Asia-Pacific Foreign Investment Brief
The FDI, Trade, and Economic Development Community

‘Extraterritoriality’ of Free Zones: The Necessity for Enhanced Customs Involvement Recently published WCO Research Paper debunks some myths related to 'extraterritoriality' of Free Zones and #Customs controls. Kenji Omi points out sensitivities surrounding the management of Free Zones and the ways how they should be addressed so that they don't become loopholes used by criminals. VIEW PAPER #lawenforcement #moneylaundering #cooperation #illicittrafficking #illicitfinancialflows #illicittrade #gtdwchina #freetradezones #trade #globaltrade #customs #collaboration #freezones #specialcustomszones #specialeconomiczones #exportprocessingzones #freeports

Another great reason to join GDTW China Trade Facilitation, Compliance & Digitalization Conference & Exhibition, June, Shanghai, Co-hosted with APMEN Shanghai, covering digital trade, secure cross border trade & trade tech interoperability for the Aisa Pac region and beyond + co-located with The 4th Anti Illicit Trade, Brand & IPR Protection Conference & Exhibition. FULL STORY: Yesterday, the Chinese government revealed that it plans to use blockchain in numerous aspects of cross-border trade in Hangzhou. The area, highly active in manufacturing and e-commerce, has seen the positive effects of digital transformation. Among other new initiatives, blockchain will further improve data integrity and transparency. China’s statement focused on the logistics and e-commerce enterprises in Hangzhou, which manage the $37.4 billion of imports and exports through the area. It contains bonded (tax neutral) warehouses from which goods destined for foreign countries must go through customs clearance before leaving, and imports must be checked before entering. This process has already been modernized with digital systems. Yesterday’s article claims that Hangzhou’s import clearance times have been reduced from an average of 191 hours to 27 hours, with exports only at 0.2 hours. Whether this is due to China’s blockchain customs compliance system announced in June is not confirmed. However, the system, built by Powerbridge, is focused on ports and based in Nanning, not Hangzhou. Yesterday’s release is for warehouse clearance rather than ports. The new project, in collaboration with the Hangzhou Internet Court, plans for data from customs clearance, exchanges, taxation, transportation, and payments to be stored on a blockchain. This will improve the trustworthiness of information and, in turn, make for efficient auditing. Other innovations announced yesterday include research and development centers, a digital distribution platform, ‘Cross-border e-commerce College’ for training, and tax rebate pool for exporting enterprises. Similarly, US Customs is trialing blockchain technology for facilitation and likely auditing. Ports such as those in Thailand and Saudi Arabia are currently seeing the most customs innovation, as opposed to bonded warehouses. #gtdwchina #china #chinatrade #chinacustoms #customs #blockchain #ecommerce #crossborder #customsmodernization #logistics #saudiarabia #thailand #supplychain #digitalization #tradefacilitation #caapcitybuilding #tax #traceability #integrity

