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Context

• The fifth UN Global Survey has been launched by the five UNRECs along with UNCTAD in January 2023.

Information about the 2023 Survey

• The 2023 Survey is conducted based on an updated questionnaire, developed by the UN Regional Commissions in cooperation with UNCTAD, ICC, OECD, and many other collaborating institutions.
• This year’s Survey covers 60 measures including two new sets of measures on Trade Facilitation for E-Commerce’ and ‘Wildlife Trade Facilitation’, referring to measures related to the facilitation of cross-border e-commerce and the applications of electronic CITES permits and certificates.

Highlights of the Survey

• India has performed really well in Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation.
• The 2023 survey, covering more than 140 economies and evaluating 60 trade facilitation measures, has positioned India at the forefront of global trade facilitation efforts, with an impressive score of 93.55% in 2023 vis a vis 90.32% in 2021.

• The 2023 Survey has recognized India's exceptional progress across various sub-indicators, with the country achieving a perfect score of 100% in four key areas: Transparency, Formalities, Institutional Arrangement and Cooperation, and Paperless Trade.
• These remarkable scores are a testament to India's relentless efforts in streamlining trade processes, enhancing transparency, and promoting cooperation among stakeholders through initiatives such as:

-Turant Customs,

-Single Window Interface for Facilitation of Trade (SWIFT),

-Pre-Arrival data processing,

-e- Sanchit,

-Coordinated Border Management etc.

• India has witnessed a substantial improvement in the score for the “Women in Trade Facilitation” component from 7% in 2021 to 77.8% in 2023 thereby indicating commitment to gender inclusivity and the empowerment of women in the trade sector.

• India is now the best-performing country amongst all the countries of the South Asia region.
• The overall score of India has been greater than many developed countries including Canada, France, the UK, Germany etc.

• As evidenced in the following graph, India’s overall score has continued to improve year by year indicating a strong commitment to further enhancing ease of Doing Business by undertaking next generational Trade Facilitation measures.

Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation

About

• Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation — a survey carried out every two years since 2015.

Publishing organizations

• It is jointly organized by the five United Nations Regional Commissions (UNRECs) — ECA, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP and ESCWA.

Mandate and Significance

• The Survey evidences whether or not the trade facilitation measures being taken have the desired impact and helps draw comparisons among countries.
• A higher score for a country also helps businesses in their investment decisions.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements. 1.    Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation is carried out annually since 2015. 2.    In 2023 Survey, India is the best-performing country amongst all the countries of the South Asia region. 3.    The overall score of India has been greater than many developed countries including Canada, France, the UK, Germany etc. 4.    Trade Facilitation for E-Commerce’ and ‘Wildlife Trade Facilitation’ are the two new measures included in the 2023 Survey.               Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) None of the above. Correct Answer: (a) 1 only Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation is carried out every two years since 2015.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1938008