The WTO’s Agreement on Trade Facilitation: How Will It Affect Southern Africa?

The "Agreement on Trade Facilitation" (ATF) was the focus of the World Trade Organization's 9th Ministerial Conference held in Bali, Indonesia in December 2013. Trade facilitation has at its core the goal of lowering the transaction costs of doing business in international trade, specifically the cost of clearing goods for import, export and transit and the associated border controls. Trader transaction costs and the administrative burden of trader activities are generally highest in developing and least developed countries, particularly those which are land-locked. The Agreement on Trade Facilitation seeks to compel WTO member nations to remedy this current situation through the adoption of a rules-based system of trade policies and procedures that incorporates modernized business practices and processes, not only for customs authorities but for all government agencies that have a direct impact on international trade. The agreement was accepted in draft form by WTO members on December 11, and it is expected to be ratified and implemented in July 2014. All of the countries in which the Trade Hub works are WTO members and will be bound to implement the ATF within the dates prescribed in the agreement.  READ MORE  

Source:  USAID Trade Hub, Southern Africa   #IFAMAFRICA