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The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) outlines a ten-point action plan to help industries involved in the movement of goods keep trade afloat during the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath, in a new report.
«Trade facilitation is about keeping goods moving, so we must do everything we can to ensure that the crisis does not slow the movement of critical supplies., said Shamika Sirimanne, director of technology and logistics at UNCTAD.
«Facilitating trade and transport of goods has become more important than ever to avoid logistical obstacles that lead to shortages of necessary supplies.s. "
The report echoes an earlier call by UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi to keep ships moving, ports open and cross-border trade flowing during this period of crisis.
The foundations for COVID-19 recovery must be laid today. This includes ensuring that transport services, ports and border agencies must not only remain operational but must also be effectively strengthened to cope with the unprecedented challenges they face.
The action plan builds on UNCTAD's work with international policy experts and operators on the ground, through its programmes on trade facilitation, customs automation and maritime transport.
10 steps to keep trading moving
UNCTAD proposes 10 policy measures to cover maritime transport, customs operations, transit, transparency and legal issues, as well as technology to enhance paperless trade processes.
The plan calls for the following policies:
- Ensure uninterrupted shipping
- Keep the ports open
- Protect international trade in critical goods and accelerate customs clearance and trade facilitation.
- Facilitating cross-border transport
- Guarantee the right of transit
- Safeguarding transparency and up-to-date information
- Promote paperless systems
- Address the initial legal implications for business parties.
- Protecting carriers and transportation service providers alike
- Prioritize technical assistance
The report urges governments to ensure that health measures are implemented at ports and border crossings in a way that minimizes interference with international traffic and trade.
The need for people involved in the movement of trucks, ships and aircraft to be given critical personnel status is also emphasized.
«The action plan published today, with its 10 measures, is another concrete step in support of safeguarding trade and development in times of pandemic", concluded Ms. Sirimanne.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
