Transcript EGM on Assessing the Status of Implementation of Trade and

Summary of Recommendations
Economic Commission for Africa
Addis Ababa
15 July 2013
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Present meeting an expanded EGM
Aimed to improve ECA report (non-recurrent
publication)
Issues raised and recommendations will also
feed into African Regional Review of APoA
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Report of proceedings of EGM
Improved report on assessment of status of
implementation of trade and transport
facilitation instruments and measures in
Africa
Contribution to Outcome Document of
African Regional Review on APoA
Contribution to global 10-year review
conference of APoA in 2014
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Geographical scope of report – beyond SSA:
possibility of covering all 8 RECs recognised
by AUC should be explore
Consistency in use of terminology (eg. SADC
vs. SACU)
The need to place more attention to national
legal instrument: present focus almost
exclusively on International and RECs
instruments
Tables in the document should be improved
to serve as effective M&E tools
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Consider highlighting specific reasons for low
implementation in tables
Factual issues
Conceptual issues/definitions have to be
elaborated: for example free movement of
people
Southern Africa has many examples,
especially in relation to corridor management
that could improve the report
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Inadequate capacity within RECs to implement
mandate
It is debatable if progress has been made in free
movement of people
The reality is that several departments are involve
(transport, immigration, etc.) and tracking progress is
difficult
Problems related to visas for drivers/duration of visas
is also very limited
Development partners should provide more support
to policy harmonisation
Introduce system of NTB in West Africa
More attention should be placed on road safety &
HIV/AIDS
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The concept of OSBP is well known but mixed results
recorded in practice (Report could provide an inventory)
Need to synchronise infrastructure development and
operational issues
Location of OSBP could be an issue
OSBP between Togo and Burkina Faso, managed by private
sector, has actually increased transport cost and number
of controls (from 2 to 3)
Equipment at OSBP not being used: underscores need for
adequate consultations with all stakeholders
Need for a prototype (template) legal framework for OSBP
Collaboration between border agencies should be
reinforced
Review of legal and operational/management framework
of OSBP would be helpful
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Multiplicity of guarantees is a problem
ECOWAS units in member states should be
strengthened to support sensitisation of TF
instruments at national level
Impact of maritime law/regulations on
landlocked countries should be assessed
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Management of bilateral agreements – to ensure
appropriate follow-up
Scope of report could be expanded to better
cover Central Africa, including issues related to
River Congo
Protection of revenue generation is a key
contributing factor to non-implementation of
trade facilitation instruments
Private sector not sufficiently involved in drafting
TF instruments – therefore not involved in
domestication of good policies
The cost of facilitation of trade should studied
and clearly articulated
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Lack of political will as an implementation challenge
is being overstated (this is debatable)
Problem could be more at the technical level – where
officials who benefit from inefficient systems resist
change
Need to elaborate on the Maritime Charter and its
evolution
Domestication is a key challenge to implementation
of instruments – linked to sovereignty and
jurisdiction issues
Countries interpret and apply conventions differently
Over-reliance on donors is a constraint to
implementation – donors focus on pilot projects and
there is lack of continuity & ownership
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Involve private sector in development and
management of trade facilitation instruments
Harmonise existing trade facilitation
instruments – some of which contradict each
other
Need to harmonise cargo tracking systems
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Inputs will be incorporated in report
Factual issues will be addressed
Success stories and lessons learnt will be
incorporated in report