Background:
As a follow-up exercise to the DTIS update, UNCTAD arranged a workshop between Ethiopia and Djibouti on 2-3 November 2016 in Djibouti to discuss and agree to follow-up actions that arose from the DTIS update matrices of the two countries. The main aim was to follow up on trade facilitation aspects and what improvements could be made in the logistical performance of the section of the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor that links Addis Ababa with Djibouti City and the ports of Djibouti. The workshop came up with the following proposals for further, follow-on, work:
- To take stock of what has been achieved by Ethiopia and Djibouti so far in terms of improvements in legislation, infrastructure and trade and transportation measures;
- To examine best practices in terms of establishing a Corridor Management Agency/Authority and make recommendations on what model should be followed;
- To recommend the mandate, composition and financing of the Corridor Management Agency/Authority and the Secretariat;
- To carry out an enhanced Time Release Study and, based on this, assess missing:
- infrastructure;
- legislation, structures and coordination mechanisms; o legislation, structures and coordination mechanisms;
- operating procedures; and o operating procedures; and
- trade and transport facilitation components and coordination mechanisms;
- Assess the existing transport regulations and agreements; and
- Design a Corridor Monitoring and Reporting system
A consultant was recruited to implement the actions (terms of reference) agreed on and to prepare a project proposal for the establishment of a Corridor Management Authority for the Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor
The main objective of the second workshop was to discuss the findings of the above-mentioned report elaborated by UNCTAD to design a refined and more detailed roadmap associated with a related technical assistance proposal that will take into account the following:
a) the technical assistance needs of the respective countries to ensure a proper functioning of the Djibouti/Addis corridor
b) the existing technical assistance, Aid programs, and activities of other entities and donors pursuing similar or related objectives.
c) the design of a strategy by the respective Governments of Djibouti and Ethiopia to coordinate the implementation of the action matrices at national and bilateral level on issues related to transit, transport and trade facilitation, possibly through a common management of the Djibouti-Addis corridor
More precisely, the workshop provided an opportunity to exchange the Ethiopian and Djiboutian perspectives, challenges and opportunities of a proper functioning of the Addis-Djibouti trade corridor through the establishment of a Management Authority.
Result:
Following the workshop, the development of a technical assistance programme conducted by UNCTAD to be funded by the EIF as a regional Tier II project for the establishment of the joint Management Authority of the trade corridor has been politically endorsed at the highest level.
