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• Strengthening the capacity of institutions that service exporters
• Simplifying the domestic rules and administrative procedures that govern trade and
promote transparency
• Strengthening the capacity of exporters to meet market demand and international
standards
• Forging trade alliances with neighbouring countries so as to facilitate the cross-border
flow of goods and services
• Negotiating international trade agreements and ensuring their crisis sensitivity
• Developing national capacity to monitor exchange rate trends and to assess their
impacts on trade and livelihoods.
Box 5.5. Trade reform in Serbia
Traders in Serbia faced a number of administrative obstacles in the early 2000s. The customs administration lacked modern computer systems and required
hand delivery of customs declaration forms. Customs officers physically inspected all cargo items at the border. Customs procedures and agencies lacked
transparency, and communication among them was weak. Corruption, documentation backlogs, and delays and difficulties at the border were common.
Beginning in 2003, a reform process introduced selective screening of cargo, reduced the number of documents required for customs declaration, enabled
electronic customs clearance, and improved inter-agency collaboration. The reforms successfully expedited the processes for customs declaration and clearance.
Whereas previously a trader would spend an entire day clearing goods at customs, electronic customs clearance enabled the process to take place in
less than one hour. Between 2003 and 2006, the total time required to export goods was reduced from 32 to 11 days, and the total time required to import
goods was reduced from 44 to 12 days.
Source: den Otter, Jacqueline (2009). “Cross-border trading reforms in post-war Serbia” in IFC and World Bank, Celebrating Reforms 2009.
For additional information, please see discussion papers in Annex:
14. Facilitating Remittances to support livelihoods and economic recovery
25. Transitional Governance
26. Rule of Law Justice and Security
27. Inclusive Economic Growth and Sustainable Employment: macro-micro considerations
and support
Livelihoods & Economic Recovery in Crisis Situations