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Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme
HM Revenue and Customs
The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme aims to promote the economic development of developing countries, as per the OECD definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA), by delivering capacity building, supporting eligible countries in implementing provisions of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Trade facilitation is recognised as a key contributor towards economic development. The TFA aims to improve trade efficiency worldwide and lower trade costs by cutting red tape at borders, increasing transparency and predictability, reducing border-related corruption and taking advantage of new technologies. The Programme is delivered primarily through our two delivery partners: World Customs Organization (WCO) and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), who each bring unique expertise and experience in border management, processes and procedures. HMRC also brings together experts from across HMRC to provide support and knowledge sharing to partner countries on a government-to-government level.
Bilateral projects in support of Commonwealth thematic priorities
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Our bilateral policy projects are designed to sustain Commonwealth networks and contribute to our policy priority areas, including promoting democracy and good governance and building capability to support trade and investment, as agreed by Ministers. We work with trusted delivery partners including the Commonwealth Accredited Organisations to design impactful projects which make use of the Commonwealth advantage
UK Hosting of the Berlin Process 2025
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Established in 2014, the Berlin Process aims to increase connectivity and cooperation in the Western Balkans, with the ultimate goal of supporting the EU accession of the six Western Balkan countries (WB6): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The Prime Minister agreed that the UK will host the Berlin Process in 2025. As the UK resets its relationship with Europe, the Berlin Process will support stability, security and economic growth, combat irregular migration, and tackle gender inequality. This programme will deliver increased UK leadership and stronger relationships with European partners on the Western Balkans, and tangible progress the WB6 on their Euro-Atlantic paths.
Trademark Tanzania Strategy 2
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme aims to increase sustainable and shared prosperity in East Africa by increasing East Africa’s trade with the region and the rest of the world. Specifically, the programme will (i) invest in improving the efficiency and capacity of transport, logistics and trade infrastructure at key port and border points; (ii) invest in systems to improve trading standards, reduce non-tariff barriers and enhance transparency in trade processes; (iii) improve the regulatory and policy environment for trade; and (iv) support private sector advocacy for trade competitiveness, the export capacity of East African businesses and the greater participation of women and small and growing businesses in trade.
Tax Transformation Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To transform Ethiopia’s tax system so that the Ethiopian Government can fund more services for its population from its own revenues and become less dependent on aid. It takes an accelerated ‘delivery approach’ to tax reform that will generate at least £295million of additional tax revenue, reduce compliance costs for taxpayers, and support a better environment for businesses by improving clarity and the fairness of the tax system for businesses and investors. In doing so, it will create a platform for further sustainable increases in tax revenue and improve the Government's ability to assess the distributional impacts of its tax policies, particularly on the poor.
SheTrades Commonwealth +
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
SheTrades Commonwealth aims to increase economic growth and job creation in Commonwealth countries by enabling the increased participation of women-owned business in trade.
Supporting Economic Empowerment and Development in Palestine (SEED)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme will focus on the UK International economic development assistance to Palestine in the areas of water, electricity, access & movement and trade, and fiscal losses and customs. Programme activities will support institutional capacity building and infrastructure development, working closely with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel. The overarching goal is to support economic growth and job creation in Palestine.
TradeMark East Africa - Strategy 2 (Regional)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme aims to increase sustainable and shared prosperity in East Africa by increasing trade within the region and with the rest of the world. Specifically, it supports three intermediate outcomes that contribute to reducing barriers to trade (1) improved sustainable efficiency and capacity of transport infrastructure (2) effective trade systems and procedures, and (3) improved trade regulatory environment. The programme is implemented by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), which is an aid-for-trade organisation established by the UK in 2010. ARD co-funds TMEA with Kenya (300137), Uganda (205164), Tanzania (300529), and Rwanda (204495). Ultimately it intends to indirectly alleviate poverty by increasing trade and economic growth in such a way that improves the the well-being of poor people, particularly those working in sectors and geographic areas most affected by international trade.
Africa Food Trade and Resilience programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme will stimulate an increase in regional food trade in sub Saharan Africa (SSA), contributing to satisfying a growing food demand and to addressing food shortages through regional food production, processing and trade, and generating more rural jobs, climate resilience and income for farmers. The programme will: (i) work with companies that source, process, and trade food in the region, to maximise investment, coordination and benefits to smallholder farmers and (ii) contribute to improve the transparency and predictability of government policies to unlock regional food trade. By 2023, we expect the programme will increase income for 1.8 million farming families. DFID funding will de-risk and stimulate over £100 million in private sector investment aimed at enhancing smallholder farmers’ productivity and resilience.
ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme will leverage expertise in UK institutions to support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states implement ASEAN initiatives that will reduce poverty in the region and in particular support women’s economic empowerment and small businesses. It aims to reduce barriers to development in ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the overall ASEAN Economic Community, to increase prosperity and provide the foundation for more inclusive economic development that benefits the poorest. The programme will support reforms covering regulatory reform, financial services, and trade through technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge-transfer partnerships. It will look to harness the potential of digitalisation in ASEAN.
