The UK government has extended funding to the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to help developing countries boost trade facilitation, the WCO said in a statement.
The funding was announced by British Minister for Asia and the Middle East, Amanda Milling, on Friday (04.03.2022) at a meeting with WCO Secretary-General Kunio Mikuriya and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebekah Grynspan.
The two organisations joined forces with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in 2015 to advance the implementation of the World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The Minister for Asia and the Middle East said that the new funding provided by the UK government represents £2,145 billion for the WCO's work on trade facilitation
According to the President, the support will help boost the economy: “By simplifying, modernising and harmonising export and import processes, least developed and developing countries can increase their trading capacity and income, contributing to their sustainable economic growth,” said Milling.
El Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya welcomed the help and agreed that “Trade facilitation is a means of recovery.” He said connectivity and interoperability at the border are essential, therefore, it is crucial to implement international standards such as the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention.
“Paperless and contactless trade are important elements to further facilitate trade and when it comes to digitalisation, adopting a data culture is key,” he said.
The UK government is thus expanding the funding it has provided since 2015 to speed up the movement of goods and strengthen public-private collaboration through the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The next phase of the programme will focus on strengthening countries' capacity to better respond to future crises., promoting the digitalization of trade procedures and addressing trade-related bottlenecks.
Furthermore, The initiative will continue to promote gender equality and diversity, working with border agencies to mainstream the importance of gender sensitivity and promote women's participation and decision-making in trade facilitation. (WCO Press Release )
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