UNCTAD Supported ASYCUDAWorld Mobilization Seminar

Hon. Eugene Amor, Secretary of Department of Finance and Administration

Hon. Kandhi Elieisar, Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Chargé d’Affaires, European Union

Government of FSM

Trade Community

Distinguished Guests

UN Colleagues.

Kaselehlie! Good Morning!

It gives me great pleasure to be here today to witness yet another initiative by our colleagues at the Government of Federated States of Micronesia and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

First of all, I want to acknowledge the team at the Department of Finance and Administration for their dedication and devotion to undertake a reform drive to improve and streamline customs and trade processes. Your efforts will surely make a difference in the economic growth of the Federated States of Micronesia.

I would also like to commend colleagues from European Union and UNCTAD for partnering with administrations in the Pacific through the IMPACT project. One that streamlines customs processes and deploys the latest iteration of its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) software.

As we may appreciate, customs play a crucial role in supporting the economic competitiveness of a country through trade facilitation, while maintaining its mandate of collecting revenue for the government and protecting the community and environment.

Indeed, increased efficiency and transparency of e-governance systems, and paperless trade could reduce the average time to process goods by 37% (more than 1/3rd of the time taken). This is where the newly developed ASYCUDAWorld comes into play.

Importantly, improved trade facilitation is a major opportunity for realizing the region’s trading potential. It enhances export competitiveness, reduces the costs of essential imports (such as inputs required for local production) and improves transparency.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I firmly believe that ASYCUDAWorld will transform trade in the Federated States of Micronesia. It will do so, as it envisions simplification of the customs regime, elimination of unnecessary bottlenecks, introductions of paperless procedures, and use of digital technology for online service delivery necessary for government and businesses alike. It’s very reassuring to know that the government programmes like these are being devised that actively involve all stakeholders and incorporate their feedback.

This in turn would enable inclusiveness for the trade sector. Inclusiveness for women and inclusiveness for those on outer islands. Such inclusiveness and increased digital trade have been proven to increase revenue collection.

There are also other opportunities for the region as we have recently launched the UN Pacific Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027. This Framework is aligned with regional and national development priorities and will provide the basis for the United Nations system’s continued support to the Pacific nations. Support towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across fourteen (14) Pacific Island Countries and Territories. And support that will be provided over the next five years.

We are currently reaching out to all partners in order to prepare our Country Implementation Plan for FSM for the next two years. Through this process, we may wish to discuss solutions to further boost trade in the FSM.

In concluding my remarks, I wish to emphasize that our work is about supporting the people of the Pacific Islands in achieving a more sustainable and prosperous future. In doing so, the United Nations supports FSM’s efforts to ensure that the fruits of development will benefit all its citizens.

I wish you success in realising your ambitions. 

Thank you!