The implementation of the Barbados Electronic Single Window for Trade will allow for the creation of a more competitive environment in which businesses can grow and citizens thrive.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Business, Francia Jordan, expressed this view recently as she addressed the opening of a Stakeholder Partnership Seminar on the Barbados Electronic Single Window for Trade, at Hilton Barbados Resort. The one-day consultation brought together 82 senior officials in the public and private sectors to continue dialogue on trade and business facilitation.
Ms. Jordan told her audience: “On completion of the Electronic Single Window, it is anticipated that traders will secure benefits including, but not limited to, improved transparency in the operations of regulatory agencies; improved ability to classify goods and satisfy regulatory filings; reduced trade-related transaction costs, and enhanced levels of predictability in duties and requirements before importing commodities.
“It, therefore, permits us to create a more competitive environment in which our businesses can grow and for our citizens to thrive. Without it, we run the risk of de-escalating all the positive changes that we have gained from the previous investments in areas such as the Central Cargo Examination Facility and ASYCUDA World, among others. This ambitious and comprehensive project will allow our Government to reform Barbados’ regulatory trading regime and result in greater efficiency in doing business.”
Ms. Jordan described the Single Window as a development initiative that “will see significant and meaningful” growth in the trade sector.
The Electronic Single Window is expected to simplify and improve the facilitation of cross-border trade in Barbados. In October 2021, Government signed the project agreement with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to initiate its implementation. Government has fortified its commitment to create the Barbados Electronic Single Window for Trade by 2025.
The Ministry of Energy and Business is charged with the responsibility for implementing the project, while UNCTAD is providing technical assistance. Several activities involving private and public sector stakeholders will be carried out over the project’s implementation period.
Ms. Jordan explained that the Single Window would serve to automate the submission and processing of documents to satisfy cross-border trade regulatory requirements.
“The system will provide a single access point between the trading community and approximately 28 government agencies with electronic services for application and approvals of licences, permits, certificates and other documents required for the importation or exportation of regulated or controlled goods,” the acting Permanent Secretary stated.
In her address, Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA), Trisha Tannis, said the private sector continues to call for more harmonious and seamless ways to perform business transactions with government institutions, and the mechanisms surrounding cross-border trade were no exception.
Mrs. Tannis added: “It is therefore most encouraging that work to launch the Electronic Single Window to ease business facilitation is under way, so as to allow for stakeholders to utilise the “one stop shop” approach when importing and exporting goods into and from Barbados….
“Having a system which eliminates the need for businesses to have to physically present themselves to several government departments in order to obtain relevant licences, permits and other documentation is critical.”
The BPSA Chairman said the business community “eagerly awaits” the launch of the Electronic Single Window facility. She added that they were hopeful that it would operate and be maintained to a high standard, with any changes and modifications to systems being communicated efficiently and concerns being responded to expeditiously.