Story: Fast-Track to improved cross-border trade in Central Asia

In Tajikistan, a new regulation helps simplify existing ones with support from Ready4Trade Central Asia.

by ITC News

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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on trade, Tajikistan is taking great strides to remove regulatory and procedural barriers. Exporting from and importing to this country will soon be as easy as ABC. As of last August, companies can apply to become an “Authorized Economic Operator” (AEO) through an innovative mechanism set up by the local authorities. This new trade facilitation regulation aims to enhance international supply chains security and facilitate legitimate trade in Tajikistan.

The new changes introduced to the Customs Code of Tajikistan allow companies, which meet pre-defined criteria that prove they conduct their business in a transparent and trustworthy manner, to apply for the AEO status. This new regulation to facilitate import, export, and transit formalities in Tajikistan is part of the country’s WTO obligations on the simplification of trade procedures, and contributes to its compliance with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The national Customs Service developed the AEO regulation mechanism in close cooperation with the International Trade Center and with the financial support of the European Union, under the Ready4Trade-Central Asia project.

The AEO status will provide priority access to companies for customs clearance and control processes. Although they will have to submit the same customs documents, they will be able to go through the procedures and formalities faster and without any additional fees. Businesses with this AEO status will also be able to choose to go through the customs clearance procedures in their own storage facilities or in open areas.

Pierre Bonthonneau, ITC Trade Facilitation Adviser points out: “This new regulation will reduce the time and costs of cross-border procedures for any business registered as an AEO. It will assist the Tajik small and medium-sized enterprises to import raw materials and machinery and export their products in a way that will be both easier and faster, thus improving their competitiveness in the regional and international markets”.

The national Customs Service is responsible for issuing, cancelling, suspending and revoking a certificate of inclusion in the official registry of AEOs. ITC’s support included helping the Customs Service develop the right processes for the AEO status, and training both the private sector and customs officers for a smooth enforcement of this new regulation.

The Head of the EU Delegation in Tajikistan, H.E. Marilyn Josefson, highlighted the significance of this achievement not only for Tajik businesses but also for European businesses operating in Tajikistan.

With the project ‘Ready4Trade Central Asia’, the European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are joining forces to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. The Ready4Trade Central Asia project supports governments, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular women led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations (BSOs). The project operates in five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

With deep sorrow and sadness we share with you the passing away of Mr. Surat Toymastov, a renowned photographer and a man who greatly contributed to the development of the tourism in Tajikistan and who introduced the world with beauties of his beloved country.

Surat, as a national consultant (2013-2014), assisted ITC to map Tajikistan’s touristic destinations and link the tourism to creative industries. It has been always pleasure to collaborate with such a dedicated professional and nice personality.

The ITC team would like to express its profound sympathy and condolences to Surat’s family.

Худованд дари ҷаннатро барояш боз намояд.

В Таджикистане сократился экспорт текстильной продукции

Сумма экспорта текстильных материалов в Таджикистане снизилась на 11,5%, продажа хлопка-волокна по весу выросла на 1,3%, а по стоимости снизилась на 12%

ДУШАНБЕ, 28 авг — Sputnik. В Таджикистане сумма экспорта текстильных материалов и изделий из них за семь месяцев 2020 года сократилась на 11,5%, сообщает “Авеста”.

Так, по данным таможенной службы, с января по июль сумма экспорта текстильных материалов и изделий составила 84,6 миллиона долларов, что на 11,5% меньше показателя аналогичного периода 2019 года.

Из этой суммы свыше 52,5 миллиона долларов приходится на экспорт хлопка-волокна. 

Всего продукции продано в объеме более 38,3 тысячи тонн.

Так, по сравнению с прошлогодними показателями продажа хлопка-волокна по весу выросла на 1,3%, а по стоимости снизилась на 12%.

По данным профильных ведомств экономического блока страны, ранее таджикский хлопок в сыром виде экспортировался в Россию, Китай, Турцию и страны Балтии.

На сегодняшний день география экспорта таджикского сырья расширилась в сторону азиатских стран.

Secretary-General Appoints Pamela Coke-Hamilton of Jamaica Executive Director, International Trade Centre

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Pamela Coke-Hamilton of Jamaica as Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for trade and international business development.

She succeeds Arancha González Laya of Spain, to whom the Secretary-General has expressed appreciation for her dedicated service to the Organization.

Currently Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities at UNCTAD, Ms. Coke-Hamilton brings a breadth of experience and expertise in trade-related capacity-building and sustainable development, having served with the Government of Jamaica, Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) member States in trade negotiations and multilateral institutions, including the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank.  She previously served as Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency, strengthening the capacity of private sector as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through investment promotion.

Ms. Coke-Hamilton brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable economies such as small island developing States and least developed countries, having designed tailored interventions.  She has worked extensively with the private sector across the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, as well as academia, to build trade-related institutional strength within member States.  As a strong proponent of gender equality and mainstreaming in trade, Ms. Coke-Hamilton established the Women Empowered through Export (WeXport) platform to address the disadvantages women-owned firms experience in accessing markets.

