Given the private sector’s reliance on efficient Customs regimes and smooth logistics when exporting and importing goods, the ICC has revealed three ways in which it is working on behalf of business in 2017 to reduce barriers to cross-border trade and promote effective customs policies and procedures worldwide.
(i) Developing export and import excellence
The ICC Academy’s e-learning platform is set to unveil its latest training, the Export/Import Certification. The first ICC export and import programme of its kind, the certification will cover a range of topics from international business transactions and contracts to export and import finance, and international logistics among other essentials. Whether a seasoned trade professional or a student, the interactive learning experience will constitute a concise training and reference tool on how to best manage an international business. A launch event is scheduled to take place on 14 February in Singapore. It will include a panel discussion on capacity building in international trade and a live demonstration of what the new online certification programme entails.
(ii) Building legal certainty of ‘origin’
Free trade agreements and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) schemes are redefining the identity of product origin. Partnerships between Customs and chambers of commerce providing trade facilitation services will be the focus of a dedicated session on certificates of origin at the 10th World Chambers Congress. Held in Sydney, Australia, the international event, co-organised by the Sydney Business Chamber, will be held from 19 to 21 September. The session will be an opportunity for chamber and business leaders to consider the future of origin, as well as its potential impact on the pivotal role chambers play in helping to provide Customs authorities with legal certainty for the application of trade policy.
(iii) Promoting trade facilitation
The ratification of just three more countries is needed for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to officially enter into force. The TFA is a global deal on border measures that could boost world trade by US$1 trillion per year. It aims to make customs procedures more transparent and efficient, reducing bureaucracy and corruption while taking advantage of new technologies. The TFA would become the first global trade deal in 20 years to enter into force and would offer an opportunity to make trade work for all.
According to the ICC, Government-business cooperation can play a strategically important role in the implementation of trade facilitation reforms and that is why, in 2017, ICC will continue to work closely with the WCO and through the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation to ensure the TFA's successful implementation.