Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
35
harmonization will increase further for the sake of overall efficiency. Therefore, the problem of
procedural simplification is believed certain to focus on that aspect. 49
Moreover, its plans for the future reflect its commitment to, and the importance of, dialogue and
open channels of communication: It wants more participants and a greater variety of
industries/government agencies to join the UNCEFACT Japan Committee.50
2.3. Features of Top NTFBs Worldwide From Developing Countries
2.3.1. South Korea
South Korea’s NTFB is also an example of a PRO Committee. It is the National IT Industry Promotion
Agency (NIPA). Its stated mandate is to reinforce “the competitiveness of the IT industry and
contributes to the economic growth through the efficient support and laying the groundwork for the
industrial technology promotion”.51 It appears to have been founded – albeit under a different form –
in 1998.
As an expansion to its existing trade facilitation initiative, the Republic of Korea established the
National e-Trade Committee in 2003.
2.3.1.1. Membership
The following government departments are concerned with trade facilitation:
 The Ministry of Commerce.
 Industry & Energy and the Republic of Korea Customs Service.
 Korea International Trade Association.
Korea’s National e-Trade Committee was established to expand on existing initiatives and is
comprised of the following:
 Chairman: Prime Minister
 Members:
o Ministers from – Ministry of Finance and Economy; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of
Government Administration and Home Affairs; Ministry of Culture and Tourism;
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy; Ministry of Information and
Communications; Ministry of Construction and Transportation; Ministry of Maritime
Affairs; Ministry of Planning and Budget; Office of the Prime Minister; Minister for
Trade (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade); Commissioner of the Korean Customs
Service.
o From the private sector: the heads of the following organizations – Federation of
Korean Industries; Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Korea International
Trade Association (KITA); Korean Federation of Small and Medium Business; Korea
Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.
49 Consulte
50 Consulte
51 NIPA, About Us,