Annual Report2022

1. ABOUT US– Purpose, Vision and Mission /PAGE 4– Trade Facilitation: Why it matters /PAGE 5– Donors, Host Organisations & Secretariat /PAGE 6– Private Sector Partners /PAGE 7– Steering Group /PAGE 8– Year in Review /PAGE 9– Letter from our Director /PAGE 10
2. DELIVERING IMPACTS– Streamlining certification in Ecuador, Jordan & Tunisia /PAGES 12-14– Modernising agri-food trade in Senegal /PAGES 15-16– Expediting medical aid to Mozambique /PAGE 17– Preparing for future disasters /PAGES 18-19– Enhancing transparency /PAGE 20
3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADE– Working through Public Private Partnership /PAGES 22-23– Catalysing MSMEs /PAGES 24-25– Empowering women in trade /PAGES 26-27
4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCE– Where we are working /PAGE 30– The ways we work /PAGE 31– Project snapshots /PAGES 32-37
5. ADVANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATION– Advancing TFA implementation /PAGE 39– Harnessing digitalisation /PAGE 40– Measuring results /PAGE 41
6. FINANCIAL SUMMARY– 2022 Financial Summary /PAGE 43

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT US– Purpose, Vision and Mission /PAGE 4– Trade Facilitation: Why it matters /PAGE 5– Donors, Host Organisations & Secretariat /PAGE 6– Private Sector Partners /PAGE 7– Steering Group /PAGE 8– Year in Review /PAGE 9– Letter from our Director /PAGE 10

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT US

OUR PURPOSE
To boost trade competitiveness and businessconditions, which are key drivers of inclusive
economic growth and poverty reduction

OUR VISION
A world where cross-border trade is simple,
fast, and cost-effective

OUR MISSION
To deliver targeted and measurable tradereforms through public private partnership indeveloping and least developed countries

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT US

TRADE FACILITATION:
WHY IT MATTERS
Trade facilitation lowers the timeand cost of trade, helping to makebusinesses and countries morecompetitive, driving economic
growth, creating jobs, and ultimately
reducing poverty.
Business thrives on confidence, predictability, andtransparency. Red tape, cumbersome paper-based
procedures, and inconsistent treatment of goods atborders create uncertainty, delays, and additionalcosts.
Modernising border procedures encourages
trade, with micro, small and medium enterprises(MSMEs) that stand to gain most from easieraccess to international markets. Predictable,
efficient processes also save governments time andresources, while safeguarding borders and revenue
collection.
Guided by the World Trade Organization Trade
Facilitation Agreement (TFA), Alliance projects
work through public private partnership to achievemeasurable impacts, unlocking the potential ofdeveloping countries and least developed countries(LDCs).

Making trade simpler, faster,and more cost-effective
triggers inclusive economic
growth, alleviating poverty,
and improving lives.
World Bank, 2018

REDUCED TIME AND
COST OF TRADE
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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Supporting UN Sustainable
Development Goals
The United Nations recognises international tradeas an engine for inclusive economic growth andpoverty reduction, and an important means to achieve
its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Alliance’s work to support developing countries
and least developed countries in implementing theWorld Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation
Agreement (TFA) can help to meet several of these goals.

Goal 1: End poverty inall its forms everywhere

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve foodsecurity and improved nutrition andpromote sustainable agriculture

Goal 5: Achieve genderequality and empower
all women and girls

Goal 8: Promote inclusive
and sustainable economic
growth, employment and decent
work for all

Goal 16: Promote just,peaceful and inclusive
societies

Goal 17: Revitalise theglobal partnership forsustainable development

INCREASED TRADE,
INVESTMENT AND JOBSINCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH
AND POVERTY REDUCTION
ANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT USOUR DONORSHOST ORGANISATIONS

Center for International
Private EnterpriseInternational Chamberof Commerce

CIPE works with local partners
to craft business-driven solutions
to social-economic problems
that affect millions of people.
CIPE believes that democracy
is at its strongest when theprivate sector is flourishing.
Working with local partners,
including business associations,chambers of commerce, thinktanks, universities and advocacy
organisations, CIPE helps to create
the enabling environment forbusiness to thrive. CIPE currently
has more than 200 projects on
the ground, including grants withlocal partners, in over 80 countries
to help build those institutions.

ICC is the institutional
representative of more than 45
million companies in over 130
countries with a mission to makebusiness work for everyone,
every day, everywhere. Througha unique mix of advocacy,solutions, and standard setting,
ICC promotes international trade,
responsible business conduct anda global approach to regulation,in addition to providing marketleading dispute resolution
services. Members include manyof the world’s leading companies,
MSMEs, business associations andlocal chambers of commerce.

World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum,
committed to improving the stateof the world, is the internationalorganisation for public-private
cooperation. The Forum engages
the foremost political, businessand other leaders of society
to shape global, regional andindustry agendas.

SECRETARIAT

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT US

GLOBAL BUSINESS PARTNERS INCLUDE:

LOCAL BUSINESS PARTNERS INCLUDE:BANGLADESH

Bhomra Customs Clearing & Forwarding Agent’s Association

BRAZIL

Association of Customs Brokers of São PauloICC Brazil

CAMBODIA

MADAGASCAR

CCM Transit
Groupement des Exportateurs de Girofles de Madagascar
Groupement des Exportateurs de Vanille de Madagascar
Groupement du Patronat Malagasy - FIV.MPA.MA
Local Professional groups of importers & exporters (GEM)
Madagascar Ground Handling

Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association
DHL Express (Cambodia)
European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia
Khmum Technology Co., Ltd.

MALAWICOLOMBIA

MOZAMBIQUEANALDEX (Asociación Nacional de Comercio Exterior)
Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia (ANDI)ICC Colombia

GUATEMALA

Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG)
ICC Guatemala
National Association of Shipping Agents

ECUADORCORBANECAMCHAM Quito
Anecacao
Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE)
Expoflores
ICC Ecuador
Kallari
Logiztik Alliance
Quito Chamber of Commerce
Unión de Organizaciones Campesinas Cacaoteras(UNOCACE)

JORDANThe Association of Owners of Clearance and TransportCompanies
ICC Jordan
Jordan Chamber of Commerce
Jordan Dates Association (JoDates)
Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruit andVegetables (JEPA)INDONESIAICC Indonesia
Indonesia Fish Canning Association (APIKI)
Indonesian Fishery Producers Processing and Marketing
Association

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association of Malawi
Indigenous Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents
Association of Malawi (IC CAFA)AIPROMEM (Medicines Importers Association)
CTA (Confederation of Economic Associations)
Mozambique Single Window

NIGERIA

Association of Nigeria Licensed Custom Agent (ANLCA)ICC Nigeria
Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines
and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT)

PERU

Asociación de Exportadores (ADEX)Chamber of Commerce of Lima (CCL)
National Society of Industries (SNI)
Sociedad de Comercios Exterior del Peru (COMEXPERU)SENEGAL

Association des Unions Maraîchères des Niayes
Coopérative Fédérative des Acteurs de l’Horticulture du Senegal(CFAHS)
Syndicat des Exportateurs des Produits Agricoles (SEPAS)

TUNISIA

Union Tunisienne de l’Agriculture et de la pêche (UTAP)
Union Tunisienne de l’industrie, du commerce et de l’artisanat(UTICA)UGANDA
HortiFresh

ZAMBIA

Zambia Customs and Forwarding Agents Association (ZCFAA)
Zambia Freight Forwarders Association (ZAFFA)ANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT USSTEERING GROUP
Our Steering Group embodies public-private collaboration and puts partnership at
the core of all Alliance work. It comprises representatives of our donor governments
and global business partners. Our Steering Group provides strategic direction,
approves projects, and authorises budgets on a consensus basis.

Amgad Shehata
Senior Vice-President of Global Public
Affairs & Strategy
UPSDavid Lepage
Deputy Director, Economic Relations andStrategy Division, Strategic Policy Branch
Global Affairs Canada

Jochen Daechert
Vice-President of Global Customs
BASF

Leila Aridi Afas
Director of Global Public Policy
Toyota Motor North America

Mark FeDuke
Director of Risk Management
and Regulatory Affairs
ArdoVLMPaul Fekete
Senior International Trade Advisor
USAID

Sarah Thorn
Senior Director of Global
Government Affairs
WalmartStephan Bethe
Head of Division Trade Policy,
German Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development
BMZ

Steven PopeHead of Trade Facilitation (GoTrade)
Deutsche Post DHL Group

Susie Hoeger
Senior Director, Global Trade
Compliance & Policy
Abbott Laboratories

William Petty
Global Product Development Manager,
Customs & Trade Consulting
A.P Moller - Maersk

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT USYEAR IN REVIEWTo end-2022, Alliance initiatives achieved
an initial 10x return on investment, saving
US$ 60 million in just seven project countries.
Total business contributions

US$ 3 million

SavingUS$ 60 million

Chambers of Commerce &Associations 125

Initial return on investment

10x

MSMEs 445
Global Business Partners 41
New Global Business Partners 2
Public Private Dialogues 88
Completed Projects 10
Projects in Implementation 16
New Projects 2

Food security
Digitalisation

Resilience

Project Countries 31

Moving critical
goods

Regulatory change

Public Private
Partnership
MSMEs

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Gender

BENEFITSTransparency

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

1. ABOUT US

LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTORPHILIPPE ISLER

2022 was the year when all our hard work really paid off at
scale. In successfully delivering 10 projects in seven countries
across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, we continued our
acceleration, further demonstrating our unique public
private partnership approach to trade facilitation.
By providing a platform for businessesof all sizes to work together withgovernment in implementing tradereforms, the Alliance is continuing
to achieve measurable time andcost savings for traders throughpublic-private collaboration.
Our progress in 2022 goes far
beyond the number of projectcompletions; it highlights the diverse
ways in which trade facilitation istackling many of our greatest sharedchallenges, including food security,
global health and climate change.
Our projects speak to this diversity,
ranging from enhancing food security;
speeding up imports of critical
healthcare goods and vaccines tovulnerable populations; supporting
supply chains to become more
resilient; to democratising trade bytaking concrete actions to makeinternational commerce more inclusive
for micro, small and medium-sizedenterprises (MSMEs) and women.
Our 2022 Annual Report is pepperedwith first-hand accounts fromtraders benefitting from public
private partnership, including lesstime spent mired in paperwork,
travel to government offices andlong waits to collect documents.
It also shows how traders benefit
from other aspects of public private
partnership, not least the forging
of unprecedented trust between
government and business, paving
the way for better collaboration.
Digitalising processes enhancestransparency. Replacing manual
procedures with predictable, seamlessdigital systems underpins business
confidence and is also integral intackling the corruption that erodes

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

democratic governance and deprives
countries of much-needed revenues.
The international trading environment
has changed substantially since theWorld Trade Organization Trade
Facilitation Agreement (TFA) enteredinto force in 2017 but implementing it
in full has never been more relevant
for building resilience and realisingsustainable development goals. Our
work supports developing countries
and least developed countries infulfilling their commitments under theagreement. Recent adverse events
such as the COVID-19 pandemic andthe conflict in Ukraine underline worldinterdependency and the importanceof trade facilitation in keeping goods
moving. Strengthening global supply
chains by introducing better processes
and by cutting red tape may not
generate many headlines, but it isvital for continued economic growth.
Moreover, supporting initiatives
such as simplifying reverse supply
chains to boost the circular economy
and optimising trade routes toreduce emissions are essential toa greener future. We are aiming tointensify our work in this domain.

