written by Arantzazu SanchezArticle No. 3 [UNCTAD Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter N°73 - First Quarter 2017]
In 2016, UNCTAD launched its Empowerment Programme for National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs) to support member States in the implementation of trade facilitation reforms, especially in the context of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The programme is delivered in a series of tailor-made modules, with accompanying advisory services.
The schedule for the implementation of the programme in a country ranges between one to three years. The Empowerment Programme is delivered in cooperation with partner agencies, notably the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN-Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
In 2016, UNCTAD concluded its first delivery of the Empowerment Programme in Sudan and initiated planning or delivery in eleven African countries.
So far, funding received for the delivery of the programme in 2016 and 2017 included funds received from the European Union, GIZ (Germany), HMRC (United Kingdom), Trade Mark East Africa, and USAID (United States).
In the first quarter of 2017, five Modules of the Empowerment Programme have been organised: