Derestricted
FTAA.sme/w/02/Rev. 7
July 20, 2001
Original: English Spanish
FTAA - CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES
TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE
TECHNICAL COOPERATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR SMALLER ECONOMIES
- AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONSES
Prepared by the Tripartite Committee for the Consultative Group on Smaller Economiesat the request of the FTAA Working Group on Smaller Economies
At the final meeting of the FTAA Working Group on Smaller Economies, held in Mexico City, on 14-16 October, 1997, all participants "stressed the critical role of technical assistance in the FTAA process and highlighted the importance of training on multilateral and regional trade
issues. They agreed on the need to identify the specific requirements of the FTAA participants in this area and agreed to prepare an inventory of technical assistance
needs."[1] The Working Group approved a questionnaire, and requested interested countries to complete this
questionnaire and submit their responses to the Tripartite Committee.
At their first meeting in Buenos Aires in June 1998, the TNC created a Consultative Group on Smaller Economies and set out a work program that includes:
3. Gather information regarding technical assistance related to FTAA issues and available to FTAA countries, as well as review the specific needs identifies by countries, in particular, those identified in response to the questionnaire developed by the former Working Group on Smaller Economies.
As of October 25, 2000, Seventeen (17) countries have submitted responses to the Technical Cooperation Needs Assessment for Smaller Economies.
What follows is a compilation of the responses to this questionnaire. The questionnaire is attached as an annex. The responses are set out in matrix form. The first column lists general categories of technical assistance that are based upon the responses to the questionnaire. A second column shows the number of countries indicating a need for technical cooperation in each area, and a third column contains some representative methods of delivery of such assistance suggested by countries in their responses.
Technical Cooperation Needs Assessment: Responses |
Type of Assistance |
No. of countries |
Preferred delivery suggestions |
Assistance in Evaluation |
Assessment of Trade Obligations |
1 |
National seminars and workshops
Consultants
Visits by technical team |
Identification of technical assistance needs |
4 |
Coordination of technical-assistance-related material and assistance in applying |
2 |
Increasing Human Resource and Administrative Capacity |
Training of Personnel, general |
10 |
Workshops (national and regional)
Seminars
Training coursesgeneral negotiating issues and on specific issues
Work attachments in developed country Trade Policy body |
Training in negotiating techniques/ Increasing negotiating capacity |
8 |
Training in specific areas: |
|
all FTAA issues |
4 |
Rules of Origin |
2 |
Customs valuation |
1 |
Safeguards |
2 |
Standards |
2 |
Sanitary/Phytosanitary |
3 |
IPR |
2 |
ADCVD |
1 |
Training in enforcement mechanisms
|
2
|
|
Training on how to conduct impact studies
|
2
|
Institutional Reform
|
Development of administrative infrastructure and capacity
|
4
|
|
Legal and juridical institution building; judicial reform
|
7
|
Institution building
|
4
|
WTO Commitments
|
Understanding WTO Commitments
|
4
|
Regional seminars
Workshops
Training courses
Attachments to WTO or developed country ministry |
Use of Integrated Data Base (IDB)
|
1
|
Implementation of WTO Agreements
|
8
|
Information and Communications Technology
|
Computer hardware
|
2
|
Provision of equipment
Provision of software
Instruction in use of technology
Seminars
Instruction in database creation
Development of information-sharing systems
Provision and updating of data |
Online and computer-based communications services (Internet, email, etc)
|
10
|
Database capabilities
|
6
|
Increased access to data/more trade data
|
7
|
Mechanisms for communication of information
|
6 |
Office Support
|
2
|
Assessment of Impact on Economies
|
Impact studies (general)
|
7
|
Consulting
Training
Commission of studies
|
Impact studies (sectoral)
|
3
|
Studies to determine negotiating position
|
4
|
Technical cooperation for small and medium sized firms
|
1
|
FTAA Negotiating Issues |
Type of Assistance |
No. of countries |
Preferred delivery suggestions |
Market Access |
General market access |
5 |
|
Rules of origin |
6 |
Customs |
4 |
Standards and technical barriers to trade |
8 |
Safeguards |
4 |
Agriculture |
Agriculture |
7 |
|
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures |
6 |
Subsidies, Antidumping |
7 |
|
Competition Policy |
3 |
|
Investment |
4 |
|
Services |
General |
7 |
|
Financial services |
1 |
Intellectual Property Rights |
10 |
|
Government Procurement |
3 |
|
Other |
Textiles |
2 |
|
Trade related issues |
E-Commerce |
1 |
|
Environment |
1 |
|
Labor |
1 |
|
Small and Medium Sized Businesses |
1 |
|
Breakdown by Country
|
Country
|
Background:
Past and Current activities
|
Technical
Assistance Needs
|
Preferred
Delivery Method
|
Antigua & Barbuda
|
|
Assessment of trade obligations
Training of personnel (Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Consumer Affairs)
On-line and computer-based services
Database support for collection of trade statistics |
|
Bahamas
|
FTAA seminars and
workshops
Assisted national working groups in understanding the importance and substance of the proposed FTAA and WTO
agreements and the nature of obligations.
