Geneva, 19 June 2009
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The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is organizing a regional seminar on trade facilitation, the Single Window for export and import clearance, and data harmonization, for countries of the South Caucasus and their immediate neighbours on 23-24 June 2009, in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The seminar is part of a series of regional initiatives on the Single Window and alignment with international standards, which UNECE is organizing together with the other key international organizations working in this area: the European Commission (DG TAXUD), the World Customs Organization, national administrations from countries such as the United States, Sweden and Finland. Similar initiatives have already been launched in South-East Europe, the countries of the Eurasian Economic Community and in Central Asia. Linking the countries of the South Caucasus to the broader European integration processes, and fostering harmonized trade information flows between Europe and South and Central Asia via the Caucasus region, are two long-term objectives of this initiative.
The Single Window is a system that allows all participants in international trade and transport to file the requested information in only one place, in a standard format, in order to carry out import, export and transit operations. It contributes to fostering legitimate trade flows, economic growth and sustainable development.
Most of the countries in South Caucasus have already developed projects for Single Window systems or electronic Customs, but a key issue is the need to use the same standards and codes for the exchange of information. UNECE and its subsidiary body ― the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) ― have developed a series of Recommendations (such as Recommendation 33 on the Single Window), standards and codes, which provide the lingua franca allowing various trade control bodies, businesses and Single Window systems to exchange information smoothly, using modern automated information and communication technologies.
The seminar will bring together international experts on trade facilitation and the Single Window, decision-makers and experts from the relevant sectors from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine. A new element for the work of UNECE is the support from the Turkish aid agency TIKA, which will provide for the travel expenses of the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Ukrainian participants.
For more information, please contact:
UNECE Trade Division
Mario Apostolov, Regional Adviser,
Tel. +41 (0)22 9171134
E-mail: [email protected]
Ref: ECE/TRADE/09/P06