58 An exploration of the need for and cost of selected trade facilitation measures in Asia and the Pacific in the context of the WTO negotiations
special treatment for goods in transit and exempts them from import duties payment and
submission of importation or exportation documents.
Recognizing the current situation of trade facilitation in Indonesia, the Government
might need a relatively long timeframe of implementation for some of the measures under
discussion at the NGTF (e.g., advance ruling facilities) so as to prepare necessary institutions
and administrative arrangements. Capacity building may be particularly important for
implementation of measures to improve coordination among authorities responsible for
trade activities. External technical assistance that has more flexibility to act across different
agencies will accelerate the Government’s programme to improve coordination. Technical
assistance might also be needed to develop an information system for traders and other
stakeholders to learn about trade procedures and regulations.
While it is important to account for the technical aspects of trade facilitation and
Indonesia’s implementation capacity when negotiating at the NGTF, improvement in trade
facilitation can be expected to bring significant benefits to Indonesia’s trade performance
and the economy as a whole. Successful negotiation on trade facilitation at the WTO,
including binding commitments on selected trade facilitation measures, will support the
already on-going unilateral efforts for the improvement of trade related procedures and
system.