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| What motivated the establishment of the TF working group? |
The reason for the establishment of the working group on Trade Facilitation was to improve the understanding, and its effect, of the proposals that are being discussed in the WTO Trade Facilitation negotiations |
| What year was it established? |
2008 |
| Do you have other national bodies dealing with WTO issues and/or with TF? |
The working group on Trade Facilitation is the only body that encompasses representatives from the majority of institutions that play a role on WTO and TF issues. It is important to highlight the fact that in the case of Ecuador, the working group on Trade Facilitaiton does not have a formal structure. |
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Was the working group based
on a previously existing
multi-agency group/committee
(for e.g. trade and transport
facilitation
committee/organization?) |
No |
| What is the current status of the working group (running, pilot phase, study) |
The continuity of the work of the working group, which was put together for the national needs assessment, has experienced some difficulties. |
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| Has the working group been set up as an ad hoc group, or a legal entity/organization? |
Ad hoc group without formal legal structure and statute |
| What specific documents were necessary to institutionalise the group and which body and at which level made the decisions? |
N.a. see above |
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What is the scope/mandate of
the working group? |
WTO Trade Faciliation
negotiations; however the
objective is to broaden its
mandate |
| Does the working group have terms of reference? |
No |
| Which is the coordinating agency |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration. The Customs of Ecuador (Corporación Aduanera Ecuatoriana) also plays a role in the coordination |
What is the structure of the group
(Chair/co-chair, sub-groups etc.)? |
There is just one coordinator, who is the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration |
| Do you have a permanent technical secretariat? |
No |
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| Do you have a formal budget for the operations of the working group? |
No |
| If yes, what major items are covered by it? |
N.a. |
| What are the sources of funding? |
There is no funding allocated for the functioning of the group |
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| What are the objectives of the working group? |
Evaluate the proposals that are being negotiated in the TF Negotiating Group |
Does the working group have a
working plan? |
No |
| How do you monitor progress in implementing the working group? |
N.a. |
| How often, and in which form and to whom is the working group reporting? |
The group does not report to any institution in particular; however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration, being the coordinator, evaluates the work of the group |
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| What public or quasi-public agencies participate in the working group? |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration
Customs
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Industries, Standards
Ministry of Transportation
Food and Plants Security
Internal Revenue
Post
Migration
External Trade and Investment Council |
| What private associations or entities participate? |
Chambers of Industries
Association of Exporters
Customs Agents
Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil |
| What is the level of seniority of the participants? |
Middle level in most cases |
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| Does the working group meet regularly? |
No |
| What is the level of participation in each of the meetings ? |
Not satisfactory |
| Do you use different meetings formats (such as focus groups, brainstorming, Citizen jury's etc?)? |
No |
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| How do you keep all stakeholders informed of the working groups' meetings and new documents, upcoming events etc? |
E-mails are sent to all the members of the group |
| How does the group interace with other working groups / committees working on similar issues? |
There is no interface with other working groups / committees |
| Do you undertake special information session for the general public or particular stakeholders? |
No |
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| What was the impact of the work of the group? |
Positive |
| How does it benefit your countries' responsiveness to the WTO negotiation process? |
The assessment provided by the group has contributed to the definition of the country's position in the TF negotiations |
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Have there been concrete operational outcomes? |
No |
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| What are the crucial success factors? |
Commitment from high officials of the institutions that participate in the group
Create awareness of the importance of the negotiations and its possible impacts in national policies
There must be at least one institution that acts as coordinator of the group
To the extent possible, maintain stability of the officials who participate in the group |
| What are the greatest obstacles? |
Lack of commitment from authorities
Lack of a work-plan
Lack of coordination among different institutions
Lack of knowledge about the WTO and Trade Faciltiation |
| What are the main lessons learned? |
The working group will be effective as long as there is continuity in its work
Having meetings with high officials is a useful tool to obtain their commitment to support the work of the group
There should be some kind of legal ground that supports the work assigned to the working group
The participation of the private sector should be encouraged |
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| What are the plans for further development of the working group? |
Develop a work plan for the working group and take the necessary steps to transform it from an ad hoc basis to a legal entity |
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Mr Pablo Escobar Ullauri
Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the WTO
Geneva
Tel.:+41 22 7315289 |
