Newsletter

JUNE 2010

Workshop: “Guide for the Design of Aligned Trade Forms to prepare for paperless Trade”, 02 June 2010, Addis Abeba (Ethiopia)

During the 2nd General Assembly held in Addis Abeba on 01 - 02 June 2010 - Addis Abeba, a workshop has been organized on day 2. The purpose of the Workshop was to enhance technical and administrative knowledge and skills of trade-facilitation practitioners.

Notions on document harmonization and simplification, e-business standards and codes and assessment of trade-facilitation needs and priorities were the main points of the workshop. The main objective was to share knowledge, help on establishing a Single Window and enhance abilities for interoperability between Single Windows.

In the context of the international trade facilitation, “trade” means the movement of goods in one direction and the movement of funds in the opposite direction, on the basis of a transaction between a seller/consignor and a buyer/consignee. This involves numerous commercial activities and formal interventions, and calls for a large amount of information regarding the transaction and the goods. Data is needed to conclude the transaction, initiate and monitor the physical movement of the goods, execute controls on borders, and process financial arrangements.

International standard is a universally agreed upon set of guidelines for interoperability. Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together (inter-operate).

FOCUS OF THE WORKSHOP

March 2010

Crown Agents

Crown Agents: ACCE Observer Member

Crown Agents is an International development company committed to global development and growth. Our expertise in public financial management helps governments raise revenue, manage debt and plan expenditure more effectively. Our procurement and supply chain services, together with banking and asset management, help ensure that wealth generated is spent or invested for the good of all. Through technical assistance, consultancy and training, we help to reduce poverty, improve health and increase prosperity.

Within the AACE, as a framework for the sharing of expertise and best practise relating to trade facilitation, Crown Agents is well placed to contribute to the goals and purpose of the Alliance.

Having worked in customs and trade facilitation for over 25 years, we have broad experience and an in depth knowledge base which makes us experts in consultancy, project management and IT solution provision in this area.

Our presence in technical working groups and steering committee meetings employs our expertise in data and process harmonisation on other regional trade facilitation initiatives.

Crown Agents led the customs and trade facilitation technical assistance and capacity building component of the ASEAN –EU Programme for Regional Integration Support (APRIS) project. Project management, research and analysis in the first phase of the project resulted in recommendations to support planning and implementation of the regional integration process.

Within phase II of the project Crown Agents implemented Strategic Plans for Customs Development. Particular emphasis has been placed on continued development of the ASEAN Single Window to establish a fully operational regional system as well as facilitating customs clearance and transit.

We have a portfolio of over 30 successful customs reform projects across the globe. Our enterprise solutions balance effective regulatory intervention and enforcement with efficient procedures and processes that facilitate commercial activities and the movement of goods across borders.

Working to recommendations and standards from conventions such as WCO, EU and Kyoto, we provide legal and institutional frameworks for reform for the standardisation of customs procedures.

Supporting the concept of Single Window and recognising the significant benefits automated services can provide, Crown Agents has developed an IT solution which can integrate national and regional trade agencies on a most comprehensive electronic workspace. Currently being implemented in a major Asian country, TRIPS modular structure allows Crown Agents to customise any solution to meet bespoke needs. Crown Agents can also provide technical expertise to inform strategy to deepen ICT usage.

Our work seeks to build capacity, increase transparency and facilitate trade. We are proud to be working with AACE on this initiative and offering advice to help drive the Alliance forward.

- Sénégal, GAINDE 2000

CROSS BORDER INFORMATION EXCHANGE

GAINDE 2000 has recently signed a cross border information exchange agreement with TIME Engineering Bhd (TEB), Malaysia's leading ICT government linked company. The agreement deals with a pilot project to establish the Asian and European electronic gateway for Africa via Senegal.

The gateway is expected to facilitate the exchange of electronic information and transactions between economies in Africa with their counterparts in Asia and Europe. The cross border component, is a part of a wider project sponsored by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF), a donor organization dedicated to support projects in Africa for the purpose of enhancing investment climate (www.icfafrica.org ).

TEB, the principal project partner, will be responsible for the establishment of the Asian gateway in compliance to the requirements of the Malaysian national Single Window, ASEAN Single Window and also the Pan Asian e-Commerce Alliance. Senegal will have electronic access to two other major continents in the world and hence improving the competitiveness of the country in global economics. Such a project has high potential of unifying the other economies of Africa into a single geographical economic powerhouse.

Senegal and Malaysia share the same ambition to create an environment enabling paperless trade among different region of the world.