FIATA E-Flash No. 158 – 16 August 2017_CIRCULAR R.EMP.-F- 35/17

31 agosto, 2017 Ateia

ASSOCIATIONS’ AFFAIRS

1. FIATA World Congress 2017- Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Less than two months to FIATA’s World Congress, the most anticipated event in the industry’s annual calendar. The local host – the Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders (FMFF) is busy making the necessary preparations to welcome delegates to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Apart from the interesting Congress programme, FIATA members can also look forward to an exciting time in Malaysia, which offers a «melting pot» of cultural diversity in its people, food, architecture and history – and an unrivalled showcase of the country’s top-class and fast-expanding regional logistics facilities.

Do not hesitate to register for your delegate pass here: www.fiata2017.org<http://www.fiata2017.org/>

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

2. WTO – Trade Indicator Points to Continued, Modest Recovery of World Trade in Q3

The WTO’s latest World Trade Outlook Indicator (WTOI) suggests that global merchandise trade growth will continue to strengthen in the third quarter of 2017. The latest reading of 102.6 is higher than the previous reading of 102.2 issued in May this year, suggesting sustained momentum for trade growth. Strong performances in air freight, export orders and container shipping are balanced by weaker results in other indices. The WTOI is designed to provide «real time» information on the trajectory of world trade relative to recent trends. Combining several trade-related indices into a single composite indicator, the WTOI measures short run performance against medium-term trends.

For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/wtoi_07aug17_e.htm

3. WTO – Provisional Programme for 2017 Public Forum – FIATA to Participate

This year’s Public Forum, entitled «Trade: Behind the Headlines», will feature 102 sessions focusing on how to make trade more inclusive, the link between trade and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well as trade and jobs. Between 26th and 28th of September, the Forum will offer an opportunity to go beyond the rhetoric and consider the challenges and opportunities surrounding trade. FIATA is registered to participate in the event and will report back to members on key outcomes.

For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/pf17_31jul17_e.htm

4. UNCTAD – Etching Gender into Trade Policy in the COMESA region

Building upon the success of its online course on trade and gender, UNCTAD has broadened the scope of this initiative by tailoring its training for different regions of the globe. The objective of the course, which was delivered jointly by UNCTAD’s Trade, Gender and Development Programme and COMESA’s Division on Gender and Social Affairs, was to share knowledge on how to analyse the nexus between trade and gender and to provide participants with the skills necessary to formulate gender-related policy recommendations. Read more: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1528&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#1569;#Trade, Gender and Development<http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1528&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#1569;>

5. UNESCAP – Good Progress Implementing WTO TFA but Still a Long Road Ahead

The preliminary results of the 2nd UN Global Survey on Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation were presented by ESCAP. Preliminary results, based on data from 120 countries worldwide, show that the global average implementation rate of the ambitious set of trade facilitation and paperless trade measures considered in the survey is about 61 per cent, which is 7 percentage points higher than in the first global survey. This suggests that countries have been making significant progress in implementing trade facilitation for the past two years, possibly as countries rush to prepare for the entry into force of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force on 22 February 2017.

To read more please visit: http://www.unescap.org/news/good-progress-made-implementing-wto-trade-facilitation-agreement-still-long-road-paperless-and

6. WCO Supports African Union Moving Forward on IT Interconnectivity of Customs

At the invitation of the African Union (AU), the WCO participated in the 4th AU Customs Technical Working Group Meeting on Interconnectivity of Computerised Customs Clearance Systems that was held under the Chair of Zimbabwe between 31st of July and 2nd of August 2017, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Read more at: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/august/wco-supports-african-union-moving-forward-on-interconnectivity-of-customs-it-systems.aspx

7. Vietnam and WCO Close a Capacity Building Project for TFA Implementation

For the past four years, the WCO-Norad Project on Customs Capacity Building in Vietnam has been focusing on capacity building in the area of Stakeholder Engagement. This has included working with Customs Brokers, Consultations, Client Services, and also linked with support to the development of a risk-based Compliance Management strategy. The outcomes were reviewed and fed into an initial diagnostic under the framework of the Mercator Programme, which will help place Vietnam on track to implement its commitments under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/august/vietnam-and-wco-close-a-capacity-building-project.aspx

8. WCO and World Bank Jointly Support Burundi to Initiate its AEO Programme

The WCO partnered with the World Bank Group to co-facilitate this workshop in an effort to foster cooperation of the WTO Annex D agencies in order to ensure coordinated support to Burundi’s efforts to implement the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (WTO TFA).

During the workshop, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of the WCO support for the development of his Administration, in particular through the WCO-EAC CREATe project, and urged participants to ensure the success of OBR’s AEO programme and wider consultative efforts.