Interesting article that has direct link to the content being covered at GTDW China June 2020 where we co-locate 2 major conferences on trade facilitation + anti illicit trade to cover these topics in detail between governments, customs, tax, business, brand owners, supply chain & anti illicit trade: View Program | View SPEX Prospectus Have Your Cake and Trade It: Is it Possible to Promote Legitimate Commerce While Reducing Illicit Trade? Despite the formidable challenges of combatting illicit trade and trade-based money laundering, several ongoing initiatives give cause for cautious optimism. Just as the ease of international transport and communication has enabled commerce to flourish, so too have criminals seized upon the opportunities offered by frictionless trade. Criminal exploitation of the global trade system comes in two basic forms. One of these is trade in illicit or untaxed goods, and the other is the use of legitimate trade to move or conceal criminal proceeds, known as ‘trade-based money laundering’ (TBML). Both forms of criminality take advantage of the sheer scale of global trade. In 2017, the World Trade Organization estimated the value of merchandise exports to be $17.73 trillion. And even in this age of advanced technology, most shipping containers remain akin to a Kinder Surprise chocolate egg: beyond a bill of lading and self-declared information, no one knows quite what is inside. Less than 2% of all shipping containers are screened each year; this is a gigantic proverbial haystack in which to hide criminal activities. Doing more is possible, albeit costly and difficult. For instance, as early as 2012, the US Congress passed legislation requiring all incoming shipping containers to be screened abroad, in their ports of departure, but the requirement has not been implemented due to its costs. One might be tempted to conclude that trade-related crime is the inseparable ugly brother (or sister) of legitimate commerce, and any meaningful reduction in its scale will come at the expense of legitimate business. So, how can one resolve this particular manifestation of the ‘security versus prosperity’ dilemma? In truth, there is no answer, yet. But there are several initiatives that give cause for cautious optimism, and it is important that policymakers promote rather than neglect them. The first of these is evidence of ongoing efforts to develop a better understanding of patterns of illicit trade and TBML. As early as 2004, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement established the world’s first Trade Transparency Unit. At its core is combining trade statistics from both the US and bilateral trading partners, typically based on customs information-sharing agreements, to identify anomalies that may be suggestive of criminality (for example, one country claiming to have exported more to the US than is reflected in US import statistics, which can indicate trade mispricing). A similar approach has been adopted by Global Financial Integrity, a non-governmental organisation whose analysts crunch trade statistics to uncover potentially suspicious discrepancies. Yet its outputs have attracted not only well-deserved admiration but also some scepticism, on the grounds that there can also be other, legitimate reasons for the asymmetries it identifies. For instance, if goods are trans-shipped through several countries in transit, the country of origin may be unintentionally misidentified. In short, it is not yet possible to accurately measure or fully understand the scale and true impact of illicit trade and TBML. Just over a dozen countries have established domestic trade transparency units, and there have been calls for more governments to come onboard and create a global network like the existing Egmont Group of financial intelligence units. For the argument in favour of more trade transparency units to gain greater force, a more concerted effort to assess their merits and, including their achievements to date, would be helpful – an area where, given the paucity of current material, analysts have their work cut out for them! Another frontier in the fight against criminal abuse of the global trade system is engagement with the private sector. Financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions have long been obliged to conduct customer due diligence and report suspicious activities. In recent years, regulators in the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore have exhorted banks to thoroughly scrutinise the trade they finance. Yet, with an estimated 80% of global trade conducted without bank financing – in other words, on open account terms – a bank’s role is likely to be limited to processing trade-related payments without deep insight into the activity giving rise to the payment. In contrast, shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers and port or warehouse administrators are in more immediate contact with the goods being traded. But, unlike banks and insurance companies, they are not typically obliged to identify or report suspicious activity. At present, at least one voluntary industry initiative is aiming to address this gap. In November 2016, several major shipping companies and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations committed to, among other things, ‘appropriate due diligence measures, such as Know Your Customer processes’ and ‘specific vigilance measures and common early warning indicators in order to identify high-risk shipments of counterfeits’. This was soon followed by the publication of voluntary know-your-customer best practices. Whether this is a game-changer remains to be seen. It is far from cynical to suspect that businesses’ determination to do the right thing could be strengthened by binding regulation, yet no government wants to entrap its industry in red tape. Besides, the nature of TBML is such that an exceedingly broad spectrum of businesses could be susceptible to criminal abuse. For instance, in 2014, the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a ‘geographic targeting order’ requiring 10 categories of businesses in the Los Angeles Fashion District to report all cash transactions in excess of $3,000. Among them were garments stores, flower stores, and all businesses bearing the words ‘import’ or ‘export’ in their name. The reason for this was the alleged involvement of many businesses in the area in the Black Market Peso Exchange, a TBML scheme pioneered by Colombian drug cartels. As this example shows, identifying businesses at risk of wittingly or unwittingly facilitating TBML is not straightforward. That said, intensified dialogue with key trade enablers such as shipping lines is a sensible first step. Finally, there is an ever-greater international focus on free trade zones (FTZs), where governments relax customs duties and controls to attract trade and investment. FTZs also frequently offer other incentives, such as company incorporation on an expedited timeline or easier access to immigration if renting a significant facility inside an FTZ. Due to these features, FTZs are exhibit A for those who worry that governments are all too willing to forego their responsibility to counter illicit trade in pursuit of business opportunities. Indeed, one of the authors has expressed the concern that this is what awaits the UK if its current plan to create 10 freeports after Brexit materialises. But with the OECD’s draft Guidance to Counter Illicit Trade emphasising the risks posed by FTZs, their transparency and earnestness in tackling crime are once again subject to international scrutiny. In some of the key locations, domestic action is taking place too. For instance, the administration of the Colon Free Zone in Panama, which is often flagged as a high risk zone for TBML schemes, adopted a resolution that requires electronic filing of trade-related information in April 2019, a measure that is key to achieving greater transparency in the zone. Of course, none of the initiatives discussed will make illicit trade or TBML go away anytime soon. Nor do they change the fact that, all too often, crime prevention plays second fiddle to the promotion of trade for all involved, including governments. But they do show that it is not only criminals who innovate in this field and, as will be evident from the following contributions in this four-part commentary series, there is much thinking on fighting TBML and abuse of FTZs. Promoting this creative attitude is key: after all, it need not be inevitable that more trade equals more illicit trade. VIEW ARTICLE #GTWCHINA #illicittrade #counterfeits #fightthefakes #fake #brandprotection #revenues #tax #customs #freetradezones #criminal #financialflows #trackandtrace #trustedtrader #collaboration #publicprivatepartnerships #scanners #ecommerce #smallparcels #interoperability #tradetech #tradetechnologies #modernisation

