Geneva, 8-9 April 2014
EDIFICE took the opportunity ot act as supporter of this ICC conference on Facilitating Trade in a digital economy. This conference provided an opportunity for business and public administration practitioners to engage in a constructive dialogue on the regulatory and practical issues that arise when paper-based trade and administrative processes are replaced with ICT-facilitated interactions.
Setting the stage – making paperless trade work
Governments worldwide use ICT in an attempt to work more effectively, in particular with business. Regulations and processes, however, tend to vary among (and often even within) countries, meaning that the gap between the ways different countries approach electronic trade procedures and e-government is widening. This comes with its own set of challenges and results in many different – and often conflicting – approaches to the ways businesses and governments interact electronically. Inefficient and confusing e-trade and e-customs procedures can have negative effects on trade flows at both the national and corporate level.
How electronic customs, tax and public procurement frameworks are working today (government perspectives)
Paperless trade could potentially save governments and companies millions of dollars each year and, at the same time, increase the security of transactions, and contribute to economic growth and social development. Supportive policies promoted by governments – as regulators and very large market players – can make a big difference to trade flows.
Anne Miroux – presentation (PDF)
Zahouani Saadaoui – presentation (PDF)
Business experiences with paperless trade and evolving regulatory frameworks
Business has much to gain from the simplification and harmonization of paperless trade processes. In this plenary, panelists from leading companies and business organizations will describe their strategies for optimizing the use of ICTs and will offer their perspectives on how these strategies are enhanced by evolving regulatory approaches in areas such as e-customs, e-taxation and e-procurement.
John Bescec – presentation (PDF)
Robin Cartwright – presentation (PDF)
How can we bring business and government together?
This plenary will showcase examples of successful cooperation between government regulators and business while also reflecting on the negative consequences of not addressing the remaining challenges together.
It will provide an understanding of some of the key issues at stake in preparation for the interactive workshops the following day, where panelists will debate the benefits and downsides, and encourage the audience to share ideas and best practices.
Mario Apostolov – presentation (PDF)
Brian Lee – presentation (PDF)
The value of electronic customs systems
This workshop will highlight the benefits of using secure, integrated, interoperable and accessible electronic customs systems. Electronic customs clearance systems serving a multitude of other functions (e.g. declarations to health and other regulatory authorities) through the operation of the Single Window concept will be discussed and attention will be given to the implementation of the European Union’s mandatory electronic customs clearance procedure as well as similar examples from around the world.
John Bescec – presentation (PDF)
Alessandro Micheletti – presentation (PDF)
Fabrice Millet – presentation (PDF)
Electronic taxation: considerations and best practice
This workshop aims to identify the challenges and opportunities for businesses and governments when ICT is used for tax reporting, collection and audit. It will provide a unique opportunity for governments, business and other key players to exchange ideas on how to tackle the challenges
Mutlu Akin – presentation (PDF)
Electronic public procurement initiatives: challenges and solutions
The legal framework for electronic public procurement has been introduced by legislation internationally, regionally and domestically; reverse electronic auctions, dynamic purchasing systems and other innovations are in place. However, electronic procurement still remains marginal in most countries compared with the total volumes of public procurement.
This workshop aims to identify the benefits of using secure, integrated, interoperable and accessible electronic public procurement initiatives. Governments, business and other key players will tackle, through real life scenarios, the challenges related to e-public procurement and explore feasible solutions. The fragmentation of information systems for electronic procurement has proved to be a particular obstacle to further progress. Nevertheless, some countries have been successful in advancing electronic public procurement.