Crown Agents discussed opportunities to expand its National Single Window (NSW) system and facilitate trade beyond the Philippines to other South Asian countries at a recent forum in Sri Lanka.
Delegates including officials from the Asian Development Bank, UNESCAP and the World Bank attended the 'Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum' in Columbo, Sri Lanka on 30-31st October 2012.
Representatives from Crown Agents shared lessons learned from implementing its TRIPS™ NSW system in the Philippines and outlined opportunities to facilitate trade and expand NSW into Myanmar, Nepal and other South Asian countries.
The Asian economy is growing at more than five per cent per annum - despite the economic slowdown - and the forum provided an important platform to discuss key themes including opportunities for intra-regional trade rather than relying on trade with Eurozone countries and the US.
Other areas of discussion included the increase in south-south trade and participation from Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago; customs' role in NSW, ASEAN member countries' commitment to regional integration by 2015 and emerging interest in NSW from SAARC countries.
Pictured at Crown Agents' show stand are Asia regional director Mike Byfield and UK business director Nick Small with delegates.