Informed national working groups and the private sector about the FTAA and its potential implications.
National level Spanish language development courses.
Spanish instructor was hired specifically to develop the language skills of FTAA representatives. |
Assistance to coordinate material provided by FTAA / WTO secretariat and to identify and apply for FTAA / WTO-related technical assistance
available.
Assistance for officials in assembling data and preparing reports and other documentation on trade developments including FTAA /
WTO.
Access to information systems, develop information technology hyperlinks to allow access to online info, communication among negotiators and dissemination of
information.
Provision of technical and financial assistance to strengthen
human resource capacity and legal requirements necessary to comply
with and enforce
regulations.
Technical assistance to develop Spanish language skills to facilitate communication among
negotiators.
Assistance in engaging short-term consultants to assist with the national coordination of working groups. |
National seminar or workshop arranging specific needs of the Bahamas with respect to WTO
implementation.
Participation of negotiators in international trade workshops and seminars.
Access to scholarships for masters and doctorate degrees in law, international trade, international law and related
disciplines.
Training attachments to the FTAA secretariat and WTO in Panama and
Geneva.
Bilateral immersion Spanish programs for negotiators. |
Barbados
|
WTO seminars and workshops
|
Assist national working groups in understanding the importance and substance of WTO Agreements and nature of obligations;
Assistance to coordinate material provided by WTO and to identify and apply for WTO-related technical assistance available;
Development of better networking framework among various government agencies and private sector;
Assistance in revising dumping and subsidies legislation and procedures for applying provisions of Agreement;
Assistance in applying provisions related to safeguard provisions under Agreement on Agriculture and Agreement on Safeguards and development of a system to trigger safeguards;
Access to information and information systems;
Develop Information technology blueprint to allow access to online info, communication among negotiators and dissemination of information. |
National seminar or workshop examining specific needs of Barbados with respect to WTO implementation
Working/training attachments to WTO for Ministry of International Trade and business people responsible for coordinating working groups |
Bolivia
|
Multilateral: IDB, World Bank, CAF, FONPLATA, Fondo Nordico para el Desarrollo; EU; UN: FAO, FIDA, OMS-OPS, PMA, UNDP, UNICEF
Bilateral: Germany, Belgium, Canada, Korea, Denmark, Spain, France, Holland, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, China, Switzerland, Sweden, USA, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela |
Monitor WTO implementation
Services
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
Rules of Origin
Standards and Technical Barriers to Trade
Intellectual Property Rights
AD/CVD
Customs valuation
Textiles
Increasing negotiating capacity
Determination of competitiveness in each area, especially in services
Impact studies
Impact studies oriented to need to change economic policies
Judicial reform
Access to information internet, technical training
Financing in order to be able to actively participate |
Internet connection b/n public and private groups
Technical training for these activities |
Dominica
|
Limited assistance through regional seminars on WTO Agreements
CIDA/OECS Trade policy Assistance Project and ACP-EU Trade Development Project |
Mechanism to fulfill WTO obligations
All areas, esp.
