Trade facilitation and Export Helpdesk Fabio FABBI, DG TRADE A3
Trade facilitation: what is it? Trade is not only about tariffs, it's about beyond the border issues, including TF TF: simplify, modernise and harmonise import, export and transit procedures - in particular customs requirements In DCs, cost of trade procedures up to 4-5 % of the overall costs of trade transactions 27 to 30 parties, up to 40 customs documents Cost of current average tariff on trade in industrial goods of industrialised countries: 3.8 % Possible savings: around 325 billion per year
Trade facilitation: benefits Increased overall trade flows, both for exports and imports Higher revenue collection (due to increase in trade volume, and higher detection rates of fraud) Return of initial capital costs for modernising procedures Improved efficiency of customs administrations Rule of law contributes to stable business environment and attracts FDIs TF especially important for DCs, in particular landlocked ones
Trade facilitation: what to do Infrastructure and hardware costs: limited Focus on: re-engineering of management techniques and better training and conditions for instance for customs services You don't need a new port or airport, you need to better use what you already have TF legal tools: TF chapters in trade agreements, TF Agreement at the WTO (DDA framework) being negotiated TF projects: Aid for Trade (AfT)
Trade facilitation projects EU Aid for Trade: 2 bln per year. Project deliverables: Shortening of waiting time for goods in transit, customs release and clearance Reduction of trade transaction costs for traders, especially for SMEs Improved revenue collection and effectiveness of border controls Improved relations between authorities involved in border control related activities and the business/trading community
Trade facilitation: a matter of trust
TF key in EU DCs trade relations EU imports from developing countries EU Imports from DCs (2001-2010) Share of Countries Imports from LDCs (2010) (total excluding fuels)
EU Tools for Trade Facilitation Targeted Aid for Trade, focusing on o o Greater assistance to LDCs Synergies between trade-opening and accompanying aid Facilitating trade for Small Operators in Developing Countries Export Helpdesk for exporters from Developing countries FEATURE: Helping Small Operators The EU s proposed package for Small Operators includes: Information on trade policy and markets Promoting Dialogue IPR support tools Facilitating access to finance Simplified proof of origin procedures Participation in sustainabilityschemes
What is the Export Helpdesk? A website to inform you on how to export to the EU A source of information on technical requirements, tariffs, trade agreements, statistics and all the information a business needs to reach the EU market A database on trade in goods Free access: no charge and no password In 6 languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and Russian
How my product should be? It provides you with the full list of requirements your product needs to fulfill to enter the EU market How much will it cost me? It calculates the import tariff applying to your product and informs you if a preferential tariff applies in your specific case How to obtain a preferential tariff? It explains the preferential trade agreements applying to your product and country, along with informing you how to implement them It also explains how to prove the origin of your product With whom can I do business? It provides you with a list of EU trade contacts Who is importing/exporting? It assists your market research by providing detailed statistics on product-by-product EU trade flows
Check it out online! Visit the Export Helpdesk! www.exporthelp.europa.eu DG TRADE http://ec.europa.eu/trade/
Further information EU - Trade Newsletter: www.trade.ec.europa.eu/eutn/ Contact: Fabio Fabbi, Fabio.Fabbi@ec.europa.eu tel +32 2 29 64174 Thank you for your attention!