A defining factor for successful trade facilitation initiatives is to bring in the private sector as stakeholder, and partner. The purpose of a NTFB is precisely to ensure public-private partnership in trade facilitation. Over the past years’ governments worldwide have invested into establishing NTFB. 

The majority of existing NTFB have private sector representatives as members. But membership alone does not necessarily mean that there is an active participation of the private sector in the work of an NTFB. It takes more to shape an NTFB into a trusted and effective collaborative partnership between the public and private sector. Insignificant participation from the private sector is a risk to the credibility, impact and sustainability of NTFBs.

The UN/CEFACT White paper on this topic provided insights on the barriers for effective private sector participation including differences in perspective, knowledge and terminologies, and perception as well as organizational challenges such as costs of transportation, effectiveness of meetings, representation, and lack of feedback. The White Paper went on to identify recommended actions that can be taken to encourage more active participation. 

The purpose of this project is to transform the findings from the White paper into a policy recommendation that complements UNECE Recommendation 4 on National Trade Facilitation Bodies  and Recommendation 40 on Consultation Approaches. 

The project contributes to develop recommendations for effective and efficient international trade procedures and customs aspects of trade facilitation and electronic business (ITP PDA). More specifically it relates to the topic of National Trade Facilitation Bodies and their composition. 
UN/CEFACT recommended setting up National Trade Facilitation Bodies since the 1974 and this recommendation has been emulated, albeit in slightly different wording, by the WTO Trade Facilitation agreement Article 23.

Deliverable 1:	Policy Recommendation

Exit Criteria for Deliv. 1: Public Review logs demonstrating all comments have been satisfactorily resolved; Final document ready for publication.

Membership is open to UN/CEFACT experts with broad knowledge in the area of: Trade procedures, Public administration  In addition, Heads of Delegations may invite technical experts from their constituency to participate in the work. In addition, Heads of Delegations may invite technical experts from their constituency to participate in the work.
Experts are expected to contribute to the work based solely on their expertise and to comply with the UN/CEFACT Code of Conduct and Ethics and the policy on Intellectual Property Rights.

The geographical focus of the project is global.

• White paper on Encouraging Private Sector participation in NTFB
• UNECE Recommendation Number 4 NTFB

Participants in the project shall provide resources for their own participation. The existence and functioning of the project shall not require any additional resources from the UNECE secretariat.