The World Customs Organisation (WCO) on 23 February met with high-level officials of the World Bank to discuss the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Index’ and the trade facilitation agenda, including the use of technology.
Discussions addressed the quality and sources of data; the methodology, including how best to convey information on process changes; the measurement of the use of means of transport (land, sea and air); the treatment of commodities (agricultural and industrial); and the impact of intra-member trade by Customs Unions.
It was agreed to continue cooperating on and further discussing these matters and other areas. The WCO Secretariat and the World Bank's “Doing Business” Unit will inform WCO members, at a suitable opportunity, about the “Doing Business” process with a view to Customs taking a more active role in the process to ensure that sufficient account is taken of Customs’ point of view.
The WCO will invite its members to express their concerns about “Doing Business” and will provide WCO contact points through which issues may be raised and comments provided.
While the ranking of countries draws adverse comment, “Doing Business” provides strong arguments that may be used by member Customs administrations to lobby for enhanced legal scope and greater resources. In addition, WCO members can look beyond the actual ranking and study the impact of their modernisation programmes on the underlying score, given that such programmes often result in enhanced performance that is not necessarily reflected in the comparative ranking.
The WCO and the World Bank agreed to hold further dialogue with a view to ensuring better and more accurate measurement of Customs’ activities.