Online Repository of Contributions to the Policy Hackathon on Model Provisions for Trade in Times of Crisis and Pandemic
This Online repository provides access to written contributions submitted by participants to the Policy Hackathon on Model Provisions for Trade in Times of Crisis and Pandemic in Regional and Other Trade Agreements. The contributions featured in this Online repository have been made available as received and are under the sole responsibility of their author(s).
A brief overview of contributions is also available here.
Trade facilitation in times of pandemic: practices from the East and North- East Asia
Based on accumulated lessons and practices in ENEA countries during COVID-19 pandemic, the paper asses the measures that can be adopted by other countries in their battle against the pandemic. It also discusses measures that can be maintained in the post-pandemic “new normal”, as well as preparedness that should be institutionalized for future emergencies.
As countries in this sub-region begin to reopen and resume work, it is essential that we prevent a second wave of the pandemic, make supply chains more resilient and boost confidence in the global economy through strengthened coordination, as well as improved and holistic trade facilitation measures. Countries that have not yet implemented these trade facilitation measures should accelerate their process.
Trade facilitation in times of pandemic: practices from North and Central Asia
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated attempts to contain its spread have created unprecedented hurdles to international trade. This paper reviews trade facilitation measures implemented in North and Central Asia (NCA), including transport and trade finance facilitation. All NCA countries have sought to protect the public health by restricting movement of people (including across borders) and applying special sanitary regulations at border crossings. These have included requirements to sanitize trucks, protect customs officials, change drivers, and requiring COVID-19 tests from drivers. Such requirements continue to create significant logistical issues, with often insufficient facilities for drivers. Sanitary requirements have proved simpler to implement for rail freight, creating an advantage for countries with well-developed rail networks. A number of common patterns emerge from the efforts of NCA countries to facilitate trade and transit.