Ghana, other developing countries to boost trade through UNCTAD, IATA e-commerce platform

On August 16, 2021, 10:53 AM

Ghana and 99 other developing countries would see an improvement in their opportunities in the global trade area through electronic commerce (e-commerce) using database management and an operating system known as the ASYCUDAWorld.

This is being made possible through an extended partnership between the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The extended collaboration aimed at facilitating international trade, particularly e-commerce, was announced through a press statement published on IATA’s website on Thursday, August 12.

The two organisations would promote the adoption of integration of a globally recognised air cargo system, which measures standards for automated customs management by each country’s revenue service.

By so doing, the benefiting countries would be integrated into UNCTAD’s automated customs management system, through air cargo messaging standards (Cargo-XML) under ASYCUDAWorld.

The implementers have noted that the system would facilitate international trade especially e-commerce, with 100 developing countries, selected for the deployment of the latest version of ASYCUDAworld, which enables more efficient processing of cargo shipment.

ASYCUDAworld would manage e-commerce shipments efficiently by adding suitable risk management and assessment for mail shipments, and facilitate access to IATA enhanced partnerships identification and continue utilising the platform.

The platform would also enable customs authorities to share advanced cargo mail information requirements across the digital supply chain (Air logistics, freight forwarding ground handlers and third party messaging service providers.

The collaboration between UNCTAD and IATA would also include the potential exchange of additional operational electronic information such as air cargo rules, flight schedules and others that can assist customs officials in their risk assessments.

Commenting on the project, the Technology and Logistics Director, UNCTAD, Shamika Sirimanne, said, “Through this extended partnership, we look forward to leveraging the leadership of UNCTAD and IATA in their respective fields to boost e-commerce in developing countries through improved exchanges of trade data.”

The collaboration would create an opportunity for both organisations to leverage their leadership in their respective fields to boost electronic commerce in developing countries through improved exchanges of trade data.

According to the IATA Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen, “UNCTAD and IATA are working together to support economic operations for e-commerce by modernising data exchange needed for customs clearance”.

“Global standards enable accurate information and effective risk assessments. This in turn promotes stronger compliance. It will contribute to a safe supply chain, which should give authorities confidence in modern processes,” Mr Careen added.

AITA’s Enhanced Partner Identification and Connectivity (EPIC) platform

The Enhanced Partner Identification and Connectivity (EPIC) platform, which was launched in March this year, is spearheading the IATA- UNCTAD international trade partnership.

EPIC simplifies the complex process of making digital connections across the air cargo value chain, including enabling the efficient exchange of critical information such as messaging capabilities and identities, and costs companies between $999 and $10,999 a year.

Story By Francis Ntow