The present publication is a contribution to the sustained and sustainable implementation of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
The publication provides a guide explaining the legal nature of each of the obligations in the TFA in an easily and understandable manner, and sets out how the measure should be transposed into the national legal framework of WTO Members to take effect. Moreover, the guide goes beyond mere legal compliance, and supports trade facilitation reforms that anchor national development priorities.
Accordingly, the guide provides practical step-by-step roadmaps for the monitoring of implementation of each measure using checklists and national action plans that take into account a country's financial and human resources as well as priorities of the business community. A meaningful implementation of the TFA hence goes hand in hand with proper preparatory planning, and a robust architecture of comprehensive reform programmes.
The publication is prepared in partnership between the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
