Single Window Information For Trade [SWIFT] Portals
Increasing efficiency, powering trade.
Reduction in time and costs related to trade in EAC by supporting governments Challenge to adopt ICT solutions in key trading systems and processes.
Challenge
Technical and financial support to trade regulatory agencies in the region to develop Information Communication and Technology (ICT) based systems that automate trade processes, transforming them from paper based to paper-less transactions. The result of this is a reduction in time and cost in acquiring regulatory documents.
Since 2012, SWIFT programme has supported 19 agencies in automation. Out of which 6 were evaluated in 2016 to assess the automated portal. The evaluated portals are Kenya National Chamber 0f Commerce, Kenya Tea Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board, Tanzania Food and Drug Authority and Uganda National Bureau of Standards
These projects have demonstrated how ICT can transform trade systems and procedures, making them simpler, more transparent, efficient and predictable
Key Benefits of Automation
0
Reduces the time taken to acquire trade documents by eliminating periods of process inaction.: Rise in stakeholder confidence and trust due to transparency and predictability of the system.
Achieves greater harmonization of trade data across government systems: Overall Swift Impact
$6.6 Million
Total cost of doing business/savings was $6.6 million at December 2016
81%
of respondents indicated there were improvements in services delivery.
3.2 Days, $62 Per Transaction
Average clearance time per transaction reduced by 3.2 days and cost by $62 per transaction along key corridors in the EAC.
135 hours to 2 hours
Reduced operational cost (travel, stationery, storage)
Trade Clarity: Document Management
Improved document management due to e-storage.
Results
$ 0
Average transaction cost reduced.
Average cost per transaction reduced
0 Hours
Average time to process import/export documents reduced
38,908 Transactions
Have been made over the 6portals between 2012-2016
772 Trained Stakeholders
Were able to transact on thee-portals have been donethrough the e-portal.
A Total of 38,908
IMPORT/EXPORT TRANSACTIONShave been done throughout the e-portal.
Evaluated Portals: Kenya National Chamber of Commerce
Specific Challenge
To apply and acquire the Certificate of Origin in Kenya, traders had to travel to the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) offices in either Nairobi or Mombasa.This meant incurring travel costs and time for a single certificate of origin.
Intervention
TMA supported KNCCI to automate the issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) which allowed exporters to apply for the CoO, online and get automated verification. Traders can now apply for the CoO online from anywhere in the world. As a result, costs have reduced from US$ 88 to US$ 10 and processing time reduced from 48 hours in 2004 to 2 hours in 2016.
Kenya Tea Directorate
Despite tea being Kenya’s major export commodity.It’s trading process was cumbersome, costly and time consuming for traders. Tea parkers, exporters, buyers, manufacturers and warehousemen would apply or renew operational licenses by travelling to the tea directorate offices. Making monthly and annual statistical returns, and registering tea exports and imports would also require travel.
Automation of Kenya Tea Directorate’s key processes enabling it to deliver its mandate of regulating the tea sector. Automation included processes of licensing, registration and issuance of annual renewals for manufacturers, exporters, packers and brokers. It now takes 4 hours (from 120 hours) and costs $10 (from $65) to process an export registration.
Ministry ofAgriculture Rwanda
Agriculture is crucial for Rwanda’s growth; it accounts for 39 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), 80 percent of employment, 63 percent of foreign exchange earnings, and 90 percent of the country’s food needs. Control of pests and diseases and their spread remained a challenge for the country as it aimed to improve the quality of its agricultural produce for export markets.
TMA supported the Rwanda Agriculture Livestock Inspection (RALIS) agency to automate its key processes targeting exporters and importers of plants and plant materials, animal and animal products that enabled better control of spread of pests and diseases and minimizing introduction of new ones. Efficient control of pests and diseases increases the quality of agricultural and livestock products. Five processes were automated: Inspection, Pest Risk Analysis, Quarantine, Testing, Certification. As a result, processing of phytosanitary certificate and import permit reduced from 24 hours to 2 hours; average cost reduced from US$60 to US$10.
Rwanda Development Board
As a land locked country, Rwanda relies on the direct foreign and domestic investments made in the country as an avenue to spur and promote national and economic development. Simplifying business registration, promoting investments, and environmental clearances then remains critical for the Rwanda Development Board, the agency that brings together all Rwanda government agencies responsible for investments in the country.
Development of an online One-Stop Centre that enables investors to access online services for key investment processes and documents including: Registration of an Investment Certificate; Application for Environmental Compliance, Issuance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate; and processing of exemptions on imported goods.
