STORY:
Y2K Poses Trade Problems For Poor Countries

Months of delays may take place because products can't clear customs

A United Nations agency is warning that a "significant number" of developing countries face severe trade disruption and a collapse of customs operations at year's end because the Y2K computer bug.

According to Reuters, the U.N. agency says trade could be interrupted for these countries for weeks or "maybe months."Of the 75 countries using ASYCUDA, an automated system for customs data and management set up in the 1980s, some 35 to 40 are considered as having a high-risk of being affected by the Y2K problem, due to non-compliant software, Another 20 countries are deemed to have other, more minor problems.

The U.N. agency reportedly admits early versions of ASYCUDA are not 'millennium compliant.' This means that countries using them will be unable to operate their systems beyond 31 December, 1999.

Source: Reuters

DATE: 6/29/99

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