Enhancing Public Availability of Customs Information
In the Islamic Countries
28
hows the data broken down by developing region, i.e. excluding high income countries.
The general picture is in many ways very similar. For instance, there is general improvement
across all indicators and all regions, in contrast to the apparent backsliding noted in the case of
the TFIs. In addition, it is Sub-Saharan Africa where the rate of improvement is the fastest. In
other words, although it is starting from a low baseline in terms of static performance, the
dynamic in that region is emphatically one of catch up. Rates of improvement are also significant
in South Asia, and in Europe and Central Asia for some indicators. The most striking feature,
however, is that the lowest income region is also the one that is improving performance the
fastest. Perhaps aided by the passage of the TFA, there is clear evidence from this figure of a
convergence in customs and border regimes around the world as they relate to the public
availability of information.
Figure 9: Percentage change in UNGS data related to information availability, by developing
region, 2015-2017.
Source: UNGS. Note: excludes high income countries.
2.4. Conclusion and Lessons Learned
This review of the evidence for developing countries globally has shown that although
performance differs significantly across regions, there is a clear trend towards convergence in
practices relating to the public availability of trade information. International frameworks,
particularly but not only the TFA, are guiding this process. Looking at recent trends in
performance, there is evidence from both datasets that it is relatively weaker performing
countries that are improving the most rapidly in percentage terms. In other words, there is
significant evidence that a catch up process is under way, consistent with the global convergence
dynamic already referred to. Although performance in this area is partly a function of a country’s
per capita income level, it is by no means true that strong performers are only found among high
income countries, or OECD members. Countries that are considered “developing” at the WTO,
such as Singapore and Republic of Korea, are world leaders on trade facilitation, including
information availability. Moreover, the data show that there is considerable variation within
regions and income groups, not just between them. As the case studies in Section 4 will show in
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
East Asia &
Pacific
Europe &
Central Asia
Latin America
& Caribbean
Middle East &
North Africa
South Asia Sub-Saharan
Africa
Percent
Region
National Trade Facilitation Committee Publication of Regulations
Stakeholder Consultations Advance Publication
Advance Ruling