UNCTAD and the World Bank are organizing a one-day trade facilitation seminar in Geneva to present examples illustrating their involvement in trade facilitation as a key component of the external trade competitiveness of many developing and transition countries. The Seminar will focus in particular on practical operations and projects now being implemented in the field to support, at the country and regional level, the effort of these countries to enhance their trade facilitation capacities, system processes and arrangements.

UNCTAD and the World Bank expect this event to be an opportunity to stimulate the dialogue between private and public stakeholders on the importance of making progress on this agenda for the benefit of the international community at large, and in particular for countries still somewhat remote from the global marketplace.