We are incredibly proud to announce the amazing speaker line up that will be joining us for GTDW China 2020. With 2 Co-located conferences + Exhibition of technologies defining international trade capabilities, standards, security, anti illicit trade & digitalisation this is set to be a sell out. CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE · Alan Bersin, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School; Executive Chairman, Altana Trade & Technology; Former Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security · Andrew Keable, CEO, KW Group; Chairman, GTDW Advisory Council · Douglas McKay, VAT & Customs Director Asia Pacific, Lear Corporation · Ethan Xu, Director, International Trade Compliance, Otis Elevator Co. · Glyn Hughes, Global Head of Cargo, International Air Transport Association (IATA); Advisory Council Member of GTDW · Günther Marten, Minister Counsellor, European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Delegation of the European Union · Huang Feng, Director General, Shanghai Asia-Pacific Model E-port Network Operational Center (SAOC); Advisory Council Member of GTDW · Dr Jan Hoffmann, Chief, Trade Logistics Branch, DTL, United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD); Advisory Council Member of GTDW · Dr Lars Karlsson, CEO & MD, KGH Global Consulting; Former Director WCO and Swedish Customs; Advisory Council Member of GTDW; Advisory Board Member of INCU; Chairman of the IBMATA Advisory Board · Lisa McAuley, Chief Executive Officer, Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA) · Michael Yu, North Asia Brand Protection Head, Unilever · Miller Wang, Brand Protection Director & Legal Counsel, MCM APAC · Dr. Mohammad Saeed, Senior Trade Facilitation Adviser, International Trade Centre (ITC); Advisory Council Member of GTDW · Ray Xu, Vice President, Legal, Pernod Ricard · Richard Morton, Secretary General, International Port Community System Association (IPCSA); Advisory Council Member of GTDW · Prof. Samuel C. Bautista, Chief Learning Officer, Academy of Developmental Logistics & Member, Management Committee, International Network of Customs Universities (INCU) · Stephen Dunn, Regional Director Of Investigations, Asia Pacific, Sanofi · Thomas Bagge, CEO & Statutory Director, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) · Virginie Ticha, President, International Federation of Consular Chambers for Africa (F.I.C.A.) Register: www.kwglobaltrade.com | Email: globaltrade@kwconfex.com | Program | SPEX Prospectus #gtdwchina #tradefacilitation #digitaltrade #singlewindow #illicittrade #ipr #intellectualproperty #brandprotection #ecommerce #capacitybuilding #tradetechnologies #china #chinatrade

