Save the Date: USAID/World Customs Organization (WCO) Trade Facilitation Conference, September 10-11, 2012
01 August 2012
SATH is at the forefront of pioneering regional corridor work focusing on the introduction of modern trade facilitation tools to countries in Southern Africa to reduce trade costs and streamline logistics. In addition to incorporating lessons learned from previous Trade Hub programs, SATH's work draws on international agreements and guidance documents on supply chain security including the World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework of Standards which has established best practice guidelines, emphasizing both trade facilitation and supply chain security through Customs-to-Customs and Customs-to-business partnerships.
It is now widely accepted that trade, both intra- and extra-regional, is a central factor in regional and national economic growth with associated gains in jobs creation and poverty reduction. The high cost of exporting and importing goods to, from and within Southern Africa discourages international and intra-regional trade, makes commerce and industry less competitive and contributes to food insecurity in the region. Efficient trade facilitation and cost-effective transport services, logistics and customs reforms are critical for expanding and lowering the costs of trade.
The purpose of this conference, "21st Century Trade Facilitation Tools: Increasing International Competitiveness", is to share proven trade facilitation tools (national single window, customs connectivity, coordinated border management and one stop border posts) and programs that are being used with positive results by countries around the globe to increase their competitiveness and their Doing Business/Trading Across Border Indices with the view of encouraging more countries in Southern Africa to understand and benefit from these tools.
The conference will be held from September 10-11, 2012, at the Peermont Metcourt Convention Center at Emperor's Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa.
It is now widely accepted that trade, both intra- and extra-regional, is a central factor in regional and national economic growth with associated gains in jobs creation and poverty reduction. The high cost of exporting and importing goods to, from and within Southern Africa discourages international and intra-regional trade, makes commerce and industry less competitive and contributes to food insecurity in the region. Efficient trade facilitation and cost-effective transport services, logistics and customs reforms are critical for expanding and lowering the costs of trade.
The purpose of this conference, "21st Century Trade Facilitation Tools: Increasing International Competitiveness", is to share proven trade facilitation tools (national single window, customs connectivity, coordinated border management and one stop border posts) and programs that are being used with positive results by countries around the globe to increase their competitiveness and their Doing Business/Trading Across Border Indices with the view of encouraging more countries in Southern Africa to understand and benefit from these tools.
The conference will be held from September 10-11, 2012, at the Peermont Metcourt Convention Center at Emperor's Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Activities