Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade in Eurasian region ... · Trade Facilitation and Paperless...

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Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade in Eurasian region(EEC) : State of Play

Yann Duval

Chief Trade Facilitation Unit

Trade, Investment and Innovation Division United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Workshop on Advancing Interoperability of Single Windows 31 May–1 June 2017 / Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan

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Outline

Introduction Regional State of Play Trade costs & Trade Facilitation Performance

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Update

Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation in Asia-Pacific (Survey results)

Conclusions • Annex - Support from ESCAP

Trade Facilitation (TF)? - Definition

• “The plumbing of international trade” (Staples, 1998)

• “The simplification and harmonization of international trade procedures.”, where trade procedures are the “activities, practices and formalities involved in collecting, presenting, communicating and processing data and other information required for the movement of goods in international trade.” (WTO documents)

• “Any measure, or set of measures, that aims to increase the cost-effectiveness of international trade transactions”. http://www.gfptt.org/

http://www.gfptt.org/

Trade Facilitation? Definition

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Paperless Trade ( Digital Trade Facilitation)?

Paperless Trade Conduct of trade activities on the basis

of electronic rather than paper documents e.g. electronic Customs declaration, electronic cert. of origin

(application of e-commerce to international trade domain)

Paperless Trade Systems Legal/regulatory and technical

frameworks in which paperless trade transactions take place e.g. Digital customs system, electronic Single Window facility, e-port management systems, Framework Act on Electronic Transaction (in RoK)

Chamber

Importer Exporter

Shipper Forwarder

Customs

Inspection

eCO

Why are trade facilitation & paperless trade increasingly important?

•Tariffs are (often) already low and getting lower •Trade flows increasingly associated with regional/global production networks

–Predictability / timeliness is essential –High import content of exports

•Supply chain security initiatives are making electronic submission of information a must for developing countries •The rise of cross-border e-commerce

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Outline





http://www.unescap.org/resources/escap-world-bank-trade-cost-database













Source: Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2016, ESCAP

Bilateral comprehensive trade costs of selected economies with China

and United States (ad valorem equivalents, excluding

tariff costs, 2009-2014)

Source: ESCAP-World Bank Trade Cost Database, updated June 2016. Available from Trade costs: http://artnet.unescap.org/databases.html#first

Bilateral trade costs excluding tariff among EEC economies

Armenia Belarus Kazakhstan KyrgyzstanBelarus 168.2%

(3.3%)Kazakhstan 245.7% 114.4%

(15.5%) (15.1%)Kyrgyz Republic 359.9% 172.5% 73.4%

(-21.2%) (-0.1%) (9.9%)Russian Federation 111.5% 47.2% 66.9% 95.8%

(5.2%) (N/A) (27.3%) (9.2%)Source: ESCAP-World Bank Trade Cost Database, updated June 2016. Available from Trade costs: http://www.unescap.org/resources/escap-world-bank-trade-cost-database

Bilateral comprehensive trade costs excluding tariff of EEC economies with China and Germany

Source: ESCAP-World Bank Trade Cost Database, updated June 2016. Available from Trade costs: http://www.unescap.org/resources/escap-world-bank-trade-cost-database

Trade cost of EEC Countries with large developed economies

Source: ESCAP-World Bank Trade Cost Database, updated June 2016. Available from Trade costs: http://www.unescap.org/resources/escap-world-bank-trade-cost-database

Trade Facilitation Performance

Examples: •WB Trading Across Border (TAB) indicators

–www.doingbusiness.org

•WB Logistics Performance Index –http://lpi.worldbank.org/

•UNCTAD Liner Shipping Connectivity Index –http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=92

•WEF Enabling Trade Index (composite of others)

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http://www.doingbusiness.org/

http://lpi.worldbank.org/

http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=92

http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=92

Source: Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2016, ESCAP, United Nations

16 Source: Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2016, ESCAP, United Nations

Doing Business 2017: EEC at a glance

Note: Score (0-100: least to most close to the frontier) Source: Doing Business Database Available from http://www.doingbusiness.org

In terms of ease of doing business, East and North-East Asia, followed by North and Central Asia, are the lead performers; EEC average is higher than that of North and Central Asia. South and South-West Asia lags behind other sub-regions in Asia.

