1	SELA‘S TRADE-RELATED ASSISTANCE IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION Laura Páez, Trade Facilitation Coordinator Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) Seminar on Trade-Related Assistance in the Caribbean Region Castries, Saint Lucia, 15-17 June 2009.
2	CONTENT What is trade facilitation? The Caribbean & trade facilitation ODA for Trade Facilitation SELA‘s Trade-Related Activities Conclusions & Recommendations
3	WHAT IS TRADE FACILITATION? Meaning: “Simplification and harmonisation of international trade procedures. Trade procedures include the activities, practices and formalities involved in collecting, presenting, communicating and processing data and other information required for the movement of goods in international trade.” (WTO/OECD, TCBDB) Measures: Simplify import and export procedures; reduce transport formalities, payments, insurance, and other financial requirements; cut red tape at entry and exit points; provide easier access to importing and exporting regulations and customs procedures; simplify tariff structures, modernize customs.
4	THE CARIBBEAN & TRADE FACILITATION How does the Caribbean perform with regards to trade facilitation? Cualitative measure: “I need to get a labor compliance certificate from the Ministry of Labor, but before issuing the certificate the ministry demands 4 other documents from municipal authorities. For each export consignment I need to inform the authorities of my intention to export, confirm the exports and get a letter confirming that I have refunded the foreign exchange earned to the central bank.” Cuantitative measures: - Number of documents to export/import - Number of days to export/import - Cost of container for export/import
5
6	ODA FOR TRADE FACILITATION
7
8	SELA’S TRADE-RELATED ACTIVITIES SELA is a regional intergovernmental body which groups 27 LAC countries. It serves these countries as an intra-regional consultation and cooperation organization on economic and social matters. Although many of the issues related to trade facilitation and aid for trade have been treated within SELA since its very creation, it is in 2008 that its Members include these issues in the Work Programme. Concrete activities resulting from this Work Programme are: 1. A Joint Regional Programme UNDP-UNCTAD-SELA for Trade, Investment and Development Issues 2. A Regional Cooperation Programme on Trade Facilitation 3. Research on aid for trade and trade facilitation 4. Several meetings and seminars on trade-related issues
9	1. Joint Regional Programme UNDP-UNCTAD-SELA To be implemented by the SELA with the sponsorship and technical assistance of UNDP and UNCTAD. Period: 2010-2012 Financing: US$ 1.8 million Goal: enhance the capacities of LAC countries to formulate appropriate policy responses to address the challenges of globalization, to promote their development concerns and priorities in multilateral and regional trade negotiations, and to foster their more active role in shaping the global trading system. 3 pillars of the programme: trade, investment and economic governance.
10	1. Joint Regional Programme UNDP-UNCTAD-SELA Programme Areas: Trade policy and negotiations Trade facilitation Investment agreements & investor-state disputes Competition law & consumer protection Programme Activities: Regional studies and research Regional meetings Regional training workshops and seminars National training workshops Advisory services Dissemination of information (website and publications)
11	1. Joint Regional Programme UNDP-UNCTAD-SELA Main Features of the Programme: Sustained policy advocacy and advice, policy-oriented research/analysis, capacity building and training. 2. Cross-fertilization of experiences and support regional trade initiatives. The specific activities of the programme will be designed and implemented in close consultations with LAC countries through the intergovernmental machinery of SELA and UNCTAD. Regional and sub-regional workshops will also be undertaken in cooperation with relevant organizations. The expertise and the analytical inputs of UNDP, UNCTAD and SELA will be articulated and coordinated in view of efficiency and complementarities. 6. Cooperation and coordination with ECLAC by regular consultations among the secretariats.
12	CONCLUSIONS ODA for trade facilitation in the region is small and has decreased in recent years While some countries receive direct funds for trade facilitation, others rely entirely on regional and global programmes SELA‘s activities are a step towards identifying trade facilitation needs and improving aid efficiency and effectiveness through a regional cooperation focus
13	RECOMMENDATIONS More ODA for Trade Facilitation Articulate efforts at a regional level to conduct and aid for trade needs assessment Increase regional coordination and cooperation in the Caribbean, in order to reap de benefits from improved trade facilitation activities
14	THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Laura Páez E-mail: lpaez@sela.org www.sela.org