United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in Trade Facilitation Services Development Division

Aims of the Technical Assistance in TRADE FACILITATION To reduce the costs caused by inefficiencies in international trade practices & procedures; and To increase awareness and use of ICT-based tools such as ASYCUDA and ACIS.

Expected benefits reduced overall delivered costs of imports; increased competitiveness of exports through reduced transaction costs; new options for improved door-to-door logistics; increased Customs revenue collection & control.

This presentation covers: ASYCUDA: a tool to support Customs Reform and Modernization; ACIS: a tool to speed the flow of transported goods by improving the availability & use of information; Trade Facilitation: a series of measures to create the environment for efficient trade & transport transactions, including transit and border crossing issues.

ASYCUDA

Automated System for Customs Data ASYCUDA is a tool to complement Customs Reform & Modernization programme, leading to: faster Customs clearance procedures; better valuation of imports and exports; higher Customs revenue collection and control.

Through ASYCUDA implementation Formulation of modern Customs policy; Reform of Customs procedures; Introduction of international EDI standards; Increase of Customs yield; Timely production of trade statistics.

ASYCUDA main features Traditional core features; SAD DTI (declarations); DSI (manifest); Selectivity module; Transit module.

ASYCUDA Transit Module Essential for landlocked countries (transit agreements); Protects Customs revenues; Procures the effective monitoring of the smooth transit of goods (JIT); Supports T1 and TIR procedures; Takes advantage of ICT developments.

ASYCUDA is: a computer software developed by UNCTAD; provided free to Customs administrations; implemented under UNCTAD supervision (for adaptation to the local conditions); part of a Governments commitment towards Customs Reform & Modernization.

Preparatory phase Pilot implementation Roll-out Site #1 Roll-out Site #2 Roll-out Site #3 ASYCUDA project life cycle

ACIS

Advance Cargo Information System ACIS: a tool box of computer applications: To produce management information; To address multi-modal cargo transit and transport resource problems; Each application is independent of the other… but is designed with a modular approach to enable all to « co-habit » & freely exchange data in an industry-accepted standard form.

ACIS Tool Box BACKBONE PortTracke r RailTracke r LakeTracker RoadTracker Users (connected country) Independent modular compartments exchanging data in industry-accepted standards

A Management Tool Box To track cargo and rolling stock on modes and at interfaces in difficult physical environments. Users can: Identify bottlenecks and deficiencies; Take the necessary steps to correct these faults Improve their performance and efficiency.

ACIS Outputs Advance information; « Spot » information for users; Monthly traffic statistics for users and planners; Performance indicators for users and macro- economic planning

Changing transportation culture Promoting « business partnerships » –Operators/users –Private/public –National/international Clients are aware of reasons for: –Delays of consignments –Poor quality of service

What does UNCTAD provide? ACIS standard tracker software per mode/interface; Standard hardware (computer & appropriate telecoms); Training of user/operator staff; Continuous technical support during project life.

TRADE FACILITATION MEASURES

The Challenge To make the best use of existing physical infrastructure (the hardware), By fostering the software dimension of international trade and transport through: –improving the performance of transport operators and auxiliary services, –changing the commercial behaviour of users, and –introducing innovative relations between public institutions and transport providers and users As well as eliminating outdated procedures, and multiple, non-standardised documents, which result in additional transaction costs and unnecessary delays.

Ministry of Transport Ministry of Trade Ministry of Finances Reduce transaction costsMonitor external trade flows Customs reform & modernization Trade facilitation measures Door-to-door Logistics Private Sector Promotion of Trade Facilitation

Principles of Trade Facilitation Harmonization of laws & regulations (lawyers) Simplification of procedures (business men) Standardization of means (technicians)

Towards the establishment of… Sound legal and institutional framework for trade transactions; Commercially viable reforms in the trade & transport sectors; Appropriate consultation mechanisms; Effective transit agreements; Trade Points Training programmes.

Awareness Workshop Recommendations & PoA PHASE I Diagnostic Institutal, legal, operatal, HRD Seminars Issues identified, Plan of Action PHASE II Elaboration of concrete proposals Thematic workshops Laws & regulations Administrative & operational measures Strengthening of associations Preparation for ASYCUDA & ACIS Training programme Implementation Plan PHASE III Ad-hoc implementation of the proposals National Facilitation Body TF project life cycle

New & growing competitiveness in transport services New infrastructure & technology in place Better prepared operators Improved admin. & commerc. procedures More demanding traders Adequate national & bilateral frameworks COSTS SERVICES TRADE VOLUME COMPLEXITY OF PROCEDURES Benefits of Trade Facilitation

CONCLUSION

Funding & Cooperation ASYCUDA and ACIS are self-financed by user countries (Governments or operators contributions). Countries might get financial support from intl donor agencies or bilateral donors. Cooperation with other UN Depts., WCO, WB, EC, regional organizations and Natl Customs Administrations is essential to the success of UNCTADs Technical Assistance