Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
124
UNCTAD factors Lebanon’s situation Status
the TF body
Meeting on a
regular basis
Only met once since 2008 X
Concrete terms of
reference / a
work plan
Work plan is not published and has been reported to be “on
hold”
X
A permanent
secretariat
The DG for Land and Maritime Transport acts as the Secretariat
to the NCFTT
√
Enough financial
resources
Financial support has not been secured X
Regular
participation of
the private sector
Lack of meetings
Participation of
all public
agencies involved
in TF
DG for Land and Maritime Transport, Ministry of Interior,
Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of
Public Health, Ministry of Finance represented by the Higher
Council for Customs, Union of the Chambers of Commerce,
Industry and Agriculture, Association of Lebanese Industrialists,
Association of Lebanese Banks, Union of Insurance Companies,
Committee of Land and Maritime, Transport, International
Commercial Chamber (ICC), Representative of IT Association,
Syndicate of Travel Agencies.
Lack of participation has been reported.
√
Could
improve
Participants
having
knowledge on
trade facilitation
Memoranda of Understanding designed to improve trade
facilitation and assist transit traffic have been signed between
Lebanon and both Syria and Jordan.
√
Awareness of the
importance of
trade facilitation
among
stakeholders
Customs brokers do little to facilitate trade, on the contrary
their employers, i.e. freight forwarders, appear to be well-
organized and in possession of FIATA certificates
√
Could
improve
Strong political
commitment
Though the NTFC started off with strong commitment, it failed
to sustain and stopped its activities, not holding meetings after
2008.
X
Strong leadership
by the
coordinating
agency
The committee started off with a strong leadership that
gradually decreased to practically stopping its activities.
X
Appropriate
monitoring and
evaluating tools
Reporting is made to the Ministry of Economy, but no specifics
are given.
√
Could
improve