b'Accelerating Recovery by SupportingInternational TradeTrade is a catalyst for inclusive economicEnabling global marketgrowth and poverty reduction. We know thatparticipation for MSMEs inexport-led growth in particular increasescollaboration with the EBRDemployment and innovation, earns foreign exchange and spreads risk through economicMicro, small and medium-sized enterprises diversification.(MSMEs) are key to inclusive economic Crown Agents has a wealth of experience ingrowth, as they can contribute significantly to providing expert advice on trade facilitation,export expansion and increased employment customs modernisation, export competitivenessopportunities. The European Bank for and international logistics and transportReconstruction and Development (EBRD) challenges. With our award-winning in-housecontracted Crown Agents to design and deliver freight forwarder and our own transactionaltraining courses for MSMEs which export goods procurement work, we bring a practitionersand services in Eastern and Southern Europe, understanding of trade to our advisoryMiddle East and Central Asia. Since 2017, we have services. We work with government policy- provided training to more than 550 companies.makers and businesses to help make the tradeThis training has assisted businesses to safely environment work for everyone, which in turngrow their export sales portfolios, contract accelerates growth through increased exportsmartly, get paid on time and develop robust competitiveness, cost control for imports andexport strategies to compete internationallyimproved inward investment flows. and gain access to new markets. Our expert The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impactedtrainers equip delegates with the know-how to the supply, demand and logistics of globalincrease export volumes, build new contractstrade flows. This may provide opportunities forand develop improved trading processes to emerging marketsbut to seize this opportunitysupport business growth.countries will need to invest in achieving betterWe have delivered training in ten countries alignment with global systems and requirements. to date, receiving excellent feedback from participants, several of whom report increased Working with governments confidence in export practice, leading to a growth to strengthen customs in their international sales.We help governments create conduciveLooking to the futureenvironments for trade. We have worked with the Government of Ukraine and the FCDO to supportInternational trade will drive recovery from the Ukrainian officials to review customs processesrecession caused by Covid-19. Opportunities are and procedures and identify opportunitiesemerging as major manufacturers assess and to modernise customs activities. Ukrainedevelop new supply and value chains. Crown is developing its economy with a focus onAgents can support this agenda in partner competitive exports. As a result, the Governmentcountries by building the export capacity of has been assessing the constraints to increasedMSMEs, supporting governments to reduce the competitiveness, particularly around reducingcost of trade for business and strengthening trade non-tariff barriers.and logistics corridors.We also provided recommendations on how best to deploy ICT systems and processes, opening up discussions on harmonising existing customs declaration and risk management systems. 32 33'