Guidelines on Establishing and Strengthening National Coordination Mechanisms for Trade and Transport Facilitation in the ESCAP Region

The publication aims to assist countries in addressing the non-physical barriers in international trade and transport in a sustainable way through establishing or strengthening of national facilitation mechanisms. It lays down broad principles, salient aspects and main requirements for national coordination mechanisms to be successful. It is a joint work of Transport Division and Trade and Investment Division of ESCAP. These guidelines, along with other United Nations publications on national coordination and cooperation for trade and transport facilitation, intends to provide countries with a practical guidance in designing and operating national coordination institutions based on their institutional environment and trade and transport facilitation priorities. This will help develop a secure, smooth and efficient trade and transport system in the region. Chapter II explains different types of coordination mechanisms and emphasizes on establishing permanent institutions. It clarifies that the coordination mechanisms primarily have coordination and an advisory role. Chapter III discusses main basis for establishing such institutions and the requirement of a legal basis for such mechanisms to be effective. Chapter IV details the functions of these institutions and need to have clearly defined work plans. Chapter V elucidates on the organization structure and membership of the coordination institutions and explains two structures that may be considered by the countries while establishing such mechanisms. Chapter VI explicates on requirements for such institutions to be sustainable. In this regard the need for financial and operation sustainability and how to achieve them is elaborated. Chapter VII emphasizes on strengthening such institutions at the border crossing and discusses various approaches in this regard.