Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum 2012 in Colombo today

The Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum 2012 (APTFF) based on the theme ‘Enhancing public-private collaboration for trade facilitation, paperless trade and cross-border connectivity’ will commence today and culminate tomorrow at Hotel Galadari, Colombo.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) is co-hosting the forum with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In addition to the forum, an exhibition, a number of side events and capacity building programs on the subject will be held during the week which commenced yesterday and will end 2 November 2012.

CCC is working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of External Affairs and Sri Lanka Customs in organising the forum. The APTFF has been held since 2009 and it was hosted by Thailand, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea in previous years. This is the very first time that the event is being held in a South Asian country.

Commenting on this, Harin Malwatte, Secretary General/ CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said, “The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is honoured that we have been able to take the lead in securing the partnership with UNESCAP to host the Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum this year. At a time when Sri Lanka is well positioned to fast track trade and investment, this forum is very timely.

“This forum is also an opportunity for 200-300 influential persons in the Asia Pacific region engaged in trade facilitation to obtain first-hand knowledge of the country. They could be the best ambassadors for Sri Lanka. We are also pleased to note that this year’s forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka has the largest foreign participation.”

Noting the importance attached to this event and trade facilitation in general, Dr. Neville Gunawardena, Director General of Customs pointed out that Sri Lanka Customs has taken a number of initiatives towards trade facilitation and has recognised this area as a high priority.  

Simplified procedures through automation, Single Window Concept and Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) program are among main initiatives. Cooperation and coordination with the stakeholders to promote trade would be the main target. For this purpose, Sri Lanka Customs, with the help of World Customs Organisation, has organised an event parallel to this forum on 2 November 2012 to promote capacity building.

The conference has attracted two to three hundreds participants from 30 countries each year. As such, it has become the main annual open regional platform to exchange information, experiences and practices for trade facilitation in Asia-Pacific, identify priority areas for regional cooperation and integration, and learn about new tools and services which can increase the efficiency of cross-border transactions.

Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman, Export Development Board noted that exports are vital to economic growth and employment generation. Reducing transaction costs of trade is crucial to promote exports. Therefore, it is important to learn how other countries have reduced such costs, particularly the East Asian countries. He believes that this forum will provide an unmatched opportunity for stakeholders to discuss relevant issues and network to promote trade in the region.  

The forum also intends to strengthen regional cooperation and coordination of aid for trade and related technical assistance and capacity building in trade facilitation. P.D. Fernando, Director General of Commerce observed that APTFF is taking place at a most opportune time, when Sri Lanka is undergoing impressive development and growth, following the end of thirty years of terrorism that had stifled Sri Lanka’s potential, particularly as a strategic trade and logistics hub.

Commending the timely and laudable initiative by the organisers and the Government of Sri Lanka, he observed that trade facilitation is an important global goal, which all countries must strive for. The smooth movement of goods at all stages – from the manufacturer to the end consumer – is critical in an increasing interlinked world in which trade plays an important role in achieving higher economic development.  With the high level of participation from the Asia Pacific region at this forum, Sri Lanka looks forward to exchanging knowledge and experiences in this important area.

In addition to regular panels and breakout sessions, the APTFF features an exhibition on trade facilitation in parallel, to maximise information sharing on the works, practices, case studies and findings of trade facilitation service providers, researchers, as well as development/donor agencies, international organisations and government agencies.