1. Agriculture
2. Sanitary/phytosanitary
3. Services
4. TRIPS
5. Antidumping
6. Safeguards
7. Competition policy.
Analysis on costs and benefits of participating in FTAA (diagnostic of export sector)
Improve human resource capacity
Computer hardware and software
Need assistance for assessing assistance needs
Development of administrative infrastructure, human resource capacity and adequate enforcement agencies |
Regional seminars not specific to Dominica but to OECS region |
El Salvador
|
|
Rules of Origin
Legislation and rules of origin procedures.
Theory and Application of the Custom Valuation Agreement.
Tariff nomenclature for the classification of merchandise.
Anti-dumping, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
Methods for the determination of injury and threat of injury in subsidy and dumping investigations.
Investment
Administration of investment agreements.
Bilateral Investment Agreements.
E-Commerce
Certification and authentication of electronic companies.
Application of electronic contracts.
Agricultural Negotiations
Special safeguards
Administration of tariff regimes.
Internal support.
Export subsidies, credits, and others.
Inspection procedures, control, and sanitary and phytosanitary
measures.
Procedures for the declaration of pest-free areas.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property rights, copyrights, and neighboring
rights.
Intellectual property and competition policy.
Government Procurement
Implementation and training of personnel for the compilation of government procurement
figures.
Standards
Conformity assessment.
Mutual recognition agreements.
Certification procedures.
Dispute Settlement
Dispute settlement mechanism |
Training, seminars, courses
|
Grenada
|
WTO Seminar for Caribbean Developing Countries
Seminar on Uruguay Round results
WTO Seminar in Technical Barriers to Trade
Policy Workshop on WTO Telecommunications Officer |
Trade-related legislation, i.e. in agriculture, AD/CVD.
Developing appropriate standards.
Evaluate existing technical barriers to trade in goods and services.
Converting quantitative restrictions to tariffs.
Development of database and documentation Unit.
Training of negotiators.
Training of National Enquiry points personnel.
Information/communication facilities; support to access internet services to facilitate communication with OECS, Caricom and FTAA secretariats. |
Attachment at trade policy unit in a developed country
Consultant to assist in trade policy formulation and other trade-related matters
Workshop/ seminar on techniques in conducting trade liberalization impact studies
Acquisition of two computer system
Seminars to coordinate OECS position within FTAA
Visits by OECS technical team to assist in identifying institutional needs and to prepare technical briefs and papers to guide the Government in trade related policy decisions. |
Guatemala
|
Have received training in international trade negotiations, issues relating to smaller economies. |
Need more dissemination of trade information at academic and official
level.
Identify the technical cooperation needs for compliance with multilateral trade
commitments.
Need technical assistance in terms of distance communication technology implementation of laws, training of personnel
STBT - material, institution building, training on methodology; legal and juridical institution building; adoption of laws; development of information mechanisms. |
With relation to previous technical assistance received, would like this to be more immediate and with more depth, with practical experience of other countries, as well as technological elements that can increase national capacity. |
Guyana
|
Regional projects on agriculture to be carried out in 1998 by USAID Caribbean Economic Diversification Program - Project on Understanding the WTO SPS Agreement and Caribbean Agricultural Trade Policy Project
IDB funding for project on implementation of ASYCUDA (UNCTAD) for last two
years
ACP-EU Trade Development Program launched Dec. 1997
Caribbean Export Development Agency - ISO 9000 Quality Management Course in march
1996
UNDP Project on Legal Metrology infrastructure |
Agriculture: assistance in implementation of WTO SPS Agreement: institutional development, establishment of laboratories; development of national strategies on SPS; export certification systems; training of human
resources.
Customs: GATT Valuation code; rules of origin; subsidies and anti-dumping' TRIPS; pre-shipment inspection.