The Growth Gateway programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To establish a coordinated and improved service to businesses exporting to, importing from and investing in developing markets and businesses from developing markets to access UK Government trade, investment and finance services that increases trade and investment to developing markets. The programme will prioritise for support businesses who through their operations and products can deliver positive environmental and development impact, and support for businesses and governments will include promoting climate sensitive approaches and international standards on environmental practice, and identifying and supporting opportunities for climate smart investment.
Human Rights Thematic Programming
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To improve human rights and provide better access across the world through strengthening institutions and grassroots organisations.
Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade Programme - ReMIT
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme, through provision of high quality technical assistance, aims to support Pakistan to implement reforms that lock in macroeconomic stability and improve conditions for high and sustained growth, mutual prosperity, job creation and poverty reduction. The TA will be provided to; • Strengthen tax revenue mobilisation, helping to raise Pakistan’s tax to GDP ratio from 13 percent to 18 percent by increasing the number of tax payers; • Address the investment environment challenges faced by local and UK businesses, moving Pakistan towards being one of the top 50 countries to do business in; • Facilitate trade and drive competitiveness, addressing barriers to trade in order to reduce Pakistan's trade deficit; • Modernise macroeconomic policy making and implementation process.
Regional Economic Development for Investment and Trade (REDIT) Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The programme aims to increase sustainable and shared prosperity in Kenya by increasing Kenya’s trade with the region and the rest of the world. Specifically, the programme will (i) invest in improving the efficiency and capacity of transport, logistics and trade infrastructure at Mombasa Port and key border points; (ii) invest in systems to improve trading standards, reduce non-tariff barriers and enhance transparency in trade processes; (iii) improve the regulatory and policy environment for trade; and (iv) support private sector advocacy for trade competitiveness, the export capacity of Kenyan businesses and the greater participation of women and small and growing businesses in trade. ICF component is supporting Kenya Ports Authority to develop and implement a Green Port Policy to help the port adapt and become resilient to climate change. Key objectives include introducing new climate friendly technologies into the port’s operations.
Sustainable Inclusive Livelihoods through Tea Production in Rwanda
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The project supports job creation and increased incomes by working with smallholder farmers to develop greenfield tea. The Wood Foundation Africa (TWFA) will set up and run two Services Companies supporting approximately 12,000 smallholder tea farmers over 7,500 hectares. Farmers will be supported to produce tea for the first time, employing best farming practices, including understanding and managing climate risk and variability.The Services Company will be co-owned by the farmers. This will lead to improved incomes and livelihoods (in particular nutrition and education) for the farmers and their families. Unilever and Luxmi will build a factory which will heavily rely on the tea supplied by the smallholder farmers with support from The Wood Foundation Africa.
Eastern Neighbourhood Small Projects Programme
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
This programme will provide the mechanism for embassies to develop small projects to further the aims of the Country Business Plans and develop learning to support wider programming initiatives, with the overall aims of supporting development in the region. This is part of the FCDO’s official development assistance and falls under the OECD DAC ODA rules.
Supporting Environmentally-friendly Mineral Extraction and Sustainable Trade in Agriculture (SEMESTA)
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Indonesia is making efforts to decouple commodity production from deforestation, most successfully in the timber sector with its timber legality system (SVLK). A similar approach is in train with Indonesia’s palm oil standard, Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO). Learning from the timber experience, the programme will support Indonesia’s sustainable commodities production, including for exports to the UK. SEMESTA will address concerns that undermine sustainability, including upgrading ISPO by establishing a licensing unit and supporting the merger of regulations and to establish national system for other strategic commodities, including nickel. The programme will also support further necessary strengthening of SVLK, including on geolocation.
Trade Centre of Expertise
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Trade COE aims to increase trade from developing countries in order to drive export-led growth which reduces poverty and increases people’s resilience to climate change. It will provide technical assistance to governments and businesses in developing countries and in multilateral fora to enable them to overcome the barriers to trade, to compete in global markets and to make the global trade rules work for developing countries. It will provide world-class expertise on trade to Posts that is responsive, flexible and value for money and accompanied by a separate Trade COE Evidence and Innovation programme.
Commonwealth Investment Network
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) find it harder than other nations to attract the investment they need. The Commonwealth Investment Network will establish an ecosystem of growth-oriented local, regional and international partners working together to identify investment opportunities across Commonwealth SIDS, provide tailored technical assistance to select projects to increase their bankability, and nurture investment pipelines that will build climate-resilient and sustainable economies.
The Commonwealth Standards Network
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Commonwealth Standards Network engages CSN stakeholders to act as a collaborative network with an influential international voice that supports the increased use of international standards in Commonwealth ODA-eligible countries – primarily by strengthening the capacity of their National Standards Bodies (NSBs) so they can support their stakeholders (Policy Makers, Private Sector etc) to use international standards as tools to enhance trade and development and strengthen Regulatory alignment. It will build on the wider FCDO-funded work under the Standards Partnership Programme and complement other relevant programmes including the Commonwealth Investment Network.
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