Our reputation has grown anddemand for our assistance has
never been greater from countries
most in need of our knowledge,
expertise, and experience. While wemust adapt as the world evolves,
we face the coming years confident
in our approach and our abilities.
I would like to thank our staff andour teams in various regions of
the world for their hard work inbringing so many projects acrossthe line and in continuing to bringothers to fruition. I would also liketo thank our host organisations
and implementing partners.
Finally, I wish to thank our donor
countries – the United States ofAmerica, Canada and Germany, as
well as our private sector partners
for their continuing support andclose operational collaboration whichmakes the Alliance what it is today.
At a time when good news is thin on
the ground, the Alliance is a provensuccess story. Join us in making a real
impact through trade facilitation.

We will continue to use tried andtested solutions for tackling existing
challenges while also being alive to
new innovations and collaborations.
In 2022 we announced our formal
partnership arrangement with UNICEF
to help deliver critical supplies
quickly and efficiently to vulnerable
communities and we also signed anagreement with the Islamic Centre
for Development of Trade (ICDT) to
support its member states in achieving
inclusive economic growth throughfulfilling their TFA commitments,
particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS– Streamlining certification in Ecuador, Jordan & Tunisia /PAGES 12-14– Modernising agri-food trade in Senegal /PAGES 15-16– Expediting medical aid to Mozambique /PAGE 17– Preparing for future disasters /PAGES 18-19– Enhancing transparency /PAGE 20

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

STREAMLINING
CERTIFICATION IN ECUADOR,JORDAN AND TUNISIAThe Alliance is partnering with
the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) Secretariat tosupport developing countries andleast developed countries (LDCs) inintroducing electronic phytosanitarycertificates, or ePhytos, boosting foodsecurity by making trade simpler,
faster, and more cost-effective whilestrengthening plant health protection
and consumer safety.
After successful implementationin Morocco in 2020, the Alliancecompleted the integration of thiselectronic certification solution in
Ecuador, Jordan, Madagascar, andSenegal during 2022, with additional
projects scheduled for completion
during 2023 in Cameroon, Colombia,
Fiji, and Thailand.
The IPPC ePhyto Solution allows
end-to-end phytosanitary certificate
exchange through a central hub,quickly, accurately, and at low cost.
Digitalisation improves end-to-end
visibility and transparency, while
replacing wasteful, duplicative
systems. It also enables timely
amendment of certificates in cases ofrejection by the destination country.

ECUADOR
Supported by the Alliance, Ecuador,
the world’s biggest banana exporterand a major producer of other crops
such as cut flowers and cocoa,
adopted the IPPC ePhyto Solution
in 2022, replacing cumbersome,manual procedures.
The country issues around 370,000
phytosanitary export certificates ayear, 75% of them for bananas andcut flowers.
Typically, it would take almost
eight hours over five working
days for exporters to obtain aphytosanitary certificate. An initial
email application would trigger
an official, on-site inspection.
Following approval an exporter
would then have to travel to a
district National Plant Protection
Organisation (NPPO) office topresent the inspection report, makepayment and receive the necessary
documentation for presentation at
an NPPO control post at an airport
or for accompanying shipmentsby sea. And all the while, the clock
was ticking – following inspection
approval, exporters have just 72
hours to ship a consignment or start
the process all over again.
12

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONThe next steps created yet more
uncertainty. The exporter would
courier, post or send the certificate
with the shipment to an importer forcustoms clearance on arrival. Alongthe way, this piece of paper would
pass through many hands, making it
prone to loss, damage, and fraud.
Finally, the paperwork might berejected at the destination port ofentry for various reasons, including
illegible handwriting or othernon-compliance issues. In suchcases, these physical documents
had to be returned to Ecuador for
amendments, leading to additional
storage costs, deterioration or evenspoilage of fresh produce, andfrustrated customers.
This piecemeal process underminedfood security while compromising
the government’s ambitions tobolster export volumes.
In Ecuador, a dramatic reduction inprocessing time is projected to save
US $6.2 million a year.

TFA Articles Addressed
Article 2.2:
Consultations
Article 7.4:
Risk management
Article 7.1:
Pre-arrival processing
Article 7.9:
Perishable goods
Article 8:	Border agency
cooperation
Article 10.1:
	Formalities anddocumentation
requirements
Article 10.4: Single Window

Projected savings (annual)

67%
REDUCTION
IN PROCESSING TIME

FROM

8HOURSTO

2HRS 30MINSSAVING*
US$ 6.2M

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

JORDAN
Like other countries transitioning toelectronic phytosanitary certification,
Jordan has ambitious plans to expand
agri-food exports, building on its
reputation as a premium supplier offresh food products such as dates,
tomatoes, and seeds to its mainmarkets, primarily in the Middle East
but also in the European Union andthe United States.
Jordan had partially automated its
phytosanitary system, but issuanceof certificates remained paperbased. Encouraged by the success of
the Alliance’s work in Morocco, thegovernment sought assistance in fully
implementing electronic phytosanitarycertification.
Previously, traders would have tospend at least four hours - and oftenmuch longer - in submitting, paying
for, and collecting certificates. In
common with other countries, theadditional time and cost incurred were
especially discouraging for resourcepoor MSMEs, who were typicallyforced to return a second time to an
NPPO office to collect a certificate.
Traders then endured a nervous few
days, or even weeks, before findingout whether their cargo had been
accepted at its destination.
The Alliance supported Jordan in
introducing the first Arabic versionof the IPPC ePhyto Solution, withsignificant input from MSMEs into
piloting test exchanges with othercountries on the system.

13

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONIn May 2022, a high-level Jordaniandelegation visited the Netherlands,
one of the first countries to exchangeePhyto certificates through the IPPC
ePhyto Hub and an enthusiastic
advocate of the initiative. During
the two-day visit, officials from the
Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture,
Ministry of Digital Economy andCustoms met experts from theNetherlands Food and Consumer
Product Safety Authority, helping to
inform themselves on international
best practice.
The adoption of the IPPC ePhyto
Solution benefits the economy,
exporters, importers, and producers,
with projected potential annual
savings of around US$1 million.
Digitalising the paper phytosanitary
process increases international trustin the country’s produce, making
Jordanian exporters more competitive.
Critically, it also enhances foodsecurity by mitigating decay andspoilage.
Strong engagement from the public
sector improved private sector
trust in the reform process, building
momentum and demand for moredigitalisation in the country. The
success of the project has also
encouraged interest from Jordan’s
main trading partners across theMiddle East.

Projected savings (annual)75%
REDUCTION
IN PROCESSING TIME

FROM

4HOURSTO

1HOUR

SAVING*
US$ 1.2M*includes potential savings from reducing
border delays

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

TUNISIA
Tunisia is a net importer of agricultural
products, including wheat, soybeans,barley, corn, vegetable oils and sugar,
but it also exports foodstuffs, primarily
olive oil, dates, fish products and citrus
fruits.
The country initiated its Tunisia
TradeNet (TTN) Single Window in
2004, enabling traders to complete
many procedures online. However,
the mandatory Certificate ofTechnical Control at Export for agrifood products and other technicalrequirements remained paperbased, forcing exporters to submit
a physical application, present every
consignment for inspection andsampling at designated packing
stations, and collect a hard copy
certificate to present to Customs forexport clearance.
Frequently, these paper certificates
expired by the time consignments
reached border control, requiring
modification, and increasing the timeand cost of trade still further.

This successful project involved
digitalising paper-based processes
and integrating them into the TTNSingle Window. Simplifying theseexport procedures is expected tocontribute to economic development,
export growth and MSME job creation,
especially in rural areas.
Digitalising and automating thesystem for requesting and issuingexport certificates for Tunisian foodexporters also helps in boosting
competitiveness.

The new system will save exporters
significant administrative time andcost by reducing the likelihood of
having to request extensions tocertificates due to expiry. Previously,
14% of certificates required extension.
By speeding up the entire process, the
new system slashes the incidence ofextensions and slashes reissue timefrom 9 hours to 11 minutes.

“Before I discovered thisplatform, I had to fill out
three or four different
forms. It was complicatedand time consuming. The
platform will solve thisproblem entirely.”

Ibtissem Jmel, Export Manager
at the Association of Cap
Bon Canned Food Producers(SCAPCB), Tunisia

The Alliance supported Tunisia’s Officeof Trade (OCT), the government
body responsible for controllingand certifying export procedures,in simplifying issuance of thesecertificates. The private sector was
actively involved throughout project
development and implementation,
including participating in change
management workshops designed toraise awareness of the benefits of the
new systems.