In terms of trading across border, EEC on average is still leading North and Central Asia. Kazakhstan and Russian Federation lag behind EEC average.

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Trading across Border 2017: EEC at a glance

Note: Value of time/cost to trade is the average of import and export of time/cost Source: Doing Business Database Available from http://www.doingbusiness.org

Economy

Time to trade: Border

compliance (hours)

Cost to trade: Border

compliance (USD)

Time to trade: Documentary compliance

(hours)

Cost to trade: Documentary compliance

(USD)Armenia 40 100 2 125Belarus 3 54 4 70Kazakhstan 68 287 67 160Kyrgyz Republic 29 479 29 173Russian Federation 96 945 34 123EEC Average 47 373 27 130Korea, Rep 10 250 1 19Turkey 29 516 8 115

Logistic Performance Index: 2016

Note: scores are provided at a 1 (worst performance) to 5 (best performance) scale Source: Logistic Performance Index Database. Available from LPI: http://lpi.worldbank.org

Source: Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2016, ESCAP, United Nations

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Contribution of natural barriers, behind-the border facilitation and trade-related practice to trade costs

0-10%*

60-90%*

10-30%*

Tariff Trade Costs

Policy-Related Non-Tariff Trade

Costs

Natural Trade Costs (Geographical and Cultural Factors)

Direct Behind- & At-the border Trade Costs 1%

6-7%

6-7%

16-18%

52-57%

Availability/use of ICT Services

Business (Regulatory) Environment

Maritime Connectivity/Services

Other Trade Costs •Indirect cost of trade procedure •Currency fluctuation •Other non-tariff barriers

* Illustrative based on casual observation of the data only. Natural trade costs for landlocked countries may be outside the range shown for natural trade costs.

Key factors in lowering trade costs – Asia-Pacific Perspective

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Outline





The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) •Negotiated over more than a decade

–Focus on improvements of GATT Articles V (freedom of transit), VIII (fees and formalities for import/export) and X (publication and transparency of trade regulations) + customs cooperation

•Adopted in Bali in December 2013; Entered into force in February 2017

–After 2/3 of WTO Members ratified it (110+ countries)

•New baseline for trade facilitation globally • WTO FTA specifies list of TF measures, but implementation very flexible (in terms of how and when) •www.tfafacility.org

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http://www.tfafacility.org/

Source: Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2016, ESCAP

Gains from WTO TFA implementation

• Trade cost reductions almost double if full implementation of binding + not binding measures (-11%) • ICT applications in TF (i.e. paperless trade measures) have high trade cost reduction potential

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Outline





The Global Survey on Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation

The survey is being conducted by five UN regional commissions, with overall coordination of ESCAP and support from other partners - first Global Survey conducted in 2015 - second Global Survey on-going with data to be released in 2017

Structure of the Questionnaire (1): Common measures included in the 2015 & 2017 surveys

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Trade facilitation measure (and question No.) in the questionnaire

Gen

eral

TF

mea

sure

s

Transparency

2. Publication of existing import-export regulations on the Internet 3. Stakeholder consultation on new draft regulations (prior to their finalization) 4. Advance publication/notification of new regulation before their implementation (e.g., 30 days prior) 5. Advance ruling (on tariff classification) 9. Independent appeal mechanism (for traders to appeal Customs and other relevant trade control agencies’ rulings)

Formalities

6. Risk management (as a basis for deciding whether a shipment will be or not physically inspected) 7. Pre-arrival processing 8. Post-clearance audit 10. Separation of Release from final determination of customs duties, taxes, fees and charges 11. Establishment and publication of average release times 12. Trade facilitation measures for authorized operators 13. Expedited shipments 14. Acceptance of paper or electronic copies of supporting documents required for import, export or transit formalities.

