Why trade facilitation matters

Jyoti Wadhwa is a successful entrepreneur, who sells Indian handicrafts and promotes the spirit of craftsmanship through international trade. In 2010, she set up her online business, Sanskriti Vintage, to sell vintage handicraft fabrics, various types of embroidery, and other craft items. At the time, she worked from home while taking care of her child and handled all operations single-handedly. Ten years later, she employs 25 people, supporting local artisans and serving antique collectors and aesthetes all over the world.

Revathi Roy set up India’s first all-female delivery company HeyDeedee in 2016 to offer new training and professional opportunities to low-income women in Mumbai. Three years later, her business operates in 10 Indian cities, employs 10 000 women agents, and has partnerships with giants like Amazon. “A career in logistics is not an intuitive leap for Indian women since this field has been largely dominated by men. Parents see jobs in the call centre industry as a safer option for their daughters,” explains Revathi.

Making it easier for women to trade can help them control their economic resources and increase their ability to make decisions that benefit them, their families and their communities. Economic empowerment of women is vital if we want to set a path for inclusive growth that benefits all and creates more equal societies. Generally speaking, […]

Making it easier and cheaper to move goods across borders benefits businesses of all sizes but is particularly helpful to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). That’s because SMEs are disproportionately affected by burdensome and costly border procedures. Trading costs represent a higher share of the value of their exports[1]. For example, compliance costs are greater […]

Paulina Abrokwah works hard to keep goods moving. As a freight forwarder in Ghana, she helps businesses get the right documents, comply with regulations and transport their goods across the country’s borders. Her role ensures Ghanaian consumers can buy a wide range of products and that Ghanaian businesses can export their wares across the world. Every day she deals with shipments, from cars to electronics, sending to and receiving from as far away as Mexico, China, Brazil and Europe. “The difficulties we face now in clearing the border can make the process very stressful and that can discourage people from trading,” says Paulina.

Eston Sakala set up his own clearing and forwarding business in 2016 helping traders to move their goods in and out of Zambia – a profession he has been in for 17 years. In three short years he has grown his business from scratch to employ 18 staff with a customer base spanning Zambia’s key import and export sectors. “My goal now is to build capacity in my business, embrace technology and deliver my service to the level of a DHL,” says Eston. “I’d love to see the day when I can sit in front of my screen and watch trucks being processed by Evolution in real time, every minute, every hour. I want to be the go-to business for quick and correct clearances.”

Stellantis designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles and related parts and services in more than 140 countries. Moving goods across borders is part of its everyday operations. “Stellantis decided to get involved in the Alliance because it provided a unique opportunity to leverage the company’s in-house customs and supply chain management expertise to drive economic growth in developing countries in a way that is also meaningful for our local operations in those countries."

Roanoke provides international logistics and transport companies with creative insurance, bond and ATA Carnet solutions, helping traders to manage risk and expedite customs clearances as they move goods around the world. It’s a niche area of expertise and Roanoke has been working in it since 1935. “Our ethos is about uncomplicating the complicated – putting the framework in place so that trade is as simple as possible. We know the issues our clients encounter when transporting cargo and the pitfalls in the insurance world. We believe in the benefits of trade and partnering with the Alliance means we can use our expertise to help realise them."

ArdoVLM is an international food trading company moving frozen fruits and vegetables, animal proteins and grains across the world from field to market. “You can be in business and do well by doing good and we are big believers in leveraging trade to deliver positive outcomes in developing countries."

International trade has been recognised by the UN as an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, and an important means to achieve the SDGs. Trade facilitation can reduce costs, increase opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and spark competitiveness, productivity, innovation and growth. The Alliance’s work to support governments in developing and […]