As countries adopt radical measures to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, international trade and transport systems are under tremendous stress.
Early evidence shows that international trade is collapsing, threatening access to goods and critical supplies.
In response, a new United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) policy made public on Tueady outlines a ten-point action plan to help industries involved in the movement of goods keep free-flowing trade afloat during the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath.
“Trade facilitation is about keeping goods moving, so we must do our utmost to ensure the crisis doesn’t slow the movement of critical supplies,” said Shamika Sirimanne, UNCTAD’s director of technology and logistics.
“Facilitating trade and the transport of goods has become more important than ever, to avoid logistical obstacles that lead to shortages of necessary supplies.”
The policy brief presents concrete measures to facilitate transport and trade while protecting people from contracting COVID-19.
According to a statement from the UN body, it echoes an earlier call by UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi to keep ships moving, ports open and cross-border trade flowing during this crisis period.
“The foundations for recovery from COVID-19 need to be set today. This includes ensuring transport services, ports and border agencies not only remain operational, but are also effectively strengthened to cope with the unprecedented challenges they face.
“The action plan is rooted in UNCTAD’s work with both international policy experts and operators on the ground, through its trade facilitation, customs automation and maritime transport programmes.
10 steps to keep trade moving
UNCTAD proposes 10 policy measures to cover maritime transport, customs operations, transit, transparency and legal issues, as well as technology to enhance paperless trade processes. The plan calls for policies that:
Ensure uninterrupted shipping
Keep ports open
Protect international trade of critical goods and speed up customs clearance and trade facilitation
Facilitate cross-border transport
Ensure the right of transit
Safeguard transparency and up-to-date information
Promote paperless systems
Address early-on legal implications for commercial parties
Protect shippers and transport service providers alike
Prioritize technical assistance
The policy brief calls on governments to ensure health measures are implemented in ports and border crossings in ways that minimize interference with international traffic and trade.
It also emphasizes the need for people involved in the movement of trucks, ships, and planes to be given the status of critical personnel.
