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As governments and organizations have adopted and implemented a series of measures and actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, relevant information has become abundant and dispersed in different platforms, making it hard for policy makers and trade operators to have a thorough overview of such measures. Facilitated access to such information (which is changing rapidly and frequently) is crucial, in order to enhance awareness and understanding of all these actions which have been undertaken. Within this context, trade facilitation acquires a particular importance, and mechanisms adopted to maintain the flow of safe cross border trade have emerged as key policy tools to address the challenges brought by the current global pandemic.
The COVID19 Trade Facilitation Repository is a joint platform of actions and initiatives adopted by organizations that aims at consolidating this information on trade-facilitation measures adopted by key stakeholders, which aims at facilitating access to this information by making it user-friendly, easily accessible, searchable and unifying in one single database (avoiding multiple searches in different engines and platforms). It contains a useful listing of all such initiatives and is broken down by organization, type of measure, and subject matter.
*Disclaimer: The information contained herein will be subject to periodic review and all efforts will be taken to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. Nevertheless, the tool is for purely informative purposes and does not intend to be comprehensive and the organizations participating in the initiative do not purport to advocate or promote any particular course of action that relates to these measures, nor shall they be held responsible for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misprints or misinterpretation of the contents hereof.
This brief explores the role of digital trade in helping to mitigate some of the consequences of COVID-19. It also highlights how digital technologies can be leveraged to enable more efficient movement of goods, including parcels, across borders. Digital technologies can ensure that border processes are transparent and accessible to traders; that formalities can be expedited; and that processes at the border require less physical contact.
Cross-border trade in parcels has played a critical role in helping people and firms deal with issues stemming from physical distancing and confinement measures implemented during COVID-19. This policy note discusses that role and the policies that can help ensure parcel trade can continue to be leveraged to help promote an inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19.
This policy note discusses trade and trade policy considerations underpinning access to the final and intermediate goods needed to effectively produce, deliver and administer COVID-19 vaccines. It focuses on the international aspects of the vaccine supply chain, discussing the sourcing, production, distribution and need to expedite international border crossing and transportation (including in the context of the cold supply chain).
As a result of COVID-19, disruptions in cross-border trade have led to a “new world” of trade costs. These include new protocols, additional border controls, and new documentation requirements for shippers and traders. At the same time, trade facilitation measures taken at the border have made it possible for supply chains to continue to deliver. Further streamlining of border procedures can be key for helping economies with the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic including the global production and distribution of a vaccine.
Trade facilitation has been playing a critical role in ensuring the swift movement of essential medical, food and IT goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade facilitation is particularly important for the MSMEs hit hardest by the crisis.
As part of their regional strategies for COVID-19 response and aviation recovery, ICAO’s two Regional Offices for the Americas (SAM and NACC) have contributed to the development and emergence of the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC)’s new multilateral agreement to liberalize air cargo services in the region.
Communication, cooperation, and automation are three essential elements to ensure the functioning of modern border operations. The WTO is working to support the global response to COVID-19 by providing a roadmap for countries to access and trade medical and health supplies and equipment across borders.
In times where multilateralism is challenged on a global scale, it becomes more and more important to communicate openly, to share experiences and to work together to increase transparency and trust between trading partners. A freely accessible platform like the Samoa Trade Information Portal is an important step to build and grow this island of knowledge and as result wander together on the wonderous shorelines of economic growth and trade development.
Following digitisation of commercial documents, the digitalisation of trade implies functional use of data to improve the automation potential of cross-border processes. By taking a human-centred approach to policy design in conformity with global semantic standards, trade rules in a ‘data driven’ format can address inequalities in access to information and modes of compliance. Such reforms also make digital solutions for trade facilitation, including national customs systems, easier for governments to deliver and maintain. New trade networks are presently feasible. Extending the internet, a ubiquitous system for authoring, publishing and distributing executable rules, could enable businesses of all sizes to utilise data to better participate in international commerce.
Urgent digital transformation is needed to create safe and secure cross border ecommerce customs clearance in the world’s poorest countries
In line with the government guidelines, Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) has launched initiatives & implemented many effective interim mechanisms to ensure the smooth flow of essential medical supplies and other commodities despite numerous challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
01 Edition (2 June 2020)