3rd UNECE Single Window Symposium Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade Geneva, 30-31 October 2017 14 Years of Experience in Implementing Single Window in the Transition Economies of the UNECE Region Mario Apostolov Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade mario.apostolov@unece.org

Single Window: more of a political and organizational rather than technical tool SW = the emanation of trade facilitation - cut red tape – often repeated individual data should not be submitted 40 times to 40 different agencies in 40 different documents but, if possible, only once. The “Options Paper”, the problem tree and objectives tree - reflect the issues in Recommendation 36: Interoperability of Single Window systems (esp. option 4 in the Options Paper). Necessary to define from the beginning: (a) clear vision what would be the system (interoperability, one SW) at the end; (b) working agenda for the “PG”; and (c) the final result of its work. EU Member States to endorse this reference model, following suggestions from the PG. Decisions are with the MSs (network of national Single Window systems; a joint EU Single Window; or a set of linked existing national SWs, maritime SWs, PCSs, various legal acts, etc.) A matrix of all certificates and licenses in the EU may help. Distinguish between documents subject to (1) common EU law; (2) national law; (3) mixed; (4) private; (5) does the documentary procedure require certificate availability check or availability check with quantity management, etc. “Harmonization” and interoperability of data sets, documents, procedures, legal requirements, etc. is central, and the use of global standards for information exchange is the key.

Single Window: more of a political and organizational rather than technical tool SW = the emanation of trade facilitation - cut red tape – often repeated individual data should not be submitted 40 times to 40 different agencies Need to define from the beginning a clear vision for the final system, endorse it politically. A Humpty Dumpty syndrome: A SW means whatever I want it to mean. Needed “harmonization” and interoperability of data sets, documents, procedures, legal requirements, etc. – use international standards. Facilitate EOs’ work – file individual data only once! Yet more important is the harmonization of data. Then the submission of data to various agencies is a click away Improve information sharing among agencies and with business Improve efficiency of controls Improve quality of risk management (combine efforts) The “Options Paper”, the problem tree and objectives tree - reflect the issues in Recommendation 36: Interoperability of Single Window systems (esp. option 4 in the Options Paper). Necessary to define from the beginning: (a) clear vision what would be the system (interoperability, one SW) at the end; (b) working agenda for the “PG”; and (c) the final result of its work. EU Member States to endorse this reference model, following suggestions from the PG. Decisions are with the MSs (network of national Single Window systems; a joint EU Single Window; or a set of linked existing national SWs, maritime SWs, PCSs, various legal acts, etc.) A matrix of all certificates and licenses in the EU may help. Distinguish between documents subject to (1) common EU law; (2) national law; (3) mixed; (4) private; (5) does the documentary procedure require certificate availability check or availability check with quantity management, etc. “Harmonization” and interoperability of data sets, documents, procedures, legal requirements, etc. is central, and the use of global standards for information exchange is the key.

Two directions of work: ~80% of work - talks Political Build political will Draft a concept and a feasibility study Establish a lead agency (e.g. Customs) Harmonize policy Technical work Data Harmonization Develop an IT system for the SW Align with international standards Interagency management level working group ~20% technical work Interagency technical specialists working group SW  organizational and political instrument Not an IT system !

Various initiatives SE Europe: SW and Data Harmonization initiative: Success story: fYR Macedonia project EXIM: 2nd SW in Europe! UNDA project in SPECA (Central Asia): Trade Facilitation Success stories: SW in Azerbaijan; SW for exports in Uzbekistan; SWs supported by ECE, GIZ, EU, ADB in Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan Project in support for TF and SW in the EEC / EEU Success story: a set of legal acts - basis for SW mechanisms in EEU EEC started work on a reference model for SW mechanisms SW & DH initiative in the South Caucasus Contribution to work on SW and DH in AM, AZ, GE TF & SW initiative in Ukraine Success story: PCS in Odessa → Maritime SW, now national SW Now: SW interoperability initiative with BSEC; collaboration w EC

EXIM Single Window in fYR Macedonia SW project: after UNECE regional seminar in Ohrid, Dec.2006 Specificity: Licensing SW before electronic Customs declaration Second SW in Europe after the Swedish Stairway Financing: €1mln, USAID 200,000.

Single Window building algorithm in 5 stages (data exchange) – embed SW interoperability Stage 1: Paperless Customs + electronic payment of Customs duties + electronic container packing list + risk management Stage 2: Connection to the IT systems of other regulatory agencies (link of paperless Customs to other documents – electronic certificates and licenses) Stage 3: Electronic document exchange among various stakeholders, port and airport community systems Regional system of information exchange or cross-border paperless trade National electronic logistics platform Traders Stage 4: Integrated national logistics platform, in which traders and logistics service providers exchange information Banks for electronic payments Port Community Systems Insurance companies Stage 5: Regional information exchange Other regulatory bodies - electronic licenses and certificates Freight forwarders and logistics service providers Paperless Customs Phytosanitary certificates Sanitary certificates Интернет Internet SEW Veterinary certificates Airlines Certificates of origin Duty-free zones Other licenses Importer/exporter/ Customs broker/ Representative/ other interested partners Administration of ports, airports, etc. Shipping agents Terminal operators Note: in many countries level 3 was developed before level 2 UNNExT SW Guide

Single Window in paperless enviroment in Azerbaijan 2009 2011 2010 2012 2013 «Single Window» on the customs border checkpoints for customs clearance National SINGLE WINDOW 1st step 2nd step 3rd step Paper Electronic Paper & Electronic

National Single Window Interagency TF Working Group National TF Strategy Systems of interorganizational information exchange National Single Window Cargo Consignor or exporter B 2 G G 2 G Regulatory bodies Consignee or importer Maritime sector Single Window Freight forwarder or 3PL B 2 G G 2 G B 2 B Port Community System Cargo Seminar on national SW and DH, Irpen, Oct. 2016 Consignor, exporter, consignee, freight forwarder

Move from document based to process based approach 4 major pillars of interoperability (covered by Rec.36): BSEC initiative; EC SW initiative SW uses international standards for trade data and document exchange data harmonization alignment with international standards Interoperability on different levels: semantics business processes message syntax (IT systems) legal systems Legal basis for exchange with other SW systems to be created in each SW A governance structure to be established for SW interoperability Move from document based to process based approach

www.unece.org/trade & www.unece.org/cefact Thanks ! Mario Apostolov Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade Palais des Nations, Room 458 CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland tel.: +41 22 9171134 e-mail: mario.apostolov@unece.org www.unece.org/trade & www.unece.org/cefact