WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/349
24 October 2002
(02-5862)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL WTO TBT/SPS ENQUIRY POINT
Project proposal
Submission by Malawi
I. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
1. Malawi is one of the countries, which is a signatory to the Uruguay Round of Multilateral
Trade Negotiations under the World Trade Organization (WTO).  In realising its role to fulfil therequirements of the WTO Agreements, the Mala wi Government in January 1996 appointed Malawi
Bureau of Standards (MBS) as the Enquiry Point for the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to
Trade (TBT).  This is in line with the requirement contained in paragraph 3 of Article 10 of the WTO
Agreement on TBT , which calls for establishment of Enquiry Points in member countries.
2. In one of its roles as an Enquiry Point, in June 1996, MBS, in conjunction with the
International Trade Centre (ITC) of Geneva and the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of
Commerce and Industry, organized a one-day work shop on the implementation of the Uruguay Round
Agreement on TBT and SPS.  The workshop resolved and recommended to Malawi Government that
Malawi Bureau of Standards' existing facilities n eeded strengthening for it to cope with the additional
function of an Enquiry Point.  As an Enquiry Po int, MBS shall be a repository of a collection of
documents and information in respect of technica l regulations, standards and conformity assessment
procedures for Malawi, as well as other information from member nations of WTO.  The MalawiBureau of Standards shall also need to have the capacity to respond to enquiries from other WTO
Members regarding the TBT Agreement, as well as  providing relevant information locally on the
same.
3. Currently, MBS has a small technical paper library, which accommodates national, foreign
national, regional and international standards, as well as other publications.  The library receives over10,000 documents in a year.  The library space is however limited.  In addition to the paper library,
some documents, mainly national standards, are stored and retrieved on three old (outdated) IBM
computers.  The three computers are proving to be a problem because of frequent breakdowns and
lack of spare parts.  In some instances, information has been lost or unable to be accessed.  Due to
expansion of MBS activities, including the recent role as a WTO-TBT Enquiry Point, the threecomputers are inadequate.  The computers also pr ocess data slowly, rendering computer services
ineffective and inefficient.
4. For a functional and operational Enquiry Point, in addition to the provision of library space,
there is need to acquire two computers linked to electronic mail (E-mail), and also a fax machine.
These facilities will ease information storage and retrieval and will enable a more rapid response toTBT enquiries.  The personnel responsible for the Enquiry Point need exposure and training which
would probably be acquired from already existing and functional enquiry points of other WTO
members.  Services of a consultant shall also be needed in the setting up of the Enquiry PointG/SPS/GEN/349
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establishment of the notification mechanism and in the implementation of information services to
disseminate information related to the TBT Agreement to clients, such as local exporters on standards,
technical regulations and other relevant information in target markets.
5. Failure to set up an efficient and effective Enqui ry Point shall mean the country being left out
in benefiting in World Trade due to the inability to communicate effectively with other WTOMembers.  This may result in having a negative effect on the economy of the country.
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Project title : Establishment of National WTO TBT/SPS Enquiry Point
Issue number : PP/S/2/04Issue date : 2001-01-10Responsible Ministry : Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Project Officer : Director-General, Malawi Bureau of Standards
II. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project proposal are as follows:
1. To set up a WTO Enquiry Point on Technical Barriers to Trade with facilities for storage and
retrieval of information on technical regulations, standards, conformity assessment procedures and
related information.
2. To create a data bank in the paper library and computers on technical regulations, standards
and conformity assessment procedures.
3. To establish a notification mechanism and train personnel of MBS on the efficient and
effective running of the Enquiry Pont.
4. To sensitise and encourage Government Ministries/Departments, Organisations and general
public in Malawi through national workshops and media campaigns on the existence and utilization of
the Enquiry Point.
III. PROJECT LIFE
Two years.
IV. PROJECT OUTPUTS
The following outputs are expected during and at the end of the project:
1. A functional and operational Enquiry Point on TBT.G/SPS/GEN/349
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2. A collection of all existing technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment
procedures in appropriate formats (i.e. paper documents and computer information).
3. Qualified and well oriented and trained personnel manning the Enquiry Point.
4. Effective awareness of the general public, Organization and Government, Ministries and
Departments on benefits of utilising the Enquiry Point.
V. PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1. Procurement delivery and installation of computers and their accessories for the Enquiry
Point.
2. Providing library space to accommodate paper documents.
3. Training personnel in storage and retrieval of information and answering enquiries.
4. Entering information on technical regulations, standards, etc. into computers.
5. Classifying and storing paper documents on technical regulations, standards, etc. in the
library.
6. Undertaking fellowships and study tours to  other National Enquiry Points by project
personnel.
7. Organizing and conducting national workshops and media campaigns on WTO Agreement on
TBT.
VI. SUSTAINABILITY
Activities of the Enquiry Point shall be financially sustained after the project period in the following
ways:
1. Governments take over by incorporating the activities in the annual budget of Malawi Bureau
of Standards.
2. Use of resources, which are generated from the already existing activities of the the Malawi
Bureau of Standards.
VII. PROJECT COSTS (US DOLLARS)
External inputs Year 1 Year 2 Total
1. Computer, fax machine and accessories 5,000 - 5,000
2. Fellowships and study tours 10,000 - 10,000
3. Technical Consultant 8,000 4,000 12,000
4. National workshops 3,000 4,000 7,000
5. Media campaigns 2,000 2,000 4,000
6. Library 10,000 - 10,000G/SPS/GEN/349
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7. Miscellaneous 2,000 2,000 4,000
Total External Inputs 40,000 12,000 52,000
A. LOCAL INPUTS
1. Personnel
1 x Information Officer 2,000 3,000 5,000
1 x Library Assistant 1,000 2,000 3,000
2. Vehicle running expenses for Workshops 2,000 2,000 4,000
and other duties
3. Office equipment and Stationery 5,000 6,000 11,000
4. Miscellaneous 2,000 2,000 4,000
Total Local Inputs 12,000 15,000 27,000
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 52,000 27,000 79,000
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