But some improvements are under way, including online tax filing and faster customs clearance.

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The EU wants rules on investment, competition policy, government purchases and customs clearance.

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Since March 1998, it has been open to private flights, though at present only a few international ones are allowed customs clearance.

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And it has an edge: it embraced new technology early on, being one of the first to computerize customs clearance and other port operations.

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Rules on investment and customs clearance, among other things, triggered the collapse of the WTO talks, but they are at the forefront of discussions at ASEAN.

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Now, the association's leaders have identified 11 sectors, including electronics, tourism, health care and air travel, in which they hope to remove tariffs, harmonise standards, and expedite customs clearance.

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Some of these rules make sense on their own terms (who could be against swift customs clearance or transparent government procurement?) but they would be costly for poor countries to implement and monitor.

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In particular, we welcomed the significant contribution of the United States through USAID in supporting the development of ASEAN Single Window project, which aims to develop an integrated cross-border process for customs clearance to increase trade efficiency, trade security, and competitiveness across the region.

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The Customs Code the second stage of the customs union that was launched by the three countries on Jan. 1 sets rules for customs control and clearance and brings Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan under a unified regulatory system.

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Shumlin, after meeting with Marois on Monday in Montreal, said a major impediment to improved rail communication remains the pre-clearance of passengers and cargo by customs officials from both countries when crossing the border.

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These allow trusted travelers to enter the United States and Canada with expedited clearance through immigration, security, and customs.

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