Enhancing the Global Dialogue on Customs Capacity Building World Customs Organization – Republic of South Africa Conference Johannesburg, South Africa 4 April 2007 Gerard McLinden International Trade Department World Bank
About the World Bank One of the world’s largest providers of financial support and technical advice for developing countries Bank + International organization (UN system) In projects in countries - $ 22.3 billion IBRD > $875 – Low interest loans years (5) IDA < $875 – Interest free credits years (10) Bank financing - Country implementation Demand driven
Why the Bank is interested in Customs Reform Strong link between trade and economic growth Progress made in trade liberalization … but Customs and other border-related regulatory formalities increasingly seen as a more significant barrier than tariff rates Customs has other productive development objectives and can act as the driver of reform Investment in Customs and border reform and modernization delivers value for money and sound development results
Customs activities and projects Customs typically included in all trade-related diagnostics Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies Trade and Transport Facilitation Audits Regional integration studies Support and Advocacy WTO TF negotiations GFP TT Close cooperation and partnership with WCO and IMF Financing for Customs reform and modernization
Customs Projects RegionCurrentPipelineTotal AFR EAP ECA LAC MENA14.1 SAR Total
Customs – Emerging Trends Customs reform as key element of wider trade facilitation projects (national and regional) Better cooperation and partnership with donors Focus on performance measurement Focus on sustainability Longer implementation timeframes IT as a facilitator – comprehensive approach Private/Public partnership Sustainable financing models
How to engage with the Bank Obtain high level political support and commitment for your vision and modernization plan (MoF) Contact the local Bank office Work with Bank, IMF and donor missions Use WCO diagnostics, WTO TF agenda, and regional integration as catalysts to engage policy makers Seek inclusion of Customs in the Country Assistance or Country Partnership Strategy
Key Messages No need to convince us or other partners in the development community that Customs is important Need to convince your own policy makers to put Customs reform at the top of the development agenda Money not the problem Development assistance is demand driven – so create the demand
For further information: Gerard McLinden (English) Enrique Fanta (Spanish) Jean Francois Arvis (French) gfptt.org gfptt.org worldbank.org (Customs Policy and Administration) worldbank.org (Customs Policy and Administration)