UN body announces action plan to facilitate int’l trade amid COVID-19 restrictions
Saturday May 02, 2020
Islamabad: The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has outlined a 10-point action plan in a bid to help the global industrial sector efficiently transport goods – amid the restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic spread, according to news sources. Read: Pakistan permits bulk food import for supply to Afghanistan The action plan encompasses maritime transport, transit, customs, transparency and legal issues, along with a technological boost towards paperless mechanisms. It suggests eliminating the transport and trade barriers to secure the free flow of essentials and goods supplies. Read: Ease of Doing Business: OICCI asks for transparent policies, long-term tax incentives As per the publication, the UNCTAD policy brief of this action plan calls of the free flow of shipping, open ports, expedited customs clearance, protection of international trade essentials, cross-border transport facilitation, transit trade, transparency and updated information stream, paperless trade system, early addressing of legal implications, protection of shippers and transporters and prioritisation of technical assistance. Furthermore, the plan highlights that given the radical measures adopted by the countries to control the coronavirus spread, the international transport and trade system has been under gigantic stress – which could threaten access to goods and critical supplies.
