trade – metaLAB

Access to International Trade

DESKTOP ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE

metaLAB produced a feasibility study for the UK Dept of Business, Innovation and Trade (then SITPRO) on desktop access to international trade by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We also outlined the design requirements for an XML based approach. ElecTra was the early manifestation of such an XML service. It allowed UK traders to complete and verify their trading documentation on-line. They could have these official UN documents communicated without delay by computer (EDI or Internet), or by paper, to the appropriate authorities, notably Customs, across the world.

This approach has now become the basis of the UN’s eDOCs system. (UNeDocs UK is the national implementation of UNeDocs).

Special Programme for Trade Efficiency/Global Trade Point Network

UNCTAD launched the Trade Point Programme in 1992. Its main objective is to facilitate access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to international markets, in particular using the most up-to-date technologies in electronic commerce. Through the electronically interconnected network of Trade Points in many countries of the world, SMEs can gain access to the latest information and telecommunication technologies and services, make their products known to potential customers and find business partners in other countries and from countries with economies in transition – in international trade.