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

MODERNISING AGRI-FOOD
TRADE IN SENEGAL

Senegal’s population has more than doubled overthe past 30 years, from under eight million to almost
18 million, with more than half living in urban areas.
The capital city, Dakar, is now home to 3.3 million
people, increasing from 1.5 million in 1993.
On its doorstep sits the southern endof the fertile Niayes Valley, sourceof up to two-thirds of the country’s
fresh fruit and vegetables and around
80% of fresh food exports, including
staples such as tomatoes, onions, andpotatoes.
Demographic projections suggestthat Africa will host 3.9 billion people
by the end of this century – 40% of
the world’s population. In 1950, thisfigure was just 10%. Moreover, themajority will live in towns and cities,
not rural areas.
The population increases and urban
drift are already putting pressure on
food supplies. Global crises, including
climate change, pandemics, andconflict in certain places, only add
greater urgency to food security,
which requires stability of supply,
ready availability, affordability, andreasonable quality.
Like many countries, Senegal grows
its own crops for domestic and export
markets while also relying heavily
on imports of agricultural inputs
and finished products to feed its
population.
In 2022, the Alliance completed twocomplementary projects in Senegal,
streamlining key import and export
processes to bolster food security
while increasing export potential,
especially for micro, small andmedium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The Alliance worked with thegovernment and local businesses,
including Niayes Valley farmers andtheir representatives, in digitalising
key, paper-based trade procedures.
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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Replacing the paper-based reshipment authorisation of importpermits with a seamless, application
process through a bespoke platform
has allowed businesses to makeonline requests and payments to the
Directorate of Plant Protection (DPV).
Removing the need to make requests
and payments in person reduces timeand cost for traders.
These reforms are projected to reduce
the average permit processing timeby nine hours, or 12.5%, while saving
traders US$ 33 a permit. It is also fareasier for traders to modify or replace
permits in cases of expiry before
completing the importation.
Following a successful launch in May
2022, the government made this new
system mandatory for the limited
number of seed importers in the
country. By end-2022, 25 companies
were using the new platform, withmore than 600 permits issued.
Importers who also export will benefit
twice, following the introduction ofelectronic phytosanitary certificates,
or ePhytos. The Alliance supported
the DPV in adopting the International
Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
ePhyto Solution. Replacing a manual,
paper-based system with seamless
electronic exchange reduces the timeand cost of trade while enhancing
transparency and minimising losses
incurred through delays.

TFA Articles Addressed
Article 2.2:
Consultations
Article 7.4:
Risk management
Article 7.1:
Pre-arrival processing
Article 7.9:
Perishable goods
Article 8: 	Border agency cooperation
Article 10.1: 	Formalities anddocumentation
requirements
Article 10.4: Single Window

fuel consumption, and landfill costs –including wasted packaging – should
also be factored in.
In 2022, Senegal exchanged morethan 800 certificates through the
IPPC ePhyto Hub. Switching fully fromthe previous, manual procedures is
projected to generate annual savingsof over half a million U.S. dollars to theeconomy.

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

14% of world population<1% share of global export
goods trade
Source: WTO

Losses incurred in decay andspoilage extend far beyond the valueof the goods themselves. Inputs
such as seeds, water, sanitation,
fertilisers, transport, refrigeration,
ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

MODERNISING AGRI-FOOD TRADE IN SENEGAL continued.
As a result of these projects, Senegal
can anticipate improving food security
while becoming more competitive inglobal markets. Individual producers
can expect to save time and costthrough easier importation of theseeds and plants they require to

produce crops, while exporters of
this produce will benefit from ePhyto
adoption, showing their cargoes ofplants and plant products are free ofpests and disease.

present or have been otherwise
occupied and that would havemeant another journey or having
to arrange an overnight stay.”effort to understand the true
nature of our problems. We don’t
always see this level of private
sector association involvement.”

The benefits of ePhyto adoption will
likely be further enhanced throughthe introduction of a batch e-payment
system anticipated in 2023, allowing
traders to pay for multiple electronic
certificates in a single transaction.

Making a real difference
Niayes Valley food producers
were used to battling heavy
traffic on journeys to and from
Dakar to complete phytosanitary
procedures. The entire processoften entailed several visits andcost around $US 10 - an average
day’s wages and transport costs– just to obtain the necessary
certificate.

“Before now, everything was
heavily centralised, and no matter
where you were in the country,
you were forced to come to
Dakar to get the certificate,”
explained Mamadou Ndiaye,
Coordinator of the Associationof Market Gardening Unions of
Niayes (AUMN), which represents
around 22,000 producers acrossthe Niayes Valley region. “There
would also be unforeseen delays– an officer might not have been

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Thanks to the IPPC ePhyto
Solution, the long hours spent
battling traffic have alreadybecome a bad memory forregistered traders, who can
now exchange phytosanitarycertificates electronically,
managing the entire process at
the click of a few buttons from ahome screen.
Mr Ndiaye reserved special praisefor public private partnership.

“The project took into
consideration and responded to
the real needs of small producers
and traders,” he said. “The local
project team engaged with us
from start to finish, making the

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

EXPEDITING MEDICAL AID
TO MOZAMBIQUE
Years before the COVID-19 pandemic, theWorld Trade Organization Trade Facilitation
Agreement (TFA) recognised the potential
benefits of streamlining border procedures for
global healthcare and strengthening resilienceagainst current and future emergencies,
particularly in developing countries and least
developed countries (LDCs).
During 2022 the Alliance completed
two separate but complementary
projects in Mozambique, a country
that has made steady progressin reducing child mortality rates
but where, like many other places,
common ailments still represent
serious challenges to public health.
Malaria is endemic in Mozambique,accounting for 4.25% of global casesand 3.8% of global deaths, withpregnant women and children mostat risk. HIV/AIDS has also hit the
population particularly hard, infecting
around 1.5 million people every year
and causing almost 40,000 deaths.

The project has made a significant
contribution toward the government’s
five-year comprehensive vaccination
campaign and boosted overallpublic health by ensuring that all
Mozambicans, particularly children,
are vaccinated against these diseases.
Encouraged by its collaboration in
Mozambique, in March 2022, UNICEF
and the Alliance announced its global
partnership, aiming to help UNICEF indelivering critical supplies quickly andefficiently to vulnerable communities.
Both partners are currently exploring
future collaboration opportunities.

Separately, the Alliance partnered with
UNICEF in supporting government
efforts to digitalise and streamline
imports of routine vaccines, including
those for diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis
B, pneumonia, meningitis, measles,
rubella, and polio, reducing wait timesof between two and four weeks forimport approvals.
The new system has improved
product traceability and predictability,
mitigating the risk of delays becauseof misplaced, incorrect, or damaged
paperwork, enabling these criticalgoods to reach vulnerable people
more quickly.

17

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION“The Alliance is doingsome impressive workin the healthcare space,tackling trade facilitation
challenges put forth by its
partners and truly making
an impact in the world.”

Susie Hoeger, Senior Director,
Global Trade Compliance & Policy,
Abbott Laboratories

Early detection and treatment ofthese diseases is vital in managing
these conditions and in preventing
their further spread.
The Alliance supported Mozambiquein expediting imports of rapid test kits
(RTKs) for HIV/AIDS and malaria andother medical goods, collaboratingwith Alliance global business partners
Abbott Laboratories, DHL Deutsche
Post and Agility.

TFA Articles Addressed
Article 3:
Advance rulings
Article 7.1:
Pre-arrival processing
Article 8: 	Border agency cooperation
Article 10.1: 	Formalities anddocumentation
requirements

Least Developed Countries (LDCs)“The new system will

ensure timely delivery ofcritical supplies to protect
children from preventable
life-threatening infections
and diseases in every
district, leaving no childbehind. We trust thesuccess of this initiative
will also inspire othercountries where we haveprogrammes in the region,and beyond.”

Malaria in Mozambique:4.25% of global cases
3.8% of global deaths
Source: UNCTAD

Edson Madeira, Chief of Supply& Logistics Section, UNICEF
Mozambique
ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

TFA Articles Addressed
Article 3:
Advance rulings
Article 7.1: 	Pre-arrival processing
Article 7.9:
Perishable goods
Article 10.1:
	Formalities anddocumentation
requirements

PREPARING FOR
FUTURE DISASTERS
Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts
and epidemics afflict some of the world’s poorest
countries with alarming regularity and climatechange models suggest such incidences are only
going to become more frequent.
The World Trade Organization
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)
does not explicitly mention disaster
preparedness but many of its
provisions, including the efficient
movement, release and clearanceof goods, can contribute towards
strengthening emergency relief
efforts.
In Madagascar, tropical cyclones arean annual feature, inflicting loss of lifeand serious infrastructural damage.
Five such storms between January
and March 2022 alone killed morethan 200 people and left almost amillion more without shelter, food, andwater.
Ambitious economic and social
development plans have had to take aback seat to the COVID-19 pandemic
and a severe drought affecting almost
two million people in the south of theisland. And this in a country wheremore than 80% of the 30 million
population subsist on less than US$
2.15 a day, the definition of extreme
poverty.
18

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Climate change forecasts point toless rainfall in the southern part ofthe country in future decades, while
cyclones may intensify in frequency
and strength.
Realising the importance of
streamlining Malagasy importprocedures to expedite imports ofvaccines and protective medical
equipment to combat the COVID-19
pandemic, the World Customs
Organization (WCO), as part of
the WCO COVID-19 Project fundedby the Government of Japan, had
supported Malagasy authorities indrafting new Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) for the clearance
and regularisation of relief goods incases of natural disasters and otherdisruptions.
Previously, the absence of clear, preauthorisation procedures had madeit difficult for organisations involvedin border processes to collaborate inefficiently clearing urgent shipmentsof relief supplies.

“Technical and financial

support from the
Global Alliance forTrade Facilitation
has been a criticalcomponent of improving
the private sector
enabling environment
in Madagascar and has
already helped modernise
trade. This work is an
important contributor
to achieving USAID/
Madagascar’s objectives
for increasing sustainableeconomic opportunities
and resilience and isa great example of‘Progress not Programs’showing real and lasting
improvements in the easeof doing business for boththe private sector andgovernment.”

Randy Chester, Acting Mission
Director, USAID Madagascar
ANNUAL REPORT 2022

2. DELIVERING IMPACTS
PREPARING FOR FUTURE DISASTERS continued.
The Alliance collaborated with theWorld Customs Organization and
the National Center for Disaster
Preparedness at Columbia University
in organising a tropical cyclone
simulation session to gauge how wellthese new procedures would work
during an emergency. Participants
regarded them as helpful in theidentifying the requirements forfaster clearance and suggested
improvements, including additional
training and scenario planning events.
Simulation was quickly overtaken byreality as Tropical Cyclone Batsirai, aCategory 4 hurricane swept towards
the island. In the aftermath, the
SOPs would make a demonstrable
difference in expediting vitalassistance.
Their effectiveness further
encouraged Madagascar in enhancing
its risk management capabilities
by introducing Advance Rulings,
expediting clearance by providing
legally binding decisions on theclassification, origin, and valuationof goods, including vital medical
equipment, prior to import.

“We recognise that tradefacilitation is an important
facet of disaster resilience,serving as a lifeline forcommunities affected bydisasters, with cascading
impacts beyond the
directly impacted areas.
In a world of growing
consequences fromtrade disruptions, andincreasing disasters
disrupting trade, theintegration of resilience
more centrally to trade
strategies will benefit
greatly from the workof the Alliance. We lookforward to continuing
to collaborate with
the Alliance on theseimportant issues.”

