AFACT expectation from eBGT and UN/CEFACT

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AFACT expectation from eBGT and UN/CEFACT

• Tahseen A. Khan - UN/CEFACT Vice-Chair and
• Chair of AFACT

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Outline

• Introduction
• Need for Regional Coordination
• AFACT 2009 Recommendations
• Expectation from eBGT

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Introduction

• AFACT , the Asia Pacific Council for Trade
  Facilitation and Electronic Business, aims to
  promote the commitment and development of trade
  facilitation, electronic business policies and
  activities in the Asia Pacific region, mainly
  focusing on those promoted by UN/CEFACT, to
  guide, stimulate, improve and promote the ability
  of business, trade and administrative
  organizations from members, as well as to
  exchange products and relevant services
  effectively within AFACT community.
• Currently, there are 19 members from Afghanistan,
  Australia, Cambodia, China, Taiwan Province of
  China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea,
  Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi
  Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
  Vietnam. Each of which is represented by a local
  organization dedicated in promoting the
  application of standards and recommendations,
  e.g. UN/EDIFACT, developed by UN/CEFACT.
  eBusiness Asia committee and PAA (Pan-Asian
  eCommerce Alliance) are the associate members of
  AFACT, which is dedicated to promote cooperation
  in implementing trade facilitation and eCommerce
  in this region.

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Introduction

• AFACT
• Existing
• Structure

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Introduction

• AFACT
• after
• Restructuring

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Introduction

• General perception among AFACT is that the
  UN/CEFACT work program as well as deliverables
  are Eurocentric.
• Efforts are made to join hands with partners
  around the world to act as facilitator in
  pursuing the goals/objectives of the UN/CEFACT.
• AFACT being the major regional initiative in Asia
  Pacific may play an important role in promoting
  UN/CEFACT deliverables and work programme

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Need for Regional Coordination

• AFACT has taken initiatives to integrate with
  UN/CEFACT deliverables / work programme from
  time to time.
• However, it is felt that the lack of
  co-ordination at working group level between
  AFACT and UN/CEFACT has been a deterrent to
  achieve the same effectively and efficiently.
• A model need to be worked out which may integrate
  the UN/CEFACT deliverables in the work programme
  of AFACT.

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AFACT 2009 Recommendations

• The members of Asia Pacific Council for Trade
  Facilitation and Electronic Business (AFACT) have
  resolved that we may collaborate with AFACT,
  UNESCAP, UNECE and United Nations Centre for
  Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
  (UN/CEFACT) to facilitate paperless trading in
  the region. This will provide the facility for
  single window clearance and implementation in the
  region.
• Simplification and Standardization of trade
  documents according to international standards
  and recommendations worked out by UN/CEFACT be
  adopted by the member countries/economies of
  AFACT.
•  All member countries/economies of AFACT
  underlined the need to create mirror working
  groups of AFACT as well as UN/CEFACT Forum in
  their country/economy. These mirror working
  groups need to actively participate in the work
  program of AFACT and UN/CEFACT.
• Member countries/economies of AFACT have
  underlined the need to conceive and facilitate
  joint cross border projects.

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AFACT 2009 Recommendations

•  Member countries/economies of AFACT re-iterated
  the need for the creation of a UN/CEFACT
  repository as a matter of urgency and priority.
• It was also proposed that a two way communication
  channel needed to be set up between AFACT and
  UN/CEFACT groups in order to report difficulties
  experienced in the implementation of UN/CEFACT
  standards and recommendations.
• The simplification of business processes and data
  requirements is a prerequisite for any
  automation, and should
• be a first step before applying ICT solutions
• be done in consultation with all stakeholders
• focus on practical solutions.
• Members of AFACT appreciated the move UNNExt from
  UNESCAP and UNECE and resolved that they should
  actively collaborate with this initiative.

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Expectation from eBGT

• AFACT is in process of restructuring wherein
  three committees namely Business Domain Committee
  (BDC), Technologies and Methodologies Committees
  (TMC) and Community Support Committee (CSC) have
  been constituted.
• These committees need to realign their work
  programme with UN/CEFACT. eGBT may help them in
  establishing interface with the concerend groups
  in Forum. A two way communication channel needed
  to be set up between AFACT and UN/CEFACT groups
  in order to report difficulties experienced in
  the implementation of UN/CEFACT standards and
  recommendations.
• eBGT may help AFACT in capacity building in the
  region.
• eBGT may assist AFACT in initiating joint cross
  border projects under its three mentioned
  committees.

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Expectation from eBGT

• eBGT may assist AFACT in Simplification and
  Standardization of trade documents according to
  international standards and recommendations
  worked out by UN/CEFACT.
• A mechanism for seamless integration of AFACT and
  UN/CEFACT work programmes may be worked out.

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Thank You