Webinar Series on Next Generation Trade Facilitation

Targeting specific sectors such as the agricultural sector, which represents a significant proportion of small-scale traders and SMEs can increase the positive impact of trade facilitation on sustainable development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the role of "trade facilitation for agriculture". Measures such as providing testing and laboratory facilities available to help to meet SPS of main trading partners, establishing national standards and accreditation bodies to facilitate compliance with SPS, electronic application and issuance of SPS certificates and special treatment for perishable goods at border-crossings, among others, would lead to a stronger and more resilient post-crisis recovery.

Panellists in this session will discuss good practices in implementing agricultural trade facilitation towards a more inclusive and resilient global trading system.

SMEs face disproportionate barriers to trade due to inadequate access to digital infrastructure, insufficient IT skills and a lack of financial resources. More work needs to be done for the implementation of inclusive measures to promote SMEs in trade.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the role of "trade facilitation for SMEs". Measures such as making SMEs key members of National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs), enabling SMEs to benefit from the AEO scheme, providing technical consultation and training services more easily to SMEs on the use of single windows and, among others, would lead to a stronger and more resilient post-crisis recovery.

Gender inequalities exist in many different areas, creating distinct barriers to women and preventing integration into international trade.The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the role of "trade facilitation for women". Measures such as ensuring women have access to membership in NTFC or similar bodies, TF measures to benefit women involved in trade and Trade facilitation policy/strategy to increase women's participation in trade, among others, would lead to a stronger and more resilient post-crisis recovery.