According to the recently updated UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, the Republic of Azerbaijan has achieved remarkable progress and leading position in the region.
The Survey covers over 160 economies around the globe, and 60 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 (CPTA).
The results of Azerbaijan in this Survey based also on the Azerbaijan Readiness Assessment for Cross-border Paperless Trade country report which was published last year. This report was prepared by the United Nations ESCAP (ESCAP Subregional Office for North and Central Asia) consultants team led by Jana Krimpe worked diligently under the direct supervision of experts from the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The coordination and consolidation of data with participating agencies were conducted by the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SCC) and the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), with invaluable guidance and support from all related state agencies and the private sector. The national focal points of Azerbaijan in UN ESCAP are Mr. Natig Shirinov (SCC) and Prof. Vusal Gasimli (CAERC), who are facilitating coordination, information sharing and joint planning at national level.
This collaborative effort has resulted in significant advancements for Azerbaijan over the past eight years. The country’s overall trade facilitation score has soared from 47.31% to an impressive 87.10%. This represents a substantial leap forward of 2.15% compared to the previous year’s score of 84.95%.
The results of the survey were unveiled during the launch event on 5th July 2023, presented by the United Nations Regional Commissions and UNCTAD. Notably, based on the updated information, Azerbaijan has emerged as the leader among countries in the region, surpassing the scores of the Kazakhstan (76.34%), Belarus (72.04%), Ukraine (60.22%), Uzbekistan (84.95%), Moldova (62.37%), and Armenia (75.27%). Furthermore, Azerbaijan has also outperformed several European countries, including Finland (87.10%), France (79.57%), Italy (84.95%), Latvia (75.27%), Lithuania (81.72%), Portugal (84.95%), and Norway (84.95%).
Of particular significance is Azerbaijan’s achievement of 100% implementation in measures related to transparency and agricultural trade facilitation. Noteworthy progress has also been made in the categories of “Paperless Trade” and “Institutional Arrangement and Cooperation.” Under these categories, Azerbaijan’s score has increased from 85.2% to 88.9% and from 77.8% to 88.9%, respectively.
Jana Krimpe, the leader of the consultant team, commended the collaborative efforts, saying, “The remarkable progress achieved by Azerbaijan in the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, as well as the unwavering support from the State Customs Committee and the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication and Ministry of Economy. Together, we have demonstrated Azerbaijan’s commitment to enhancing trade facilitation through digitalization and effective governance. Our nation’s outstanding progress serves as an inspiration for sustainable and efficient trade practices in the global arena I am confident that by collectively considering the recommendations outlined in the report, we can achieve highest results in the next Global Survey.”
Jeyhun Najafli, one of the consultants involved in the elaboration of the report, further highlighted the measures that have been fully implemented. “Azerbaijan has made significant strides in implementing trade facilitation measures, particularly in the areas of transparency and agricultural trade facilitation,” stated Najafli. “These measures have been crucial in boosting Azerbaijan’s overall scores. Among the 58 measures listed in the UNTF survey, the Republic of Azerbaijan has fully implemented 40 measures.”
One noteworthy initiative is the creation of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF), which is currently in the process of implementation. “The establishment of the NCTF, as a partially implemented measure, marks a significant step forward,” Najafli explained. “During the elaboration of the Readiness Assessment for Cross-Border Paperless Trade: Azerbaijan report, the importance of creating the NCTF was recommended. Under the joint chairmanship of the State Customs Committee and the Ministry of Economy, the NCTF will serve as a crucial platform for coordination and collaboration between government agencies and businesses. It will play a vital role in streamlining trade procedures, enhancing efficiency, and further improving trade facilitation in Azerbaijan.”
Guided by the encouraging findings and recommendations of the survey, recent years the Government of Azerbaijan has taken proactive steps towards implementing a series of improvements to digitalize and streamline cross-border trade operations and procedures. These efforts are aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and efficiency. Notable initiatives, including the introduction of electronic declarations, advance rulings, the implementation of an Automated Customs System, and the establishment of an Electronic Single Window System, have played a pivotal role in driving up the scores in the realm of Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. Furthermore, these efforts have created favorable opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fostering their participation in international trade.
The collaboration between businesses and the government (Public Private Partnership) exemplifies Azerbaijan’s unwavering commitment to advancing trade facilitation through digitalization and effective governance.
