The 2014 WCO IT Conference discusses ways in which Customs, in partnership with other border agencies and businesses, can impact the economic competitiveness of countries by exploiting effective IT solutions.

Over 400 delegates from 80 countries attended the 2014 IT Conference and Exhibition from 5 to 7 May 2014 organized in Brisbane Australia with the theme of “Information Technology as a Catalyst for Economic Competiveness - Innovation Powering Facilitation of International Trade & Tourism”.

The Conference discussed a variety of topics with a special emphasis on the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (ATF) and ways in which information technologies can accelerate the trade facilitation agenda.

The need for consistency and use of existing instruments, tools and standards was emphasized, especially in the context of data exchange and management, while the balance between control and facilitation functions remains a challenge. Collaboration between Customs, other border agencies and the private sector was identified as another success factor. The Conference concluded that, in terms of achieving effective results, IT solutions are necessary for most ATF provisions.

In addition, delegates heard from Sassoon Grigorian, Director of Public Policy, eBay Inc. who addressed two panels at the conference, one on ‘eCommerce’ and one on ‘Innovations in Customs Boosting Trade’.

Delegates were informed by eBay of the increasing impact of Internet enabled trade, particularly for SMEs, the use of new technologies, and growth in Asia Pacific. Suggested approaches moving forward by eBay included harmonisation of custom regulations, better use of big data of tracking parcels and transaction behaviours (including biometrics), increasing de-minimis thresholds and simplified custom procedures for SMEs.

Next year’s conference will be held in Senegal.