Global Trade Facilitation Program

Project completed

Trade is a key stimulus to economic growth and fundamental to the competitiveness of developing country firms and industries. With appropriate policies and programs, trade is a major source of employment and enhanced consumer welfare for the poor.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bolivia
Colombia
Global
Peru
Uzbekistan
Sustainable trade
17.12.2018 - 16.12.2022
CHF  5’500’000
Background

The potential of trade, however, is often constrained by high trade transaction costs related to border and customs procedures. Developing countries, where administrative and procedural barriers in cross-border trading tend to be more prevalent, are disproportionately hurt by such measures. The new partnership between SECO and the World Customs Organization allows to provide targeted support to SECO partner countries in order to better realize the benefits from cross-border trading.

Objectives

To contribute to fostering and facilitating international trade trough strengthening compliance of SECO developing partner countries, in particular their customs administrations (CA), with international standards and best practices for the importation, exportation and transit of commercial goods. The purpose of the intervention is to strengthen the organizational and technical capacities of beneficiary customs administrations to successfully lead, plan and implement sustainable and transparent customs reforms. Thereby, the program focuses on the involvement of relevant public and private stakeholders and the application of modern and relevant international standards and best practices to reduce trade transaction costs for the private sector in cross-border trading.

Medium-term outcomes

Organizational Development ? Sustainable management of customs reforms and modernization by beneficiary customs administrations trough enhanced organizational development capacities.

Trade Facilitation ? Facilitated and enhanced trade through modern and efficient customs procedures implemented by beneficiary customs administration complying with best international standards and practices.

Benchmarking ? Effective learning and efficient services provided by beneficiary customs administrations through the development of a comprehensive performance measurement tool.

Results

Expected results:  

Beneficiary CA have developed high quality Leadership and Management skills, as well as Strategic Management, Project Management and Human Resources Management skills-

Effective and formalized Stakeholder Relations are established-

Beneficiary CA develop strategic and action plans for the ratification and/or implementation of the WTO TFA-

Beneficiary CA establish a well-functioning National Trade Facilitation Committees-

Beneficiary CA develop strategic and action plans for the ratification and/or implementation of the Revised Kyoto Convention-

Beneficiary CA plan and implement additional reform initiatives contributing directly or indirectly to Trade Facilitation.


Directorate/federal office responsible SECO
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
  • World Customs Organization


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    5’500’000
Project phases

Phase 1 17.12.2018 - 16.12.2022   (Completed)