Italian Ministry of Economic Development
Standing Committee
on
International Trade Facilitation Strategy
and the
International Trade Hub – Italy
(ITH-Italia)
“Just one click to do business
in the global market”
Lunch & Learn September 18, 2012
Pier Alberto Cucino
20th UNCEFACT Forum – TU / Vienna
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THE KEY OBJECTIVE
FACILITATION of international trade:
 a goal for the Government;
 a necessary service for companies.
 Gov.t Act on Simplification
(27 January 2012)
 Cut down on bureaucracy
 Abolish unnecessary rules
 Speed up procedures
 Leverage IT to promote economic
growth, “digital agenda”
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FACILITATION
means
 COST REDUCTION – Hidden Costs of
International Transactions, HCIT
 ENHANCED COMPETITIVENESS
 Less Bureaucracy
 Greater efficiency
 FDI ATTRACTION
 LESS DELOCALIZATION
and those who stand to benefit the most are ...
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Italian SMEs
require guidance about matters such as:
 information on foreign markets
 how to select their targets
 international distribution channels
 requirements, constraints, tariffs, duties
 local legislation
 how to obtain the relevant information
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Italian SMEs – converging goals
Help
companies
with their
export plans
Facilitate
trade-related
operations
International Trade Hub-Italy
Providing Italy with a tool to help
SMEs in the process of
internationalization:
JUST ONE CLICK!
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International Trade Hub-Italia (ITH-Italia)
is an innovative and technologically advanced tool to allow companies to
compete and succeed in the globalized economy.
An International Trade Hub is
more than a “one-stop shop” or
“single window”, as it integrates
all the processes related to
import-export activities and
internationalization.
“By the end of this decade,
all the major IT HUBs will
be interconnected”
(UN/CEFACT)
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The International Trade Hub-Italia (ITH-Italia) is the ultimate tool
to facilitate trade and internationalization and thus enhance SME
competitiveness.
All hardcopy documents processed
during the various stages of the trade
process are converted to electronic
format: from e-marketing to ecustoms clearance through e-logistics,
e-payment and e-licensing/
certification.
TDR
Trade Document
Repository
All documents and data are stored
electronically with legal validity
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Operational structure of ITH-Italy
ITH-Italia services
e-marketing
Marketing &
Promotion
Public
Offices
e-licensing
e-logistics
Business
Community
e-customs
clearance
e-foreign exchange
payments
Financial
Institutions
Logistics
Providers
Customs
TDR
Trade Document
Repository
Payments/
ForEx
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Where we stand
 Contract with the IT Service Provider already signed
 Agreements, either already signed, forthcoming or planned, with
public and private institutions involved
 Ministry of Economic Development
 ICE, the Italian Trade Promotion Agency
 ABI, the Italian Banking Association
 Invitalia, foreign direct investment attraction
 SACE, export credit insurance
 SIMEST, support to Italian investments abroad
 Italian Customs Agency
and others.
 Start-up of the system planned soon, 2013
2012
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Some background information (1)
• February 2008 - 1st International Conference on Trade Facilitation
• April2009, 14th UN/CEFACT Forum in Rome
• April 2009 - 2nd International Conference on Trade Facilitation (during
the Rome Forum)
• December 2009 – the Standing Committee on Trade Facilitation
Strategy is set up within the Ministry of Economic Development
• February 2011 – 3rd International Conference on Trade Facilitation
• February 2011 - Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Ministry of Economic Development and the Italian
Banking Association, to which other public Institutions such as ICE and
INVITALIA are parties
• Establishment of the Executive Committee and launch of the ITH-Italia
Project.
NEW Conference (4th) will be organized in November 2012
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Some background information (2)
Standing Committee on Trade Facilitation Strategy
Mission
• to disseminate procedures and operational tools developed within
international organizations – UNECE, EU, WTO, etc. – in connection with
Trade Facilitation
• to analyze problems and issues confronting enterprises
• to contribute to national and international initiatives addressing these issues
Its actions are based on UN/CEFACT Recommendations (and ISO
standards) on international best practices and standards.
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Some background information (3)
Standing Committee on Trade Facilitation Strategy
Working Groups
• Issues and needs affecting economic operators
• Financial services
• Interoperability
Workflow
• Aid for Trade
• Identification of critical points, bottlenecks, problems and issues
• Analysis of costs and consequences
• Proposal of solutions, bearing in mind UN/CEFACT
Recommendations and Standards
• Best Practices – Analysis and Mapping - Digitalization
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ITH PROJECT TEAM
Department for Internationalization and Promotion
Project Team – ITH Italia
-Claudio C. Padua (Project coordinator), claudio.padua@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
-Graziano Severini (Project collaborator), graziano.severini@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
-Riccardo Scarpulla (Institutional Relations), riccardo.scarpulla@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
-Elena Toselli (Studies and Analysis), elena.toselli@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
-Bruno Ferrari (IT Consultant), bruno.ferrari@ritspa.it
-Stefano Ortolani (IT Assistant) stefano.ortolani@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
-Daniela Ricci (Secretray), daniela.ricci@sviluppoeconomico.gov.it
-Website: http://www.mincomes.it/semproitalia/tavolo_strategico/tavolo_index.htm
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Thankyou for your attention
pa.cucino@ice.it
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