Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
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The public sector participates thorough the agencies working at the border, transport sector, transit,
communication, insurance, etc.
The private sector participates through Civil society, including trade unions and other associations.
High and representative level of participants is reported.
Vague work structure provided: Customs Inspector is the Chair of the National Committee and the
Ministry of Foreign Trade is responsible for the Secretariat. No other groups mentioned.
The main objectives are not clear.
The sources of funding come from national budget and from other bodies.
Analysis
The greatest obstacle is the lack of financial resources.
The main lesson learned is the utility of creating a cooperation forum, in particular for reaching
consensus among stakeholders regarding actions and initiatives in trade facilitation.
The lack of concrete results, clear organizational structure, financial resources and lack of
information regarding this NTFB shows that its activity has not been extensive and effective and is
therefore considered not functioning.
3.4.9. Saudi Arabia
In 2004, Saudi Arabia, through the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
(UN-ESCWA), reported the establishment of a NTFC as "in progress". Saudi Arabia performs trade
facilitation activities through the Asia Pacific Council for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
(AFACT), along with 18 other member countries. AFACT promotes the commitment and
development of trade facilitation and electronic business policies and activities throughout the Asia
Pacific region.
The public agencies directly in charge of trade facilitation in Saudi Arabia are not listed and, for the
private sector, only the Pan Asian e-Commerce Alliance (PAA) is mentioned. No Saudi Arabian
company is listed among the members of this association.
The organization of AFACT is composed of three working committees, which has its own mandate
and work programmers. The working committees are the Business Domain Committee (BDC), the
Community Support Committee (CSC), and the Technology and Methodology Committee (TMC).
The working group main objectives are: (i) developing methods for facilitating trade transactions,
customized to the member economies and in conformity with the standards and recommendations
developed by UN/CEFACT; (ii) promoting both the use of these methods and associated best
practices through channels such as government, industry, and service associations; (iii) coordinating
its work with UN/CEFACT and other relevant international, regional and non-governmental
organizations; and (iv) enhancing cooperation among AFACT members and promoting the objectives
of its mission statement within the Asia Pacific region.