Enhancing Public Availability of Customs Information
In the Islamic Countries
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procedures. Figure 38 shows the steps involved in a typical PortNet process, including features
that are already operational and those that are planned. The approach is schematic, identifying
the main elements of a typical trade transaction and showing how PortNet facilitates them and
links them together in a transparent way. Information flows are key at each stage, so the work
flow for PortNet indicates the way in which information availability to the trade community
facilitates trade in Morocco.
Figure 38: General mapping of PortNet process.
Source: PortNet.
To give more details, Figure 39 shows how an importation transaction is managed in PortNet.
Again, the role of information flows is clear. A number of processes and actions are involved in
clearance, and the advantage of PortNet is that it brings them all together in a single online
interface that facilitates trade and related transactions. As the figure makes clear, the PortNet
community is not limited to traders and freight forwarders or customs brokers, but also includes
financial services providers involved in trade transactions. The information required for each
step in the process, along with the relevant documentation, is available online through the main
portal.