THE World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement (FTA) is all about eliminating corruption at the border, writes Washington-based international trade lawyer Evelyn Suarez in Global Trade Magazine of Newport Beach, California, near Long Beach.

The WTO effort concerns international trade shipments of export cargo and shipments of import cargo that are transported by air, ocean, rail or truck, she said. The ratification of the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) will help countries implement good governance practices and reduce corruption at customs, she writes.

In December 2013, WTO members concluded negotiations on a Trade Facilitation Agreement at the Bali Ministerial Conference, as part of a wider "Bali Package". Since then, WTO members have undertaken a legal review of the text.

In line with the decision adopted in Bali, WTO members adopted on November 27, 2014 a Protocol of Amendment to insert into the agreement. The TFA will enter into force once two-thirds of members have completed their domestic ratification process.