Project Profile 3 - Pilot-testing Trade Facilitation Arrangements in the GMS Countries
Project Profile 4 - Customs Cooperation in the GMS
Project Profile 5 - Development of Common Information Systems Across the GMS Countries, and Trade Facilitation
E-Communication System in GMS
Project Profile 6 -Sub-Regionalizaation of Bilateral Agreements in GMS
Project Profile 7 - Agricultural Cooperation in the GMS
Project Profile 8 - Establishment of a Dispute Settlement Mechanism for GMS Trade
Project Profile 9 - Establishment of a Payments for GMS Trade
Project Profile 1 - Establishment of the National Institutional Arrangement for Trade Facilitation in the GMS
Objective
Coordination of trade facilitation at the national level
Interface with external trade facilitation institutions
Scope
Serve as focal point for coordination among various government agencies involved in international trade
A forum for dialogue and discussion between the private sector and government agencies on matters involving international trade
Provide unified national policy positions in GMS/TFWG
Expected Impact/Benefits
Better coordinated trade management
Improved dialogue with the private sector
Greater harmonization of trade related policies/procedures with other GMS countries
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Executive Order establishing the institutional arrangement
TFWG country representatives will monitor for TFWG
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Strong commitment to and priority for trade facilitation in the GMS countries
Continuing and coordinated activities of the agencies
Private sector participation in all critical deliberations affecting trade
Top
Project Profile 2 - National Studies and Seminars on Regulatory, Procedural and Documentation Systems for International Trade
Objective
Detailed understanding of existing regulations, procedures and documentation for trade facilitation
Participatory identification of procedural and regulatory barriers to growth of trade
Scope
Trace the movement of goods crossing borders as imports and exports and identify regulations, procedures, and documentation necessary for release
Sample specific cargo movements and determine time and administrative steps needed for release
Compare movements crossing land, sea, and air borders to identify key pressure points
Dissemination and discussion of study results in seminars
Dialogue for government and private sector to jointly identify steps to facilitate trade
Determine national positions on GMS cooperation
Expected Impact/Benefits
Specific actions for trade facilitation can be identified through elimination/reduction of steps, procedures, documentation etc.
Systematic basis for improving trade transactions
Measures taken for trade facilitation will help the economies of GMS countries, especially those with stakes in trade
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Studies, including case studies of actual shipments/cargoes, to be done by independent analysts with support from government and collaboration from other entities
Seminars will be organized by the authorized national agency
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Full disclosure and information from all involved in international transactions
Independence of the analysis and recommendations
Full participation by all concerned
Implementation of the actions agreed to by the Governments in the respective country seminars
Top
Project Profile 3 - Pilot-testing Trade Facilitation Arrangements in the GMS Countries
Objective
Demonstrate feasibility of trade facilitation measures recommended by the TFWG in limited areas on an experimental basis
Scope
Cooperation on trade facilitation measures would be implemented in the "GMS Economic Corridors"
Trade facilitation measures would be synchronized among the GMS countries
Cover as many areas of cooperation as feasible
Identify "economic corridors" immediately qualifying for trade facilitation arrangements
Expected Impact/Benefits
Infrastructure programs in GMS are reinforced with facilities to enhance movement of goods
Actual results from the pilot testing would help improve eventual wider application of trade facilitation measures
Early benefits from transport infrastructure
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
The project will be overseen by agencies implementing infrastructure programs, e.g., the "East West corridor"
Timing of trade facilitation will have to be coordinated with schedules of infrastructure construction
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Joint commitments by trade and infrastructure agencies of the GMS countries
Close monitoring of activities
Top
Project Profile 4 - Customs Cooperation in the GMS
Objective
Simplify customs procedures and controls that impinge on trade facilitation
Scope
All steps relating to customs should be covered in the cooperation
Establish, to the extent feasible, a common framework of regulations and controls across the GMS countries
Expected Impact/Benefits
Reciprocity of customs rules cuts down transactions costs
Inspection waivers and by exception increase goods movements, enhancing trade flows
Mutual monitoring of reciprocal activities improves all customs systems
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Establish a customs subgroup under the TFWG to implement this project
Include other agencies exercising controls, procedures on trade such as ministries of Commerce, Health and Finance, as required
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Transparency in cooperation activities
Firm commitments to reciprocal actions
Involvement of all agencies concerned
Consultation with the private sector
Top
Project Profile 5 - Development of Common Information Systems Across the GMS Countries, and Trade Facilitation E-Communication Systems in the GMS
Objective
Adopt definitions and measures which are standard and common
