Our Work

Summary

The USDA Food for Progress-funded Trade-Facilitating Agricultural Systems and Technology (T-FAST) program simplifies, modernizes, and harmonizes processes for the export, import, and transit of agricultural goods in Paraguay through implementation of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement. Implemented by IESC in partnership with the Center for International Private Enterprise, Kansas State University, and a variety of Paraguayan firms with relevant expertise, including in trade law and information and communication technology, the program will result in a 14% reduction in the cost of trade in agricultural goods, a 30% decrease in release time of agricultural goods, and improvements in predictability through transparency and automatization of processes—thereby reducing nontariff barriers to trade.

Just as importantly, the program strengthens and empowers Paraguay’s National Trade Facilitation Committee to lead an agenda for continual improvements in trade facilitation that will have a lasting impact well beyond the program term. The program focuses on implementing Paraguay’s Category C Notifications—where they intersect with trade in agricultural products—to implement both the letter and spirit of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. The program creates improved government processes and systems to increase the efficiency of trade flows for agricultural exports, imports, and goods in transit, civil servants who have the capacity to implement changes through a continuous learning cycle, and improved mechanisms for public-private sector engagement around trade facilitation.