Institutional building
Training of Negotiators
Assistance in initiating programs in standards and to support activities such as standards formulation, promotion and implementation.
establishment of metrology
infrastructure
strengthening of GNBS to serve as Laboratory Accreditation
Agency
equipment for import/export inspectors
strengthen GNBS as Quality Management Registration Agency
upgrade library to Information Center to serve as Enquiry
Point
establish testing laboratories to serve as reference
laboratories
data and information mechanism for standards
|
Technical assistance projects with a national
scope
FTAA (Min of Ag): Website should be improved -- more information on the
groups
Information-sharing system such as local intranet (managed by Guyana Private Sector Center). |
Haiti
|
|
Human Resources
Development
training of personnel in both private and public institutions
involved specifically in negotiation of trade issues in the FTAA
process;
training in negotiating techniques in order to increase
Haiti's negotiating capacity;
training in carrying our impact studies
Institutional Reform
Institution building to enable Haitian institutions to manage
and follow-up FTAA negotiations (restructuring and strengthening
Ministry of Trade and Industry)
Increased coordinating capacity for trade-related issues and
better interaction between public and private sectors institutions
Updating the legal framework for business, taking into account
WTO multilateral trade agreements.
Information and Communications Technology
Increase Haiti's database capacity
Provision/supply of computer hardware and software and
computer-based services (Internet, email, etc.)
Increased access to data, especially trade data
Mechanisms for communication of information
Assessment of Impact on economies
Impact studies (general) to assess FTAA impact on Haiti's
economy
Sectoral Impact studies
Studies to determine Haiti's negotiation position |
|
Honduras
|
UNDP: training of negotiators; customs strengthening; modernization of IP registry office;
CERTEC
Central American Development Bank: courses on Central American Integration; Institutional strengthening of Economic and Commercial Secretariat of Honduras; with ICAP, institutional strengthening of Secretariat of Trade and
Tourism.
AID: Central American course on trade agreements; export promotion; "Political Economy of Honduras in 2005" seminar; design export development strategy; seminar on trade in services; SIECA/PROALCA project on participation in FTAA; seminar on government procurement; seminar on trade remedy.
WTO: Trade policy course; course on AD/CVD; course on services; course on ADCVD and safeguards; seminar on
IPR.
EU: Course on integration and cooperation; EUROTRADE
program;
SELA: course on multilateral trade negotiations; seminar on market access in the context of the Uruguay
Round.
Bilateral sources: Mexico (services); China; Germany; Argentina; Japan; Chile. |
Market access: assistance in understanding and implementing WTO agreements; integrated data base assistance; training in regional juridical
instruments.
Agriculture: assistance in implementation of WTO Agreement on Agriculture; training in international agricultural trade (use of internal support, etc.); human resource building for administration of WTO Agreement; impact study to determine position in future
negotiations
Textile and apparel: implementation of integration program
Technical Barriers: technical assistance in national institution strengthening with regard to application of technical regulations norms and conformity assessment procedures; human resource training in the new issues and the implications of new models of technical regulation and norms development, conformity assessment, and metrology. Technical assistance in establishment of a national system of standardization and legislation in the food industry. This would also imply impact studies in the sectors that will be affected.
Rules of Origin: seminars on customs procedures; institutional
strengthening.
Import licensing assistance in technical and administrative procedures to apply such
measures.
Investment: assistance in constructing a more sophisticated mechanism for gathering data; assistance in modernizing
legislation.
Intellectual Property: assistance in development of laws and support in development of national offices, including personnel training. Courses, etc. on intellectual property rights; Assistance in enforcement of IPR.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: training in the contents of WTO SPS accord; training programs in areas of animal and vegetable health and food; development of information exchange
mechanism.
AD/CVD: Training courses for government officials; case studies; familiarization of public and private with WTO
provisions.
Safeguards: personnel training in application of Central American provision; seminars and workshops on case studies of safeguard use; technical cooperation in creation of a research center on safeguard use, to be combined into a trade remedy
unit.
Government Procurement: creation of inventory on morns and procedures; creation of a regulatory office on government procurement; development of a legal
framework.
Institutional strengthening
Human resource development and personnel training
Institutional strengthening
Human resource development and personnel training
Increased access to information and assistance in creating
databases
Impact studies
Technical cooperation for small and medium sized firms
|
Human resources: courses, seminars, symposia.
Regional or national seminars for relevant public and private sector.
Specialized courses in specific areas.
Exchange programs with officials in other countries
Technical support for research studies.