Total cost ofnatural disasters
2002-2022
US$ 2.8 trillion
Source: International Disaster Database

Jeff Schlegelmilch, Director,
National Center for Disaster
Preparedness, Columbia Climate
School, Columbia University

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2. DELIVERING IMPACTS

ENHANCING
TRANSPARENCY
In 2022, 86% of public and private
sector stakeholders agreed that Allianceprojects had brought about greatertransparency in trade processes.
International trade requires
transparency and consistency tothrive but moving consignments fromone country to another can provedifficult.
Barriers to trade such as daunting
paperwork, challenging compliancerequirements and lengthy payment
procedures, increase the time andcost of doing business. Processes
may also differ significantly fromone country to another, and when
disputes arise settling them may not
be straightforward.
Recognising the importance of arules-based system, the World Trade
Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation
Agreement (TFA) contains measures
to support consistent, impartial
border controls, including binding
requirements on member states tomake information on procedures
readily available and accessible in aconsistent format.
Promoting fair treatment
Under the agreement, WTO members
must clearly publish informationand guidelines relating to trade
procedures, rates of duty and taxes,
required documents, rules for goods
classification and valuation, rules oforigin, transit procedures, and rules forpenalties and appeals.
Governments must also publish
notifications relating to procedureson the control of foods, beverages,
or feedstuffs at border crossings,
offering the possibility of a second
opinion when consignments are
deemed unsafe.
Authorities must also consult
traders and interested parties before
introducing new or amended laws
related to the movement, release, andclearance of goods. In cases wheretraders have been affected directly
by a customs’ decision or omission,
they are entitled to an explanation andhave the right to appeal.
20

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

Equalising access
These rules aim to level the playing
field for everyone, particularly
micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) discouraged byunpredictable treatment of goods,
by ensuring a consistent trading
environment. Greater transparency
reduces arbitrary decision-making by
officials and makes it more difficult
for traders to engage in the illicit
practices that undermine economic
development and erode confidence ingovernment institutions.
Among MSMEs, women-owned
enterprises, often informal crossborder traders, are especiallyvulnerable. Within the Southern Africa
Development Community, for example,
women make up 70% of informal
cross-border traders. Women often
face higher levels of discriminationand longer waiting times at borders
than men and are therefore more
likely to avoid official border crossings,
leading to undocumented processes
that are subject to arbitrary decisions.
Trade facilitation promotes clear,consistent, and transparent processes,
making it easier to monitor the trading
environment and detect anomalies.
Fair treatment encourages businessand trust in governance. Streamlining
processes, including digitalisingmanual procedures, coupled withregulatory reform is a proven recipe
for enhancing transparency.
TFA commitments
Several Alliance projects address TFA
Article 1 - Publication and Availabilityof Information, which obliges
members to publish trade-related
information in a non-discriminatory
and easily accessible manner.

government and local private sector
to produce online information on
horticultural export procedures. And,in conjunction with the Cambodian
Women Entrepreneurs Association,
we are working to establish an online
portal to provide information thatwill help the women-led businesses
comprising 65% of MSMEs to betternavigate cross-border trade.
Greater transparency is pivotal toenhancing international trade andhelping to equalise access to thebenefits of the global marketplace, forbusinesses and their countries. The
Alliance is committed to making thishappen.

“By facilitating regulator-

industry dialogue as wellas providing training for
MSMEs on export market
regulations, this project[in Peru] promoted
transparency of process
while enabling exporters
to successfully access
export markets.”

Mark Feduke, Director of Risk
Management and Regulatory
Affairs, ArdoVLM

For example, following the successful
completion of a project in Peru during2022, MSMEs can now avail of clear,gender-sensitised guidance on foodexports. In Uganda, as part of awider project, we are supporting the
ANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADE– Working through Public Private Partnership /PAGES 22-23– Catalysing MSMEs /PAGES 24-25– Empowering women in trade /PAGES 26-27

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GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADE

WORKING THROUGH PUBLICPRIVATE PARTNERSHIPThe Alliance is the only international trade reform initiative
structured explicitly around a public private partnershipmodel and committed to measuring the impact of its
projects in terms of time and cost savings for business.
Alliance projects cut through redtape and end costly delays at borders
by bringing together governments
and businesses of all sizes as
equal partners to deliver targeted,measurable trade reforms.
Emphasising digitalisation anddelivering other best practices enablebusinesses to trade more easily thanks
to streamlined and more predictableprocesses. Governments save timeand resources by modernising trade
procedures while still safeguarding
their borders. Alliance projects boost
trade competitiveness and businessconditions, which are key driversof inclusive economic growth andpoverty reduction.
The cornerstone of every project,from inception to completion, is public
22

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

private partnership. Every Allianceproject stems from a joint recognitionof the need to target identified
obstacles to trade and a willingness
to work together to eliminate them.
Acting as a neutral convenor andcatalyst between governmentand business, the Alliance builds
consensus through workshops, public
private dialogues (PPDs), and public
private working groups.
Through these mechanisms, mutually
beneficial partnerships are built,
achieving measurable results in termsof reduction of time and cost of tradewhilst increasing trust, predictability
for business, and transparency.
The Alliance provides technicalsupport and guidance throughout
project development and“The Alliance embodies

USAID’s vision of the
public and private sectors
working collaboratively
to address development
challenges. It has helped
leverage private sector
expertise, resources, andmarket-led solutions
to achieve measurable
outcomes that strengthen
the international trading
system, improving tradecompetitiveness andpromoting inclusive
economic growth andpoverty reduction.”

Paul Fekete, Senior International
Trade Advisor and Trade Team
Lead, USAID

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADE

WORKING THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATEPARTNERSHIP continued.
implementation. It channels knowledge from global
and local businesses to countries where it can havethe greatest impact. A key aspect of our work isthat we involve local companies, including micro,
small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) andwomen-owned businesses, to ensure they sharein the benefits of this knowledge transfer and thedesign and implementation of trade reform projects.
Borders are a shared responsibility: Government
may set the rules, but business drives trade. It isin everyone’s interest for businesses of all sizes
to become more involved in global trade reform,
ensuring alignment with real world goals andsuccessful delivery, with benefits for countries,
companies, and consumers.

PUBLIC PRIVATE DIALOGUES (PPD)
PARTICIPANTS 2022

PPD PARTICIPANTS BY SECTOR

5822

54%

39%

39%

31%

7%

Total number of participantsin PPDs

Average % of women participantsin PPDs

Average % of participants fromMSMEs in PPDs

A high-level Jordanian delegation visited
the Netherlands on a fact-finding mission
during 2022 to better inform themselvesin preparation for digitalising key
agricultural processes

Average % of private sector
participants PPDs

Average % of public sector
participants PPDs

Average % of participants fromother sectors

TRADE FACILITATION INNOVATION DAYS 2022
The Alliance held its inaugural
Trade Facilitation Innovation
Days on September 20 & 21,
2022, in collaboration with the
UN Conference on Trade andDevelopment (UNCTAD), bringing
together a broad range ofprofessionals to spark visionary andpractical ideas and solutions for
streamlining cross-border processes.
This was the latest in a number ofAlliance events, including hackathonsand innovation sprints, seeking
imaginative ways of overcoming
stubborn challenges to trade.
This virtual event featured
contributions from trade facilitation
experts, government officials, border
23

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

agents, logistics professionals,
academics, and other specialists. It
also allowed wider crowdsourcing,where attendees could contribute
their problems and suggested
solutions using innovative newformats not often seen in tradefacilitation events.
The cross-fertilisation of viewpoints
succeeded in breaking down silos,
making it easier to think outside thebox when it comes to identifying
and overcoming barriers to trade.
Collaborating in this disruptive
way encourages multi-disciplinary
cooperation, creating a nurturing
environment for innovation toprosper.

Topics discussed at the event
included:• Turbocharging trade technology• Special trade regimes• The role of trade facilitation intackling climate change• Strengthening supply chains• Mitigating risks• Boosting e-commerce
The event attracted participantsfrom across the world, including
traders with first-hand experience ofexcessive bureaucracy and outdated
procedures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADEECUADORIn 2022, the Alliance supported Ecuador,
the world’s biggest banana exporter anda major producer of other crops, such as
cut flowers and cocoa, in adopting theInternational Plant Protection Convention(IPPC) ePhyto Solution, enabling seamlessexchange of electronic phytosanitarycertificates. The successful transition,founded on public-private collaboration,is projected to save exporters around 1.9
million hours and over US $6 million a year.

“In Ecuador. around 370,000

phytosanitary export
certificates are issued annually.
75% of which are for bananas
and flowers...
The implementation of ePhyto
in Ecuador is an example ofjoint work between international
cooperation, the public andprivate sectors.”“[Speaking] on behalf of Fedexpor, I believe we aremaking a milestone step in the institutionalisationof the country towards digitalisation. We are at an
important starting point – count on the private
sector to implement initiatives like this in the future.”

Patricio Almeida
Executive Director of
Agricalidad

Xavier Rosero
Executive Vice-President of the Ecuadoran Exporters Federation(Fedexpor)

Reform through public
private partnership
An end-survey comprising 320 public and private sector
respondents found high levels of satisfaction regarding thecooperation between both sectors during implementation, withbroad agreement that public private partnership was crucial
to delivery and that working together towards a successful
conclusion had generated trust.

83%

respondents
agreed public
private cooperation
was essential for
implementing the
project

88%

respondents agreed
the project hashelped make trade
processes andrequirements moretransparent

83%

respondents agreed thatcollaboration between
public and private sectors
on trade facilitation
reform intensified becauseof the projectP3 IMPACT AWARD
The Alliance was among the five
finalists in the prestigious Concordia
P3 Impact Award 2022, which
recognises and honours leading
public private partnerships that
improve communities and the world.
At a presentation during the annual
Concordia Summit in New York on
September 19-22, the five judges
praised the work of the finalists
chosen from several hundred
entrants.

Department of State’s Office of
Global Partnerships.
Finalist status recognised theAlliance’s mission to end unequal
access to global markets throughpublic private partnership, bystreamlining the processes
associated with cross-border tradein developing and least developed
countries, making trade simpler,
safer, faster, and more cost-effective.

