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Trade Facilitation in ESCAP. International Conference on Trade Facilitation , 16-17 October 200 6, Moscow, Russian Federation. Noordin Azhari Chief Trade Efficiency and Facilitation Section Trade and Investment Division UNESCAP. Facts and Figures.
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Trade Facilitation in ESCAP International Conference on Trade Facilitation, 16-17 October 2006, Moscow, Russian Federation. Noordin Azhari Chief Trade Efficiency and Facilitation Section Trade and Investment Division UNESCAP
Facts and Figures • Cost of trade procedures may range from 2 to 15 per-cent of the traded goods’ value • A one per cent reduction of trade transaction costs of traded goods’ value would bring annual gains of about US$ 40 billion on a world-wide basis: OECD • A five per cent reduction in trade transaction costs in 2006 will raise APEC’s GDP by 0.98 per cent (around US$ 154 billion): APEC
Current TF Drivers • WTO trade facilitation negotiations • Just-in-time operations; need for swift flow of data and information • Trade and security • Regional trade arrangements and initiatives in Asia and the Pacific
UNESCAP Trade Facilitation Strategy • Mission: • Promoting the simplification, harmonization, standardization of procedures and related documentary requirements in international trade • Goals: • Reducing Trade Transaction Costs • Improving Trade Security • Approach: • Integrated approach to trade and transport facilitation, including ICT applications
Strengthening Regional Cooperation • Establishment of theAsia-Pacific Network for Efficient Trade – APNET • Provide a regional platform for national trade facilitation coordination committees/bodies (NTTFCs) • Promote the establishment and strengthening of NTTFCs • Identify regional trade facilitation requirements of traders and governments • Formulate, coordinate and promote trade and transport facilitation strategies, action plans and best practices among UNESCAP countries.
Promoting National Coordination Mechanisms • Good practices in implementing TF measures require cooperation of three main players – government agencies, logistics service providers, and traders • Assisting member states to establish National Trade and Transport Committee (NTTFC) and supporting institutions • Providing training and technical assistance to strengthen the capability of NTTFCs - lead agency, inter-government and private key stakeholders
Assessing Needs, Priorities and Implementation Costs • Conducting benchmarking study and analysis of current conditions, impediments to trade, and indicators of TF-related performances (quantitative & qualitative) • Identifying opportunities for improvement • Refining and promoting assessment/benchmark tools, and assisting member states to build human and institutional capacity to regularly conduct TF self assessment • Tools available: • UNESCAP Trade Facilitation Framework • UNESCAP Time/Cost-Distance Analysis • WB Trade and Transport Facilitation Audit • WCO Time Release Study • WCO Self Assessment Checklist of GATT Articles V, VIII, X • UN/CEFACT Benchmarking Guidelines
Simplification, Standardization and Harmonization of Trade Procedures and Documents • Providing studies, trainings and advisory services to: • Simplify formats and contents of trade documents • Develop aligned trade documents set • Tools available: • UN Layout Key for Trade Documents • UN Trade Facilitators Toolkit for trade documents • WCO Customs Data Model and UN Trade Data Elements Directory
Promoting ICT Application for Trade Facilitation • Promote and assist member states to develop strategies and action plans to establish single-window and ICT-enable paperless environment • Tools available: • Guidelines for establishing Single Window (UN/CEFACT Recommendation 33) • Handbooks and Roadmap for Paperless Trade(UNESCAP TF Handbook, UN/CEFACT Roadmap) • UNeDocs (UN Electronic Trade Documents project) • WCO Customs Data Model
UNESCAP Trade Facilitation Strategy 1. Assessing TF Needs, Priorities and Implementation Costs (Capturing TF Knowledge & Indicators) 2. Promoting the Establishment of, and Strengthening National Trade Facilitation Organizations and Regional Cooperation 3. Promoting Trade Facilitation Strategies and Action Plans 4. Assisting in Simplification and Harmonization of Trade Documents & Procedures 5. Promoting the use of ICT Applications for Trade Facilitation 6. Promoting Trade Finance and Payment Infrastructure Development CBP - Capacity Building Programmes: Awareness and Training iii. Creating awareness and organizing training courses and workshops for member countries KR - Knowledge Repository for Trade Facilitation ii. Developing and maintaining a repository and virtual communication mechanism for trade knowledge and TF current conditions, indicators, needs and priorities for continuous analysis and TF-improved recommendations APNET- Asia Pacific Network for Efficient Tradei.Facilitating a regional forum for policy makers, practitioners and resource persons from government and private sectors to share lessons learned, develop and promote trade facilitation measures suitable for the Asia-Pacific region