Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
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Union, Truckers and Passengers Union of Burkina Faso, National Union of Freight and Passengers,
Civil society with as representative of the Consumers Organization.
The NTFB is composed by three sub–committees, which deal with trade facilitation issues among
other matters. The basis of these sub–committees have been enlarged in 2008, after the self-
assessment of trade facilitation needs, to take into account the interests and concerns of all
stakeholders in international trade.
The main objectives of the NTFB are to follow-up the progress of negotiations on trade facilitation; to
identify Burkina Faso's interests in the negotiations and to formulate negotiating positions and
propose measures and actions, contributing to the simplification and streamlining of procedures and
formalities of trade and information flows. There is no information available regarding whether
funding has been allocated.
Analysis
The NTFB has developed a work plan and timeline for implementing trade facilitation measures, and
also for training officers responsible for managing trade facilitation files, in particular the focal point
to enable a better management of files; and financing group’s activities.
The main obstacle that this NTFB faces is the lack of own financial resources for operating the NTFB.
3.5.3. Cameroon
Description
The official name of the NTFB of Cameroon is in French: Comité National de Facilitation du Trafic
Maritime International (Comité FAL). It was established in 1997 and reorganized in 2009.
This committee is composed by 42 members that represent public and private sectors. Private Sector
chairs the FAL committee, specifically by the Inter-employers' Group of Cameroon (GICAM). It is
composed of 3 vice-presidents elected by the Committee, among which 2 are from the public sector
being from the private sector. This Committee has a Technical Secretariat supported by the public
sector, precisely by the National Council of the Chargers of Cameroon. It works on the basis of 3
Standing committees, a Council of Validation, subcommittees and Working groups.
The main objective of the FAL committee is to ensure the follow-up and coordinate the
implementation of the measures intended to facilitate and to accelerate international traffic.
The NTFB has a budget that is yearly approved, and has the objective of surveilling the Committee´s
functioning. This budget comes from the National Council of the Chargers of Cameroon.
Analysis
This Committee presents as main obstacles: the lack of attendance to the meetings, and the legal
nature of the recommendations issued by this NTFBs. These recommendations are non- binding, and
implementing them sometimes create a problem between stakeholders.