Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP)

Program

The Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP) was launched in June 2014 to assist developing countries in aligning their trade practices with the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA).

The program is designed to provide practical and demand-driven assistance, and supports client countries with:

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

Areas of assistance

• Undertake WTO TFA gap assessments and implementation of reform action plans
• Support in establishing and strengthening of National Trade Facilitation Committees
• Assist in designing risk-based approaches for border clearance
• Prepare for single window implementation
• Support in ratification and notification of the WTO TFA
• Facilitate knowledge sharing
• Leverage global and regional partnerships to ensure optimal delivery of support

Progress

Since inception, the program has provided TFA implementation support to almost 50 countries, most of which are least developed countries. The largest share of countries receiving support are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Support is also provided to fragile and conflict-affected countries. 

The World Bank Group has helped countries significantly improve their alignment with the WTO TFA. The TFA Tracking Tool monitors progress towards meeting the TFSP’s objective of helping countries improve alignment with the WTO TFA, as well as for countries to monitor and report on their own progress. As of the end of June 2020, the overall WTO TFA alignment scores of TFSP supported countries had risen from 41% to 51%.