BEIJING (April 7, 2004) – Earlier today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) provided an $85,042 grant to the General Administration of Customs of China to support a technical visit to the United States that will promote China’s compliance with World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization (WTO) customs standards.  This assistance augments an on-going USTDA-funded capacity building initiative to modernize customs and goods clearance processes in China.

The grant was conferred in a signing ceremony held at the headquarters of the General Administration of Customs of China in Beijing.  USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey signed the grant agreement on behalf of the U.S. Government.  Customs Deputy Commissioner Gong Zheng, of the General Administration of Customs of China, signed the agreement on behalf of the Grantee. 

As China liberalizes its trade regime following its accession to the WTO in 2001, the country’s overall trade volume is projected to significantly increase.  In order for Chinese ports to more efficiently process and clear larger numbers of shipments, information technology-based solutions and customs training programs must be implemented.  USTDA is providing support for assistance designed to identify and evaluate the technical and training requirements of China Customs to better process additional trade flows.  The USTDA-funded customs training program supported by the grant awarded today will also enable Chinese ports to become familiar with WTO trading norms, as well as fraud prevention, customs management and international trade coordination practices.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.  The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.  USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development.  In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

- 30 -

Back to Press Releases