afact expectation from ebgt and un/cefact tahseen a. khan - un/cefact vice-chair and chair of afact
TRANSCRIPT
AFACT expectation from eBGT and UN/CEFACT
AFACT expectation from eBGT and UN/CEFACT
Tahseen A. Khan - UN/CEFACT Vice-Chair and
Chair of AFACT
2
Outline Outline
Introduction
Need for Regional Coordination
AFACT 2009 Recommendations
Expectation from eBGT
IntroductionIntroduction
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.
IntroductionIntroduction
AFACT
Existing
Structure
IntroductionIntroduction
AFACT
after
Restructuring
Plenary
Steering Committee
(Business)Domain
Committee[BDC]
Technology and Methodology Committee
[TMC]
(Community)Support)
Committee[CSC]
HostingSecretariat
Handles the issues and requirements of business domains (may have working groups on specific domains)
Handles the issues ofInteroperability in e-Business and tradefacilitation (may have working Groups on specific technical problem)
Provides necessary supportto AFACT community on Capacity-building, competence and awareness
AFACTSecretariat
IntroductionIntroduction
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
Need for Regional Coordination
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.
AFACT 2009 Recommendations
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.
AFACT 2009 Recommendations
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.
Expectation from eBGT 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.
Expectation from eBGT 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.
Thank You Thank You