For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/july/the-wco-and-the-world-bank-group-jointly-support-burundi.aspx

9. Philippines Bureau of Customs Initiates Modernisation for Manila Port Development

On request of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the Philippines, the WCO conducted a Mercator Programme mission to Manila in July 2017. The objective of the mission was to analyse the situation at Manila Port and to provide advice for future steps. Discussions covered Customs inspection requirements, future technologies and operational needs. A priority for the BOC is more efficient trade facilitation and revenue collection under the auspices of the Manila Maritime Trading District Development Project (MMTDDP).For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/july/philippines-bureau-of-customs-initiates-modernisation-for-manila-port-development.aspx

10. IATA – Air Cargo Posts Strongest First Half-Year Growth Since 2010

IATA released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), grew by 10.4% in the first-half of 2017 compared to the first-half of 2016. This was the strongest first half-year performance since air cargo’s rebound from the Global Financial Crisis in 2010 and nearly triple the industry’s average growth rate of 3.9% over the last five years. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), grew by 3.6% in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for yields.To read more please visit: http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-08-02-01.aspx

SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS & CONNECTIVITY

11. Boosting Connectivity Will Strengthen Services, Lift Growth in Pacific – ADB

Enhanced connectivity through information and communication technologies (ICTs) as well as transport infrastructure development are some of the efforts needed to increase economic opportunities and create better access to goods and social services in the Pacific, says the latest issue of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Pacific Economic Monitor<https://www.adb.org/publications/pacific-economic-monitor-july-2017>.

The latest Monitor reports a drop in Pacific growth to 2.6% in 2016 from 8.3% in 2015, driven largely by the slowdown in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Recovery in the larger economies is expected to push average regional growth to 2.9% in 2017 and 3.3% in 2018. Price prospects for Pacific exports are mixed. To read more please visit: https://www.adb.org/news/boosting-connectivity-will-strengthen-services-lift-growth-pacific-adb

12.UNESCAP – APAC Must Boost Development Reform Efforts to Achieve 2030 Agenda

The Asia-Pacific Sustainable Development Goals Baseline report is the first regional measurement methodology of its kind. The report establishes a baseline for the SDGs through an innovative method that assesses regional progress since 2000, to illustrate which development gaps still need to be addressed to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The report also identifies areas where there is insufficient data available to measure progress and shows that the region is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to the SDGs on reducing inequalities, creating sustainable cities and communities, and ensuring responsible consumption and production, a trend which must be reversed to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Read more at: http://www.unescap.org/news/asia-pacific-must-boost-development-reform-efforts-achieve-2030-agenda-says-new-un-escap-report

13. UN to Partner with 11 Global Banks to Encourage Climate Transparency

UN Environment announced in a press release<http://www.unep.org/newscentre/eleven-worlds-leading-banks-work-united-nations-promote-climate-transparency-financial-markets> its new joint initiative to strengthen financial institutions’ assessment and disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities, with eleven major banks. ANZ, Barclays, Bradesco, Citi, Itaú, National Australia Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Santander, Standard Chartered, TD Bank Group, and UBS will be working with UN Environment to develop the necessary tools to enable banks to follow the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures presented at the G20 last week. Learn more here<http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/un-to-partner-with-11-global-banks-to-encourage-climate-transparency-in-fin?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Climate+Action+News%3A+UN+to+partner+with+11+global+banks+to+encourage+climate+transparency+in+financial+markets&utm_campaign=CA+Newsletter+14th+July>

14. UK – Plans to End Sale of all New Conventional Petrol and Diesel vehicles by 2040

The Government confirmed that it will end the sale of all new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040, as it unveiled new plans to tackle air pollution. The UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-quality-plan-for-nitrogen-dioxide-no2-in-uk-2017> produced by Defra and the Department for Transport outlines how councils with the worst levels of air pollution at busy road junctions and hotspots must take robust action.To read more please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-for-roadside-no2-concentrations-published

Topics

FIATA World Congress 2017- Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

WTO – Trade Indicator Points to Continued, Modest Recovery of World Trade in Q3

WTO – Provisional Programme for 2017 Public Forum – FIATA to Participate

UNCTAD – Etching Gender into Trade Policy in the COMESA region

UNESCAP – Good Progress Implementing WTO TFA but Still a Long Road Ahead

WCO Supports African Union Moving Forward on IT Interconnectivity of Customs

Vietnam and WCO Close a Capacity Building Project for TFA Implementation

WCO and World Bank Jointly Support Burundi to Initiate its AEO Programme

Philippines Bureau of Customs Initiates Modernisation for Manila Port Development

IATA – Air Cargo Posts Strongest First Half-Year Growth Since 2010

Boosting Connectivity Will Strengthen Services, Lift Growth in Pacific – ADB