Greetings!
As we approach our 34th year, 2017 has been a year of assessment, consolidation and growth in which we learnt, grew and achieved many a milestone. We are proud to share with you some of our most memorable achievements of the year gone by. We also take this opportunity to thank you for believing in us and for working with us in our success.
While we share the achievements of 2017 with pride, we are equally excited to share what’s in store for the coming year. Going forward, our aim and focus will be to align our work with the Sustainable Development Goals. Over the next 15 years, with these new Goals, countries will hopefully mobilise efforts to end all forms of poverty, curb inequality and tackle climate change.
I hope that in future we will not only be able to scale up our work but also the intended impact. I am extremely grateful to all development partners, individuals and institutions, experts, media and academia, and government departments and private groups for their continued support. Equally important have been the efforts of my colleagues who collectively contributed towards ensuring the success of CUTS as an internationally-recognised organisation.
Wish you the very best for 2018.
HIGHLIGHTS
Trade Facilitation Innovation Award
CUTS received the Trade Facilitation Innovation Award by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Asian Development Bank in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in September 2017 based on a case study on India’s initiative to set up a Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee jointly with Customs Commissioner, Government of India.
CUTS and COMESA Sign an MoU
CUTS signs an MoU with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat to promote research on trade and development in the region. This is the third such MoU in Africa after similar ones signed with East African Community and African Union. Another such MoU with ECOWAS is in the pipeline.
TRADE
Promoting Agro-processing Industry in East Africa
CUTS effort to promote agro-processing industry in East Africa as an effective weapon against climate change’s impact on agriculture leading to poverty reduction was captured in Kenya’s new Trade Policy as a policy measure.
Border Haats and their Socio-economic Impact
A study on Border Haats (informal markets) between India and Bangladesh showed positive impact on livelihoods of local communities and cross-border trust building. More slots will now be opened.
REGULATIONS
Broadband Disclosure Labels Empower Consumers
Our campaigning on consumer broadband labels led to public consultation by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on how data speeds and broadband labels help in information disclosure.
Green Energy Policy to Address Barriers
Kenya’s Bomet County developed a draft Green Energy Policy to address key barriers on the basis of the baseline study done by CUTS Nairobi in February 2017. Other counties likely to follow suit.
GOVERNANCE
Making Roads Safer for Road Users
CUTS intensive interaction with Parliamentarians led to a strengthened Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, 2017 with more effective safety provisions. Awaiting its adoption by the parliament.
Every Child has the Right to be Happy, Healthy and Protected
Bhilwara district administration in southern Rajasthan, India applauded CUTS work on ‘CHILDLINE 1098’ which has reached out to 2728 children and resolved 617 cases in 2017.