AS per OECD's new research, multilateral agreement
to cut red tape in international trade would dramatically reduce trading
costs and add a substantial boost to the global economy, according to
new OECD research.
The OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators estimate that comprehensive implementation
of all measures currently being negotiated in the World Trade Organization’s
Doha Development Round would reduce total trade costs by 10% in advanced
economies and by 13-15.5% in developing countries. Reducing global trade
costs by 1% would increase worldwide income by more than USD $40 billion,
most of which would accrue in developing countries, according to the OECD.
“Trade facilitation is about easing access to the global marketplace,” OECD
Secretary-General Angel Gurría said. “Complicated border processes and excess
red tape raise costs, which ultimately fall on businesses, consumers and
our economies.
The trade facilitation negotiations offer countries a golden opportunity
to reduce or eliminate these bottlenecks, cut the cost of trading, boost
the flow of goods and reap greater benefits from international trade,” Mr
Gurría said.
The 16 new trade facilitation indicators correspond to the main policy areas
under negotiation at the WTO, including the availability of trade-related
information, the simplification and harmonisation of documents, the streamlining
of procedures and the use of automated processes and advance rulings.
The Indicators estimate the impact of addressing specific hurdles in the
trade and border procedures in 133 countries while guiding governments as
they prioritise trade facilitation actions. The Indicators also offer a roadmap
for the technical assistance and capacity-building efforts needed to ensure
that emerging and developing economies make the most of trading opportunities.
OECD analysis shows that trade facilitation not only benefits importers.
By reducing trade costs, facilitation also helps boosts exports significantly,
thus allowing firms greater participation in the global value chains that
characterise international trade.
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