Project profile — Supporting the Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services

The expected outcomes of the TFSP are reformed and improved trade facilitation laws, procedures, processes and systems, in a manner consistent with the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation; and availability of strengthened knowledge, learning and measurement toolkits and initiatives.

FIAS support to achieve trade reforms during FY15 included the launch and initial activities to implement a major global trade agreement through the Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP). The TFSP helps developing countries implement trade facilitation reforms and improve trade facilitation systems and practices, thus leading to increased trade, investments, job creation, and private sector competitiveness. A dedicated trust fund under the FIAS umbrella supports TFSP initiatives. The effort partners the World Bank Group with Australia, Canada, the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States. The TFSP program has completed its first year in implementation. To date, 45 countries have formally requested support. In FY15, the TFSP team completed validation assessment missions in 31 countries: Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Jordan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Malawi, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Ukraine, Vanuatu, and Zambia. Through TFSP, 12 countries have begun reform implementation: Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Jamaica, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Zambia. In addition, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Bank Group’s IFC signed a memorandum of understanding which will facilitate cooperation in the provision of assistance to the six Pacific Island members of the WTO.