​A Rapid Evidence Assessment follows a particular methodology which consists of a structured literature search and selection process. Subsequently, a quality assessment of the studies that met pre-set inclusion criteria is carried out according to the guidance provided in the UK Department for International Development’s How to Note: Assessing the Strength of Evidence. This quality assessment forms the basis for a synthesis of the selected evidence.

The key findings of this Rapid Evidence Assessment on trade facilitation are: 

• Trade facilitation reduces trade costs and increases trade flows; 
• Improvements in infrastructure, customs efficiency and regulatory environment have the greatest impact on trade; 
• The effectiveness of trade facilitation interventions is context specific; 
• Impact evaluations and case studies help to highlight what works best, where and why, and can contribute to better design of trade facilitation interventions.

Yurendra Basnett and Isabella Massa