Institutional arrangement and

cooperation

1. Establishment of a national trade facilitation committee or similar body 31. Cooperation between agencies on the ground at the national level 32. Government agencies delegating controls to Customs authorities 33. Alignment of working days and hours with neighbouring countries at border crossings, and 34. Alignment of formalities and procedures with neighbouring countries at border crossings

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Paperless trade

15. Electronic/automated Customs System established (e.g., ASYCUDA) 16. Internet connection available to Customs and other trade control agencies at border-crossings 17. Electronic Single Window System 18. Electronic submission of Customs declarations 19. Electronic Application and Issuance of Trade Licenses 20. Electronic Submission of Sea Cargo Manifests 21. Electronic Submission of Air Cargo Manifests 22. Electronic Application and Issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin 23. E-Payment of Customs Duties and Fees 24. Electronic Application for Customs Refunds

Cross-border paperless trade

25. Laws and regulations for electronic transactions are in place (e.g. e-commerce law, e-transaction law) 26. Recognized certification authority issuing digital certificates to traders to conduct electronic transactions 27. Engagement of the country in trade-related cross-border electronic data exchange with other countries 28. Certificate of Origin electronically exchanged between your country and other countries 29. Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate electronically exchanged between your country and other countries 30. Banks and insurers in your country retrieving letters of credit electronically without lodging paper-based documents

Transit facilitation

35. Transit facilitation agreement(s) with neighbouring country(ies) 36. Customs Authorities limit the physical inspections of transit goods and use risk assessment 37. Supporting pre-arrival processing for transit facilitation 38. Cooperation between agencies of countries involved in transit

Structure of the Questionnaire (2): Common measures include in the 2015 & 2017 surveys

Overall implementation of trade facilitation measures in 44 Asia-Pacific economies surveyed

Source: unnext.unescap.org/UNTFSurvey2015.asp

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TF and Paperless Trade Implementation in Asia-Pacific

Transparency measures most implemented; Cross-border paperless trade measures least implemented

Source: unnext.unescap.org/UNTFSurvey2015.asp

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Most and least implemented TF measures in Asia-Pacific Most implemented Least implemented

Transparency

1. Stakeholder consultation on new draft regulations (prior to their implementation) 2. Publication of existing import-export regulations on the internet

1. Advance ruling (on tariff classification) 2. Advance publication/notification of new regulation before their implementation

Formalities 1. Risk management 2. Pre-arrival processing

1. Establishment and publication of average release times 2. Trade facilitation measures for authorized operators

Institutional arrangement and

cooperation

1. Cooperation between agencies on the ground at the national level 2. Establishment of National Trade Facilitation Committee

1. Government agencies delegating controls to Customs authorities

Paperless trade 1. Internet connection available to Customs and other trade control agencies at border-crossings 2. Electronic/automated Customs System

1. Electronic Application and Issuance of Preferential Certificate of Origin 2. Electronic Application for Customs Refunds


1. Laws and regulations for electronic transactions 2. Recognised certification authority

1. Banks and insurers retrieving letters of credit electronically without lodging paper-based documents 2. Electronic exchange of Sanitary & Phyto-Sanitary Certificate


- Cooperation between agencies of countries involved in transit - Customs authorities limit the physical inspections

1. Supporting pre-arrival processing for transit facilitation

TF and Paperless Trade Implementation in Asia-Pacific

Source: unnext unescap org/UNTFSurvey2015 asp

Implementation of WTO TFA-related measures in Asia –Pacific

http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Trade-Insights-No12.pdf






OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators on WTO TFA Implementation* (EEC+ RoK)

*2015 http://www.oecd.org/trade/facilitation/indicators.htm

http://www.oecd.org/trade/facilitation/indicators.htm

35 Source: unnext.unescap.org/UNTFSurvey2015.asp

36 Source: unnext.unescap.org/UNTFSurvey2015.asp

Towards “Next Generation” TF [and cross-border e-commerce] in Asia-Pacific

Implementation of TF as a step-by-step process…

WTO TFA Full Compliance (Minimum implementation score associated with)

unnext.unescap.org/UNTFSurvey2015.asp

http://unnext.unescap.org/UNTFSurvey2015.asp

Trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation : EEC Economy Scores

