Conducting trade and reducing povertyIn a global economy, it is vital that companies are able to trade their goods.
Trade allows companies to become more competitive, to grow,
to preserve jobs and to create new ones. It thus enables many people to
participate in the advantages of globalisation and to escape poverty.
In 2017, the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched a trade facilitation agreement. The goal of the agreement is to reduce bureaucracy and facilitate access to global value chains. According to the WTO, it has the potential to reduce global trading costs by an average of roughly 14 percent and to increase the annual trading volume by up to 1 billion dollars. The poorest countries will benefit the most from this – provided they fully implement the respective measures.
Developing countries often do not conduct international
trade as efficiently as they could. They lack framework conditions, functioning
institutions and technical expertise, which leads to delays and additional
costs. This is why SECO supports its partner countries in setting up modern
systems. One example is the Global Trade
Facilitation Programme (GTFP), which SECO implements in partnership with
the World Customs Organization (WCO).
Video GTFP
Video GTFP
For instance, in Colombia the program is helping the customs
administration to improve risk management and auditing and to implement
sustainable reforms.
«This is helping us on our way to becoming a modern, efficient and transparent organisation, in turn creating a more agile trading environment and greater competitiveness.»
Ingrid Diaz, Director customs administration
«This is helping us on our way to becoming a modern, efficient and transparent organisation, in turn creating a more agile trading environment and greater competitiveness.»
Ingrid Diaz, Director customs administration
In Peru and other Latin American countries, the programme
holds workshops for executive staff from customs administrations. It helps them
develop strategies for the modernisation of their customs authorities.
«The workshop boosted my skills as a manager and it’s helping me to drive forward reforms to facilitate trade. »
Marilú Llerena Aybar, Deputy Head customs administration
Rules-based trade system
«The workshop boosted my skills as a manager and it’s helping me to drive forward reforms to facilitate trade. »
Marilú Llerena Aybar, Deputy Head customs administration
Rules-based trade system
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Conducting trade and reducing poverty
