**UK Government Pilots Frictionless Trade Models with Ecosystem of Trust**
The UK government has completed a pilot testing program for its Ecosystem of Trust, which aims to create a frictionless trade border model. The pilots involved making supply chain data accessible to the government, using new technologies to preserve goods’ physical integrity, and exploring how trusted relationships can enable industry to perform certain controls instead of the government. The consortium leading the pilot, which included IBM Consulting and Maersk, provided the government with additional supply chain data for 700,000 consignments. The results showed that digital risk-based methods for border control can improve data quality and reduce decision-making time by 17% for goods entering the UK. These models can also eliminate up to 62% of delays on imported goods subject to plant, animal, or health controls, while reducing private sector customs data costs by 40%. The government aims to define industry benefits and invest in the necessary technology and standards to fully realize the potential of these models.
**Summary:**
The UK government has conducted pilot tests for its Ecosystem of Trust, a border model for frictionless trade. These tests demonstrated that digital risk-based methods for border control can improve data quality and reduce decision-making time. The models were found to eliminate delays and reduce costs for both industry and the government. However, further investment in technology and standards is needed to fully implement these models.
**FAQ:**
1. What is the Ecosystem of Trust?
– The Ecosystem of Trust is a potential future border model for frictionless trade developed by the UK government.
2. What were the objectives of the pilot testing program?
– The pilot testing program aimed to make supply chain data accessible to the government, preserve goods’ physical integrity using new technologies, and explore the potential for industry to perform certain controls instead of the government.
3. Who led the consortium for the pilot testing?
– The consortium was led by IBM Consulting and Maersk and included other industry partners such as Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe, Maritime Cargo Processing, Pure Electric, Quantexa, Westbridge Foods, and WM Morrison Supermarkets.
4. What were the key findings of the pilot testing?
– The pilot testing showed that digital risk-based methods for border control can improve data quality and reduce decision-making time by 17% for goods entering the UK. They can also eliminate up to 62% of delays on imported goods subject to plant, animal, or health controls, while reducing private sector customs data costs by 40%.
5. What are the next steps for implementing these models?
– The government aims to define the industry benefits and invest in technology and standards to fully realize the potential of these models. Interoperability, digital trade document standards, and suitable analytics are important considerations for successful adoption.