Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP)

The Program

The Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP) was launched in June 2014 to help countries improve their cross-border trade environments and align their trade practices with the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA).

TFSP’s funding assists countries—particularly developing countries—achieve the full and effective implementation of the WTO TFA measures and related trade facilitation reforms. This includes:

• Identifying existing constraints and bottlenecks to cross-border trade
• Designing and planning practical reform strategies
• Increasing the predictability, transparency, and harmonization of systems and procedures in line with international standards covering import, export, and transit activities

In recent years, TFSP has also expanded into cross-cutting topics, such as gender, digitalization, public health, food safety and security, climate/the environment, and emergency preparation and response in times of crisis.

Key areas of assistance

• Supporting the ratification of the WTO TFA and meeting the notification requirements
• Undertaking WTO TFA Gap Assessments and/or other relevant diagnostics to identify needs and inform reform action plans
• Supporting the establishment and strengthening of National Trade Facilitation Committees to lead reform efforts, promote coordination, and enhance public-private consultations
• Assisting with the design of risk-based approaches for border clearance
• Increasing digitalization and automation through implementation of Trade Information Portals and/or Single Windows 
• Leveraging global and regional partnerships and knowledge

Progress

Since inception, TFSP has provided support to 58 countries worldwide, with the largest share in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The program has a proven track record of helping countries to significantly improve their alignment with the WTO TFA. The TFA Tracking Tool helps countries to monitor and report on progress.