2010年-世界发展银行全球_GEDOEL___A_Powerful_Regional_Trade_Facilitation_Tool_4页_870kb

GEDOEL: A Regional Trade Facilitation Tool for CAFTA-DR

Core Content

GEDOEL is an innovative software application developed by the USAID-funded Regional Trade Program for CAFTA-DR (CRT), implemented by Chemonics International Inc. It is designed to help the trade community in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR countries) correctly apply the rules of origin (ROO) under the CAFTA-DR Free Trade Agreement (FTA), thereby qualifying for preferential tariff treatment when exporting goods to the United States.

Main Views

GEDOEL serves as a digital tool that simplifies the complex process of origin determination by using decision trees and close-ended questions. This approach makes it accessible to users without specialized knowledge in trade regulations. The system is user-friendly, with features that include:

• Origin Determination: Users input the Harmonized System (HS) code of the product and answer a series of questions about materials, production processes, and shipping methods.
• Certificate of Origin Issuance: Registered users can generate and issue electronic Certificates of Origin, which are essential for customs clearance.
• Public Accessibility: The system is available for free online at http://www.gedoel.sieca.org.gt/.
• Support and Help Files: Extensive help files in simple language are provided to assist users in understanding the ROO and answering the system's questions accurately.

Key Information

Background

• Complexity of ROO: The rules of origin under CAFTA-DR are intricate and challenging to interpret, leading to frequent errors and legal risks.
• Traditional Methods: Past efforts to address this issue involved training programs, but these were limited in reach and effectiveness.
• Need for a Solution: Companies, especially SMEs, often faced high costs or risk due to the lack of local expertise in ROO.

Development

• Innovative Design: GEDOEL was developed to translate complex ROO into decision trees, making the process more intuitive and accessible.
• Release and Testing: The system was developed by Chemonics and completed in August 2009. It underwent rigorous quality control tests before being deployed.
• Hosting and Maintenance: In November 2009, the system was transferred to SIECA (Central American Secretariat for Economic Integration), which is responsible for its administration and maintenance.

Impact and Benefits

• Economic Benefits: By enabling correct application of ROO, GEDOEL reduces legal and financial risks and helps companies save costs.
• User Engagement: As of February 2010, the system had over 13,000 hits and 300 registered users, with an estimated potential savings of $1.3 million for trade users.
• Scalability: The tool has replicability and scalability features, making it applicable to other free trade agreements with minor modifications.

Lessons Learned

1. Dissemination Strategy: A more aggressive and structured plan is needed to increase user adoption.
2. System Maintenance: Continuous training and support for SIECA staff are crucial to ensure the system remains up-to-date with changes in ROO.
3. Partnership and Promotion: Engaging government agencies and private-sector associations is essential to promote the use of GEDOEL and ensure its long-term success.

Conclusion

GEDOEL is a valuable resource that supports the trade community in CAFTA-DR countries by facilitating the correct application of ROO. Its development highlights the importance of innovation in trade facilitation and the potential for digital tools to enhance economic participation and compliance in international trade. With proper dissemination, administration, and maintenance, GEDOEL can continue to provide significant benefits and serve as a model for similar tools in other trade agreements.