Naden Vencatachellum Ag Head of Information Technology, Customs Mauritius Revenue Authority Tel: (230) Mob: (230) (30 th March 2011, Antigua, Guatemala)

 To comply with imports, exports and transit- related requirements, traders need to ◦ Submit large amount of info to different authorities ◦ Provide info as early as possible (advanced information)  Increasingly complex to coordinate effectively with other agencies in our trade facilitation endeavour.  Single Window is the solution  Trade facilitation tool – effective way of reducing non-tariff barriers

 A Single Window is defined as a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once.” - UN/CEFACT RECOMMENDATION No. 33

 Helps improve a country’s economic index by ◦ Reducing costs of doing business. ◦ Eliminating clearance delays – improve dwell time.  Win – win concept  Offers benefits both to the Government and traders

 Enhance Traders compliance, and encourage further trade and open competition.  More trade will automatically yield more revenue to the Government and, therefore, improve the economic health of the country.  Transparency and predictability of doing business will attract further investments.  Information are centralized at submission and, thereby, promoting effective risk assessment and management.  More efficient and effective deployment of resources.

 Reduce delays and costs of trading.  Enable Just-in-time philosophy  Encourage business growth and expansion.  Establishes a bond of trust between the Government and trading community.  Improve dwell time drastically.  Elements of uncertainty are removed, hence, more predictable business.  Better usage of resources.

 Many classification criteria possible ◦ Physical v/s automation ◦ Ownership and funding: Solely Gov, solely private, partnership-PPP ◦ National Single Window v/s regional Single Window ◦ Design and architectural

 3 clear models emerge – UN/CEFACT (Rec 33) ◦ Single Authority ◦ Single Automated system ◦ Automated Transaction system  Though different flavours of a model have also been implemented.

 Single Authority ◦ One authority takes the lead and accepts all the information or documents at a single entry point. ◦ Redirects them to the proper agencies or authorities accordingly. ◦ Very often Customs will play this coordinating role and will be the contact point for the trading community. ◦ Another flavour of that model – Customs performs the tasks on behalf of the agencies, e.g Sweden.

 A single Automated System ◦ Data submitted once to the SWS for processing, storage and distribution to the appropriate agencies or authorities. ◦ SWS is integrated or centralised and data is kept on the Single Window server for subsequent use. ◦ Another flavor of this model is the decentralized approach where the SWS interfaces with the agencies or authorities. Once data is submitted to the SWS, it is channeled to appropriate agencies or authorities for processing.

 Automated Transaction System ◦ A scalable electronic platform. ◦ Trader files his data in a single electronic declaration and the system sends the data to the appropriate agencies or authorities. ◦ An electronic response is then sent back to the trader. ◦ Value Added Network (VAN) concept where messages are accurately and timely exchanged among the appropriate stakeholders of the business. ◦ This model is being used in Singapore, Mauritius, Ghana.

Airlines/Shipping Companies MNS CMS Lease Lines & Frame Relay Declarant/brokers CUSDEC CUSRES Freight Stations CUSCAR CUSRES Agencies Green Yellow Cargo Community System Payment RedBlue

 Closed and secured environment.  E-export certificates issued by Customs and hosted on TradeNet website ◦ Eliminate risk of fake exports certificates  TradeNet moving towards web portal  New security features will be in place ◦ Encryption ◦ DS ◦ Authentication etc

 A country cannot operate in isolation now!  Globalisation urges regional cooperation  From National Single window to Regional Single Window. ◦ Effective sharing of information in the region for enhanced trade facilitation and better risk assessment. ◦ Single Window should be fully automated and support paperless trade.

 Commitment and support from high level.  A leader is fundamental (Usually Customs).  Legal framework should be in place. ◦ E.g epayment -> Electronic Transaction Act & regulations.  Simplification and streamlining of procedures of all the actors (Customs, OGA etc).  Simplication and harmonisation of the data sets to be used.  Choose the right technical solution in line with your countries infrastructure.  Sound project management & change mgt.

 Revised Kyoto Convention.  UN / CEFACT Recommendation and guidelines on establishing a Single Window, Rec No 33.  UN / CEFACT Recommendation No 18 – Alignment of documents  WCO Data Model 3.0 – GOVCBR  WCO Single Window Data Harmonisaion Guideline  WCO Templates for OGA business process and data mapping.  UNeDocs – standardization of documents.  UN/CEFACT Modelling Methodology (UMM) – to model the business process.  WCO Unique Consignment Reference (UCR).

 Thank you for your attention