The P3 Impact Award was createdby Concordia, the University ofVirginia Darden School Institute for
Business in Society, and the U.S.
24

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADE

CATALYSING MSMEs
It would be hard to overstate the importance of micro,
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the economic
and social fabric of developing countries and least
developed countries (LDCs).
According to the United Nations
Department of Economic andSocial Affairs, in 2022 formal SMEs
accounted for up to 45% of total
employment and up to 33% of national
income (GDP) in these countries,
noting that the percentages weremuch higher with the inclusion of
micro enterprises and informal SMEs.
Yet, lack of resources along withbarriers to commerce virtually exclude
these enterprises from the benefits ofglobal trade, also denying economic
opportunity and growth to theircountries.
Empowering MSMEs in accessing
global markets creates jobs, raises
living standards, and ultimately leads
to poverty reduction.
In framing and entering into force
the World Trade Organization(WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement(TFA), WTO members recognised
the outsized benefits full TFA
implementation would have for
MSMEs in these countries.
The Alliance provides opportunities
for small business to participate inshaping trade facilitation through25

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

its MSME Mainstreaming Approach,
informed by two key Alliancedocuments - Trade Facilitation
Agreement Through an MSME
Lens and Small businesses, great
opportunities. Trade facilitation also
plays a significant role in empowering
the other possibilities created bydigital transformation, particularly
e-commerce.
Through its work in supporting
countries in fulfilling their TFA
commitments through public private
partnership, the Alliance is giving
MSMEs a voice in trade facilitation.
MSMEs provide invaluable input at
every stage of project development
and implementation. In 2022, almosta third of the 5,822 participants in
88 Alliance-supported public private
dialogues (PPDs) came from theMSME sector. A total of 445 MSMEs
engaged in these various events, athree-fold increase from the previous
year.

appreciate constraints agencies
encounter while instigating andmanaging change. Early consensus
involving businesses of all sizes,
including MSMEs, helps in creating
and building trust.

“The Alliance operates at

the nexus of trade anddevelopment, providing
timely and expert waysof overcoming tradebarriers for MSMEs,
including women-owned
enterprises, in developing
and least developed
countries.”
David Lepage, Deputy Director,
Economic Relations and Strategy
Division, Strategic Policy Branch,
Global Affairs Canada

Strong MSME representation in
PPDs informs governments on trade
bottlenecks and priority reforms
while enabling companies to better

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADEUGANDAat Agricado Farms Ltd., a private
sector participant in the Alliance’s
Re-engineering Uganda’s Sanitaryand Phytosanitary Inspectionfor Horticultural Exports (RUSH)
project “We expect this project
we are engaging in will eliminate
some of this paperwork.”

The neat rows of files stacked
behind Amina Hudaaya
Namutebi’s desk in her office inthe Uganda capital, Kampala, bear
witness to the sheer volume of
paperwork exporters of fresh fruitand vegetables must negotiate ingetting highly perishable produce
to market.

The Alliance is working withthe government and private
sector in introducing a digitalsolution to enable better datacollection and analytics as a basis
for a modern risk management
system, reducing the volume
of inspections. The Alliance isalso supporting an upgradeof Uganda’s trade information
portal to bolster MSME trade
and to strengthen interagency
coordination.

“Aside from the phytosanitarycertificate, absolutely everythingis paper-based and that’s why
we have so many files” said
Ms. Namutebi, Supply Chain
Manager and Quality controller“When processes are digitalised,
it will make a massive
difference” said Emmanuel
Bwire, Agronomist and Quality
Controller at Roki Fruits andVegetables Ltd., another exporter
taking part in RUSH. “Withdigitalisation, we can betterschedule inspections and more
self-regulation will reduce thenumber of inspections required
based on less risk.”

Time is of the essence
Main export crops like chillis
and avocadoes begin to
deteriorate within days atambient temperatures, making it
essential to get them to market
as quickly as possible, but Mr
Bwire says obtaining these final,
official signoffs can be far fromstraightforward.
When it involves perishable foodproducts, delay is always costly
and can even spell disaster, withsome air routes running only
once a week.

“If you miss the flight, you lose
the customer because they can’t
wait,”
Mr. Bwire said.
The participants in Uganda say
they are already seeing thebenefits of engaging in the RUSH
project, which began in June
2021 and is due for completion inearly-2023.

2.70%

Manufacturing

MSMEs engaged in Allianceprojects by sector in 2022

2.92%

Professional services

1.35%

Supply Chain & Transportation

3.15%

Information Technology

3.82%

32.58%

Wholesale and retail trade

Agriculture; forestry
and fisheries

7.87%
Other

4.49%

Consumer goods

SMEs comprise over 90%of the private sector
among developing
countries and are
responsible for more than
50% of jobs.
Source: World Bank

14.83%
Logistics

26.29%

Food & Beverage

26

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADEEMPOWERING WOMEN IN TRADE
Women face deep-rooted gender discrimination, including inaccessing global markets. Trade facilitation can help in empowering
women, but it requires sensitisation to the additional demands they
face in overcoming endemic inequalities. Informed by mainstreaming
best practices and the knowledge we have garnered, the Alliancegender-sensitises 100% of its projects in practical ways, helping
to ensure women have an equal say in shaping trade reforms.
The Alliance’s Gender Mainstreaming
Guidelines serve as a blueprint
for tackling structural inequalities
experienced by women, emphasising
the importance of sensitising ourwork to be as inclusive as possible.
Female participation in public
private dialogues has increasedby 30% since the introductionof mainstreaming guidelines.
The Alliance is committed to
involving women and women’s
trading associations at every stageof a project to understand theirchallenges, believing there are concrete
actions that can empower women
entrepreneurs, traders, and employees.
These practical supports haveincluded scheduling meetings at
convenient times and places andproviding flexible training opportunities
to maximise participation.
In Peru, for example, the Allianceworked with the private sector andthe agency responsible for issuingfood export licences, the General
Directorate of Environmental
Health and Food Safety (DIGESA)
in making its procedures moretransparent, consistent, anduser-friendly for women.
A group of women entrepreneurs anda gender expert engaged in a series ofAlliance-supported conferences anda workshop, providing direct input
into reforms to address the delays
in issuing pre-market authorisations
and the unpredictable decisionmaking discouraging trade.
This led to the creation of a seriesof gender-sensitive resources suchas a Digital Directory, a practical
27

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION“The Alliance has made a significant impact in implementing

the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, driving positivechange by streamlining customs procedures, promoting
digital solutions, and empowering MSMEs, including
sensitising the needs of women traders. The German Federal
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development,
through its Aid for Trade commitment, is proud to support
the Alliance.”
Stephan Bethe, Head of division trade policy, German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ

manual and infographics that use
inclusive language and respondto the needs of women traders.
The Alliance also supported three
online workshops, providing practicalknowledge of accessing andusing the new materials. Of the 54
companies attending these events,
17 were led or owned by women,with women also representing 33
among 53 DIGESA attendees.
Emphasising the universality ofgender disparity – including thedigital divide - and the diversity of
our efforts in helping to tackle it, in
all its project countries the Allianceis actively engaging organisations
representing women in business.
The project is also working with theCambodia Women Entrepreneurs
Association to develop a new online
portal that will serve as a ‘one-stop
shop’ for MSMEs looking to understandand engage in international tradethrough the enhanced arrangements
between Customs and Cambodia
Post. In 2022 these activities
supported over 70 businesses, with
70% of them women-owned.

In the initial stages of projects, theAlliance gathers data and analyses
sectoral gender disparities. This
informs future activities and supports
governments and local private sectorin facilitating economic empowerment.
For example, in Indonesia a genderanalysis of the fisheries industry
informed recommendations for
improving equality in the sector.
Throughout project implementationthese will guide our actions inensuring all stakeholders have equal
access to resources and activities.

Three billion people still
do not have internet
access, the majority ofthem women and girls
in developing countries
and in least developed
countries, where just 19%
of women are online.
Source: United Nations

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

3. PROMOTING INCLUSIVE TRADE

TRADE IS THE SPICE OF LIFE FOR
CAMBODIAN ENTREPRENEUR
Sopha Seong, a Cambodian entrepreneur is confident she
has a world-class product to sell but like many MSMEs
in developing and least developed countries (LDCs), herbusiness Sela Pepper is finding it difficult to break into
many international markets.
Ms. Soeng is among the women-led
Cambodian MSMEs that worked with
the Alliance to identify their main
trade facilitation challenges anddeliver a project that could tacklethem.
She is enthusiastic about the
Alliance project, citing the need topost samples of her products topotential customers more efficientand growing demand from MSMEs
for more information on exporting
processes.

She has experienced difficulties
in navigating complex exporting
procedures and believes
streamlining e-commerce and thecreation of an online information
portal will be a big help tobusinesses owned or operated by
women.
Sela Pepper has come a longway since 2015 when Ms. Seong
first began building premises andgoing from door-to-door trying
to convince farmers to sell theirproduce to her start-up.

“The gender gap is there

but it is getting better: I
was given the opportunity
to demonstrate my ability
and I have proven it.”“I began when I was 24 years old – I wasvery young with no experience in agriculture,but investors believed in me and I began
believing in me too.”

ALLIANCE GENDER VISION
A world where everyone benefits equally from trade facilitation
reforms; where simple, fast, and cost-effective trade empowers
women entrepreneurs, traders, and employees, and helps them
contribute to their communities.

$6.3 trillion - value of
global e-commerce market
in 2022.
Source: eMarketer, 2022

ALLIANCE GENDER MISSION
To ensure gender sensitivity in our projects. This means avoiding
gender-blind actions, being conscious of the gendered effects of ourwork and employing measures so that our projects benefit men andwomen equally.

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4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCE– Where we work /PAGE 30– The ways we work /PAGE 31– Project snapshots /PAGES 32-37

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4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

WHERE WE WORK
Our project work is designed to directly address theneeds of both governments and the private sector.
This philosophy, alongside our multilateral, multi-donor
approach, has led to a diverse and growing global
project portfolio, addressing a range of TFA provisions.
Our projects cover the spectrumof trade facilitation solutions, frombroad, high-level reforms of customs
regulations through to narrowlyfocused, rapid interventions within
a single sector or industry.

Alliance projects are unique ininternational trade, connecting private
sector expertise with governments
committed to improving theircustoms and border services. To reachapproval, every Alliance project must

TUNISIA
MOROCCOshow that it will deliver measurable
results within the overall objectiveof making trade smoother and morecost-effective for all, including MSMEs
and women-owned businesses.

