1. UN/CEFACT Plenary Session, 16-17 September 2008, Geneva UNESCAP’s Approach to Trade Facilitation Dr. Ravi Ratnayake Director Trade and Investment Division UNESCAP, Thailand

2. 2 ESCAP in a nutshell One of five United Nations Regional Commissions under ECOSOC 53 member stated and 9 associate members, of which:  12 Landlocked developing (out of 31) and 14 Least-developed countries (out of 50) are in UNESCAP region Promoting an inclusive economic and social development in Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment:  WTO accession and negotiations  FTAs/RTAs  Trade facilitation  Investment and enterprise development

3. 3 SAARC

4. 4 TRADE FACILITATION Production Publication and Availability of Information on Trade Regulations Non-tariff Measures Trade and Customs Rules, Procedures and Formalities Trade FinanceTransport and Logistics International Conventions, Standards & Best Practices Customs Clearance Formalities and Fees Customs Valuation Rules of Origin Import Licenses Preshipment Inspection Technical Regulations and Standards Sanitary & Phytosanitary Measures Electronic One- stop Solutions (Single Window) E-Commerce & E-Business Electronic Trade Documents Transport documents & formalities Freight Forwarders Services Logistics & Port Handling Services Export Credit Facilities Payment Services Foreign Exchange Measures Domestic Regulations Single Inquiry Points Web-Portals ICT Applications and e-solutions ESCAP’s Integrated & Comprehensive Approach to Trade Facilitation of (Fishbone Diagram) Access to Market Transport Division

5. 5 Implementation of TF measures at the national/ subregional level (APEC, ASEAN, SAARC, SPECA) ESCAP Global rules & standards setting organizations (WTO, WCO, UN/CEFACT, ISO) International Standards & Technology National/ Subregional TF Policies & Strategies Bridging the implementation gaps…

6. 6 The role of ESCAP (1) Developing the implementation tools Promoting regional harmonization & synchronization Providing capacity- building & experience- sharing support Collaboration with regional & global partners (ECE/CEFACT, APEC, ASEAN…) UN Regional Network of Experts for Paperless Trade (UN NExT) – community of knowledge & best practice (ESCAP/UNECE) Committee on Trade and Investment We benefit from a regional presence We understand the regional needs & sensitivities We provide linkages between policy-makers & technical experts under the UN brand Asia-Pacific Network for Efficient Trade

7. 7 The role of ESCAP (2) Mission: provide community of knowledge & practice in Asia- Pacific to empower local experts through: Peer-to-Peer support Synergy in capacity building Joint methodologies and implementation of standards Common regional approach to problem solving Sharing of experience, solutions and lessons learnt Information exchange at the regional level (web-based platform) Joint use work group solutions and tools Regional needs Exchange of experience Training and Tools International solutions UN Network of Experts for Paperless Trade in Asia Pacific (UN NExT)

8. 8 What can ESCAP offer? New user groups of UN/CEFACT’s solutions Bridge between global solutions and regional implementation needs (developing implementation tools) Technical assistance and Capacity building projects funded by UN (2004-present: three major trade facilitation projects between ESCAP & ECE funded under the UN Development Account project in Asia Pacific) Research & analytical work to provide realistic overview of the implementation needs in the region Expertise & neutral role of the secretariat staff

9. 9 How can UN/CEFACT contribute? Technical expertise & knowledge-sharing:  Development of training tools  Participation in the awareness-raising and consensus building forums  Participation in the workshops and training activities

10. 10 Thank you! www.unescap.org/tid