Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation is a public-private partnership for trade-led growth, supporting governments in developing and least-developed countries in implementing the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. By bringing together governments and businesses of all sizes as equal partners to deliver targeted trade reforms, the Alliance cuts through red tape and end costly delays at borders. 
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Swisscontact Bangladesh
23.8063002
90.4177182
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Swisscontact Uganda
0.3486775
32.6179063
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Swisscontact Cambodia
11.5563738
104.9282099
Project duration
2021 - 2024
Financed by
  • Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
  • USAID
  • Global Affairs Canada
  • Danish International Development Agency

International trade has been recognised by the UN as an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, and an important means to achieve the SDGs. Trade facilitation can reduce costs, increase opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and spark competitiveness and productivity.

Through the Alliance, Swisscontact supports the co-creation and implementation of trade facilitation projects in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Uganda.

By emphasising digitisation and delivering other best practices, the projects enable businesses to trade more easily thanks to streamlined and more predictable processes. Governments save time and resources by modernising trade procedures while still safeguarding their borders. Ultimately, the projects boost trade competitiveness and business conditions, which are key drivers of inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.

The Alliance is led by the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the World Economic Forum, in cooperation with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It is funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, Germany, and Denmark. 

Approach

  • Establishing public-private dialogues on trade facilitation 
    Working with governments, businesses and international organisations to create the right environment for trade reforms that respond directly to business needs.
  • Delivering country trade facilitation projects
    This project is working on the ground in developing and least developed countries to make international trade simpler, faster and more cost-effective.
  • Tackling trade barriers with a business mindset to identify trade issues such as customs delays and unnecessary red-tape at borders, and design and implement targeted reforms. 

Expected results

  • Building on sustainable public-private partnerships and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogues on trade facilitation reform
  • Delivering commercially measurable trade facilitation reforms
  • Capturing lessons learnt from trade facilitation reform through monitoring and evaluation and sharing best practices will encourage more governments and businesses to identify and pursue meaningful reforms.

News

Bangladesh
Trade, Entrepreneurial ecosystems
09.07.2024
Bhomra e-Port Management System goes Live as Bangladesh’s Landmark in Trade Facilitation
The much-anticipated inauguration ceremony of the Bhomra e-Port Management System under the "Digitalisation of the Border Procedures at Bhomra Land Port (DBLP)" project was held at Bhomra Land Port, Satkhira on July 4. This event marks the Goi-Live of the e-Port management system at Bhomra Land Port, a crucial advancement in Bangladesh's trade facilitation infrastructure, aligned with the national vision of creating a Smart Bangladesh. The system aims to initiate digitalisation efforts in promoting simplification, modernisation, and harmonisation of trade processes in land borders.
Bangladesh
Entrepreneurial ecosystems, Upskilling and Reskilling, Sustainable agriculture
23.04.2024
Digitalisation in Development
Bangladesh has experienced a notable surge in digital initiatives in recent years, aimed at modernising its infrastructure, enhancing service delivery, and fostering innovation. In collaboration with local stakeholders and government agencies, Swisscontact is implementing several initiatives to further advance digitalisation, to enhance service delivery, promote economic growth, and uplift livelihoods.
Bangladesh
Trade
21.03.2024
Adoption of the e-Port at Bhomra Land Port leaps forward through intensive training
Digitalisation of Border Procedures at Bhomra Land Port (DBLP) project took significant step forward in adopting and operationalising a modern e-Port management system at the Bhomra Land Port through a transformative six-day intensive training session held from March 6th to March 12th at Bhomra, Shatkhira. This session served as a pivotal platform for structured learning and skill development, fostering essential exchanges between the port stakeholders to enhance their learning and understanding in e-Port operations.