TAF supports Government of Somaliland in key trade talks with neighbouring Ethiopia
February 24th, 2016 by sara trewhitt
Since 2013, TAF has been provided advisory support to the Government of Somaliland (GoSL); the key focus has been to aid the Government in its bilateral negotiations with key strategic trading partner neighbour Ethiopia. To this end, recent TAF work has been concentrated on helping the Government develop a draft Trade and Transit Agreement to negotiate with Ethiopia and which would build on an earlier 2005 Transit agreement.
TAF has funded capacity development sessions with GoSL staff to help them gain the skills to better understand trade policy development, both in the regional and global context, and gain advocacy skills for use in talks with Ethiopia. The initial training session in December 2015 centred on Trade in Services and why this is important to Somaliland’s economic growth and included simulation activities which allowed the 16 participants gain experience in negotiating mock agreements. Further trainings in February 2016 addressed Trade, Transit & Trade Facilitation processes, and included sessions on how Somaliland can address barriers to transport through regional and international instruments; 18 GoSL officials attended these sessions. A three-person Somaliland delegation participated in the WTO 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi with TAF support, receiving coaching and support over the course of the meetings and gaining deeper insight into the WTO and the accession process. TAF funding has also enabled the development of several pieces of analytical work for the Somaliland government, including an assessment of the impact on Somaliland of implementing a revised transit and trade agreement.
Ethiopia and Somaliland are expected to resume negotiations over the draft Trade & Transit Agreement imminently, using the draft agreement developed with TAF support as a basis for talks. TAF support in Somaliland is provided via World Trade Institute Advisors (WTIA).
Posted in TAF News
About TAF:
The Trade Advocacy Fund offers short-term support to the poorest developing countries to help them to engage in crucial trade negotiations. TAF support will be available to governments from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low Income Countries (LICs), Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), and their representative membership organisations (e.g. Regional Economic Communities).
The Trade Advocacy Fund provides:
Independent technical and legal advice to ensure that delegates can access high-quality information as they prepare for key talks
Targeted training and capacity-building for developing country officials to ensure they have the technical and legal skills they need to bring real negotiating power to the table.
Logistical support to ensure countries can engage in key negotiations which will impact on their future.
