Trade Facilitation Developing Country Perceptions Priorities Global Forum
Trade Facilitation: Developing Country Perceptions/ Priorities Global Forum on Trade Facilitation UNECE, Geneva, May 15, 2003 Murray G Smith DMI Associates/Crown Agents for UK Department for International Development
Trade Facilitation Challenges External Challenges n n n Trade Facilitation Dynamic among Developed countries – e-business Security Concerns and the CSI Decision About Modalities under Doha Development Agenda at Cancun
Longer Term Challenges for Developing Countries o Role of trade facilitation in development o Participation in international fora for trade facilitation o Trade facilitation will proceed without developing country participation and without Doha negotiations
Developing Country Concerns About WTO Negotiations o Issue linkage o Obligations will be difficult to implement o Scope of WTO obligations is uncertain o Reluctant to have trade facilitation subject to dispute settlement o Commitments to capacity building will be insufficient
Benefits of Trade Facilitation Trade facilitation initiatives/reforms of customs administration will contribute to their economic development through: o improvements in customs integrity, o more effective and selective border controls, and o more efficient revenue collection.
Benefits of Trade Facilitation Implementing trade facilitation will bring many benefits to developing countries through: o expanded trade, o improved investment climate, o better utilisation of infrastructure and o overall economic development
Benefits from Trade Facilitation o Benefiting from Global Trade o Benefiting from Regional Trade o Improving Development Prospects for Landlocked Economies o Trade and Governance Reforms o Reform of Customs Administration
Costs of Trade Facilitation o Capacity Constraints in Developing Countries – Digital Divide o Participation in International Fora including WTO o Costs of reform of Customs Administrations
Next Steps for Developing Countries o Securing Commitment for Capacity Building o Support for Participation in International Fora o Regional Co-operation on Trade Facilitation
Next Steps for Developing Countries o Trade Facilitation is a Development Priority o Articulating Developing Country Priorities for Trade Facilitation
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