he COVID-19 crisis and policy responses by Governments have highlighted the importance of enhancing trade and global value chain resilience to ensure access to essential goods and services - and accelerate recovery. In that context, ESCAP is organizing a first Expert Group Meeting on Trade Facilitation (TF) Measures in Times of Crisis and Epidemic, in order to identify good practices that countries have implemented during the crisis and develop a set of recommended measures that will help cope with future crises. This 2-part event is a deliverable of a UN Development Account Project on “Transport and Trade Connectivity in the Age of Pandemics”, jointly implemented by UNCTAD and the 5 UN Regional Commissions.
Part 1: TF practices in response to COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific
Subregional studies were conducted in East and North-East Asia, North and Central Asia, South-East Asia and South and South-West Asia, reviewing (best) practices in TF in response to COVID-19 in countries of subregion. Findings from these studies were presented, with a focus on how temporary ad-hoc measures may be (or have already been) converted into long-term TF measures and capacity building needs of developing countries in this area.
Part 2: Development of a UNTF Survey component on TF measures in times of crisis
The UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation will be further developed to include an additional survey component on TF measures in times of crisis and epidemic. Experts involved in the subregional studies, United Nations Regional Commission focal points, and other experts and representatives from agencies discussed to develop the additional survey component.
More information can be found at event website.