Integrated Management of Trade Information Flows:
What must a country do?
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Mario Apostolov, Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade [email protected]
UNECE support for trade facilitation and PRO committees
• Over 40 years of work on trade facilitation standards: UNLK, codes, EDIFACT, etc.
• Recommendation 4: PRO Committees
http://www.unece.org/cefact/rec/rec04en.htm• A network in SEE – SECI PRO Committees
Create a regional network (commitment – the SECI model)
Link to projects
UNECE support for trade facilitation and PRO committees
• Support for PRO committees: Czech-UNECE technical assistance project: internship in CZ, TF seminars in the region
Contact: [email protected]
The importance of managing trade information flows
• Efficiency -> basic trade facilitation (cutting red tape, faster and efficient movement of trade information and goods)
• Security -> improving information gathering is the key
Accepted standards to be used
• National standards for trade documents (usually paper-based documentary procedures)
• UN Layout Key for trade documents (ISO3535: Data Carrier & Formatting: Forms Design Sheet)
• UN Trade Data Elements Directory (UN/TDED) (ISO7372, endorsed by WCO)
• UN Code for ports and other locations (LOCODE)• Other codes• UN/EDIFACT (the only global standard for EDI)• Use of standard software platforms
A key slide
Longer-term objective: integrated management of trade information flows
Single Window
Aligned electronic trade documents
e.g.UNeDocs
Submission of trade data in advance of actual arrival of goods
Exchange of advance info across borders
The effects: • more efficient trade: cutting red tape (ultimate goal of trade facilitation)• more security through better management of information supply chains within countries and across borders –> better risk analysis• integration with Europe [SAD is based on UNLK]
Longer-term objective: UNeDocs
• Objective: Open migration path from paper to electronic document environment
• Based on accepted trade standards for paper documents (national and int’l)
• Potential to use ICT for development and improving security of supply chains
Creating access through technology
Creating access through technologyOpen Source:XML and Web Services
Creating access through technology Adobe Interactive Paper
Security through technologyCooperation UPU and UNECE on digital
signatures for digital Documents
Selecting the electronic ‘Postmark’ tab to validate signature and document integrity.
Information and contacts: [email protected];[email protected]
UNeDocs: 4 Phases
I. Better Paper DocumentsII. Document Data ModelsIII. Digital DocumentsIV. Systems: Automated document processing, Single
electronic Window, electronic Transport Corridors…
Tasks -> Output -> Benefits -> UNeDocs support
UNeDocs Phase 1 Better Paper
Output• Set of aligned national trade documents on paper• Box Completion Guidelines• Both endorsed by key stakeholders• Published on the WebTasks
OrganizationHigh-level Steering Committee (HLSC) of main stake holdersExpert Group to prepare the National Documents
Documents• harmonize documents (common document set in SEE ?)• harmonize data requirements (interagency committee)• align documents with international standards Benefits:
Efficient paper document system, cutting red tape; harmonization of cross border documetary procedures
UNeDocs support: capacity building; Set aligned trade documents (IDS)
UNeDocs Phase 2Document Data Models
Output• Data model for national documents• Based on international standards (UNTDED, WCO data model)• Technology/syntax independent• Detailed, agreed definition of the data contents of documentsTasks
OrganizationHLSC of main stake holdersNat. Document Work Group
Documents• UML data model for each documentBenefits
Readiness for automation of procedures, improving business processes, cross border facilitation
UNeDocs support: IDS Generic data models, Tools & technologies, expertise & capacity building; regional
harmonization
UNeDocs Phase 3digital Paper
Output• EDIFACT Message Implementation Guidelines (optional)• UNeDocs XML documentsTasks
OrganizationNat. Document Work Group
Documents• XML: semi automated generation based on data modelBenefits
Start with electronic Business; computerization of proceduresUNeDocs support:
Tools, capacity building, standards
UNeDocs Phase 4Leveraging digital Documents
Output• Advance exchange of Information• Electronic Single Windows• Sector for Digital Services (ex. UNeDocs Web Services for digital Documents) • eBusiness/eGovernance PoliciesTasks
OrganizationHLSC of main stake holders
Integrate into IT system of stakeholders, Last mile connectivity,
Benefits
Fundament for any automation of documentary procedures
UNeDocs support:
Capacity building, last mile technologies, Reseach & Development: UNeDocs Software Extensions for the IDS; UNeDocs Web Services for Digital Documents, UNeDocs/UPU digital signatures
Harmonization – a key
• If countries harmonize documentary and data requirements with international standards (or create a common document set), UNECE can help with tools – a project to gather the documents and assess their alignment.
• Political will needed – support from existing structures (TRACECA, PRO Cttees, etc) and the donors – EU, World Bank, US, private sector.
The choice of each country – what they want to do
TRACECA
E-Check-Fiche
Harmonizationof procedures Where am I ?
How can I improve ?Who can do it ?
Countries can be on different steps of the ladder. They must choose what they want
UNECE
UNeDocs
UNLK
Capacity building
What a country should do to prepare for a pilot project
1. create a national e-document strategic vision2. make a review of the UNeDocs documents3. focus on one or two key documents4. investigate feasibility for cross border exchange of
electronic documents5. establish and/or strengthen cooperation with
international organizations6. build support for pilot project & create a data model
Before starting implementation – financing and donor support should be guaranteed, and a resource plan developed.
Expected benefits
• Efficient supply of information for managing supply chains
• Scalable to user requirements • Compatible with existing
procedures and regulation• Security of investments
Longer-term objective: Single WindowDefinition (from UN/CEFACT draft Recommendation) • Single Window – “a facility that allows parties
involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.”
• If information is electronic – electronic SW (not obligatory), individual data elements should only be submitted once.
• UN/CEFACT will adopt a Recommendation and Guidelines on SW in summer 2004 (text available)
For an electronic Single Window one needs:
• Well defined documents. • Description of the required information• Electronic documents
This is the link to UNeDocs
Benefits from a Single WindowFor government (both lead agencies and other agencies)• More effective and efficient deployment of resources• Correct (and often increased) revenue yield• Improved trader compliance• Enhanced security (risk profiling & management) • Increased integrity and transparencyFor trade • Cutting cost through reducing delays• Faster clearance and release• Predictable application and explanation of rules• More effective and efficient implementation of rules• Increased transparency
Most common model of a Single Window
Electronic
Authority 3
SingleAuthority
Authority 1
Authority 2
Authority 4
3-a: 'Single Authority'
Paper
Trader(incl. Transport)
Practical steps in planning and
implementing a Single Window • Developing the Initial Concept • Initial Decision to Examine the Feasibility of
a Single Window• Undertaking a Feasibility Study• Consideration of the Feasibility Study Report• Implementation
For more information: [email protected]
Managing risk and information in container trade
Importance of managing trade information flows:• Efficiency • Security (information for risk profiling)
“If we do not know what is in it, it will not move!” Douglas Browning, US Deputy Customs Commissioner, statement at UNECE’s Second International Forum on Trade Facilitation, Geneva, 14 May 2003.
The role of TRACECA, World Bank (TTFSC), etc. in the implementation
of TF tools• Help implement existing TF tools and
standards? • If countries request – implementation
projects of UNeDocs & SW. • Can TTFSE link to implementation
projects on improving the management of information supply chains?
Integrating the information supply chain