FREE capacity building program is open to: Customs & Tax Authorities Ministries of Trade/Economy/Finance Trade Facilitation Committees IPR Agencies Police & Judiciary The 19th GTDW China includes 2 Co-Located International Conferences & Trade Technologies exhibition: 1. GTDW Technology for Trade Facilitation, Customs & Compliance Conference 2. GTDW Anti Illicit Trade, Brand & IPR Protection Conference 3. Trade Technologies Exhibition & Showcase (Limited Spaces) WHAT IS INCLUDED Access to 2 Co-located conferences + Trade Technologies Exhibition: Conference attendance x 2 days Exhibition attendance x 2 days Technology matching – Tell us the technologies you want to meet? Conference Food & Beverages – Morning refreshments, Lunch & Afternoon refreshments 2 complimentary site tour tickets per organisation (senior lead) – limited basis to 40 pax total per tour Translation – English & Mandarin (UN & Interpol registered translation) Reduced hotel accommodation Visa support (government agencies) Certification of attendance (by request) Bilateral meetings – by request DETAILS REQUIRED Full Name (Based on passport) Organisation Position Email Address Mobile Limited basis at organisers discretion REGISTER ONLINE: globaltrade@kwconfex.com VIEW WEBSITE FOR LATEST SPEAKERS: www.kwglobaltrade.com #gtdwchina #government #capacitybuilding #tradefacilitation #TFA #customs #police #intellectualproperty #ipr #brandprotection #illicittrade #tradetech #technologies #tax #revenue #ministrytrade #ministryfinance #enforcement #collaboration #compliance #globaltrademanagement #china #trade #chinatrade

Great to see GS1 taking initiative on much needed standards for traceability in supply chains and the need for interoperability - something we are 100% focused on for the GDTW China 2020 Trade Development Week Program with 80% of our attendees wanting to meet technologies for anti illicit trade, brand protection & secure supply chain illustrating the need for public-private collaboration and better understanding of technologies. VIEW PAGE - Consumers and Industry are asking for more information about the products they purchase, use and consume. GS1 provides common language for Traceability solutions! Traceability makes an impact on your business and consumers. Email us for the GTDW China Program: globaltrade@kwconfex.com or view www.kwglobaltrade.com #traceability #securesupplychain #trackandtrace #etrade #ecommerce #gs1 #supplychain #interoperability #gtdwchina #trade #globaltrade #internationaltrade

