needs for TACB, this work offers valuable insights
into the priority needs of developing countries and the
national and regional ambitions in implementing trade-facilitation reforms. In this respect it provides some
important guidance for both developing countries and
their development partners.
3. Conclusions
On 8 July 2013, on the occasion of the fourth
Global Review of Aid for Trade in Geneva, high-level
representatives of 27 Governments and organizations,
including UNCTAD, issued a “Joint Statement –
Trade Facilitation Assistance” for trade-facilitation
implementation. The statement emphasized the
benefits of concluding a trade-facilitation agreement in
Bali and highlighted the Governments’/organizations’
strong commitment to continue to provide support for
its implementation.
Much of the discourse of most multilateral and
bilateral development partners continues to focus on
the volume of the aid to trade facilitation. However, for
potential beneficiary countries the challenge remains
to effectively match not only the volume but also the
scope and nature of this assistance to their needs and
priorities. Indeed, the assistance required for many
trade-facilitation reforms will likely have to go beyond
a financial aid and will have to involve significant efforts
in long-term sustainable capacities, technological and
institutional infrastructure development, and training
and reforms aimed at better governance.