NATIONAL TRADE FACILITATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT- THE ZAMBIAN EXPERIENCE .

1. N W T F NATIONAL TRADE FACILITATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT-THE ZAMBIAN EXPERIENCE. Presentation by - Marryat Haafwuma Nosiku S Munyinda

2. Introduction National Needs Assessment Major Findings Measures considered most difficult to implement Outcomes Making use of needs assessment teams Conclusion Outline

3. ZAMBIA - A SNAP SHOT Population (Millions) : 12 GDP ($ billions) : 10.7 Area (1,000.sq.km) : 743 GNI per Capita($) : 630

4. 1st country to undertake needs assessment- February, 2007 Representation from government, civil society, industry and quasi-government National Needs Assessment

5. 71 proposals were considered Preparedness- Already Compliant with 26 (37%) Partially compliant with 27 (38%) Not compliant with 9 (12.5%) Not yet applicable with 9 (12.5%) – E.g. proposals related to customs union . Needs assessment results

6. COMPLIANTMEASURES These include: • Appeal procedures • Objective criteria for tariff classification • Pre-arrival Clearance • Prohibition of Consular Transactions. • Promotional of Regional transit arrangements • Strenthened Non Discrimination

7. PARTIALLY COMPLIANT These include: • Publication & notification of trade regulation and of penalty provisions • Automation • Establishment of a code of conduct • Specific parameters for fees/charges • Risk Management/Authorized traders • Post clearance Audit • Advance Rulings

8. NON COMPLIANT These include: • Automated payment system • Reduction of no. & diversity of fees/charges • Expedited Shipments • Single window/one time submission • Pre-Shipment Inspection.

9. Barriers • Infrastructure • Improvements • Maintenance • Lack of Investment in the relevant IT infrastructure • Institutional • Commitment to training and provision of IT staff • Limited dissemination of information • Institutional co-operation (Border Agencies) • Information sharing • Administration harmonisation

10. Barriers • Institutional co-operation (Ministries) • Human Resource Constraints • Limited Co-ordination • National Legislation • IT policies/laws are not in place • Awareness • Justification of policies • Availability

11. Measures considered difficult to implement • Single Window (Cost, Legislation, Poor ICT-infrastructure,Skills,Lead Agency etc. ) • Border Agency Coordination (infrastructure- suitable buildings, legislation) • Enquiry points (Lead agency, Maintenance costs). • Internet Publication of Elements – Art. X (Legislation, Political will ) • Establishment and Publication of average release /clearance time( Cost- Auto/Manual systems, Priority).

12. Outcomes The formation of a standing “National Working Group on Trade Facilitation” Objective: To assist continuous discussions on Trade facilitation feeding directly into the National Working Group on Trade. TORs for the National Working Group on Trade Facilitation Nov 2007.doc

14. National Working Group on Trade National Working Group on Trade Facilitation Border Management Task Force Other Relevant Stakeholders on Trade Facilitation

15. Completion of initial self-assessment matrix- November, 2007 Commencement of the development of a “prioritized implementation plan” with measures divided into: Short, Medium and Long Term Two day retreat held out of town and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Outcomes ctd

16. Attendance to Geneva meetings to provide technical support to Geneva based negotiations July, 2007 Commerce and Environment October, 2007 Patents and Health December, 2007 Immigration, Government Printers, Environment February, 2008 Customs, Immigration, Justice and Health May, 2008 Customs, Immigration, Environment and Justice July, 2008 Customs and Environment Outcomes ctd

17. Points to note Inter-ministerial representation- GATT Articles being considered cut across various ministries; Incorporation in internal planning and budgeting processes of the individual agencies; Prior consultation in formal meeting ensuring that a true “national position” is presented. Similarly, a report is prepared and presented to the group after each meeting and a way forward mapped out.

18. Useful document frequently referred to during negotiations to get the true picture of what is on the ground ANNEX A Results from the Trade Facilitation Workshop.doc The working group formed now has an extended mandate to consider all other issues to do with trade e.g. COMESA Simplified Trade Regime Border Agency Coordination was an integral part of this initiative in the development of the product lists. How has the needs assessment been useful?

19. Challenges faced The conclusion of the Zambia Threshold Project under which the Border Management Task Force was housed Lack of formal working relationships among border agencies Change management- business as usual attitude Constant revision of proposals implies corresponding revision of self-assessment matrix

20. CONCLUSION • Success of the Needs Assessment will depend on : • Adequate preparations; • Experience/knowledge of participants on TF Matters; • Continuous exchange of information between the capital officials & Geneva officials; • Continuous update of the Matrix/Identification of Stakeholders; • Team Work.

21. Thank you for your Attention. nmunyinda@necz.org.zm marryat2003@yahoo.com pnymlewa@yahoo.co.uk