Solutions
Our core business is Trade Facilitation. This means that we work with our public and private sector clients to deliver solutions that enable them to strike a proper balance between, on the one hand, rapid and cost-effective international movement and handling of goods; and, on the other, observance of essential control and security requirements, legal obligations, and international standards.
Our approach is always holistic, addressing our clients’ problems from every relevant perspective. To give one example, we believe that introducing ‘single window’ frontier controls requires a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all of the border control agencies involved, and the policies, systems and processes they apply; it also demands an excellent grasp of the role and potential of ICT; and above all, it needs an integrated approach to border management solutions. As another example, we appreciate that implementing effective measures to secure and facilitate international trade requires a full understanding of commercial as well as official requirements, and current knowledge of what is happening elsewhere in the world.
Breadth, as well as depth of know-how is essential. We approach complex issues by combining our trade, customs, border management and commercial experience to provide complete, joined-up solutions in all of the following categories:
Consulting
Our consulting services cover every aspect of international trade facilitation. We are particularly strong in relation to fiscal customs procedures and processes, and in developing post-clearance/ post-release control and audit regimes. We also have considerable expertise in customs risk management, intelligence, control and enforcement. But this is by no means our limit. We can draw upon solid expertise in trade security, cargo inspection, integrated border management, ‘single window’ controls, trade and transport logistics, and inland clearance; and all of this is underpinned by excellent human resource development skills.
Training
We provide professional, comprehensive and accredited training solutions. We offer everything from bespoke programmes that are designed and developed on the basis of an in-depth analysis of training needs, to off-the-shelf training packages that are subsequently tailored to our clients’ precise needs.
All of our training solutions – classroom-based courses, workshops, practical on-the-job training, mentoring and coaching programmes, team development events, etc – employ the very latest training methods and are supported by high quality reference material, including DVDs and manuals.
We have run training programmes for Post-clearance/ Post-release Audit; Valuation; Origin; Tariff Classification; Warehousing; Intelligence; Risk Management; Anti-smuggling; Integrated Frontier Controls; Inter-Agency Cooperation; Management Development; Team Development; Public Relations; Trade Outreach; and Trainer Training.
Study Visits
Well designed and executed study visits are a powerful means by which the participants can add to their existing knowledge by seeing for themselves how their counterparts, working in a similar context, apply in practice the policies, systems, procedures, processes, equipment etc that are of direct interest to them. We have plenty of experience of organising and managing Study Visits throughout Europe, and – just as importantly – the necessary contacts to arrange them.
Instructions & Guidance
We are skilled in writing instructions and guidance, on a whole range of technical issues associated with international trade facilitation, for managers and operational personnel alike. Our written material is both comprehensive and easy to understand; and it can, of course, be translated into any language on request.
We have a significant body of guidance and instructions already in stock, which can be adapted and further developed to suit our clients’ needs. We are also able to quickly locate and make available relevant technical material from a wide variety of other sources.
Programme Design
We are thoroughly familiar with the procurement, programming, project design, and project management procedures of all the major international donor organisations. We have significant experience of assisting clients to devise institution-building and investment programmes/ projects, to monitor their implementation, and to evaluate the outcomes.
Contribution to Proposals
International competitive tenders for trade-related projects increasingly demand the submission of proposals that demonstrate leading-edge knowledge in the field. We have that knowledge, we have the ability to express it clearly, and – above all – we have a successful track record of winning contracts for clients. |
