Trade-Government+consultation

Consultation is a participatory process used by governments and stakeholder groups to involve multiple actors in policy making and project implementation. Consultative processes can be organized at various stages of the policy-making process. They are used in more and more countries as an information channel. Public consultation is now also a mandatory requirement of the legislative process, giving non-government stakeholders the right to comment on proposed and amended laws prior to their adoption. =Benefits of Trade-Government Consultation= Trade-government consultation plays an important role in increasing transparency. It is often used by public bodies to disseminate information on changes in operations and regulations. But the benefits of trade-government consultation go beyond this. Consultative processes provide a platform for traders to discuss problems and other concerns with the relevant authorities. In fact, regular consultation creates a basis for dialogue between government agencies and stakeholders from the trading community and transport sector about the challenges and objectives of trade facilitation reforms. For public bodies, the benefits of consulting their "users" are multiple: they address implementation resistance early on and therefore facilitate the use or enforcement of adapted measures. Furthermore, if traders' concerns are taken into consideration prior to the development of a project or change, it may be possible to obtain more information on their needs and therefore design a better adapted solution. It is furthermore possible to gain the private sector as a strategic and financial partner for the project. =Implementation Guidance= Consultation can take different forms. The Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) mentions the importance of consultative processes in the General Annex (Standard 1.3.) and in the guidelines to Chapter 9 of the RKC Addressing Information Issues. Consultation is described as a useful means for the dissemination of information and can include the following forms:
 * ad hoc information meetings with stakeholders,
 * training workshops,
 * websites for posting information and questions, and
 * formalized and regular consultative structures.

As with Customs formal trade consultation, these processes are often organized at the agency level, where they become part of the information function of the organization. A special contact person may be put in charge of responding to traders' requests and be responsible for the relationship with users. The task of organizing trade-government consultations and of disseminating information to traders may also be conferred to a trade facilitation body.