The World Trade Organization (WTO) has launched a web site aimed at helping developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) access information about the trade- facilitation agreement facility (TFAF).
The TFAF is a previously launched program of the WTO for LDCs and developing economies to help them comply with commitments on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) on a staggered pace.
Under the TFAF, the WTO will require members to implement the agreement according to their capacity. LDCs and developing countries are allowed to submit commitments on three levels: Category A, B and C.
For LDCs, Category A commitments are those that can already be met one year after the agreement comes into force. Commitments in the Category B are those that can be implemented after an agreed-upon transitional period after the entry into force of the agreement. Category C commitments are those that can be met after assistance and support for capacity-building—and on a date to be determined in future—after the agreement comes into force.
The Philippines, Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal said, is looking to ratify the TFA by the deadline in July, after undergoing domestic processes. In view of this, the Philippines has submitted over 30 of the 40 commitments found in the TFA for Category A, signaling the country’s readiness to ease cross-border trade.
The web site provides background on the agreement and the TFAF, as well as information on programs that support the implementation of the agreement.