On 10 and 11 October 2023, the World Customs Organization (WCO) delivered a Europe Sub-regional Workshop on National Committees on Trade Facilitation (NCTFs) within the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) framework. The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacities of the NCTFs and to foster regional cooperation for effective and sustained implementation of trade facilitation initiatives.
Representatives from the Customs Administrations and Trade Ministries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan actively participated in this 2-day workshop. They engaged in discussions about the NCTFs’ role in the automation and the digitalization of trade facilitation initiatives and World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation monitoring and impact evaluation.
Throughout the workshop, the participants had the invaluable opportunity to delve into TFA measures commonly pending implementation in the sub-region and gained insights into the latest developments at the WCO and the WTO concerning the vital work of the NCTFs.
The exchange of experiences among the countries allowed them to learn from each other's NCTF approaches to tackle the contemporary challenges. A roundtable discussion on the future of NCTFs served as a source of inspiration, shaping the strategic priorities of National Committees moving forward and the strategic vision of the country to improve competitiveness and promote economic development through trade facilitation.
As the NCTFs collectively exchange experiences, replicate best practices, and harmonize regulatory processes, cross-border exchange will undoubtedly become more efficient.
For more information on the GTFP, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.