JORDANBANGLADESHREGIONAL

THAILANDSENEGAL

GUATEMALA

CAMBODIA VIETNAM

NIGERIA

COLOMBIACAMEROONECUADORPERU

UGANDAINDONESIA

MALAWIBRAZILZAMBIAFIJI

MADAGASCARMOZAMBIQUE

IMPLEMENTINGCOMPLETED

Value of Projects
US$ 2.0 m
SCOPINGPROCESS
REINFORCEMENT6%
US$ 7.7 m
COMPLETED

US$ 1.8 m
CLOSEDPROCESSREFORM
28%

29.4

US$
m
TOTAL

US$ 17.9 m
IMPLEMENTING

30

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONDIGITALISATION
40%

SMALL
PACKAGES
5%

SPREAD BY
PROJECTTYPE

HORTICULTURE
3%FISHERIES
3%HEALTHCARE
3%
AUTOMOTIVE
2%SPREAD BY
INDUSTRY

AGRI-FOOD
28%

ALL INDUSTRIES
56%

PROCESSSIMPLIFICATION
26%

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

THE WAYS WE WORK
Our projects fall into three categories: CO-CREATION, BUSINESS ACTION and UPSCALING.
All of our projects stem from joint recognition by the public and private
sectors of the need to target identified trade barriers and the willingness
to work on them together. Every Alliance project is launched with the full
support of the beneficiary government and the local private sector.

CO-CREATION

BUSINESS ACTIONUPSCALING

In co-creation projects, governments
and businesses join with the Allianceto prioritise trade bottlenecks andalign behind the idea of reform.
We then encourage a willingness
to collaborate in developing the
project proposal and ensure theconcept has feasible, targeted andmeasurable goals. The Alliance thenleads project implementation, which
relies on private sector delivery oftechnical expertise, resources, data,or modern systems.

Our business partners alert
us to particular ‘pinch points’hindering trade. We diagnose theunderlying problem and act as
an impartial catalyst to engage
governments in formulating
and delivering solutions.
These targeted, short-term projects
do not require deep policy changes
or sweeping measures to achieve
success, allowing governments
and companies to align behindthem quickly, paving the way
for deeper and wider reforms.

Our successful implementationof trade facilitation reforms has
encouraged other governments
to ask for our help to follow suit.
For example, Morocco’s agri-foodsector has reaped the benefit fromthe country’s adoption of electronic
phytosanitary certificates, orePhytos. The Alliance is now
helping several countries toemulate this success. Our
reputation and the way we work
has also encouraged engagementfrom different government
agencies in the same country.

COUNTRY-FOCUSEDDEEP REFORMDONORS
COUNTRY REQUESTPROCESS-FOCUSEDTARGETED INTERVENTION

CO-CREATIONWITH PRIVATE SECTOR

CO-VALIDATIONWITH GOVERNMENTPRIVATE SECTORCONTINUOUS
PUBLIC-PRIVATE DIALOGUEPROPOSALIMPLEMENTATIONUPSCALE

31

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCEPROJECTS IN IMPLEMENTATIONSUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
MALAWITFA Articles
10.6 Use of Customs Brokers

REGULATORYREFORM

PROCESS
REINFORCEMENT

Customs clearing agents (customs
brokers) play a vital role in moving
goods across borders, helping
businesses of all sizes understand andcomply with complex export and importrequirements.
In Malawi, clearing agents operate in a
weak institutional and legal framework,with limited training which increases therisk of non-compliance with import andexport requirements that inevitably end
up creating more barriers to engage
in international trade. This dynamic isparticularly detrimental to micro, small,and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
that lack the resources to navigate
burdensome processes.
The Alliance supports the Governmentof Malawi in transforming its trade
processes, providing training andnational certification for clearing agentsin line with international best practices.

NIGERIATFA Articles
2.2 Consultations
8 Border Agency Cooperation
10.1 Formalities and Documentation
Requirements

32

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONThe new regulations will come into
force following ministerial approval in
2023. There is particular emphasis on
recruiting and training women clearing
agents, not only to address the gender
gap in this vital component of the
supply chain but also because women
represent a large percentage of informal
cross-border traders in Malawi.
The project also ties in with othergovernment initiatives to tackle
corruption. Malawi has identified
customs fraud as a significant problem
and has introduced various measures
to combat it, including rewarding
anonymous whistleblowers andinformants who provide information on
suspected incidences.

PROCESSSIMPLIFICATION

Moving goods across Nigeria’s borders
can be a cumbersome process for
traders, including often having toprovide the same information to various
border agencies and multiple physicalinspections of the same shipments.
Resulting increases in the time andcost of trade, discourages exports
and imports, damaging the country’s
competitiveness and potentiallydriving up prices for consumers. The
Alliance is working with Nigerian
government partners, businesses, andprivate sector associations to devise
ways of simplifying processes, training
border agency staff, and supporting
improvements. To achieve tangible but
also scalable benefits within a controlledenvironment, the project is focusing on
the largest cargo airport of the country,
the Murtala Muhammed International
Airport in Lagos.

In 2022, the project team mapped air
cargo import and export processes,
identifying bottlenecks for simplification.
Subsequently, the Alliance helped set
up a public-private working group
under the lead of the Customs Area
Comptroller to start collaborating andaddressing the priority issues. Initial
successes include the improvement of
manifest transmission procedures andinitiating regular consultations between
Customs and freight forwarders.
In an Alliance-facilitated review sessionin November 2022, stakeholders decided
to concentrate their efforts during 2023
on introducing joint inspections forimports and exports, improving cargo
security (with a focus on access control
at the gates) and on strengthening
public private consultation andcooperation.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAUGANDATFA Articles
1.2 Information Available throughthe Internet
1.3 Enquiry Points
7.4 Risk Management
7.9 Perishable Goods
10.1 Formalities connected with
Importation, Exportation, andTransitZAMBIATFA Articles
10.6 Use of Customs Brokers

DIGITALISATIONPROCESSREFORM

Inefficient, manual processes meanhorticultural traders must undergo
physical sanitary and Phytosanitary(SPS) inspections on their shipmentsfrom the country’s main transport hub,Entebbe Airport. This discourages plant
exports, particularly among micro,
small and medium-sized enterprises(MSMEs), 30% of them women-owned,
who struggle to risk the potential delays
while absorbing the additional costs. The
Alliance is working with the government
and private sector in introducing a
digital solution to enable better datacollection and analytics as a basis fora modern risk management system,
reducing the volume of inspections. The
Alliance is also supporting an upgradeof Uganda’s trade information portal to

REGULATORYREFORM

bolster MSME trade and to strengtheninteragency coordination. The projectis known as RUSH (Re-engineering
Uganda’s Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary
Inspection of Horticulture Exports).
During 2022, the Alliance supported
government officials in developing
checklists to improve inspection
procedures and in ‘training of trainers’
on best practices in cargo handling. As
part of this process, representatives
from key public and private sector
stakeholders visited Turkey for training
in cargo operations and to learn
more about the benefits of greater
automation and other efficiencies.

PROCESS
REINFORCEMENT

As in neighboring Malawi, the absenceof a proper licensing framework andaccreditation programme for customs
clearing agents creates inconsistencies
and errors in documentation, leading
to high levels of physical inspection
and delays at the border, and a lackof trust between government andtraders that undermines the country’s
competitiveness.
Throughout 2022, the Alliance
continued working with the Zambia

Revenue Authority and private sector
partners in implementing a newlicensing framework involving training
and formal examinations for clearing
agents to ensure greater capacity in theclearing agent industry, and consistency
in the treatment of goods at thecountry’s borders. Some 200 agents
have signed up for online training, andthe new regulations will come into force
following ministerial approval in 2023.

ASIA & THE PACIFICBANGLADESH
TFA Articles
7.2 Electronic Payment
7.9 Perishable Goods
8 Border Agency Cooperation

33

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONDIGITALISATIONPROCESSOPTIMISATION

Bhomra Land Port, the nearest bordercrossing between Bangladesh and thenorth India metropolis of Kolkata, is abusy spot, with more than 450 trucks
on average parked up there every day.
Following completion of the two-storey
Padma Bridge in 2022, the port is set
to become even busier. The bridge
shaves 70km off the journey from the
Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, but more
importantly it replaces erratic ferry
crossings for truckers who may havebeen forced to wait for days to cross.
Determined to avoid the port becoming
the new bottleneck to trade, which
would undermine the considerable
investment in the new bridge, thegovernment and private sector are

working together in digitalising Bhomra
Land Port’s management system,enabling the elimination of cumbersome,
paper-based procedures.
In 2022, the Alliance furthered the
project by signing a Memorandumof Understanding with the Economic
Relations Division of the Ministry of
Finance and conducting the baseline
study. This allows measurement oftime and costs impacts following
the introduction of the new systemand preparing the way for significant
developments in the near term.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCEASIA & THE PACIFICCAMBODIATFA Articles
1 Publication and availability of
information
7.1 Pre-arrival processing
7.4 Risk management
8.2 Border agency cooperation

DIGITALISATIONPROCESSREFORM

E-commerce has exploded in recent
years and is showing no sign ofslowdown. Global e-commerce sales
were worth around US $ 5.2 trillion in
2021, a figure projected to grow by 56%
to about US $ 8.1 trillion by 2026.
In theory, this means any business withthe right product at the right priceshould be able to sell it anywhere in theworld. But the reality is very different –especially for micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (MSMEs) lacking theresources to benefit from international
trade.
Trade reform and digitalisation can makea difference: MSMEs represent 99% of
Cambodia’s private sector but accountfor only 10% of exports, compared toaround 30% in other countries in theregion.
The Alliance is supporting Cambodia
Customs and Cambodia Post in linking
their electronic systems for cross-borderclearance of small postal packages,
making low-value shipments easier,

THAILANDTFA Articles
7.9 Perishable Goods
10.1 Formalities and Documentation
Requirements
10.4 Single Window

34

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONDIGITALISATION

quicker, and more cost-effective. In
tandem, the Alliance is working with
the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs
Association to build an online portal,
providing information and logistics
services to help businesses – particularly
the 65% of MSMEs that are women
owned or led - in accessing global trade.
The project also aims to strengthen
the export readiness of MSMEs
seeking to ship goods internationally,
upscaling their efforts through the Small
Package Exporter Champions (SPEC)
programme.
In July 2022, the Government signed
the official regulation sanctioning theformation of the steering committee,
comprising Ministry of Commerce,
Cambodian Customs, Cambodia
Post and private sector stakeholders
to oversee and provide strategic
guidance for implementing various
key components and activities of the
project.

