Poverty alleviation through paperless trade

This chapter argues that implementation of paperless customs systems to support paperless international trade documentation and processing offers developing countries a potential for development and poverty alleviation. Because paperless systems have become a critical part of the international trade infrastructure, an economy that lacks such a system becomes uncompetitive and falls or remains behind. Moreover, paperless customs offer several benefits to both government and business. Unfortunately, however, many developing countries have antiquated paper-based customs processes and systems, which places their economies at a disadvantage.

This chapter discusses the advantages of paperless customs systems and their potential for development and poverty alleviation. The chapter is divided into five sections, including this introduction. Section 8.2 discusses the potential benefits of paperless trade systems to developing countries. Section 8.3 follows with arguments that, considering the accruable benefits from paperless customs systems, developing countries have a duty to implement such systems. Section 8.4 discusses technological and legal facilitation of paperless systems. Section 8.5 concludes with observations.