Source: TF Implementation Database, updated June 2015. Available from UNRCs Joint Survey on TF: http://www.unescap.org/resources/trade-facilitation-and-paperless-trade-implementation-asia-and-pacific-2015

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Trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation : EEC and selected benchmarks

Note: maximum implementation of each TFI is 100% Source: TF Implementation Database, updated June 2015. Available from UNRCs Joint Survey on TF: http://www.unescap.org/resources/trade-facilitation-and-paperless-trade-implementation-asia-and-pacific-2015

- For transparency and formalities, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan lag behind that of EEC average.

- Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan lag behind EEC average on paperless trade and cross-border paperless trade facilitation, while Armenia is lack behind on cross-border paperless trade.

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Trade facilitation and paperless trade implementation : North and Central Asia


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Transparency


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Formalities

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Institutional arrangement

The most implemented measure : Cooperation between agencies on the ground at the national level The least implemented measure : Government agencies delegating controls to Customs authorities

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The most implemented measure : Customs Authorities limit the physical inspections of transit goods and use risk assessment The least implemented measure : Supporting pre‐arrival processing for transit facilitation

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Paperless trade

The most implemented measure : Electronic/ automated Customs System The least implemented measure : Electronic application and issuance of trade licenses

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The most implemented measure : Laws and regulations for electronic transactions The least implemented measure : letters of credit electronically without lodging paper‐based documents; Electronic exchange of Sanitary & Phyto‐Sanitary Certificate; and Electronic exchange of Certificate of Origin

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Towards “Next Generation” Trade Facilitation in EEC and Central Asia

Challenges to moving forward on cross-border paperless trade

Adoption of common International Standards

Harmonization of legal frameworks

Capacity gaps among the parties (infrastructure & HR)

Cooperation between public and private sectors

Lack of intergovernmental coordination mechanism

Legal Framework

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A new UN Treaty Open to interested (53) ESCAP member states (voluntary) to become parties Opened for signature on 1 October 2016 at UN Headquarters, New York

Objective

To facilitate cross-border paperless trade (data exchange) among willing ESCAP member states by providing a dedicated intergovernmental framework to develop legal and technical solutions

Complementary to the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement as well as (sub)regional efforts

4 year step-by-step development process (ESCAP resolutions 68/3,70/6,72/4)

Over 30 countries directly involved in finalizing the treaty text in March 2016

Regional

Study

Negotiation & Finalization

Expert Review & Member

Consultations

Adoption by the

Commission

2012 2013 2013 - 2016 19 May 2016

Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific - Overview

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“It is expected to provide countries of Asia and the Pacific with a new tool and “digital” complement for better implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the development of cross-border e-commerce.”

Concluding remarks •Trade facilitation essential to trade competitiveness and enabling participation in production networks

–A lot of room for improvement in EEC •Need to keep the “big picture in mind” to be able to really reduce trade costs

–Need for a “whole of supply chain” approach to TF –Comprehensive assessment/analysis of import-export procedures needed + monitoring

•WTO TFA implementation provides a great opportunity to engage in TF reform

–But achieving basic compliance will not be enough to be competitive

•Participation in regional/subregional initiatives can make a difference

–Being “ambitious” is useful (case of ASEAN SW)

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Thank you

www.unescap.org/our-work/trade-investment/trade-facilitation

unnext.unescap.org

http://communities.unescap.org/cross-border-

paperless-trade-facilitation

http://www.unescap.org/our-work/trade-investment/trade-facilitation

http://www.unescap.org/our-work/trade-investment/trade-facilitation

http://www.unescap.org/unnext

http://communities.unescap.org/cross-border-paperless-trade-facilitation










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