Transcript Implementation of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF

EIF National Implementation
Arrangements in Nepal
Lesson Learned and Prospects
Chandra Ghimire
Joint Secretary and NIU Chief
Ministry of Commerce and Supplies
Contents:
– Background
– EIF Implementation Arrangements in Nepal
• National Steering Committee: Composition and Roles
• Focal Point: Roles and Responsibilities
• National Implementation Unit: Composition and Roles
• Technical Committees: Composition and Roles
• Donor Facilitator (DF) and Donor’s Group (DG)
– Lesson Learned and Prospects
Global Backdrop
• IF program is established in 1996 during Singapore WTO Ministerial
Conference to accelerate the integration of LDCs into the global
economy. That time as an embryonic shape.
• The HK Ministerial Declaration also includes several issues related
to AfT, particularly on IF (Para 48 - 51).
 Enhanced IF (EIF) shall come into force by 31 Dec. 2006, Para 49
 Para (50): The Task Force…….. shall provide recommendations
on how the implementation of the IF can be improved, to:
 Provide increased, predictable, and additional funding on a multiyear basis;
 Strengthen the IF in-country, including through mainstreaming
trade into national development plans and poverty reduction
strategies; more effective follow-up to diagnostic trade integration
studies and implementation of action matrices; and achieving
greater and more effective coordination amongst donors and IF
stakeholders;
 Improve the IF decision-making and management structure to
ensure an effective and timely delivery of the financial resources.
Background (Contd.)
• 2007: the IF Working Group (IFWG) and the IF Steering Committee
(IFSC) adopted a package of recommendations to implement the
Enhanced IF (EIF).
• A guideline has been prepared for implementation of EIF and as
prescribed in it, an institutional set-up (at country level) is needed for
implementation of EIF:
– At Global Level:
• EIF Board
• EIF Secretariat at WTO Geneva, led by the Executive Director
• United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) as EIF TFM
Background (Contd.)
– At National Level:
• National Steering Committee (NSC)
• Focal Point (FP)
• National Implementation Unit (NIU)
• Donor Facilitator
• Other committees/task forces/working groups etc., as
needed and decided by the respective government.
Nepalese Picture
EIF/NTIS Implementation Arrangement in Nepal
NSC
National Focal Point
DPs
Donor Facilitator
NIU
NECTRADE
Technical Committees (TCs)
Re-organized in line
with the updated
DTIS (NTIS 2010)
Technical Committees (TCs) at their outset
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Agriculture, agro-industry, NTFP, and SPS
Private Sector Development (Manufacturing, SMEs, SEZ/EPZ and TBT)
Legislation and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
Services and taxation
Cross-Cutting Issues and Trade-related Infrastructure Development
National Steering Committee (NSC)
Composition:
Chair- Chief Secretary, Government of Nepal
Members









Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies
Secretary, Ministry of Industry
Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Member
Secretary, National Planning Commission
Secretary, Ministry of Finance
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives
Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice
Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nepal
President, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FNCCI)
 President, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)
 President, Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC)
 Joint Secretary, PITCD, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, Member Secretary
NSC: Roles and Responsibilities
 This Steering Committee shall carry out all task related
to EIF, including the monitoring and following other tasks
under the EIF:
 Issue necessary policy guidelines for streamlining the
foreign trade. Extend support to develop foreign policy
as integral component of the national policy.
 Extend support for the development of the trade sector
by properly mobilizing the domestic and foreign aid
received.
 Introduce timely improvements in the execution of the
GoN’s trade- related policies and programmes.
 Perform a coordinating role to establish understanding
between governmental, private sector and donor
agencies.
NSC: Roles and Responsibilities
 Make arrangement for updating the policies and rules in
order to fulfill Nepal’s commitment at the time of joining the
WTO in time.
 Provide advice, suggestions and recommendations to the
GoN by reviewing the country’s trade policy from time to
time on the subject of enhancing the country’s import
management and export trade.
 Conduct the technical and financial support received in the
trade sector in a coordinated manner. Select projects for
foreign aid received in this sector and provide approval.
 Act for developing trade-related capacity of the
governmental and non-governmental sectors.
 Do other tasks related to exports and trade sector
development.
Focal Point: Roles and Responsibilities
National Focal Point: The MoCS Secretary
 Oversees the functioning of the NIU and advises the
Government on NIU staffing and operations.
 Chairs TAC 1 and TAC 2 and decides, in consultation with the
other members, to invite other representatives to participate in
these committees.
 Works closely with the relevant line Ministries, the Donor
Facilitator, the ES, donors and IF Agencies to ensure that trade
is mainstreamed into the PRSP, as per DTIS priorities.
 Leads on the preparation of the DTIS and its updating.
 Reports to the Government and the ES on IF progress.
 Provide continuous guidance and coaching to NIU staff (He/She
shall appoint a deputy FP, if needed).
Focal Point: Roles and Responsibilities
 Advises the Government on NIU staffing and operational issues.
 Coordinates NIU expenditures.
 Develops linkages with the ES and reports to it quarterly on IF progress.
 Works closely with, and maintains, a continuous in-country dialogue with
the private sector, civil society, the DF, other donors and IF Agencies.
 Formulates the sensitization/communication action plan aimed at
enhancing support and involvement of key IF stakeholders, to be
implemented by the NIU.
 Works closely with the Ministry of Finance, National Planning
Commission and other Government agencies to ascertain that DTIS
priorities are mainstreamed into the PRSP and other national
development plans, such as the Private Sector Development program.
 Reports regularly and no less than bi-annually to the NSC and the
government authority overseeing the PRSP/national development plans.
National Implementation Unit (NIU) in Nepal
NIU Chief
(NIU Coordinator)
EIF Programme
Manager
MoCS official
assigned to NIU
(Number increasing
over time)
SWAp Focal Points
(One from each line
ministry)
Trade SWAp
Coordinator
Externally recruited
national consultants
and support staffs
Externally recruited
international
consultants
(Decreasing over
time)
NIU Composition
MoCS-appointed official:
• NIU Chief/Coordinator (JS/Head of Planning and International Trade
Cooperation Division of MoCS)
• Trade SWAp Coordinator (Head of Foreign Aid Mobilization Section,
MoCS)
• Private Sector Coordination Officer
• Inter-ministerial Coordination Officer
• GoN – TC Liaison officers (depending on number of TCs)
• SWAp focal points in selected line ministries (depending on number of
TCs and recommendations from NSC). The existing WTO focal points
could be upgraded to SWAp focal points.
Externally recruited (full time positions):
• A National Programme Manager (NPM)
• A Programme/Policy Analyst
• An Administrative and Finance Associate/Assistant (AFA),
• A Programme and Training Associate/Assistant (PTA).
NIU: Roles and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of EIF Focal Point, the NIU shall
works with the various Ministries and Government’s trade-related
institutions, private sector and civil society to ensure coordination at
all stages of the IF process. The main duties and function of the
NIU shall be:
 Works closely with the ES, the Donor Facilitator and IF Agencies for the
preparation of the DTIS, the formulation and appraisal of Tier 1 and Tier 2
project proposals and other TRTA actions, as appropriate.
 Monitors the implementation of Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects under NSC
supervision and reports on progress to the ES. Organizes, as appropriate, IF
implementation meetings to assess progress of the IF initiative.
 Works with all relevant partners to advocate for, and assist in, the inclusion of
a trade integration strategy and its priorities in the PRSP or national
development plans.
 Prepares its multi-year work plan and a detailed annual operational plan.
NIU: Roles and Responsibilities 2
 Raise awareness among Ministries, the private sector and civil
society on the relationship between trade, economic growth, and
poverty reduction with the aim of ensuring that agreed priorities are
integrated into the PRSP/national development plans, relevant line
ministry plans and the national budget.
 Facilitate intra-governmental and donor coordination, as well as
public-private sector dialogue on trade development, using proper
consultation processes such as the PRSP, other national
development plans and private sector development programmes.
 Advise on sectoral and cross-sectoral trade issues, including the
regional trade dimension, involving meaningfully the IF line
Ministries.
 Identify the preparation of diagnostic work to be carried out in
partnership with other Ministries. This can range from full-fledged
DTIS or DTIS updates to more narrowly specified analytical work
that is required as a follow-up to the DTIS or to assist project
identification/preparation.
NIU: Roles and Responsibilities
Work with implementing partners to turn priorities in the action
Matrix into "bankable projects", including Tier 2 projects and
projects for the financial consideration of bilateral and multilateral
donors. Implementing partners is broadly understood to mean
Ministries, other Government entities, the private sector, civil
society, NGOs and other development partners.
Maintain and promote the dialogue between the national
authorities and bilateral and multilateral development partners with
a view to achieving a coordinated and comprehensive support to
the implementation of the country's trade integration strategy, and
its inclusion into the country's national development strategy
(PRSP).
Recommend to the NSC, through the Focal Point, prioritized areas
for IF actions and elaborate strategies of intervention.
Implement the national IF sensitization/communication activities
aimed at enhancing support and involvement by local
stakeholders.
NIU: Roles and Responsibilities
 Monitor the implementation of the overall trade integration strategy,
including the implementation of programmes supported by the IF
Trust Fund, in close collaboration with key government agencies as
well as development partners. This would include the integration of an
IF monitoring and evaluation system into existing systems for
monitoring development programmes.
 Report on progress of IF implementation at relevant government
coordination meetings (e.g., PRSP, national development plans,
Private Sector Development Programme, etc.) where they exist. Where
these do not exist, organize quarterly meetings.
 Report on IF implementation progress to the FP, NSC and to the ES.
 Prepare an inventory of all ongoing and planned TRTA projects in the
country, if existing capacities allow for it.
 Organize IF implementation meetings, in consultation with local
stakeholders including donors, to assess IF progress at the country
level.
 Coordinate mid-term reviews and evaluations of the IF at the request
of the IF Board and IFSC.
Technical Committees (TCs)
TC-1
Lead by Ministry of Commerce and Supplies
All the NTIS Actions related to ;
Trade Capacity Development, Service Sectors (including 7 Value
Chains), Trade Support Institution, Aid for Trade, Cross-Cutting Issues
TC-2
Lead by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
All the NTIS Actions related to ;
Agriculture Value Chains (including 7 NTIS agro-products) and SPS
TC-3
Lead by Ministry of Industry
All the NTIS Actions related to ;
Industry (including 5 crafts and industrial goods), Investment, TBT and
IPRs
Cont…
TC-4
Lead by Ministry of Finance
All the NTIS Actions related to ;
Customs and Trade Facilitation
TC-5
Lead by Ministry of Law and Justice
All the NTIS Actions related to ;
Legal Reforms
TCs: Roles and Responsibilities
In close cooperation with the EIF Focal Point and NIU, the TCs will be
responsible:

