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Grant will help Chinese ports handle increased cargo volumes quicker and more efficiently.

BEIJING - The US Trade and Development Agency (TDA) has awarded a $585,250 grant to the Customs General Administration of China - China Customs - to partially fund a feasibility study on streamlining and modernizing supply chain capabilities and operations at Chinese ports.
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US Ambassador Clark Randt signed an agreement conferring the grant on behalf of the TDA. Gong Zheng, vice commissioner, signed on behalf of China Customs.
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The Global Alliance for Trade Efficiency, based in Washington, DC, will conduct the study and "contribute resources towards its completion," according to the grant.
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With China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December, 2001, "the country's overall trade volume is expected to increase greatly over the next few years.

However, in order for Chinese ports to more efficiently meet the demands of increased trade, information technology-based solutions and customs training programs must be implemented," according to a press release from the TDA in Washington.
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These improvements, the release said, "will help Chinese ports to process a larger amount of goods in shorter time periods. In addition, increased efficiency at ports of entry will enable China to meet WTO international trading standards, lower customs duties, and minimize non-tariff barriers to trade."
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The TDA - funded study will identify and evaluate the technical and training requirements China Customs needs to better process additional trade flows.
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The Customs training program will also enable Chinese ports to become familiar with WTO trading norms, fraud prevention practices, Customs management and international trade coordination, the TDA said.

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