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trade documents for imports and exports. All countries, including the LDCs studied, have
on-going computerization and electronic trade documentation programmes. All countries
also have some form of rapid clearance system in place, albeit for selected categories of
goods. Risk management and post-clearance audit systems have also been introduced in
all countries, although on a very limited pilot basis in some. In regard to tariff classification,
all countries studied rely on the HS nomenclature, often expanded to 8 or 10-digit levels to
suit their needs.
Transit in the Asian countries examined is generally governed by bilateral and
regional transit agreements. This might suggest that different rules and regulations apply
to goods in transit depending on their country of origin in some of the countries. No
charges are officially imposed on transit goods. One recurring concern, particularly in
South Asia, is that goods officially in transit be illegally marketed in the transit country, as
there are often no risk assessment mechanisms in place for these goods.
Results of private sector surveys on TFMs needs and priorities
According to a review of existing legislations/regulations and on-going projects and
programmes often supplemented by interviews with Government officials, many of the
TFMs being discussed at the WTO Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation (NGTF) have
been at least partially implemented. The domestic private sectors in these countries, on
the other hand, generally point to a need for improvement in many areas. For example,
the private sector often acknowledges that relevant trade information is published and
available but points to the need to make the information more easily available, in particular
information on new or amended rules.
Elimination of bribery and other corrupt practices of officials involved in the clearance
and release of imported goods is given top priority by the private sector in all countries.
Improvement of coordination between relevant agencies, particularly on documentation
requirements (e.g., through the establishment of a single window for one-time submission
and collection of trade documents) is also given very high priority in all the countries.
Timely and comprehensive publication and dissemination of trade rules and regulations
(e.g., through the Internet) is the highest priority in Indonesia and Nepal, while reduction
and simplification of the documentation requirements for import/export is the highest priority
in Bangladesh. Customs valuation, which is not part of the current WTO trade facilitation
negotiation agenda, was identified as the most problematic trade facilitation related area
by the private sector in all five countries.
Costs and benefits to Governments of implementing TFMs
In addition to the need and priorities of private sector stakeholders, the costs and
benefits to governments of implementing TFMs will also be considered when selecting
measures to be included in the agreement. The trade research and policy literature has
extensively dwelled on the benefits associated with trade facilitation. Unfortunately, very
little information is available on the cost of implementing selected TFMs discussed at the
WTO, an issue included in the work agenda of the WTO NGTF. Four of the five country