PROCESSOPTIMISATION

The agri-food sector plays a key rolein Thailand’s economy, representing
8% of GDP and employing roughly 6.4
million people - almost one-third of thetotal labour force. The Department ofAgriculture (DOA) has already taken
significant steps towards the adoptionof electronic phytosanitary certificates,
or ePhytos, but it has yet to connect
to the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) ePhyto Hub, which
will enable it to exchange these vital
documents with many of its main
trading partners, including Australia
and the United States. The Alliance issupporting the government and the
local private sector in fully implementing
the IPPC ePhyto Solution. As well as
upgrading the relevant technology, theproject involves training government
officials and traders in adapting to the
new service.

The project made significant progress
throughout 2022, culminating insuccessful pilot ePhyto test exchanges
with Argentina, Fiji, Australia, New
Zealand, Chile, United States, France,
South Korea and Morocco. Local
private sector agri-business groups
also held an online event facilitatedby the Alliance to raise awarenessof the benefits of ePhyto transition,
engaging with a key DOA official. The
Department of Agriculture, National
Bureau of Agricultural Commodity
and Food Standards, Thai Customs
Department and National Telecom
Public Company have collaborated
closely throughout the course of the
project. This cooperation has eased
technical implementation and will
help in sustaining future private sector
adoption.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCEASIA & THE PACIFIC
VIETNAMTFA Articles
7.1 Pre-arrival Processing
7.3 Separation of Release
7.8 Expedited Shipments
10.1 Formalities and Documentation
Requirements
10.9 Temporary Admission of Goods
and Inward and Outward
Processing
11.6 Freedom of Transit

DIGITALISATIONPROCESSREFORM

Certificates of Origin are an essential
and universal document in international
trade as they determine the duties
owed to the government. In Vietnam,
there has been broad recognition of
the need to modernise the process toissue Certificates of Origin and verify
the origin of goods. Following extensive
consultation with the Government, as
well as local and global businesses,
the Alliance helped in identifying key
reform possibilities.
The Alliance has engaged with the
General Department of Customs(GDVC) and the private sector in
identifying possibilities for digitalisingand reforming current issuanceprocedures. This would lower
the time and cost of trade while
also strengthening transparency
and traceability. Following this, in

FIJI

DIGITALISATIONTFA Articles
7.1 Pre-arrival Processing
7.9 Perishable Goods
10.1 Formalities and Documentation
Requirements

REGULATORYREFORM

September 2022 GDVC produced
a draft circular, recommending
several initiatives to tackle identified
bottlenecks to trade, including thetreatment of documentary errors andthe adoption of clearer language todescribe the timelines for inspections
and issuance of certificates.
There is broad private sector consensus– expressed in a public private dialogue
organised by the Alliance and inother forums, that implementing the
proposals would improve the businessenvironment for traders of all sizes,
including micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (MSMEs), better
integrating them into global supply
chains. As of end-2022, the GDVC was
studying the circular.

PROCESSOPTIMISATION

Agriculture is an important contributor
to income generation and food security
in Fiji, accounting for 8.1% of GDP in
2021, supporting 83% of rural dwellers
and 27% of the total population. The
sector’s importance has become
even more apparent since the island’s
lucrative tourism market collapsed due
to widespread travel restrictions during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
In July 2020, Fiji became one of thefirst countries in the region to adopt
electronic phytosanitary certificates,
or ePhytos, but exchanges wereconfined to New Zealand. The Allianceis supporting the island in taking thefinal steps in fully integrating into
the International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) ePhyto Hub,enabling the exchange of necessary
export and import certification with key
markets quickly, accurately, and at low
cost.
Implementation forms part of abroader government strategy
designed to increase agri-food trade,
complementing its single biggest
export product, raw sugar. Micro, small
and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
produce crops such as papayas,
pineapples, and mangoes in low
volumes, with little of it exported.

traders to the enhanced ePhyto system,
providing appropriate training andassisting BAF in reviewing and revising
its practices to optimise digitalisation.
The initiative aims to improve planningfor the arrival and clearance of plants
and plant products from Fiji when they
arrive at their destination countries;
expedite the clearance of produce fromports; allow faster more cost-effective
completion of required certification;
automate the process for issuingePhytos to non-registered traders;and enable the quick replacement oferroneous paperwork.
During 2022, the public private
partnership driving this initiative set
up a steering committee to oversee
progress. Both sectors participatedin training and early testing of the
new system. Change management
training concluded in several BAF
district offices, with strong satisfaction
recorded among participants working
with new training manuals following
the installation of the necessary IT
equipment. The Alliance also launched
an awareness campaign comprising
workshops and information meetings
to inform private sector of the benefits
and encourage early adoption.

The Alliance is working with the
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) andthe local private sector in connecting

35

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCEASIA & THE PACIFICINDONESIATFA Articles
7.4 Risk management

PROCESSREFORM

Indonesia’s fish imports, mainlymackerel, sardines, and tuna, are treatedas high-risk by the Fish Quarantine
and Inspection Agency (FQIA) of
the Ministry of Marine Affairs andFisheries. High-risk imports face physicalinspection and are kept in storage forup to 13 days pending release. Asidefrom the direct costs of storage andmandatory laboratory testing, there
is risk of spoilage. The Alliance isworking with FQIA and private sector
partners to improve the effectivenessof import controls and inspections byimproving risk management practices,
reducing time and costs for importers
while enhancing the efficiency andeffectiveness of inspection processes.

In 2022, the Alliance officially launched
the project designed to reduce
inspections from 100% to 60%, resulting
in significant time and cost savings
for importers. The initial groundwork
included a review of key indicators,
existing legislation, guidelines, andcurrent operating procedures. A
steering committee was formed,
and its composition confirmed. The
Alliance also helped formulate a
private sector engagement strategy,
completed a stakeholder survey, anda Gender Equality and Social Inclusionassessment.

LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
COLOMBIA
TFA Articles
7.4 Risk Management
7.9 Perishable Goods
8 Border Agency Cooperation
10.1 Formalities andDocumentation Requirements

ECUADORTFA Articles
7.1 Pre-arrival Processing
7.9 Perishable Goods
10.1 Formalities andDocumentation Requirements
10.4 Single Window

36

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONDIGITALISATIONPROCESSOPTIMISATION

Colombia relies heavily on physicalinspections of imports and exports ofagricultural and livestock products,
creating delays at borders and ramping
up time and costs for traders. The
Alliance is working with public sector
bodies, including the main agri-foodenforcement agency, the Instituteof Agriculture and Livestock (ICA),
and private sector stakeholders inintroducing modern risk management
to optimize resources, make intelligent
decisions based on data, and reduce

DIGITALISATION

the rate of inspections for low- risk
products. The Alliance is also supporting
ICA in adopting the International Plant
Protection Convention (IPPC) ePhyto
Solution, substituting paper-based
procedures with the seamless exchangeof electronic phytosanitary certificates(ePhytos). This includes an extensive
training programme for both public
and private sector stakeholders on
best practices in risk management andin operating electronic phytosanitarycertification.

PROCESSOPTIMISATION

Many key trade procedures in Ecuador
remain paper-based, requiring inperson interactions and submissionof multiple documents. The Allianceis supporting the government in
upgrading and adding new e-services
to the country’s Single Window, known
as VUE while also developing new
management systems in agricultural
testing laboratories to increase capacity
and simplifying the process to registerand certify food products. Agri-foodproducers can expect significant timeand cost savings on exports while also
benefiting from easier importation offertilisers, machinery, and aquaculture
inputs. MSMEs represent almost 100%of Ecuador’s private sector but only 3%of these businesses export their goods.
MSMEs have consistently cited non-tariff barriers such as compliance withsanitary standards and cumbersome
rules governing certificates of origin,as significant obstacles to trade - thisproject aims to make it easier for themto break into global markets.
During 2022, the Alliance supported
the planned upgrade of VUE, adding
e-services and providing training on
the new operations. Also, following
extensive consultations with government
agencies, including three public private
dialogues (PPDs) facilitated by the
Alliance, private sector stakeholders had
significant input into recommending
specific improvements in agricultural
testing and sanitary controls to informbest practice in future reforms.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

4. PROJECTS AT A GLANCELATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
GUATEMALA
TFA Articles
8 Border Agency Cooperation
10.1 Formalities andDocumentation Requirements
10.3 Use of international standards

REGIONALTFA Articles
2 Opportunity to Comment,
Information Before Entry into
Force and Consultations
7 Trade Facilitation Measures for
Authorised Operators
12 Customs Cooperation

DIGITALISATIONPROCESSOPTIMISATION

Arrival and departure processing at
Guatemala’s main ports require shipping
agents to make multiple in-person visits
to comply with paper-based formalities,
slowing port operations and clearance
times. This increases the time andcost of doing business. The Alliance ispartnering with the public and private
sectors in Guatemala in automatingthese procedures, creating greater
uniformity and efficiency in line withinternational standards.

DIGITALISATIONPROCESSREFORM

Increased intra-regional trade acrossLatin America and the Caribbean
is highlighting opportunities for
improvement in cross-bordermanagement. To relieve pressure fromgrowing volumes at border crossings,
the Alliance is working with 11 countries
in introducing an Authorised Economic
Operator (AEO) Regional Recognition
Arrangement – the most extensivein the world outside of the European
Union. Companies with AEO statuswill benefit from reduced inspections
on goods and quicker clearance times
at borders, allowing Customs to focus
greater attention on unknown high-risk
cargo, making their operations more

In 2022, following a cost-benefit
analysis to quantify the advantages ofthe modernisation, the project teammade significant progress towards
ensuring 100% of all vessel arrivals
and departures will be electronicallyregistered on a new digital platform.
The team also validated new standard
operating procedures with the five
responsible government agencies andprovided legal support for theirofficial adoption.

