys validate all above positive trends
Main Lessons
Benchmarking contribute to improved performance
Performance measurements prove futility of 100%
physical inspection
…thus selective inspection based on risk assessment
is essential
Reducing inland clearance time may be more important
than reducing border time
Roles of Border Police and Customs need clarification
Participation of business community offers best
dynamic for reform
Challenges Ahead
High rotation of key staff at country level intense
Bank supervision to preserve initial results
Delays in introducing selectivity
Close coordination made difficult by the large number
of players
Setbacks (conflict in Macedonia)
First phase of an 8 year modernization processdemonstrating the approach validity
Conclusions
Concrete positive results of TTFSE after one year
Replication of pilot improvements to other sites will
prove the success of the program
Simultaneous projects yield a bonus
Individual countries could also benefit
Development of similar program in other regions
(Caucasus, Central Asia)