Movements of goods become faster with shared information
Information to cover systems of regulation and control across the GMS countries
Scope
Information systems include documentation, procedures, border formalities, checkpoints systems
Common forms is part of the scope of information
Expected Impact/Benefits
Information available to traders in different GMS countries and their trading partners will accelerate movement of goods
Mutual dialogue among GMS countries will create further means of facilitating trade
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
National TFWG representatives meet regionally to determine information content, trade facilitation objectives etc., and coordinate implementation
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Common definitions and standards acceptable to all GMS countries
Simplified, harmonized, forms acceptable to all authorities
Objective
Set up on-line electronic communication and documentation systems among GMS countries relating to trade facilitation
Scope
Information on all cargo transactions crossing GMS borders will be stored on-line
All forms for transactions are to be on-line
Examination of internet-based hardware as possible basis for e-communications system
Inter-connect other user-based systems for eventual linking of on-line systems for all agencies involved in trade transactions
Expected Impact/Benefits
Sharp fall in prices of hardware/software for e-communications systems will lead to improvements in trade in cost-effective manner
As internet systems are removed from personal computer connectivity equipment needs will decline rapidly
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Customs agencies of all GMS countries will initially participate
Training programs on use of e-communications system will have to be a part of the arrangement
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Identification of appropriate technologies for the systems
Complete documentation by the agencies
Capable administrative and technical staff
Top
Project Profile 6 - Sub-Regionalization of Bilateral Agreements in GMS
Objective
Extension of the benefits of agreements relating to regulations and controls, carriage of goods etc. between any two GMS countries to other GMS countries.
Scope
Extension of all existing or planned bilateral agreements among the GMS countries to the other GMS countries
Other agreements from any one of the GMS countries could also be considered for extension
Expected Impact/Benefits
Initial drafting has been accomplished, and language has been negotiated earlier. Hence agreements can be extended to other GMS countries at very little additional resource cost
Benefits initially confined bilaterally would get extended to other GMS countries
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
To be addressed and implemented, as appropriate, by TFWG
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Relevance of previous agreements
Commitment to the provisions of the agreements
Top
Project Profile 7 - Agricultural Cooperation in the GMS
Objective
Facilitate and enhance agricultural trade in the GMS countries which are agricultural-based economies
Confirm the suggestion made at the 8th Ministerial Conference (October 1998, Manila to create a subgroup for agriculture in the trade Facilitation and Investment Working Group.
Scope
Identify and standardize system of quality control checks, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) procedures applied to plant, animal and fisheries products.
Establish joint research and development on harvest and post-harvest technology, agricultural product packaging
Jointly develop agri-industry.
Expected Impact/Benefits
Harmonize movement of agricultural commodities among member countries
Increase productivity and improve product quality to ensure competitiveness of the GMS countries in world agriculture trade
Increase farm employment opportunity and income
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Establish an agricultural cooperation subgroup under the TFWG to implement this and other related projects.
Relevant implementing agencies of each GMS country dealing with agriculture.
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Transparency in cooperation activities
Firm commitment to reciprocal actions
Mutual benefits to all countries concerned
Active participation of the private sector
Top
Project Profile 8 - Establishment of a Dispute Settlement Mechanism for GMS Trade
Objective
The sub-Group on Dispute Settlement Mechanism will pay attention to ensuring harmony in GMS trade by creating a system for the settlement of trade disputes
Scope
Examine modalities for consultations on trade disputes involving GMS countries.
Expected Impact/Benefits
A dispute settlement mechanism ensures that trade friction is minimized knowing that a system is in place as a recourse for traders involved in transactions problems
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Top
Project Profile 9 - Establishment of a Payment System for GMS Trade
Objective
The Sub-Group on payments system for GMS trade will develop modalities by which the different currencies among the GMS countries can be harmonized to reduce volatility and assure stability for trade transactions
Scope
The Sub-Group will consider cover all GMS currencies in developing a payments system including clearing mechanisms involving financial institutions in the GMS
Expected Impact/Benefits
With the establishment of a Sub-Group on Payments System for GMS Trade the transactions costs to GMS traders are expected to be reduced significantly
Estimated Cost
Financing Arrangements/Options
Implementation Arrangements
Establishment of the Sub-Group to be recommended for approval by SOM and the Ministers' Meeting
Status
Concept stage
Critical Success Factors
Top
 Back
Appendix 3 | Next
Fourth Meeting of the Subregional Investment Working Group |
Regions and Countries 
