Working group event in Niamey to share the workplan of the project on transit, transport and trade facilitation in West Africa for better participation in value chains

This meeting aimed at sharing the work plan of the project on facilitation of transit, transport and trade in West Africa for better value chain participation with the National Trade Facilitation Committee and related local institutions and representatives from both the private and public sector in order to gain relevant insights and connect with a vast array of player involved in transit, transport and trade facilitation.

During the meeting, the National Implementation Unit of the Enhanced Integrated Framework opened the floor, and the National Trade Facilitation Committee stressed the importance of collaboration between the different players for a successful implementation of the project. Then the UNCTAD team presented the overall project, its objective, expected results, as well as the work plan with the related products and activities. Finally, a dynamic exchange with the audience took place with the intervention of customs representatives, transport association representatives, relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Transport as well as representatives working on SIGMAT and Single Window systems.

This workshop was well received by the audience, successfully built the foundation and raised awareness on the issues related to transit, transport and trade facilitation at subregional level - between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso which are the 3 beneficiary countries of this project - in order to improve access to a functional transit program based on simplified customs and border regulations, better coordination of cross-border operations, and correct implementation of the legislation and regulatory practices.