Summary of Recommendations

Economic Commission for AfricaAddis Ababa15 July 2013

Present meeting an expanded EGM Aimed to improve ECA report (non-recurrent

publication) Issues raised and recommendations will

also feed into African Regional Review of APoA

Report of proceedings of EGM Improved report on assessment of status of

implementation of trade and transport facilitation instruments and measures in Africa

Contribution to Outcome Document of African Regional Review on APoA

Contribution to global 10-year review conference of APoA in 2014

Geographical scope of report – beyond SSA: possibility of covering all 8 RECs recognised by AUC should be explore

Consistency in use of terminology (eg. SADC vs. SACU)

The need to place more attention to national legal instrument: present focus almost exclusively on International and RECs instruments

Tables in the document should be improved to serve as effective M&E tools

Consider highlighting specific reasons for low implementation in tables

Factual issues Conceptual issues/definitions have to be

elaborated: for example free movement of people

Southern Africa has many examples, especially in relation to corridor management that could improve the report

Inadequate capacity within RECs to implement mandate

It is debatable if progress has been made in free movement of people

The reality is that several departments are involve (transport, immigration, etc.) and tracking progress is difficult

Problems related to visas for drivers/duration of visas is also very limited

Development partners should provide more support to policy harmonisation

Introduce system of NTB in West Africa More attention should be placed on road safety &

HIV/AIDS

The concept of OSBP is well known but mixed results recorded in practice (Report could provide an inventory)

Need to synchronise infrastructure development and operational issues

Location of OSBP could be an issue OSBP between Togo and Burkina Faso, managed by

private sector, has actually increased transport cost and number of controls (from 2 to 3)

Equipment at OSBP not being used: underscores need for adequate consultations with all stakeholders

Need for a prototype (template) legal framework for OSBP

Collaboration between border agencies should be reinforced

Review of legal and operational/management framework of OSBP would be helpful

Multiplicity of guarantees is a problem ECOWAS units in member states should be

strengthened to support sensitisation of TF instruments at national level

Impact of maritime law/regulations on landlocked countries should be assessed

Management of bilateral agreements – to ensure appropriate follow-up

Scope of report could be expanded to better cover Central Africa, including issues related to River Congo

Protection of revenue generation is a key contributing factor to non-implementation of trade facilitation instruments

Private sector not sufficiently involved in drafting TF instruments – therefore not involved in domestication of good policies

The cost of facilitation of trade should studied and clearly articulated

Lack of political will as an implementation challenge is being overstated (this is debatable)

Problem could be more at the technical level – where officials who benefit from inefficient systems resist change

Need to elaborate on the Maritime Charter and its evolution

Domestication is a key challenge to implementation of instruments – linked to sovereignty and jurisdiction issues

Countries interpret and apply conventions differently

Over-reliance on donors is a constraint to implementation – donors focus on pilot projects and there is lack of continuity & ownership

Involve private sector in development and management of trade facilitation instruments

Harmonise existing trade facilitation instruments – some of which contradict each other

Need to harmonise cargo tracking systems

Inputs will be incorporated in report Factual issues will be addressed Success stories and lessons learnt will be

incorporated in report