Regional : Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program

Sovereign Project | 52123-001

The TA will support the momentum and realization of SASEC countries trade facilitation initiatives by bringing policy reform actions closer to the implementation stage. The TA will have three major outputs (i) Implementation frameworks, blueprints, and road maps in modern customs administration complete; (ii) Tools to enhance transparency of standards in SPS and TBT developed; and (iii) Cross-border transport facilitation studies along key SASEC routes and border crossing points completed

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Sasradipoera, Kanya S.
    South Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Industry and trade
Project Name Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program
Project Number 52123-001
Country / Economy Regional
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Myanmar
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 9578-REG: Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 500,000.00
TA 9578-REG: Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program (Supplementary)
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.00 million
TA 9578-REG: Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program (Supplementary)
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 500,000.00
TA 9578-REG: Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program (Supplementary)
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 300,000.00
TA 9578-REG: Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program Supplementary
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.50 million
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Sector / Subsector

Industry and trade / Industry and trade sector development - Trade and services

Gender No gender elements
Description The TA will support the momentum and realization of SASEC countries trade facilitation initiatives by bringing policy reform actions closer to the implementation stage. The TA will have three major outputs (i) Implementation frameworks, blueprints, and road maps in modern customs administration complete; (ii) Tools to enhance transparency of standards in SPS and TBT developed; and (iii) Cross-border transport facilitation studies along key SASEC routes and border crossing points completed
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The SASEC program fully recognizes the important role of transport and trade facilitation for regional economic integration and competitiveness. Although the subregion is one of the least integrated regions in the world for trade, studies have shown that intra-regional trade in South Asia could rise by as much as 60%, and the region's trade with the rest of the world could grow by 30% if trade facilitation systems could be elevated to international standards. Trade facilitation could enhance SASEC countries' competitiveness by allowing goods and services to be traded on time and with low transaction costs. It could facilitate increased participation by South Asian business and trade in regional and global value chains through quick and less costly movement of goods over borders and greater outsourcing potential for cost competitiveness. Trade facilitation in South Asia, however, faces enormous challenges with major bottlenecks including cumbersome customs procedures, inadequate trade-related infrastructure, weak capacity to implement standards and technical regulations, poor border-related infrastructure, and inadequate cross-border transport arrangements to support the seamless movement of goods and services in the subregion. In line with efforts to improve their economies' competitiveness and ease of doing business, Government agencies related to trade facilitation in the seven participating SASEC countries recognize the value of working together in jointly addressing the key bottlenecks to cross-border trade under the SASEC framework.
Impact

International trade and transport for SASEC countries made faster, cheaper, and more predictable, while maintaining the security of the supply chain and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the institutions involved

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Trade facilitation measures to address key bottlenecks adopted by SASEC countries

Progress Toward Outcome Maldives implemented framework for temporary admission and advance ruling. Post-clearance audit (PCAs) are being pilot tested in Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Implementation frameworks, blueprints and roadmaps in modern Customs administration completed.

Tools to enhance transparency of SPS TBT standards developed

Cross-border transport facilitation studies along key SASEC routes and border crossing points completed