She will be leading the ITC at a pivotal moment, given the catastrophic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed on the global trading system, particularly on MSMEs in developing countries, with the Centre required to play a vital role in helping to build stronger and more resilient businesses and countries.

Ms. Coke-Hamilton holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University and an undergraduate degree in international relations from the University of the West Indies.

UN News

Малые и средние предприятия в Центральной Азии, пострадавшие от пандемии, получат поддержку от Европейского Союза и Международного торгового центра

ЕС и МТЦ осуществлят поддержку МСП в Центральной Азии, в том числе возглавляемые женщинами, для увеличения объемов торговли на волне пандемии коронавируса

by ITC News

Международный торговый центр (МТЦ) начал фазу реализации четырехлетнего проекта Ready4Trade в Центральной Азии, с целью обеспечения целевой поддержки развития торговли в Казахстане, Кыргызстане, Таджикистане, Туркменистане и Узбекистане.

Проект, финансируемый Европейским союзом в размере 15 млн. евро, способствует устойчивому и всестороннему экономическому развитию региона посредством поддержки инвестиций, конкурентоспособности и торговли.

МТЦ запускает проект на фоне пандемии COVID-19, которая значительно подорвала международную торговлю и разорила МСП в регионе. Введение мер по упрощению процедур торговли, котораые облегчают трансграничную торговлю, повышают прозрачность и обеспечивают электронную торговлю, помогут смягчить негативные экономические последствия пандемии для МСП в Центральной Азии.

Несмотря на некоторый экономический рост в последние годы, страны Центральной Азии по-прежнему характеризуются низким уровнем диверсификации экономики и сильно зависят от небольшого числа торговых партнеров. Вклад МСП в ВВП и занятость в Центральной Азии, а также их участие в мировой экономике, является низким по сравнению со многими странами Содружества Независимых Государств и Организации экономического сотрудничества и развития. Полноценное участие МСП на региональных и мировых рынках имеет решающее значение для диверсификации экономической деятельности и создания рабочих мест.

Цели проекта Ready4Trade в Центральной Азии направлены на:

• Устранение основных нормативных и процедурных препятствий для международной торговли
• Улучшение возможностей МСП по соблюдению трансграничных требований
• Повышение готовности стран Центральной Азии, в частности компаний, возглавляемых женщинами, к ведению трансграничной электронной торговли
• Расширение возможностей для участия предприятий, возглавляемых женщинами в международной торговле

Запуск следующей фазы проекта Ready4Trade в Центральной Азии следует за начальным шестимесячным этапом, завершившимся в июне 2020 года. На начальном этапе был разработан индивидуальный подход к конкретным потребностям каждой страны-бенефициара. МТЦ будет осуществлять проект, а офисы в странах проекта будут координировать деятельность на уровне своей страны. Представительство ЕС в Казахстане курирует общее руководство проектом.

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International Trade Centre
Jarle Hetland, Media Officer
P: + 41 22 730 0145
M: + 41 79 582 9180
E: hetland@intracen.org

Pandemic-hit small and medium-sized enterprises in Central Asia to get boost from European Union and International Trade Centre

The EU and ITC will support Central Asian SMEs − including those led by women − to increase trade volumes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic

by ITC News

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has begun the implementation phase of a four-year Ready4Trade Central Asia project to provide targeted trade development support to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The €15 million European Union-funded project contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development of the region by supporting investment, competitiveness and trade.

ITC is launching the project against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly disrupted international trade and devastated SMEs in the region. Introducing trade easing measures − such as those that facilitate cross-border trade, increase transparency and enable e-commerce − will help mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic on SMEs in Central Asia, and help alleviate its drastic economic consequences.

Despite some economic growth in recent years, Central Asian countries remain characterized by a low level of economic diversification and highly dependent on a small number of trading partners. The contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to GDP and employment in Central Asia, and their participation in the world economy, is low compared to many countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The full participation of SMEs in regional and global markets is crucial for diversifying economic activity and creating jobs.

To help spur economic growth, the Ready4Trade Central Asia project will:

• Address key regulatory and procedural obstacles to international trade
• Improve SME capacities to comply with cross-border requirements
• Improve readiness of Central Asian countries, in particular women-led companies, for conducting cross-border e-commerce
• Increase opportunities for women-led enterprises to participate in international trade

The launch of the next phase of the Ready4 Trade Central Asia project follows a six-month inception phase completed in June 2020. The project customized its approach to fit each beneficiary country’s specific needs during the inception phase. ITC will implement the project, while country project offices will coordinate activities at country level. The EU Delegation to Kazakhstan oversees the overall management of the action.

Note for the Editor – About ITC – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

International Trade Centre
Jarle Hetland, Media Officer
P: + 41 22 730 0145
M: + 41 79 582 9180
E: hetland@intracen.org