SITPRO undertakes work on a wide range of issues related to international trade policy as outlined below.
Review of International Trade Regulation Costs
During 2009, SITPRO carried out an extensive programme of trade consultation to identify ways to reduce the burden to businesses of compliance with the international trade regulations. As a result of this consultation, the Government announced an action plan intended to promote and improve trade facilitation in the UK. SITPRO is now working with Government departments to implement this action plan..
International Trade Practices and Procedures
SITPRO works in partnership with the trading community and Government agencies to develop a modern trade management system that ensures maximum border agency coordination with minimum impact on legitimate traders. Key issues in this work area include:
UK Ports
SITPRO works with UK port users, operators and Government bodies acting in the border environment at sea and air ports to identify trade barriers created by border procedures.
Europe
SITPRO analyses the specific proposals affecting cross-border procedures coming out of Brussels from a policy and practical perspective, ensuring that business interests and perspectives are explored.
Supply Chain Security
SITPRO is actively involved with the design and development of new security procedures, seeking to ensure that facilitation-based controls are introduced that will secure the supply chain without impeding legitimate trade.
E-Business and Documentation Standards
SITPRO is working to increase the use of straight-through processing amongst the trading community and Government, based on national and global implementation of open agreed international standards. Key issues in this work area include:
UNeDocsUK
UNeDocsUK is the name given to the United Kingdom’s intended national implementation of internationally agreed standards for producing aligned Paper, EDI and XML international trade documents and messages being developed within UN/CEFACT.
Single Window
SITPRO has championed the Single Window concept for many years, both nationally and internationally. This concept proposes simplifications to the way traders submit information about their international trade transactions to government.
Trade Agreements and Capacity Building
SITPRO works to ensure the development of trade agreements that enshrine trade facilitation and to enhance the capacity of developing countries to realise the benefits of trade facilitation. Key issues in this work area include:
WTO Negotiations
SITPRO is working to promote an agreement at the WTO on Trade Facilitation. An agreement on this subject has the potential to deliver massive gains, particularly for developing countries.
Intra-Africa Trade
SITPRO has worked with developing countries wishing to implement trade facilitation. This has included projects in African countries to improve Intra-Africa trading conditions.
Trade in Services
While SITPRO is better known for its work aimed at simplifying international trade in goods, it is also interested in services, not least because services trade accounts for 70% of UK GDP. Like goods, services are also traded across borders and the simplification of processes and procedures can facilitate that trade.
