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Organization
On
November 16, 2006, USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey and U.S.
Trade Representative Ambassador Susan Schwab announced a
new $4 million Global Customs Initiative during the 17th
APEC Forum Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, as a key initiative
in the United States Government’s drive to expand
global free and fair trade. USTDA's initiative will initially
create a series of training sessions, orientation visits,
and workshops. It is designed to be flexible and innovative,
thereby maximizing its impact with private sector partners.
Potential topics to be addressed include port and supply
chain security, IPR licensing and enforcement, anti-counterfeiting
and anti-piracy measures, customs valuation, rules of origin,
and compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
The
U.S. Trade and Development
Agency (USTDA) advances economic development and
U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income
countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance,
feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business
workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure
and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic
use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment
policy and decision-making in host countries creates an
enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable
economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA
gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from
U.S. exports of goods and services.
Objective
By organizing customs modernization efforts into a flexible
and innovative platform, the USTDA Global Customs Initiative
will assist participating countries in their adoption of
private sector-driven technical solutions and expand global
markets for U.S. businesses.
GCI
aims to:
•
Improve host country policies, procedures, and regional
cooperation
• Integrate participating countries into the global
environment
• Improve the international market for trade and
investment
•
Apply U.S. private sector solutions to customs modernization
needs
•
Attract U.S. private sector participation and sponsorship
Benefits to Participating Countries
Customs
modernization is an important step in moving developing
and middle-income countries toward greater competitiveness
in the global market. Streamlining the clearance process
to move imports and exports more quickly is crucial to create
a transparent, business-friendly climate. In addition, countries
that undertake customs modernization often benefit from
increased customs revenue and improved supply chain security.
Partnerships
In
July 2007, USTDA selected Management Options, Inc. (MOI)
to implement the first phase of GCI. Management Options,
Inc. (MOI) is a Washington, D.C.-based association management
and international trade consulting firm. Through its JBC
International group, MOI. is recognized as a leader
in customs modernization and supply chain security. From
supply-chain security to regulatory compliance and business
advocacy, MOI provides expertise and analysis for all matters
relating to global trade. MOI is working with event and
marketing professionals from the MFM
Group, and technology specialists from KUPS
International.
To streamline participation by relevant U.S. government
agencies, GCI maintains a Steering Committee that includes
representation from U.S. Trade Development Agency, Customs
and Border Protection, Department of Commerce, U.S. Trade
Representative, Department of Agriculture, and Department
of Transportation. The GCI Steering Committee provides a
central point for the development of agendas and action
items and ensures that GCI will meet the stated goal of
cooperating with U.S. trade policy areas.
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