Instruction in use of new technology
Equipment to facilitate access to information, i.e. CD-ROM, internet, etc. |
Jamaica
|
Bilateral and multilateral trade-related assistance to agricultural and manufacturing
sectors
Current projects:
Fisheries (Canada and Japan)
PL480 (USA)
Trade Promotion (Europe)
National level: interministerial meetings to monitor implementation of WTO obligations |
Needs:
Training for FTAA negotiating groups
Access to databases with information on trade flows, trade regimes for products, incl. Market access conditions
Market Access: Training in HS classification and R/O disciplines; customs valuation and collection
AD/CVD: valuation of agricultural products and to determine hidden subsidies
Negotiating techniques
Equipment to access data is needed as well as computer
consultants
Other issues (market access, safeguards, ATBT, SPS, services and IPR mentioned) |
Training Program on customs valuation and collection
Training on valuation of agricultural products
Training in HS classification for invoice inspectors
Equipment -- esp. computers
Training in negotiating techniques
Institution building
Trade liberalization impact studies
Assistance in developing information delivery systems to access data |
Peru
|
Completed projects
CAF - Peru's new commercial insertion
Japan -promotion of textiles and confectionery in Japanese market
Current projects:
Export promotion for nontraditionals (EU)
Multilateral T.A.: in market access, agriculture, import licensing, services, TRIPS, SPS |
Institution
building
Trade liberalization impact studies
Training of trade negotiators
Office support
|
Develop internet page with information for negotiators on each area. Include projects publications; data, etc.
Trade Liberalization impact study for the industrial sector
Impact study of tariff reduction on Peruvian exports. |
St. Kitts and Nevis
|
Workshops and seminars no current projects No national monitoring of WTO rights and obligations. |
Establish a mechanism to fulfill WTO obligations
All areas esp SPS, TRIPS, Services, Competition Policy, Safeguards
Cost/benefit analysis for FTAA participation
Identification of technical assistance needs
Human resource development
Development of administrative infrastructure |
|
St. Lucia
|
Workshop on Trade Planning & Strategic Management (OAS); workshops on WTO (WTO, Canada, TCDC); export promotion, etc. Most were regionally oriented.
Gov of Canada Trade Policy programme for OECS
Caribbean export programmes through Lomι
Multilateral rights: interministerial Committee to coordinate actions related to this. |
Technical assistance needs for multi rights etc:
1. National trade and commercial policies
2. Trade related litigation
3. Service sector policy, institutional arrangements, capacity
building
4. Standards
5. Competition policy
Training of negotiators
institutional building
Training with respect to impact studies
Data to monitor and comply with agreements
Upgrade capacity in human resource and administrative capacity
Need to determine most effective approach for role of OECS Secretariat |
Study to examine OECS needs at national level and institutional support at subregional level. |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
|
OAS support for establishment of a Standards Bureau |
Technical assistance required
in:
Market Access
Agriculture
Rules (of Origin?)
Technical Barriers to Trade
TRIPS
Services
Access to current data, information delivery systems and communication technology
identification of technical assistance |
Establish WTO Desk
WTO Procedures and issues
Identifying programs
Development of negotiating strategies
Institutional strengthening
Training of negotiators
Trade liberalization impact studies |
Suriname
|
Documentation on current trade related
issues;
Technical assistance also including seminars, trainings, workshops regarding the adjustment of legislation, for a better understanding of the issues drafting of WTC schedules;
and
Financial assistance to diversify the banana industry in
Suriname
Programs in execution
Drafting of schedules on Financial Services
Drafting of a Safeguard legislation
Drafting of a revised investment law |
Material such as copy machines, computers, printers, fax machine, transportation, regular supply of documentation regarding FTAA
issues
Technical Assistance in the areas of:
Anti-dumping, rules of origin
SPS/TBT
TRIMS
Antidumping, Subsidies and Countervailing Duties
Preparation for the FTAA negotiations:
Documentation
Institutional building
Trade liberalization impact studies
Provide financial means, resources for attending the meetings of the working
groups
Information technology needs:
Access to current data, information delivery systems and communications to monitor and comply with multilateral obligations and to support the FTAA negotiations |
Seminars, trainings,
workshops
Financial assistance |
[1] Summary
of the Eight Meeting of the Working Group on Smaller Economies 14-16
October, 1997, Mexico City.
|