Quang Anh Le
Principal Consultant, Trade Policy and Customs
Quang is based in Hanoi, Vietnam. He is a highly experienced expert in international trade, customs operations, logistics, and supply chains. With extensive experience spanning Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asia (Nepal), and the Middle East, he has become a specialist in customs modernization and automation, economic integration of developing countries, and promoting good governance.
Over the past 30 years, Quang has achieved significant milestones, such as introducing and implementing the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) to enhance trade efficiency. He was crucial in operationalizing the ASW across all ASEAN member countries by 2024, beginning with Singapore in 2002. His deep knowledge of World Trade Organization (WTO) matters and existing trade agreements has been pivotal in pioneering the introduction of the World Customs Organization’s data model into ASEAN from 2003 to 2005. This model became the foundation for the service-oriented architecture of the ASW, facilitating dialogue between the Single Windows operated by ASEAN member countries.
Quang has been instrumental in introducing key techniques to improve customs authorities’ control over international trade. These include the implementation of the Post-Clearance Audit (2003), the establishment of the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Programme (2007), and the design of the ASEAN Transit System (2008). As part of the expert team, he contributed to designing and activating the ASEAN Guide of Customs Valuation in line with WTO practices (2003). He assisted Lao PDR in preparing for WTO membership negotiations in trade and customs matters (2012).
From 2014 to 2021, Quang served as the Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Regional Programmes of the Bureau for Arab States. In this role, he led efforts to promote regional economic integration in cooperation with the League of Arab States, Egypt, and Jordan. His initiatives included promoting the Single Window system and good governance and pioneered the new programme of economic integration among countries of the League of Arab States. He authored the Roadmaps for establishing Single Windows in Egypt (2015) and Jordan (2019), which became key national policies to facilitate trade and improve efficiency. He leads efforts to upgrade the customs automated system to the platform for Jordan Single window (2020).
Quang’s cooperation with national experts and support from UNCTAD led to the initiation of the Trade Policy Review of public trade policies on services for the logistics sector in Morocco (2019-2020). He also led the team in reviewing the functions of PortNet for the Moroccan Single Window (2021). Additionally, Quang initiated an assistance program to help Moroccan cooperatives access the American market for products made of Argan oil, supported by Lebanese experts in marketing and product design and a Lebanese shipping company.
In customs, Quang has contributed significantly to tariff classification and streamlining trade and customs procedures in line with international best practices. In May 1997, he designed the first version of the Manual of Training on tariff classification under the Harmonized System for Vietnam Customs. From 2003 to 2009, he participated in training tariff classification experts for ten ASEAN Customs Administrations. He was also the expert on the tariff classification of goods being commercialized in foreign trade and contributed to activating the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (2003) and its revision in 2007.
Quang played an essential role in the design and application of the ASEAN Customs Valuation Guide and assisted Lao Customs in negotiating its membership in the World Trade Organization (2011-2012).
Quang has extensive experience in developing projects to assist countries in need. Between 2014 and 2021, he mobilized over USD 10 million to support Arab countries in economic integration and to build national capacity for reform and modernization. He designed and successfully delivered four regional projects, working closely with international donors, national agencies, and beneficiaries. Throughout his career, Quang has prioritized the interests and benefits of the beneficiaries, ensuring compliance with best management practices.
Quang’s career reflects a deep commitment to enhancing trade efficiency and economic integration through innovative customs and trade facilitation measures. His work has profoundly impacted the regions he has served, fostering development and cooperation and establishing himself as a leader in his field.
During his career, Quang has participated in evaluating the effects of international donors’ technical assistance in Customs matters, such as analyzing the impacts of customs automation in Mongolia (2013).