Interesting article by Kale Logistics Solutions part of IPCSA - International Port Community Systems Association GTDW Advisory Council Members and speakers at GTDW China Trade Development Week, 16-18 June Shanghai around the theme of Tradetech Interoperability for eTrade, Trade Facilitation, Secure Cross Border Supply Chain & Anti Illicit Trade www.kwglobaltrade.com The article underlines an essential leaders topic to be discussed at GTDW China: Single Windows: Outcomes, Challenges, Lessons Learnt & Whats the Future? As part of the GTDW China Tradetech Exhibition we invite leading technologies to demonstrate their capabilities and innovations for the future of single windows: globaltrade@kwconfex.com 6 FACTORS THAT SIMPLIFY YOUR LOGISTICS As international trade becomes the new norm, and whispers of an impending recession loom over business predictions, the Single-Window concept is gaining momentum in the logistics and trade scenario. The buoyant system assimilates a de-railed and complex process of documentation under the “one-stop-shop” umbrella, thus facilitating a swift and smoother workflow. Serving as the ‘sole body of entry’ for every import-export and transit-related regulatory requirements Single Window facilitates inland and cross-border movement of goods and reduces national logistics cost. With its digital approach, SW assists the government as well as the traders in handling the red-tape intricacies of a complex and time-consuming trade process. Single Window lubricates the rusted wheels of bureaucracy and straightens the ruffled cuffs of international trade up, effectively increasing national competitiveness. SINGLE WINDOW – THE LOGISTICS BEHIND A SIMPLIFIED SYSTEM The implementation of Single Window can transform your logistics with a well-structured and well-functioning process. Data from the UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) indicates the impact of SW in South & South East Asia shows a tremendous saving of time, money and process resulting in increased revenue and higher trader compliance. In Singapore, the introduction of national Single Window for trade called TradeNet unites more than 35 border agencies since 1989 causing significant gains in government productivity and revenue. 1. ONE-ENTRY-ONE LOCATION Smooth and swift transactions The Single Window system works as a single portal for all trade-related matters, to disseminate the relevant information to participating governmental authorities or authorized agencies. The traders are hence benefitted by accessing and submitting all required documents/information in one place and at a time. The one-time submission also erases the chances of errors or fraudulent data. 2. DIGITIZATION Faster & transparent processing The online submission and approval of documentation in the single-window system make it easier, accessible and people-friendly. The digital process reduces paper transactions and increases the capability of automatic verification. According to the UNSECAP data, in Singapore, the global financial center, the automated entry system reduced the processing time of trade documents from 4 days to 15 minutes. By increasing the speed of data verification, the web-based infrastructure helps to accelerate the entire ‘application-submission-clearance’ process. Being digital and with very less of bureaucracy, the single-window system eliminates redundant processes and ensures more transparent and predictable processing. 3. COST EFFECTIVE & FUTURISTIC Faster & transparent processing The traditional paperwork always came tainted with cobwebs of trade regulations, processing delay, and unanticipated and additional expenses. Single-Window reduces processing and transmission costs by the use of e-documents. Less paperwork decreased manpower, digital submission of export licenses, less delay at ports of entry, etc., reduces operational cost. The trade facilitation measures introduced as groundwork for SW development in Thailand, “eliminated redundant processes and reduced the number of days for export from 24 days (in 2006) to 14 days (in 2009)” – UNESCAP. Improved productivity and smooth trade procedures initiate better foreign trade. Reduced corruption, better transparency, and better trade statistics also attract more investments and further the scope of international trade. 4. BUSINESS EFFICIENCY The entire maze of logistics gets a consolidated structure at the hands of the single-window system. Increased quality of data retrieval, elimination of unnecessary or useless procedures, less delay in the import/export procedures, etc constructively boost up the logistics and trade. Predictable & Reliable Managing trade and transit the traditional way was detrimental to its complex and often unpredictable nature. Custom clearance of import-exports, unexpected delays, and inaccurate arrival timings were frequent occurrences in the global supply chains. Single-Window casts out these uncertainties and makes the process much more reliable and competent. Through the less complex and user-friendly infrastructure and processing methods, the administration is effective, staff productivity improved, and data reliability increased. International trade gets more utilitarian with effective resource deployment and increased customs revenue. 5. SECURE AND TRACEABLE PROCESS Digitization of the system makes the trade more foolproof with a lesser risk of errors and duplication. The single-window system addresses regular clogs like the red tape, the unpredictability of transport procedures, etc and quickens cargo clearance ensuring faster and prompt delivery of the merchandise to a happy customer! The tracking possibility through online data adds to the security factor of transactions, especially in international trade. Cross-border business becomes more efficient with quicker validation and inspection. 6. INCREASED REVENUES Hong Kong – one of the most thriving economies in the world and the hub for international trade and investment – witnessed an annual savings of HK$1.3 billion from the automated information transaction system, while in the Republic of Korea, the same is estimated to be 1 billion and 818.9 million USD. The Korea customs service estimates that the introduction of SW brought some 18 million USD in benefits in the year 2010 alone with the overall economic benefit hitting 3.47 billion USD from the agency trade facilitation efforts. UNESCAP reports state that these include savings from “transmission cost by using e-documents, improving productivity by automating administrative work and improved management, storage and retrieval of information and documents through the use of Information Technology.” VIEW ARTICLE #gtdwchina #customsmodernization #singlewindow #etrade #paperlesstrade #Easeofdoingbusiness #Logisticssimplified #tradefacilitation #trade #globaltrade #aeo #internationaltrade #supplychain #logistics #customsmodernisation #unescap #digitization #tradetech #tradetechnologies #china #chinatrade

Interactive visualization of Trade Facilitation & Paperless Trade data To help countries benchmark and reduce the time and cost of trading across border, the UN Regional Commissions jointly conduct the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. The Survey currently covers 128 economies around the globe, and 53 measures related to the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), as well as emerging regional and global initiatives on paperless trade or e-trade, such as the recent Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (FA-CPT). The Survey leads to the production of a Global Report and five Regional Reports, which aim at providing insightful information for policy makers to harness trade as a key means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Survey is conducted in collaboration with growing number of global and regional partners, since 2015 and every two years. VIEW WEBSITE #gtdwchina #tradefacilitation #etrade #paperlesstrade #singlewindow #tfa #tradefacilitationagreement #tradetech #asia #africa #leastdevelopedcountries #UN #unitednations #government

