The workshop, sponsored by West Blue Consulting under the Ghana National Single Window Programme, would run from Monday September 19 to September 23.  It aims to train participants on how to use the UN Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide for Trade Facilitation (TF) reform efforts and to stimulate the sharing of best practices and the discussion of opportunities for inter-agency cooperation in the TF.

Areas covered in the Guide include Process simplification, Cross border management, Consultation and cooperation for TF, Single Window implementation, Documents simplification, etc.

The UN Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide is a web-based interactive tool to help countries better understand the key elements and instruments of trade facilitation. A set of case stories on how countries have succeeded in facilitating trade complements the Guide.

Trade facilitation has become a key policy issue for both governments and business as it cuts the costs of doing trade, reduces delays at the border, and makes public agencies dealing with trade more efficient. It is at the heart of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Round of negotiations.

By the end of the course participants would have gained an enhanced understanding of TF and the approaches and methodologies that underpin TF efforts, including how TF is discussed at the WTO.

Participants also would have discussed and analysed paths for dealing with key TF issues, including, how to rationalise trade documents and information requirements and how to reduce delays at the border.

They would also learn how the guide works and how to design and conduct training with the guide based on capacity building needs in its context,  exchange views and be expose to diverse experiences and best – practices and forge networks with other professionals.

The participants are mainly policy makers and implementers involved in reform programmes and experts in charge of capacity building activities for TF. Typical participants are from National Trade and Transport Facilitation Bodies, Ministries of Trade, Customs, other inspection bodies, businesses and technical assistance agencies.