Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
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 The Afghan private sector has not been interested in participating in AFPRO activities,
preferring to raise their concerns and problems through the Chamber of Commerce;
 Lack of financing commitment to establish a permanent Secretariat;
 Lack of realistic goals and results and terms of reference for AFPRO and its working groups;
 Lack of understanding of the role of AFPRO amongst stakeholders;
 AFPRO has never functioned as a training institute for its stakeholders.
The performance and main achievements of AFPRO are:
 Participated in the preparation and organization of the WTO trade facilitation seminar
 Conducted a study entitled "Trade Route Analysis: Kabul vs Bandar Abbas"
The recommendations of this case study are:
 To strengthen existing professional representative organizations and ensure regular and
direct consultations with government.
The inter-ministerial task force on WTO issues can also follow up on trade facilitation issues and may
set up a sub-group for trade facilitation, following the successful example of the WTO self-assessment
and other WTO trade facilitation-related activities, such as the WTO questionnaires on aid for trade
and trade facilitation.
3.4.2. Albania
Description
The official name of the NTFB in Albania is Albania PRO-Committee (ALBAPRO). It was established
by Ministerial Decree N° 636, approved in October 1998, in order to foster cooperation and
constructive debate on international trade and transportation issues. It is chaired by the President of
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and supported by qualified managers and experts.
ALBAPRO is composed of representatives from the private and public sector, including all
trade-related government agencies and any trading company endorsing its mandate and objectives.
3.4.3. Azerbaijan
Description
The official name of Azerbaijan's NTFB is the National Working Group on Transport and Trade
(AZERPRO). It was established in 2004.
The public sector participates through the national working group AzerProKommitet, which is
composed of the following entities: the National Secretary of Azerbaijan in the IPC and Transport
Corridor Europe, Caucasus and Asia; the Department of Economic Cooperation and Development; the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Department of Economic Policy of the Ministry of Economic
Development; the State Customs Committee; the Department of Transport Policy and Economics,
Ministry of Transport; the Ministry of Transport; the Head of Sector of International Affairs, Ministry
of Transport; the Department of Coordination and Reform, Ministry of Transport; the Chief Office of
Border-Customs Control, State Customs Committee; the State Border Service; the Azerbaijan State