Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
31
2.2.1.3. Responsibilities
The Swedish Government has set up SWEPRO to: “promote simplification and efficiency in
international trade procedures through active participation in the central international forums
where these matters are addressed”.
2.2.1.4. Functions
The objectives of SWEPRO are:
• To highlight trade procedures that constitutes hindrances to Swedish industry.
• To discuss possible solutions at national, regional and international level.
SWEPRO monitors and discusses national and international work and thereby constitutes a platform
for Swedish representation in international organizations. The SWEPRO secretariat coordinates and
participates in work that is mainly conducted within the framework of the UN, the WTO, and the EU.
2.2.1.5. Sources of funding
Today, SWEPRO has no independent budget and is not dependent on any financing in order to
sustain its activities. Each representative in the forum contributes with his or her time and work
effort. The case of the National Board of Trade is particular since the Board also provides the
secretariat for SWEPRO. Thus, the Secretariat is funded by the National Board of Trade’s regular
budget for trade facilitation. This proved to be a beneficial solution when it was decided that
SWEPRO would not have secretariat staff of its own. The Board can make good use of the information
gained through SWEPRO in its analysis and, vice-versa, providing input to SWEPRO on on-going work
related to trade facilitation in the Board.
2.2.1.6. Achievements
As stated in their main web page: “Sweden is a small, heavily trade dependent country and the more
complex international trade becomes, the more important international efforts to harmonize,
standardize and simplify procedures gets. Regular dialogue and cooperation between government
and industry is a cornerstone of trade facilitation. The importance of trade for Sweden and of
dialogue between stakeholders is reflected in the approach of SWEPRO. SWEPRO gathers Swedish
stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. SWEPRO has seen a high level of participation
(80%).”47
The Members of SWEPRO have as one of their most important practices, to follow and discuss trade
facilitation issues at national and international level.
SWEPRO’s means of keeping channels of communication open, such as: to keep stakeholders
informed of meetings, SWEPRO uses its website; meeting minutes; and the provision of information
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