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) Prepared framework for the implementation of trusted trader program for Maldives. On the PCA, pilot implementation being done for Bhutan and Sri Lanka. First round of audits completed, and audit reports have been reviewed by consultants. On Study on SPS-TBT related infrastructure, studies for Maldives and Bhutan are completed, while Nepal study is under way. On the SASEC Routes Initiative Study, Phase 1 covering Kolkata-Dhaka route completed. Phase 2 covering Kakkarvitta-Panitaki- Fulbari- Banglabanda- Chattogram and Mongla ports completed. The mapping of supply chains in the region is one of the new initiatives in the Action Plan for SASEC Initiatives 2021-2023 (APSI). Experts were hired to estimate the supply chain for selected pandemic-fighting products in SASEC countries, and to determine the scope of further analytical work to (a) deepen the analysis and (b) expand to other essential products (e.g. food). For Phase I, the supply chain mapping focused on essential commodities related to COVID-19. The objective is to help national governments address disruptions caused by mobility restrictions under COVID-19 and ease barriers to facilitate the supply of inputs for finished products used in fighting the pandemic. The objectives of Phase 2 are to (i) determine the industries with existing and potential for trade expansion and diversification through value chain linkages within the SASEC region; (ii) identify obstacles to realize the intra-SASEC supply chain (such as constraints for trade including non-tariff barriers and (iii) define the role that the economic corridor development in SASEC can play in developing specific intra-SASEC value chains. The TA also supported Maldives Customs Service (MCS) in conducting trial runs of the Electronic Tracking System (ECTS) to monitor movement of cargo from bonded warehouses to resorts and demonstrate the feasibility of the use of the system; and II. To prepare a financial model to assist MCS in finalizing the ECTS implementation plan.The TA provided assistance to the Government of Bangladesh (RTHD) through information and technical support for formulation of responses on pending issues under the Protocols and schedules of the BBIN MVA and to prepare for conduct of trial runs.Experts were also hired to assist the Government of Nepal's Department of Customs in realizing the activities envisaged under the CRMP Output of 'Streamlined Coordinated Border Management' and in moving towards a robust and effective CBM. With regard to efforts on Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement (BBIN MVA), the TA supported the recruitment of experts who will study the insurance regimes of Bangladesh/Nepal and provide recommendations for compliance with the provisions of BBIN MVA on insurance. A transport specialist was also engaged to recommend criteria for levy of fees and charges and the fee amounts that could be levied under the BBIN MVA, and to support the countries in reviewing, consolidating, and aligning the routes proposed by the participating countries for plying of vehicles under the BBIN MVA.
Geographical Location Bangladesh - Nation-wide; Bhutan - Nation-wide; India - Nation-wide; Maldives - Nation-wide; Myanmar - Nation-wide; Nepal - Nation-wide; Sri Lanka - Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The TA will engage a total of 52 person-months of individual consultants, composing of 27 person-months of international experts and 25 person-months of national experts
Procurement not applicable
Responsible ADB Officer Sasradipoera, Kanya S.
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Regional Cooperation and Integration Unit, SARD (SARC)
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 08 Aug 2018
Fact Finding 30 Jul 2018 to 30 Jul 2018
MRM -
Approval 03 Sep 2018
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 09 Dec 2022

TA 9578-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
03 Sep 2018 - 03 Sep 2018 31 Aug 2021 31 Aug 2023 -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
3,800,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,800,000.00 06 Jul 2023 2,987,214.42

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
BBIN MVA Transport Consultant Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Transport Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert on Coordinated Border Management Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert on Coordinated Border Management Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Coordinating Analyst Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Senior Trade Facilitation Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Business Analysis Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Sanitary Phytosanitary Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Industrial Development Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Economic Corridor Expert/Team Leader Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade and Logistics Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Business Process Redesign Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Supply Chain Mapping Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
E-commerce Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert - BPA Individual - Consulting Closed
Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the SASEC Program - Sanitary Phytosanitary Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Customs Audit Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Customs Modernization Expert (Customs Laboratory and Customs Warehouse) Individual - Consulting Closed
Customs Modernization Expert - Non-Intrusive Inspection Individual - Consulting Closed
Business Process Analysis Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Customs Modernization Expert (E-Payment) Individual - Consulting Closed
Business Process Analysis Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Customs Modernization Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Capacity Building Specialist to Implement WTO TFA Individual - Consulting Closed
Implementing TF Initiatives under the SASEC Program - Electronic Cargo Tracking System Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Logistics Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the SASEC Program - Trade Facilitation Analyst/Program Manager Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert - Nepal Individual - Consulting Closed
Programs Analyst Individual - Consulting Closed
Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the SASEC Program - Trade Facilitation Consultant SRI Individual - Consulting Closed
Implementing Trade Facilitation Initiatives under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program - Trade Facilitation Consultant: Bhutan Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert- Maldives Individual - Consulting Closed
Post Clearance Audit Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Logistics Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Trade Facilitation Expert – Bangladesh Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.