SUCCESS STORY: ASSESSING BANGLADESH'S COMPLIANCE STATUS IN IMPLEMENTING THE WTO TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT

The Agreement entered into force on February 22, 2017, after 2/3rd of WTO countries ratified the TFA and notified their ratification instruments to the WTO. The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has been pursuing the rapid and effective implementation of the WTO TFA for the last few years. Feed the Future - Bangladesh Improving Trade and Business Enabling Environment (Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity) has been working to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and improve the business environment with a significant reduction of the time and cost of cross-border trade. The activity aims to assist the GOB in reducing cross-border trade costs, increasing trade flows, facilitating greater integration into regional and global value chains, increasing transparency, curtail corrupt practices, strengthening partnerships with the private sector, and strengthening economic cooperation with regional and key trading partners. To assess the compliance level of Bangladesh in implementing WTO TFA, Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity organized three consecutive daylong workshops with three distinct groups of stakeholders: trade bodies, government agencies, and minorities and other disadvantaged groups. The workshops were attended by representatives from various organizations, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers and Commerce Industries, customs, Ministry of Commerce, Port Authorities, and Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The key findings of the workshops include gaps identified by stakeholders in implementing a number of TFA measures, which have been implemented partially or completely. These categories include National Enquiry Point, Appeal procedures, Customs website, Risk management, Test Procedures, and several other measures. Stakeholders also identified a number of TFA measures to be implemented on a priority basis, including Risk management, Simplification of procedures, expedited shipment, interagency cooperation, and a few other measures. Sustainability of the changes made under the TFA implementation must be addressed, and development of awareness among all parties involved is the key to sustainable implementation of the TFA measures. The outcomes of the workshops will be considered as a basis for future planning for Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Activity to assist the Government of Bangladesh in the implementation of WTO TFA in Bangladesh. The activity aims to institutionalize and strengthen the National Committee on Trade Facilitation, accommodate the interests of disadvantaged groups like SMEs and e-commerce entities, and ensure the sustainability of the changes made under the TFA implementation.