We are delighted to welcome GTDW Advisory Council Member, Dr Lars Karlsson CEO & MD KGH Customs Services will be joining us at the 19th Edition of Global Trade Development Week event in Shanghai on the 16-18 June 2020 under the theme of 'Tradetech Interoperability, Digitalisation & Standardisation For eTrade, Secure Supply Chain, Compliance & Anti Illicit Trade​'. Join us to welcome international governments, regulators, business & technologies in Shanghai. Limited exhibition spaces available for trade technologies & innovations. VIP ATTENDEES - FREE ACCESS: We invite attendees from Customs & Tax Authorities, Ministries of Trade/Economy/Finance, IP, Police & Judiciary Authorities, Heads of Brand Protection, Heads of Trade & Customs Compliance to register for this capacity building event for FREE. Please register through globaltrade@kwconfex.com For more information visit the event website: www.kwglobaltrade.com GTDW China 2019 past event references: Post event report: https://lnkd.in/fGv2k_c Video: https://lnkd.in/fprGPTV Programme: https://lnkd.in/fS2E5mg #gtdwchina #tradefacilitation #internationaltrade #globaltrade #crossbordertrade #trademanagement #customsmanagement #FTA #AEO #TransnationalCrime #globalflows #tradecompliance #customs #customsmodernization #digitalization #trustedtrade #singlewindow @CapacityNow @GTDWNews

There was no change among the world’s top five cargo gateways in 2018 but there was movement further down the table, reported Airports Council International. Hong Kong International Airport, Memphis International, Shanghai Pudong, Incheon and Ted Stevens Anchorage all held their positions from the previous year as the top five cargo hubs. But among the smaller gateways, Los Angeles jumped three places from 13th to 10th this year and Doha International advanced five places from 16th, last year, to 11th. Rockford in the US was the fastest-growing airport in 2018 for airports that handled more than 250,000 tonnes of cargo, thanks to the expansion of its e-commerce business for online retail giant Amazon, which helped traffic grow 56.6%. The next fastest growing of the 250,000 tonnes-plus airports was Nairobi, Kenya which saw cargo increase 25.2% to over 342,000 tonnes and Liege, Belgium, up 21.6% to 871,596 tonnes. Xi’an in China and Philadelphia in the US were up by 20.3% and 20% respectively. ACI added that in total, the world’s airports accommodated 122.7m tonnes of cargo – a 1.4% increase. This is down on the 6.8% year-on-year increase recorded in 2017. VIEW ARTICLE #gtdwchina #aircargo #air #cargo #globaltrade #tradedevelopment #asia #china #chinatrade #shanghai #etrade #customs #tradefacilitation

Delighted to welcome Lisa Mcauley from Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA) who will speak at the upcoming 19th Edition of Global Trade Development Week in #Shanghai on the 16 - 18 June 2020. GTPA is also an Institutional Partner for #GTDWChina For more information on GTPA visit https://lnkd.in/fPwkJkd View GTDW China Program: www.kwglobaltrade.com We welcome attendees from Customs & Tax Authorities, Ministries of Trade/Economy/Finance, IP, Police & Judiciary Authorities, Heads of Brand Protection, Heads of Trade & Customs Compliance to register for this event for FREE. Free tickets are limited so do register early through jackp@kwconfex.com GTDW China 2019 past event references: Post event report: https://lnkd.in/fGv2k_c Video: https://lnkd.in/fprGPTV #gtdwchina #globaltradeprofessionalsassociation #gtpaalliance #globaltrade #tradefacilitation #globaltrade #internationaltrade @GTPAlliance

“The move by governments around the world to employ #blockchain to improve cross-border trade marks a step toward #paperless customs processes, which originally began with the #digitization of #informationflows by making trade-related data and documents available and exchangeable electronically. For all the improvements they’ve brought to paper-heavy processes, traditional electronic data exchange systems still face the challenges of #authenticity and the unavailability of real-time data exchange.” This will be extensively covered at the upcoming 19th Edition Global Trade Development Week through one of the concurrent conferences on “GTDW Technology for Trade Facilitation and Compliance Conference” + "GTDW Anti Illicit Trade & Brand Protection Conference" - This is combined with the leading international exhibition of Tradetech for international trade, secure supply chain, compliance & anti illicit trade technologies. For more information visit www.kwglobaltrade.com GTDW China is a free to attend capacity building event for Customs & Tax Authorities, Ministries of Trade/Economy/Finance, IP, Police & Judiciary Authorities, Heads of Brand Protection, Heads of Trade & Customs Compliance (Limited Places) To register please email globaltrade@kwconfex.com #gtdwchina #paperlesstrade #customs #crossbordertrade #globaltrade #tradefacilitation #AEO #MRA #supplychainsecurity #china #trade #internationaltrade #capacitybuilding #illicittrade VIEW ARTICLE