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Q1: Country or customs territory AUSTRALIA

Q2: About youName Craig RobinsonPosition Senior Policy OfficerMinistry or Organization Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeEmail Address [email protected]

Q3: Do you have an Aid-for-Trade Strategy? Yes

Q4: If no, please indicate if your development policyincludes trade priorities.

Respondent skipped thisquestion

Q5: Below are listed the most common priority areas grouped according to broad Aid-for-Trade categories.Ifyes, please rank the top 5 priorities areas among the items listed.(1 being the most important)

Trade policy analysis, negotiations and implementation 2

Trade facilitation 1

Network infrastructure (power, water, telecommunications) 3

Connecting to value chains 4

Services development 5

Additional information : please specify further the prioritiesthat you selected above as well as the mainproblems/obstacles encountered in furthering them andprovide a weblink to the relevant strategy.

The Strategy for Australia’s Aid for TradeInvestments, launched on 1 July 2015,articulates how aid for trade supports the aidprogram’s key objectives of reducing povertyand lifting living standards through sustainable

COMPLETECOMPLETECollector:Collector: Web Link 1 Web Link 1 (Web Link)(Web Link)Started:Started: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 3:54:02 AMTuesday, January 17, 2017 3:54:02 AMLast Modified:Last Modified: Thursday, January 19, 2017 4:57:06 AMThursday, January 19, 2017 4:57:06 AMTime Spent:Time Spent: Over a dayOver a dayIP Address:IP Address: 203.6.176.27203.6.176.27

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2017 Aid for Trade - Donor Questionnaire SurveyMonkey

economic growth. It encourages innovation,including by partnering with the private sectorand promoting market-based solutions. TheStrategy can be accessed athttp://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-aid-for-trade-investments.aspx The AustralianGovernment has set an aid for trade target of20 per cent of the total aid budget by 2020,which is consistent with the level of similarinvestment by other key donors and theincreasing demand from developing countries,especially in the Pacific. Australia’s aid for tradepriorities include trade and investment policy,trade facilitation, global value chains, privatesector development, services, economicempowerment of women, knowledge and skillsdevelopment, infrastructure and agriculture. In2016-17, Australia’s aid for trade expenditure isexpected to reach $748 million or 19.5 per centof Australia’s total aid budget. An evaluation bythe Australian Office of DevelopmentEffectiveness found Australia’s trade facilitationinvestments have been effective in buildingcapacity and improving the lives of the poor.Since the 5th Global Aid for Trade Review,Australia is pleased with the increased focus ongender issues by multilateral organisations,including the WTO, ITC and World Bank.Australia has strived to promote the economicempowerment of women including throughinvestments such as: (i) Improving exportopportunities — in partnership with theInternational Trade Centre, the facility supportstwo projects assisting women entrepreneurs inthe Pacific and the Indian Ocean Rim to export.For example, supply chain development ofBillum bags has resulted in export markets andhigh-end marketing, including in VogueMagazine. (ii) International Labour OrganisationBetter Work Programme — improvingworkplace conditions and reducing genderdiscrimination in export factories in developingcountries. Australia is also encouraged that theWTO Trade Facilitation Agreement is proving tobe a useful vehicle in engaging developingcountries undertake trade facilitation reform.Australia has always been a strong supporter ofthe Agreement, which is a demonstration of thecontinuing vitality and relevance of the rules-based global trading system. Australiacontributes to a range of trade facilitationinvestments, such as the World Bank’s TradeFacilitation Support Program, the WTO’s TradeFacilitation Agreement Facility, and the GlobalAlliance for Trade Facilitation. Please see ouranswer to question 10 for further information.Greater international attention needs to beplaced on the challenges of Pacific islandcountries. This was a feature of Australia’scontribution to the fifth Global Aid for Trade

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Review, including through our sponsorship ofthe Asian Development Banks “Aid for Trade inAsia and the Pacific” report. We areappreciative of the WTOs efforts to reinvigorateengagement with the region. Australia has alsorecently provided aid for trade support to thePacific, including through: (i) Improving accessto finance and investment – in partnership withADB, the Pacific Business Investment Facility isproviding technical assistance to help Pacificbusinesses access commercial finance. In 18months the Facility raised USD3.4 million offinance for six companies. (ii) Pacific IslandForum (PIF) – investing in a PIFs office inGeneva to support some Pacific IslandCountries engage in the WTO. (iii) AsianDevelopment Banks Trade Finance Program —facilitates SMEs in developing countries accesstrade finance, including in the Pacific. (iv)Support Program on Investment Policy andRelated Areas - assists developing countries inthe Indo-Pacific to address legal, regulatory,and administrative impediments to attractingand retaining investment to enable sustainableeconomic growth, including partnerships withFiji and Vanuatu. Moving forward, thechallenges ahead include: - ensuring aid fortrade supports the achievement of the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development (includingon ending hunger, achieving food security andpromoting sustainable agriculture (SDG2),access to affordable and sustainable energy(SDG7), and decent work and economic growth(SDG8)); - better targeting and design of aid fortrade investments so these make an immediateand direct impact on disadvantaged groups,such as small businesses and women; and -utilising aid for trade in the effective advocacyof the benefits of trade to counter the growingsentiment towards protectionism.

Q6: Has your Aid‑for‑Trade strategy changed since2014?

No

Q7: If yes, what are the top 3 drivers of these changes?(Please choose no more than 3 options)

Change of government 1

Gender empowerment objectives 2



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Q8: How has your Aid-for-Trade spending changed since2014?

Between 0-10% increase ,Additional information on changes to your Aid-for-Trade spending since 2014.In 2014, the Australian Government set an aid fortrade target of 20 per cent of the total aid budget by2020, which is consistent with the increasing demandfrom developing countries, especially in the Pacific.The Australian Government is on track to meet itstarget. In 2015-16, Australia’s aid for traderepresented about A$698.3 million or 17.2 per cent ofAustralia’s total Official Development Assistance, upfrom 12.8 per cent in 2013-14. In 2016-17, Australia’said for trade expenditure is expected to reach A$748million or 19.5 per cent of Australia’s total aid budget.

Q9: How do you expect your Aid-for-Trade spending tochange in the next 5 years?

Between 0-10% increase

Q10: Looking ahead, what changes do you expect toyour Aid-for-Trade strategy in the next 5 years?

Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals ,

More focus on climate change and green growth ,

More focus on gender equality ,

More focus on poverty reduction ,

More focus on private sector development,

More focus on regional integration ,

More focus on results,

More focus on trade facilitation

Q11: Are you engaging with the private sector in thedesign, delivery and monitoring of your Aid-for-Tradeprogrammes?

Yes

Q12: If yes, how are you engaging with the privatesector:

Project or programme identification,

Project or programme implementation,

Project or programme financing,

Private sector associations in partner countries,

Private sector associations in donor country,Additional information on how you are engaging withthe private sector in the design, delivery andmonitoring of your Aid-for-Trade programmes.Australia has committed A$3 million over three years(2016-18) to support the Global Alliance for TradeFacilitation. Australia’s participation in the Alliance

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Facilitation. Australia’s participation in the Alliancewas formally announced at the Tenth WTO MinisterialConference in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2015.The Alliance is a multi-donor, non-UN internationalforum which aims to assist developing countries toimplement trade facilitation reforms in order toprogress the implementation of the WTO TradeFacilitation Agreement. It brings together five nationalgovernments, a number of multinational businesses,and industry bodies, to find solutions to streamlineborder management processes in developingcountries. Australia sits on the Global AllianceSteering Group with four other donor countries andinternational businesses including DHL, Maersk, Wal-Mart and Fiat-Chrysler. Australia has committed toprovide A$2.5 million to the WEF to manage the day-to-day activities of the Global Alliance and theSteering Group. DFAT has retained A$500,000 todeliver trade facilitation projects within the Indo-Pacific region. ‘Trade Facilitation Reform: A Businessand Government Partnership’ Conference Theconsiderable potential of the WTO Trade FacilitationAgreement (TFA) to reduce the costs of goods trade— by 10 per cent for OECD countries and up to 14per cent for low-income countries – was emphasisedby Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism andInvestment, Keith Pitt in his keynote address at theDecember 2016 ‘Trade Facilitation Reform — ABusiness and Government Partnership’ conference.Hosted by DFAT and the Global Alliance for TradeFacilitation, and co-sponsored by Brambles, theExport Council of Australia, Commonwealth Bank,DHL and the Freight & Trade Alliance, the conferenceincreased domestic and regional understanding of thebenefits of trade facilitation reform, includingratification of the TFA. Participants includedAustralian and international business and industrygroups, sponsored developing country governmentand industry representatives, representatives of otherdonor country and international multilateralorganisations (including the World Bank, WTO andWCO). Participants gained a better appreciation ofglobal trade facilitation efforts and opportunities topartner with governments to advance reforms.Sponsored developing country participants alsoattended site visits to Australia’s port facilities inBotany Bay and DHL operations at Sydney airport,where they gained a real-life insight into Australia’sworld-class customs, transport and logistics links.Delegates described the conference as setting a newgovernment benchmark for industry engagement andwere very pleased with the connections forged. SeeDFAT’s Trade Facilitation Agreement webpage athttp://dfat.gov.au/trade/topics/Pages/trade-facilitation.aspx or contact [email protected] further information.


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Q13: In your view, can Aid for Trade make a contributionto the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable DevelopmentAgenda ?

Yes

Q14: If yes, please specify which SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) you think that Aid for Trademay help to achieve?Sustainable Development Goals:

2. Zero hunger, 5. Gender equality,

7. Affordable and clean energy ,

8. Decent work and economic growth ,

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure ,

13. Climate action, 14. Life below water ,

15. Life on land,Additional information on how Aid-for-Trade cancontribute to the achievement of the SDGs.Aid for trade is embedded in the UN SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) and our futureinvestments will in turn be influenced by these goals.Aid for trade plays a prominent and cross-cutting rolein the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,including: o SDG 2 - ending hunger, achieving foodsecurity and promoting sustainable agriculture o SDG5 - gender equality o SDG 7 - access to affordableand sustainable energy o SDG 8 - decent work andeconomic growth o SDG 9 - building resilientinfrastructure, promote inclusive sustainableindustrialization and foster innovation o SDG 13 -taking urgent climate change action o SDG 14 -conserving and sustainable use of the oceans, seasand marine resources for sustainable development oSDG 15 - promoting sustainable use of territorialecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combatdesertification, land degradation and halt biodiversityloss.

Q15: Are you integrating women's economicempowerment into your Aid-for-Trade programmes?

Yes,

Additional information on how women's economicempowerment is being integrated into your Aid-for-Trade programmes? (e.g. indicating how theseprogrammes are attempting to impact women andmarginalized groups)Australia's Gender Equality and Women’sEmpowerment Strategy, released in March 2016,commits to removal of barriers in trade-relatedregulation to women’s economic participation andequitable benefit and to ensure gender equality issuesare integrated in our economic diplomacy strategies.These commitments also include a specific focus onaid for trade, including on women’s participation in and

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aid for trade, including on women’s participation in andaccess to trade opportunities. 80 per cent ofinvestments funded by Australian Aid, regardless oftheir objectives, will effectively address gender issuesin their implementation. The Strategy can be accessedat http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment-strategy.aspx The Strategy forAustralia’s Aid for Trade Investments, launched on 1July 2015, prioritises the incorporation of women’seconomic empowerment into every aid for tradeinvestment. The Strategy explicitly recognises that aidfor trade investments can make a significantcontribution to advancing gender equality andeconomic empowerment of women. Previous aid fortrade efforts have fallen short in ensuring genderissues were adequately addressed, despite significantpotential for women to be a core constituency inadvocating the benefits of trade. The Strategy aims toincorporate a gender equality objective in every aid fortrade investment to help ensure that Australia’s aid fortrade target can be achieved simultaneously with thetarget on gender equality. Australia has strived topromote the economic empowerment of womenincluding through investments such as: (i) Improvingexport opportunities — in partnership with theInternational Trade Centre, the facility supports twoprojects assisting women entrepreneurs in the Pacificand the Indian Ocean Rim to export. For example,supply chain development of Billum bags has resultedin export markets and high-end marketing, including inVogue Magazine. (ii) International LabourOrganisation Better Work Programme — improvingworkplace conditions and reducing genderdiscrimination in export factories in developingcountries. Our experience with the Better WorkProgramme (BWP) has demonstrated that firmproductivity and profitability goes hand in hand withimproved workplace conditions. Participation in ascheme such as BWP is not a business cost, but abusiness opportunity. For example, the recentlycompleted impact assessment from Tufts Universityfound that firms participating in the BWP were: • 22per cent more productive through supervisory skillstraining • 25 per cent more profitable (based onrevenue-cost ratio) Firms also enjoyed lower rates ofturnover and injury rates, thereby helping to avoidunbalanced production lines (a situation where staff onthe production line are not trained in other componentsof the line, thereby restricting overall output if aparticular team member was injured or otherwiseabsent). Under BWP, firms that also made progresson key issues, such as pay and working hours,typically saw an increase in order sizes from buyers.For example, in Cambodia, nationally in 1996, womenearned nearly 40 percent less than men in Cambodia.By 2007, the gender wage gap had decreased to 17percent. This trend accompanied the sharp growth inapparel exports that occurred after the implementationof the U.S.-Cambodian Bilateral Textile TradeAgreement and the establishment of Better FactoriesCambodia to ensure compliance with labour

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Cambodia to ensure compliance with labourstandards. While improved workplace conditions offera clear business incentive, there are also strong spillover impacts for the women working in these factories.For example: • Remittances – significant majorities ofworkers are sending their wages to their families, withtrends in Jordan finding that families put this moneyinto more productive use, such as health or educationfor children as opposed to debt repayment. •Education – in Vietnam, workers in BWP factories areable to fund schooling for their daughters. A similarpattern was also reported for worker’s sons inIndonesia. In Nicaragua and Haiti, there has been adecline in the number of workers reporting that theirchildren are not in school due to financial constraints •Health – there is a direct link between the BWP and adecrease in reports from workers of severe hunger. InHaiti, Jordan and Vietnam, access to pregnancy-related healthcare has significantly improved.Additionally, where parents (particularly mothers)achieved better working hours and pay, their children’shealth also improved. Australia considers these resultsdemonstrate the significant potential of aid for trade todrive women’s economic empowerment.

Q16: Have you undertaken an evaluation of your Aid-for-Trade support?

Yes,

Additional information on the evaluation of your Aid-for-Trade support. (Please include information on thereview's finding and/or a weblink to the evaluationdocument)In May 2016, Australia's Office of DevelopmentEffectiveness (ODE) released an evaluation thatexamined and assessed the effectiveness ofAustralia’s recent investments supporting tradefacilitation and regional trade agreements to find outhow Australia’s investments may be better targeted inthe future. The evaluation found that DFATinvestments in trade facilitation have been effective inaddressing capacity issues, have the potential tomake significant impacts to poverty reduction, andcontain many elements of good global practice.Australia’s trade facilitation investments were found tohave assisted partner countries in Asia and the Pacificto better integrate with regional and global economies.These investments work best when they areresponsive to partner government priorities,complement and assist developing countries’ ownefforts to boost economic growth, and enable aninnovative and competitive environment. The fullevaluation is available at http://dfat.gov.au/aid/how-we-measure-performance/ode/odepublications/Pages/gearing-up-for-trade.aspx.

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Q17: Is trade facilitation reflected as a priority in yourAid-for-Trade programming? (You may tick more than 1box)

Yes, Aid-for-Trade strategy with a broader conceptionof trade facilitation (e.g. trade and transportfacilitation),

Yes, Overall Development Strategy with a broaderconception of trade facilitation (e.g. trade andtransport facilitation),Additional information on how trade facilitation isreflected as a priority in your Aid-for-Tradeprogramming.Objective one of the Strategy for Australia's Aid forTrade Investments, released in July 2015, is ‘toimprove the regulatory environment in developingcountries’. ‘Trade and investment policy and tradefacilitation’ is the first priority area linked to thisobjective. Trade facilitation is one of the key pillars ofAustralia’s six aid investment priorities, as outlined inAustralia’s development policy available athttp://dfat.gov.au/aid/Pages/australias-aid-program.aspx . Australia broadly defines tradefacilitation and related assistance as all activities andefforts that remove obstacles to the movement ofgoods and services across borders. This includessimplification and harmonisation of import and exportprocedures; support to customs departments; tariffreforms; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; andregulatory reform.

Q18: Are you providing Aid-for-Trade support toimplement the Trade Facilitation Agreement?

Yes, funding to regional/multilateral TFAimplementation mechanism,

Additional information on Aid-for-Trade support toimplement the Trade Facilitation Agreement.Australia’s total assistance for implementation of theTrade Facilitation Agreement totals A$10 million overfour years. This includes support to the: • World BankTrade Facilitation Support Program— assisting partnercountries undertake trade reforms in order toimplement the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation.• WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility—provides funding of last resort for trade facilitationreforms. • The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation—utilises private sector expertise and resources toencourage reform by lowering the cost of trade indeveloping countries.

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Q19: If yes, how are you programming Trade FacilitationAgreement implementation support?(You may tick morethan 1 box)

As part of on-going programmes offering regionalsupport for Trade Facilitation Agreementimplementation,

On a country-by-country basis supportingimplementation of Trade Facilitation Agreement in itsentirety,

As part of dedicated global thematic programmes

Q20: In which regions are you providing Aid-for-Tradesupport to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement?(You may tick more than one box)

Asia and the Pacific



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Q21: For implementation of which disciplines of theTrade Facilitation Agreement are you providingAid‑for‑Trade support?(You may tick more that 1 box)

Art 1: Publication and Availability of Information ,

Art 2: Opportunity to Comment, Information beforeEntry into Force and Consultations,

Art 3. Advance Rulings ,

Art 4: Procedures for Appeal or Review ,

Art 5: Other measures to Enhance Impartiality, Nondiscrimination and Transparency,

Art 6: Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed onor in Connection with Importation and Exportationand Penalties,

Art 7: Release and Clearance of Goods ,

Art 8: Border Agency Cooperation ,

Art 9: Movement of Goods Intended for Import underCustoms Control,

Art 10: Formalities Connected with Importation,Exportation and Transit,

Art 11: Freedom of Transit ,

Art 12: Customs Cooperation ,Additional information on disciplines of the TradeFacilitation Agreement for which you are providingAid‑for‑Trade support, for example with respect tospecific measures within articles (e.g. singlewindow, authorized operator, etc.).Australia's support to the Trade FacilitationAgreement is directed to the agreement in its entirety,not to defined articles within the agreement.

Q22: What difficulties, if any, are you facing inprogramming and providing support to partner countriesor regional economic communities to implement theTrade Facilitation Agreement?(You may tick more that 1box)

Differing priorities of partner countries ,

Ensuring coherence with past programmes ,

Ensuring TFA implementation is a priority in nationaldevelopment planning documents,

National coordination and demonstration of politicalwill for TFA reform,

Problems to quantify TFA implementation needs


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Q23: Are you working with the private sector to supportimplementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement?

Yes

Q24: If yes, how are you engaging with the privatesector:(You may tick more that 1 box)

Project or programme identification,

Project or programme implementation,

Project or programme financing,

Project or programme evaluation,

Private sector associations in partner countries,

Private sector associations in donor country,

Global business associations, Individual companies,Additional information on how you are working withthe private sector on TFA implementation.Please refer to our answer to question 10.

Q25: Does e-commerce (or other digital strategy) featureamong the priorities in your national developmentpolicy?

Yes


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Q26: If yes, please indicate which of the following isincluded: (You may tick more than 1 box)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)development,

Broadband development,

Telecommunications strategy,Additional information to elaborate on how e-commerce (or other digital strategy) features in yournational development strategy.Australia’s Strategy for Investments in EconomicInfrastructure, released in July 2015, covers transport,energy, large–scale water and sanitation, andinformation and communications technology (ICT)infrastructure. Australia’s aid program forinfrastructure can play an important role in helpinggovernments to improve their policy and regulatorysettings to capture these economic benefits andleverage greater private sector investment anddelivery of ICT services. All three principles of theStrategy for Australia’s aid investments in economicinfrastructure promote improved outcomes for ICTdevelopment, and consequently the foundations forgreater e-commerce. The Strategy is available athttp://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-investments-in-economic-infrastructure.aspx

Q27: Do you have any special policy initiatives thatcover the area of e-commerce (or other digital strategy)?

Yes,

Additional information on any special policy initiativesthat cover the area of e-commerce (or other digitalstrategy) and add a weblink to the special policyinitiative.A case study of Australia’s aid assistance to Indonesiaand Vanuatu for telecommunications reform isprovided at page 10 of the Strategy for Australia’s AidInvestments in Economic Infrastructure. This isavailable at http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-investments-in-economic-infrastructure.aspx

Q28: Does e-commerce feature in your in-countrydialogues with partner countries?

Yes

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Q29: If yes, please indicate which of the following isincluded: (You may tick more than 1 box)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)development,

Broadband development,Additional information on how e-commerce featuresin your in-country dialogues.ICT development features in country dialoguesparticularly with the Pacific Islands Countries. ThePacific is undergoing a ‘digital revolution’ that ishelping to mitigate the challenges of isolation andcould dramatically change private sector developmentin the Pacific. Deregulation and reform of thetelecommunication sector has led to a boom in mobilephone use. It is estimated that 60 per cent of PacificIslanders now have access to a mobile phone, a hugegrowth from under 10 per cent in 2006. Attention isincreasingly turning to reducing the cost andincreasing access to broadband infrastructure toenable businesses and governments to participate inthe global economy and capture the benefits ofgreater e-commerce. Australian support for reform ofICT infrastructure in the Pacific is bringingconnectivity to hundreds of thousands of people insome of the most remote places on earth. Australiahas facilitated key outcomes in internet connectivity inTonga and Fiji, telecommunications in Vanuatu andmobile coverage in Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.Our focus is on ICT policy and regulatory reform tosupport competitive market structures, increaseequitable access to services and enable privatesector-led investment in ICT infrastructure andservices. We have ongoing partnerships with ANZ,Westpac and telecommunications companies, whichare bringing innovative mobile banking, telephoneand internet services to poor women and menthroughout the region.

Q30: If yes, please indicate how demand from partnercountries for e-commerce support has grown in the past5 years:

Significant growth in demand for support

Q31: Does e-commerce feature in your dialogues withregional partners e.g. regional economic communities ortransport corridors?

Yes



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Q32: If yes, please indicate which of the following : (Youmay tick more than 1 box)

Broadband development,

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)development,Additional information on how e-commerce featuresin your dialogues with regional partners e.g. regionaleconomic corridors or transport corridors.Australia directly supports the efforts of ASEAN toimprove regional connectivity. This has included thedevelopment of an ASEAN Master Plan forConnectivity which covers physical connectivityunderpinning e-commerce, such as internationalundersea telecommunications cables and domesticbroadband coverage. Australia also delivers supportthrough the World Bank in the Indo-Pacific regioncovering ICT infrastructure development such asinternational undersea cable connections, and policyand regulatory technical assistance to improveaccess to ICT infrastructure assets and services.

Q33: If yes, please indicate how demand from regionalpartners for e-commerce support has grown in the past5 years:

Significant growth in demand for support

Q34: What types of support are you offering for e-commerce development?(You may tick more than 1 box)

Broadband infrastructure development,

Broadband regulatory policy support ,

E-commerce regulatory policy support ,

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)infrastructure upgrading,

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)regulatory policy support,

Telecommunications infrastructure,

Telecommunications regulatory policy support

Q35: Are you working with the private sector to supportgrowth in e-commerce in partner countries and regions?

Yes




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Q36: Based on your experience of e-commerce supportprogrammes, please indicate the main issues that firmsand consumers in your partner countries face inaccessing and using internet services?(You may tickmore than 1 box)

Cost of broadband subscription,

Slow internet connection speeds

Q37: What are the most common trade issues that youencounter in your e‑commerce support programmes?(You may tick more than 1 box)

Absence of, or difficulties in, using electronic singlewindow for customs or border clearance

Q38: Do you anticipate a growth in future demand frompartner countries and regional partners in the area of e-commerce?

Yes

Q39: If yes, please elaborate: Significant growth in demand for support


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Q40: In your view, can growth in e-commerce in partnercountries and regions make a contribution to women'seconomic empowerment?

Yes,

Additional information on how growth in e-commercein partner countries and regions can make acontribution to women's economic empowerment.Australia’s Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’sEmpowerment, released in February 2016, makes astrong case for increasing women’s economicparticipation to drive growth. E-commerce will likelyplay an increasing role in reinforcing economic activityand growth by expanding access to banking services,market information, and commercial opportunities. TheStrategy articulates how gender equality andempowering women can contribute to growth,development and stability. It also stresses that whileeconomic growth and development can provideopportunities to reduce inequalities between men andwomen, growth alone is not sufficient for genderequality. The Strategy is available athttp://dfat.gov.au/news/news/Pages/gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment-strategy.aspxInfrastructure is essential to promoting genderequality, supporting improved access to essentialservices, education and employment opportunities.Australia is dedicated to ensuring it embeds genderequality approaches across its network ininfrastructure for development and promotes themainstreaming of gender equality in infrastructureglobally, including through engagement withmultilateral infrastructure development facilities.

Q41: Does your development policy or Aid-for-Tradestrategy include trade-related infrastructuredevelopment priorities?

Yes,

Additional information on how your developmentpolicy or Aid-for Trade strategy includes trade-relatedinfrastructure development priorities.A key priority area for Australia's development policyincludes investments in infrastructure, trade facilitationand international competitiveness. Australia iscommitted to tackling infrastructure bottlenecks to helpcreate the right conditions for sustainable economicgrowth and to enhance trade and investmentopportunities across the Indo-Pacific region.Australia’s Strategy for Investments in EconomicInfrastructure, released in July 2015, guides our officialaid expenditure in infrastructure at global, regional andcountry levels. It covers transport, energy, large–scalewater and sanitation, urban and ICT infrastructureinvestments. The strategy prioritises investment ininfrastructure as part of the strategic target of theGovernment’s commitment to scale-up the aid fortrade portfolio. Australia's aid expenditure oninfrastructure is estimated in 2016-17 to be $A345.4million, or 9 per cent of Official DevelopmentAssistance. The Strategy is available athttp://dfat.gov.au/about-

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http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-investments-in-economic-infrastructure.aspx TheStrategy identifies the following priorities: A. Mobilisethe private sector to finance and deliver infrastructureto meet the needs of the Indo-Pacific region B.improve access to infrastructure services to facilitateprivate sector and human development and promotewomen's participation and empowerment; and C.promote infrastructure to enhance trade andconnectivity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.Implementing the Strategy involves working withpartner governments on improving their physicalinfrastructure construction and maintenance, as wellas strengthening the policy and regulatoryenvironment for efficient and inclusive infrastructureinvestment. Australia is committed to: a) facilitatinggreater private investment in infrastructure by helpingpartner governments to get the policy and regulatorysettings right, and by promoting greater private sectorparticipation in infrastructure, including through public-private partnerships (PPPs) b) investing ininfrastructure that enables private sector and humandevelopment, such as transport infrastructure andwater systems c) expand access to reliable energy—vital for businesses and for communities d) unlockingtransformational information and communicationtechnologies to expand access to banking services,market information, and commercial opportunities e)working with multilateral organisations that havesignificant expertise in innovative solutions to deliverenabling infrastructure f) working through internationalfora, such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) and the G20, to address systemic barriers toinvestment in infrastructure. In addition, objective twoof Australia's Strategy for Aid for Trade investmentsreleased in July 2015 is ‘to address poor economicinfrastructure in developing countries’. Priorityareas/sectors linked to this objective includeinfrastructure for connectivity, Public-PrivatePartnerships and the economic empowerment ofwomen.

Q42: Do you have any special policy initiatives thatcover the area of infrastructure or trade-relatedinfrastructure specifically?

Yes,

Additional information on any special policy initiativesthat cover the area of infrastructure or trade-relatedinfrastructure specifically.Overview of Australia's Economic InfrastructureInitiatives The Australian Government works with arange of multilateral organisations, other governmentsand the private sector to deliver quality infrastructureand to support the growth of public privatepartnerships in developing countries. Australiasupports specific bilateral infrastructure developmentassistance in countries, as well as regional/globalinfrastructure initiatives. Australia’s Strategy for aid

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infrastructure initiatives. Australia’s Strategy for aidinvestments in economic infrastructure includes a keypriority area (priority 3) on ‘Promoting infrastructure toenhance trade and connectivity throughout the region’.This priority area aims to help improve connectivitythroughout the region by facilitating a range ofinfrastructure development initiatives includingimproving supply chains between producers andconsumers (e.g. connecting farmers to national andinternational markets); major transport connectionssuch as arterial roads, railways and ports; and ICT thatimproves the efficiency of commerce, financialservices and transport logistics. In the case of large-scale investments our approach will be to assistpartner governments to develop infrastructure (e.g.project preparation and technical assistance). Forsmaller-scale investments, we may directly finance orbuild infrastructure. Global, Regional and CountryProgram initiatives At the global and regional levelsAustralia supports the following infrastructureinitiatives: • The Private Infrastructure DevelopmentGroup (PIDG): an innovative multi-donor, multi-company structure, designed and implemented bydonors (the United Kingdom, Australia and others) asa collective of private sector subsidiaries. Around $28million of Australian funding has supported the PIDGsubsidiary InfraCo-Asia Development which focuseson Asian investments, and a further $4 million hasfunded another PIDG subsidiary GuarantCo whichprovides local currency guarantees to shore upfinancing for infrastructure projects. • The GlobalInfrastructure Facility (GIF) - A$25 million committed:a World Bank initiative to encourage collaborationbetween MDBs and the private sector, to attractinvestment in developing countries by providing end-to-end project preparation, appraisal, structuring andtransaction support. • The Asia Pacific ProjectPreparation Facility (AP3F) - A$10 million committed:an Asian Development Bank initiative to encourageprivate sector participation in infrastructure byadopting a more consistent and higher-qualityapproach to public private partnership (PPP) projectpreparation and transaction advice across the region.• The Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility(PPIAF) - A$29.6 million committed: a World Bank ledinitiative targeting weak or incomplete legal andregulatory frameworks for public private partnershipsin developing countries. • The Global InfrastructureHub: a G20 initiative to facilitate collaboration betweenstakeholders, address data gaps, lower barriers toinvestment, increase the availability of viable projectpipelines and help match investors with projects. • TheAsian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Australiais the sixth largest shareholder with approximately $1billion in paid capital over 5 years and $4 billion incallable capital. Australia leads a constituency on theBoard of Directors comprising New Zealand,Singapore and Vietnam. • The Pacific RegionInfrastructure Facility (PRIF): a multi-donorcoordination mechanism to improve the delivery ofdevelopment partner support for infrastructure in thePacific. The Facility seeks to eliminate duplication and

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Pacific. The Facility seeks to eliminate duplication andreduce the burden on Pacific Island governments ofdealing with multiple donors. Members include Japan,Australia, New Zealand, the ADB, the World Bank,and the European Commission and EuropeanInvestment Bank. Regional-level: Mekong Otherexamples of assistance include a $160 millioninvestment in the Mekong in the design andconstruction of the Cao Lanh Bridge in Vietnam, whichis part of a major new road transport network in theMekong. This will improve road access, reduce traveltime, and remove the bottleneck caused by slow ferryoperations. It will also enhance connectivity in theGreater Mekong Subregion from Ho Chi Minh City tothe Southern Coastal Region and Vietnam’s westernprovinces to the Cambodian and Thai highwaynetworks. These areas are largely rural and poor andthis development will bring economic opportunities tothe region. Australia is also providing support to helpCambodia, Laos, Burma and Vietnam become moreintegrated through improved cross-bordermanagement and transit procedures, and exchange oftraffic rights. These investments aim to unlock theeconomic benefits of transport projects such as theCao Lanh Bridge in Vietnam, through addressingpolicy and regulatory barriers to trade, as well asimproving private sector trading capacity. Theseinitiatives include safeguards activities such as incomerestoration, and HIV/AIDs and human traffickingawareness and prevention. For more information onthe following other country, regional and globalprogram initiatives, please refer to the links providedat: http://dfat.gov.au/aid/topics/investment-priorities/infrastructure-trade-facilitation-international-competitiveness/infrastructure/Pages/infrastructure-initiatives.aspx Country-level: Examples include: AsiaIndonesia Infrastructure Initiative (INDII) FacilityInfrastructure investment supporting economicintegration in Vietnam Transport infrastructureassistance in the Philippines Transport infrastructureassistance in Timor Leste Pacific Transportinfrastructure assistance in Papua New GuineaTransport infrastructure assistance in the SolomonIslands Transport infrastructure assistance in Vanuatu

Q43: Does trade-related infrastructure feature in your in-country dialogues with partner countries?

Yes

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Q44: If yes, please indicate which of the following : (Youmay tick more than 1 box)

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE,

Maritime transport infrastructure,

Internal waterways transport infrastructure ,

Air transport infrastructure,

Rail transport infrastructure ,

Road transport infrastructure ,


Infrastructure related to all modes of transport:cargo handling, storage and/or warehousing,

COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE,

Telecommunications infrastructure ,

Infrastructure related to audio visual services (radio,television, motion pictures),

Network cable infrastructure ,

ENERGY-RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE,

Energy distribution infrastructure ,

Energy transport infrastructure (pipelines fortransportation of petroleum, natural gas, etc.)

Q45: Does trade-related infrastructure feature in yourdialogues with regional partners (e.g. regional economiccommunities or transport corridors)?

Yes

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Q46: If yes, please indicate which of the followingservices trade sectors feature as priority sectors in yournational development strategy :(You may tick more than1 box)

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE,


Internal waterways transport infrastructure ,

Air transport infrastructure,

Rail transport infrastructure ,

Road transport infrastructure ,


Infrastructure related to all modes of transport:cargo handling, storage and/or warehousing,

COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE,

Telecommunications infrastructure ,

Infrastructure related to audio visual services (radio,television, motion pictures),

Network cable infrastructure ,

ENERGY-RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE,

Energy distribution infrastructure ,

Energy transport infrastructure (pipelines fortransportation of petroleum, natural gas, etc.)

Q47: Do your programmes link trade-relatedinfrastructure to the development of related servicessectors?

