This specific edition of SITPRO News highlights the important work that takes place behind the scenes at SITPRO. I would call these issues the nuts and bolts of our work. Whilst we need to have vision and ambition, underpinning SITPRO's work is a lot of detailed and painstaking work that brings continuous achievement even though it does not make the headlines.
Our Trade Procedures Helpdesk is a big step forward in the professional management of the problems that UK traders face. It also supplements, in a more focussed way, the service being offered by other government organisations such as UK Trade and Investment and HM Customs & Excise.
Few, if any, other organisations have the experience, ability and commitment to strive for harmonised document standards. This is the root of SITPRO's existence and, because of the benefits it offers international trade and traders, it is ingrained in SITPRO's approach to trade facilitation. The work with the European Commission is an excellent example of this, as is our work with UNECE on electronic documentation standards. We must ensure that our ability and effectiveness in this area is maintained
Now is the time of the year when we are reflecting on past achievements and considering our ambitions and work programme for the future. The year 2003/04 has been a very busy, full and successful year. We have an ambitious work programme for 2004/05, but funding is likely to be tight. This will mean that we will need to be even more focussed on our priorities.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 49, February/March 2004