PROCESS
REINFORCEMENT

efficient and strengthening security. A
regional arrangement enables mutual
recognition of a company’s AEO statusacross all participating countries,
reducing paperwork for both tradersand Customs.
During 2022, this initiative took a
giant step forward when 11 countries
formally signed up to this ambitious
arrangement, giving preferential
market access to AEO companies.
The endorsement involves Customs
administrations from Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Chile, Dominican Republic, Guatemala,Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICAJORDANTFA Articles
2.2 Consultations
8 Border Agency Cooperation
10.1 Formalities and Documentation
Requirements
10.4 Single Window

DIGITALISATIONPROCESSREFORM

The Alliance is supporting the
introduction of electronic certificatesof origin (eCOs) - vital international
trade records certifying that goods in aparticular export shipment are obtained,
produced, manufactured, or processedin a specific country.
A new online system will be integrated
into the country’s Single Window,
providing secure transmission and37

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONPROCESSOPTIMISATIONPROCESS
REINFORCEMENT

verification by Customs. This will speed
up customs clearance, eliminating
unnecessary administrative overheads
and related expenditures. Working withthe government and the private sector,
the Alliance is helping to digitalise
the current paper-based system.
An electronic platform will save all
stakeholders time and money and is
expected to be particularly beneficial for
MSMEs.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

TODAY 75.6%2023 – 2024

82.6%

16 Feb 2023 – 31 Dec 2024
+7.0%

5. ADVANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATION– Advancing TFA implementation /PAGE 39– Harnessing digitalisation /PAGE 40– Measuring results /PAGE 41

38

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

5. ADVANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATIONADVANCING TFA
IMPLEMENTATION
The invasion of Ukraine
in February 2022 sent
shockwaves around a
global economy stillreeling from the effects
on supply chains of the
COVID-19 pandemic. With
developing countries andleast developed countries
bearing the brunt of surging
energy costs and soaring
debt repayments, there has
never been a more urgent
need to support every effort
to strengthen resilience.

The signatories of the Trade Facilitation
Agreement (TFA) envisioned its
potential to improve and transform thelives and expectations of millions ofpeople, particularly in developing andleast developed countries. The Allianceis continuing to play its part in driving
forward momentum towards realisingtrade facilitation goals. All our projects
address specific TFA articles to deliverconcrete, measurable, sustainable
benefits to governments and tobusinesses of every size, demonstrating
the practical impact of TFA
implementation. TFA implementation
drives economic growth, building
resilience while helping to combat thenegative effects of climate change.
For example, documentation for asingle shipment can involve up to 50
sheets of paper for presentation at
various stages of a cargo journey. In

working towards eliminating manual
processes through digitalisation, theAlliance is not only reducing the timeand cost of trade, but also helping to
reduce deforestation and landfill waste.
Similarly, over three million electronic
phytosanitary, or ePhyto, certificateshave been exchanged throughthe International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) ePhyto Hub sincepiloting began in 2017, saving atleast one piece of paper with everytransaction. Partnering with the IPPC,
the Alliance has supported countries inintroducing the IPPC ePhyto Solution
in several countries , which also helps ineliminating emissions created by trader
journeys to government offices tocollect certificates and make payments.

Global implementation commitments
Implementation commitments according to notification data
TODAY

2023 – 2024

75.6%

2025 – 2027

82.6%

22 Feb 2017 – 15 Feb 2023

90.2%

16 Feb 2023 – 31 Dec 2024

01 Jan 2025 – 31 Dec 2027

+7.0%

+7.6%

2028 ONWARDS

93.9%

01 Jan 2028 – 31 Dec 2050
+3.8%

TODAY 75.6%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% TFA implementation commitments

Developed Members: 23.3%
Cat. A commitments for implementation to date: 39.0%
Cat. B commitments for implementation to date: 9.8%
Cat. C commitments for implementation to date: 3.6%
Cat. B commitments for future implementation: 4.4%
Cat. C commitments for future implementation: 17.3%

90

100

The TFA gives developing countries and least
developed countries (LDCs) the option to havemore time to implement the agreement and torequest technical assistance and support forcapacity building. They must notify these choices
using A, B and C categories:
Category A – a provision notified under thiscategory means that it is deemed implemented
Category B – a provision notified under thiscategory means that the country requires moretime to implement it
Category C – a provision notified under thiscategory means the country needs more time aswell as technical assistance and support
Source: Trade Facilitation Agreement Database (TFAD)
www.tfadatabase.org

Unknown: 2.7%

39

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

5. ADVANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATIONHARNESSING THE POWER OF
DIGITALISATION
Digitalisation in its many forms plays a key role in helping
to combat red tape at borders, streamlining processes tomake trade simpler, faster, more predictable, transparent,
and cost-effective.
The transformative power ofdigitalisation runs through many
Alliance projects but introducing
innovative technology alone will nothave the desired impacts. Successful
implementation requires leadership,
public private sector buy-in, training,
and in some cases, legislative reform.

traders must make time-consuming
trips to the bank to pay service fees
and taxes to the Bhomra Land Port
Authority (BLPA) or Bangladeshi
Customs. As a result, more than
450 trucks a day on average areparked for hours, many of themdelivering perishable goods.

Technical implementation also
involves process rationalisation,
software development and/or customisation, infrastructure
installation or upgrades, hardware,and software provision, andsupports. The Alliance invests
about half of its project funds into
digitalisation-related projects.

GuatemalaFor example, by harnessing thepossibilities of digitalisation, throughpublic private partnership the Allianceis modernising manual documentation
processes. This produces time andcost savings for stakeholders in manyindustry sectors, including agri-food,healthcare, and consumer goods.
Employing various modernisingtechniques - including theinterfacing of controlling agencies
to local Single Window systems
and enhancing risk management
systems at ports - can save traders
time and cost while enhancing
the effectiveness of customs andother government agencies.
The Alliance uses flexible digitalisation
techniques and applications inovercoming diverse obstacles
to trade across the world.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, for example, truck
drivers are used to long wait
times at Bhomra Land Port on
Bangladesh’s border with India,
where customs clearance can takealmost five hours on any given day.
Everything from verifying a driving
licence and vehicle registration
to generating bills and collecting
payment are handled manually.
Adding to the delays and costs
caused by paper-based processes,

40

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONIn Guatemala, updates to trade
processes at the country’s four main
ports are delivering new efficiencies,
with benefits that can flow across its
economy. Port arrival and departure
processes traditionally have required
shipping agents and ships’ captains
to make multiple in-person visits
to satisfy a range of paper-basedformalities, slowing inspection
and clearance times, and stalling
shipments because of inadequate
inter-agency coordination.
By re-engineering business processes
and introducing automatedsystems to manage port arrivals
and departures, this project isaiming to reduce the time andcost of trade, ultimately boosting
economic competitiveness.
The project also aims to produce
greater uniformity across government
agencies in terms of the typeof documents required at thecountry’s four main ports, while also
designing and implementing a new
Information Technology platform tocentralise shipping documentation.
Cambodia
The Alliance is also supporting
Cambodia Post and the Customs
authority in boosting e-commerce
opportunities for micro, small andmedium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
by linking their respective electronicsystems for processing export
clearances of small packages. In
parallel, we are helping to establish
an ‘e-Trade One Stop Service
Portal’, enabling MSMEs to betternavigate necessary rules andregulations for cross-border trade.

The terms digitisation anddigitalisation are often
confused. Digitisation involves
converting paper-based
information - documents,
photographs - to a digitalformat. Digitalisation is aboutmuch more than this – it isabout integrating Information
Technology into an existing
manual environment, changing
the way people work. The
Alliance advocates and works
towards true digitalisation.
Both entities have electronicsystems for handling small parcel
clearances, but a lack of integrationmeans that Customs declarations
remain in paper format and mustbe filed and processed by hand.
Linking the two systems will reduce
the time and cost of filing andobtaining Customs clearances,encouraging more MSMEs into
global trade. Increased transparency
around Customs processes and tariffs
applying to small package shipments
will further incentivise this process.
Raising the MSME share of
Cambodia’s exports from 10% to
the 30% seen in other Southeast
Asian countries could add asmuch as US$ 3.5 billion a year
to the national economy.

World exports of digitallydelivered services havetripled since 2005,
outpacing goods exports
and reaching an estimatedvalue of US$ 3.8 trillion in
2021.
Source: UNCTADANNUAL REPORT 2022

5. ADVANCING TFA IMPLEMENTATIONTHE IMPORTANCE OFTOTAL MEASUREMENT
Accurate, standardised measurement
is essential for assessing the impact
of projects and the differences they
make in improving people’s lives,
both quantitative and qualitative.
To capture the benefits of tradefacilitation, the Alliance applies
various tools, including standard
Business Process Analysis (BPA) andour bespoke Total Trade and Logistics
Cost (TTLC) methodology, originallydeveloped by A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S.

The Alliance has drawn importantlessons in implementing andcompleting an increasing numberof projects, enabling our dedicatedmeasurement teams to refine ourmethodology and to develop new
ways of measuring the potential andrealised benefits of trade facilitationon the time and cost of trade.

flow of goods, the financial flow of
payments, and the information flow of
trade-related documentation. Thoughseparate, they are interlinked andsub-optimal operation in any of thesecan slow down the entire process.

Impacts on time and cost are
analysed from the perspective of
three supply chain flows: the material

SELLERBUYER
Material flow
2

Financial flow
1
Information flow

1. The interrupted information flow (forexample missing trade documents forcustoms clearance) will interrupt thematerial flow of goods.
2. If goods cannot leave or enter anothercountry, the buyer of the goods will defer
payment – therefore the financial flow isinterupted.

We pay particular attention tomeasuring the impacts that
faster, more reliable obtention
and transmission of information
have on cross-border trade.
This includes capturing the indirect
costs of delays and long lead times,
such as wasted work hours, latedelivery penalties, lost orders, extra
storage and inventory costs, anddemurrage and detention charges.
Such indirect costs havecascading effects and can severely
impact supply chains, drive up
production costs and hurt the
reputations of both importers
and exporters, significantly
eroding trade competitiveness.

41

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONWASTEDWORK HOURS

DEMURRAGE
STORAGELATE
DELIVERYIDLE
TRUCKING

INDIRECTCOSTSDAMAGE &SPOILAGE

LOST
PRODUCTIONLOST
ORDERS

THEFT OFCARGOINVENTORYDETENTION

SHUT-OUT
CHARGESANNUAL REPORT 2022

6. FINANCIAL SUMMARY– 2022 Financial Summary /PAGE 43

42

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATIONANNUAL REPORT 2022

6. FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2022 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
INCOME

Donor contribution

US$

13,695,111

EXPENDITURE

Work stream 1:
Creating public private partnerships and multi-stakeholder dialogues

2,260,083

Work stream 2:
Delivering commercially-measurable trade facilitation reforms(in-country projects)

10,466,679

Work stream 3:
Measuring results and building trade facilitation knowledge

TOTAL

43

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TRADE FACILITATION

968,349

13,695,111

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation Annual Report 2022
Copyright © 2023 Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation

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information, please contact us at
info@tradefacilitation.org
www.tradefacilitation.org
global-alliance-for-trade-facilitation@GATFnews

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