No

Q48: If yes, please specify which services sectorsfeature as priority sectors in your national developmentstrategy. (You may tick more than 1 box)


Q49: Which service sectors do you expect will supportimplementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement andwill help realize associated economic benefits in partnercountries? (You may tick more than 1 box)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, Legal services,

Engineering services ,

COMPUTER AND RELATED SERVICES (e.g.,services related to installation of computer hardware,




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services related to installation of computer hardware,data processing and database services),

OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES,

Services incidental to agriculture, hunting andforestry,

Services incidental to fishing ,

Services incidental to mining ,

Services incidental to manufacturing services ,

Services incidental to energy distribution ,

COMMUNICATION SERVICES, Postal services ,

Courier and express delivery services ,

Telecommunication services,

CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED ENGINEERINGSERVICES,

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES (including wholesale andretail trade services),

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES,

FINANCIAL SERVICES,

Insurance and insurance-related services ,

Banking and other financial services (excludinginsurance),

HEALTH RELATED AND SOCIAL SERVICES ,

TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES ,

Hotels and restaurants (including catering) ,

Travel agencies and tour operators services ,

Tourist guides services,

RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTINGSERVICES (other than audio visual services),

TRANSPORT SERVICES (passenger and freighttransportation),

Maritime transport services,

Internal waterways transport services ,

Air transport services, Rail transport services ,

Road transport services ,

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Pipeline transport services ,

Services auxiliary to all modes of transport (cargohandling, storage and warehouse, freight transportagency services, etc.)

Q50: Do your development programmes link growth inservices capacity and services trade to growth inindustrial capacity and manufacturing exports?

No

Q51: If yes, please specify which services sectors areidentified for growth in industrial capacity andmanufacturing. (You may tick more than 1 box)





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Q52: What are the main issues constraining growth innational services capacity and trade in your partnercountries?Issues constraining growth : (You may tickmore than 1 box)

Absence of national services policy framework ,

Access to finance,

Competition from suppliers in informal sector,

Costs of services offered,

Education and vocational training ,

Foreign ownership restrictions,

Funding constraints of national professional bodies ,

Lack of recognition internationally of professional orvocational qualifications,

Licensing requirements,

Limitations on natural persons,

Limited access to export markets,

Low levels of domestic investment ,

Low levels of foreign direct investment ,

National monopolies,

Poor information and communication technologynetwork infrastructure,

Poor transport infrastructure (maritime, inlandwaterway, air, rail, road),

Qualification requirements,

Quality of services offered, Regulatory restrictions

Q53: Does your Aid-for-Trade programming includeactions to improve the investment climate in partnercountries?

Yes

Q54: If yes, please specify how: (You may tick more than1 box)

By providing assistance to update investment policy,regulations and/or strategy,

By reducing risk for investors, By training officials



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Q55: What Aid-for-Trade actions have you taken tosupport national or regional initiatives to improve theinvestment climate in partner countries during the past 5years? (You may tick more than 1 box)

Embedding investment policy in overall developmentstrategy,

Facilitating entry and operations of foreign investors ,

Focusing on investment policy implementation andenforcement,

Training officials,

Updating investment policy, regulations and/orstrategy,Additional information on Aid-for-Trade actions tosupport national or regional initiatives to improveinvestment climate reforms in partner countries inthe past 5 years.Objective one of Australia’s Strategy for Aid for TradeInvestments, released in July 2015, is to ‘improve theregulatory environment in developing countries’.‘Investment policy and facilitation’ is one of the priorityareas linked to this objective. The goal of Australia’sStrategy for Private Sector Development, released inOctober 2015, is to grow the size and inclusiveness ofthe private sector in our partner countries, includingby building better business and investmentenvironments. Australia’s Strategy for Investments inEconomic Infrastructure, released in July 2015, alsoprioritises the improvement of the investment climatefor infrastructure development by regulatory, legal andinstitutional reform. Key aid for trade initiatives in thearea of investment reform include: • World BankInvestment Climate Program— helping developingcountries undertake domestic reforms to improve theregulatory environment for domestic and foreigninvestment. • Asian Development Bank TradeFinance Program— facilitates SMEs in developingcountries access trade finance. • World IntellectualProperty Organisation (WIPO)— helping developingcountries strengthen their intellectual propertysystems for increased domestic innovation andinward investment. Australia's aid for trade strategy isavailable at http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-aid-for-trade-investments.aspx Our strategy for PrivateSector Development is available athttp://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-aid-investments-in-private-sector-development.aspx Ourstrategy for Investments in Economic Infrastructure isavailable at http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Pages/strategy-for-australias-investments-in-economic-infrastructure.aspx


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Q56: Are you providing specific assistance and capacitybuilding to help LDCs utilize services waiveropportunities?

Yes

Q57: If yes, what kind of support are you providing?(You may tick more than 1 box)

Broader Aid-for-Trade programmes,

Cross-cutting supply-side capacity building to helputilize preference (i.e. infrastructure),

Sector specific supply-side capacity building to helputilize preference,

Training of LDC professionals and services suppliersrelating to preference benefits available

Q58: In your view, can the development of services tradecontribute to women's economic empowerment?

Yes

Q59: If yes, please specify in which services sectors?Services sectors:(You may tick more than 1 box)

BUSINESS SERVICES AND PROFESSIONALSERVICES,

COMMUNICATION SERVICES,

EDUCATION SERVICES,

CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED SERVICES,

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES,

TRANSPORT SERVICES, ENERGY SERVICES,

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES,

FINANCIAL SERVICES,

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES,

TOURISM AND TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES





PAGE 60: END OF SURVEY

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Q60: CONSULTATIONPlease list otherministries/agencies consulted in preparing thisquestionnaire reply.


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