ARLINGTON – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) selected Nathan to lead the five-year, $21M Trade Facilitation Program, which will help Vietnam implement a risk-based approach to border clearance.

Over the past two decades, Vietnam has become one of the most open economies in the world; however, inefficient border procedures are preventing Vietnam from improving its trade competitiveness. Vietnam’s regime of “specialized inspections” costs traders time and money, hurting SMEs the most, while not necessarily achieving their objectives of public health or environmental protection. The Government of Vietnam has tasked the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to coordinate inter-ministerial efforts to streamline, harmonize and apply risk-based approaches to specialized inspections.

The project will work with GDVC to strengthen Vietnam’s National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and NTFC working groups; streamline border clearance procedures (including specialized inspections implemented by other ministries and agencies); harmonize the implementation of risk-based approaches between the national and provincial levels; train customs officers on risk management and facilitate national-provincial dialogue as well as dialogue between customs and business.

The Trade Facilitation Program “presents an exciting opportunity to make border clearance more efficient, transparent and predictable,” said Rachid Benjelloun, Nathan’s Vice President for Trade & Logistics. “The program will also improve the trade and investment environment for US companies and help Vietnamese SMEs become more competitive by integrating into global value chains.”

Nathan partners with USAID, customs authorities, trade ministries, and businesses to modernize customs clearance and border management through expert advice, innovative tools and the facilitation of productive customs-to-business relationships. Our long-lasting partnership with Vietnam includes supporting market-based (M4P) approaches to poverty alleviation, advising customs authorities on customs modernization and a single window, and supporting Vietnam during its recent APEC host year.

About Nathan
Nathan is a private international economic and analytics consulting firm that works with government and commercial clients around the globe to deliver practical solutions and achieve lasting results. Whether building frameworks for economic growth or navigating regulatory hurdles, securing infrastructure financing or evaluating and assessing disputes, Nathan’s experts serve as trusted partners, offering clients the analysis, technical advice, and strategies they need for sound decision-making.

Known for both technical and service excellence, Nathan has corporate offices in the US, London, and India and more than 25 program offices around the world. More information about Nathan can be found at nathaninc.com.