Improving levels of trade facilitationis one of the remaining challenges to enhancing connectivityand trade growth in South Asia, but border and internalsecurity concerns are often perceived as a barrier toimplementing key reforms. Security is a legitimate issue forSouth Asian nations. But there needs to be a balance toachieve the optimum level of security without restrictingtrade and damaging a nation’s ‘economic’ security. Evenborder management agencies employing a ‘100 percent’intervention policy does not have the resources to examineevery package. The challenge is to focus security resourcesto target transactions of highest risk, using sophisticatedanalysis of transaction data and maintaining visibility andintegrity of supply chains. After the 9/11 attacks, severalgovernments had to address the challenge of securing theirnational borders and protecting their international supplychains against terrorist threats. There is concern that poorborder security risks the trafficking of weapons or drugs,entry of terrorists or their means of support, or otherthreats. Following the attacks, many jurisdictionsemphasized more intervention and an increased regulatoryburden on international trade. However, added emphasis onsecurity need not become a barrier to international trade orrender trade uncompetitive. Based on several case studies,this note synthesizes some principles that can be adopted togovern the balance between managing security risks andfacilitating trade.
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