To assess needs (infrastructure, legal and institutional, capacity
building plans etc.) in their specific area,

To prepare a Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Plan
and develop proposals for technical assistance and submit it to
the National Steering Committee (NSC) for its approval,

Review rules/regulation in compliance with World Trade
Organization (WTO) regime and examine/assess the
commitments made by Nepal during the accession to WTO and
report to the NSC,

Creating a WTO cell in the institution and assign a Joint
Secretary as the Focal Person.

In order to carry out its activities, the TCs reserves right to create
technical subcommittee(s), as and when required. In addition,
consultant(s) can be hired to assist TCs and its sub-committees
to conduct their activities.
DF: Roles and Responsibilities
The main objective of the DF is to help mainstream trade into donor
programming to ensure timely implementation of the Action Matrix. The
precise task of the DF will be based on a work program to be elaborated
in cooperation with the LDC Government. The necessary functions of the
DF are:
Assists the Government to enlist and coordinate donor responses to the
Action Matrix produced, including liaison with donors to ensure
effectiveness, complementarities and harmonization of interventions,
including exploring the possibilities for pool funding arrangements for
implementation of action matrix priorities.
Follows up on the Action Matrix, especially on donors' responses, to
promote maximum coordination among donors.
Supports the NIU and the FP in the conduct of their responsibilities as per
the established TORs.
Assists the NIU to formulate and appraise Tier 1 projects and participates
in their approval process.
DF: Roles and Responsibilities
 Assists the NIU to formulate and appraise Tier 2 projects.
 Facilitates the Government's contacts with the donors by
functioning as a link between the donors and the Government
(when the Government and donors so desire). This entails
ensuring that all relevant pieces of information regarding the
IF and its implementation are adequately transmitted to IF
stakeholders, including from the donors to the Government
and from the Government to the donors. It also entails close
coordination with, and being sensitive towards, the wishes of
the National Implementation Unit and the National Focal
Point.
 Provides regular briefing updates to donors on IF progress
and arranges for consultation and coordination possibilities for
the donors present in the country.
DF: Roles and Responsibilities

Informs stakeholders, including the donors, on the
progress and results of IF implementation.

Assists the local authorities in creating knowledge and
understanding of the IF process in the country, especially
at the higher political level.

Additional functions that the DF could undertake

Supports the Government in efficiently steering the IF
process, possibly including the assessment of the
institutional needs required and the establishment of the
IF FP, NIU and NSC.

Advises, as appropriate, on the
establishment/strengthening of inter-ministerial
consultation mechanisms.

Supports the National Implementation Unit and its Focal
Point in the conduct of its responsibilities as per the
established TORs.
Lesson Learned and Prospects

Trade mainstreaming is the key up to sectoral level –
as Government commitment for trade sector
development

Active involvement of all the stakeholders (GOs and
non-Gos) needed (e.g. mobilization of TCs in project
preparation and resource mobilization)

Involve private sector as much as possible

Continue dialogue with the Development Partners

Mix-composition of NIU staffing with dedicated ToRs
and develop capacities to perform their duties and
responsibilities

Develop tools to communicate and monitoring the
progress
Lesson Learned and Prospects
• Trade mainstreaming in the DPs' country
assistance strategies
• Donor mobilization especially in 'hardware'
related activities
• Setting up a full-fledged TTF in the Nepalese
context
• Retention of high level political commitment for
trade & development
• LDCs' solidarity with respect to South-South
cooperation as part of learning from each
others.
Thanks... for your kind
attention...if any queries?