Resources

A NTFB with secretarial and permanent staff has funding implications; staff salaries must be paid for, equipment and offices rented, and activities funded. A budget is therefore a necessity and remains a key difficulty for sustaining a NTFB in developing and developed countries alike. The UN/CEFACT Recommendation No. 4 lists different funding mechanisms, including: financial contributions from private sector organizations, a Government grant or regular allocation from Government annual budget, ‘in kind’ contributions and seconded staff, fees for specific trade facilitation services, paid for by the direct beneficiaries.
In terms of staffing the NTFB requires sufficient competent staff to take over the following functions:

• Chairperson
• Board
• Executive Secretary / Manager (for the day-to-day running of the NTFB), and
• Secretariat