FACILITATING INTRA-OIC TRADE:
Improving the Efficiency of the Customs Procedures in the OIC Member States
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Table 7: Singapore’s Single Window
Details The first national electronic trade document processing system, introduced in Singapore
in 1989, involved several government agencies. Today Singapore’s TradeNet allows the
trading community to submit trade documentation to all relevant government authorities
through a single electronic window. TradeNet’s key objectives are to:
• Reduce the cost of trade documentation.
• Reduce turnaround times for trade documentation.
• Provide authorities with more efficient streamlined processing.
• Attract foreign direct investment through efficiency and transparency.
Recognized for its large contribution to Singapore’s pro-business environment, TradeNet
has increased efficiency and lowered business costs for the Singapore trading
community.
Operational
model
A member of the shipping and trade community submits trade declaration using any
TradeNet front end software from an approved provider, with data submission methods
including web applications, client based input, and host-to-host connections. The front
end system sends trade declarations using the TradeNet single electronic window for
automated processing by various authorities. A permit processing sub-module uses an
intelligent routing agent to determine work required for each permit application and
route it to relevant authorities for processing according to specific rules for each
controlling agency involved. With automated processing, 90 percent of declarations do
not require manual intervention, and users can receive and print cargo clearance permits
within 10 minutes. Options also exist for declarants to transmit data directly using their
host systems in any format. A Web portal lets traders process their permits, check
transaction status, make billing enquiries, and download code tables (port, country,
harmonized system, and the like). The portal also lets authorities process the declarations
and make inquiries.
Funding Initial S$24M (about US$14.3 million) in shareholder capital invested in CrimsonLogic,
a private company (formerly known as Singapore Network Services). Thus, the
government need not pay for the network. Instead, the beneficiaries—trading
companies—pay for services, without incurring development or maintenance costs.
User fees CrimsonLogic charges declarant fees on a pay per use model. A use fee is charged for
each permit processed. Users also pay one time registration and subscription fees, plus
monthly fees to maintain system accounts.
Critical
success
factors
• Government’s foresight in identifying problems, fi nding a solution, and championing
implementation.
• Cohesiveness of all stakeholders.
• Systematic planning, with phased implementation strategy.
• Adoption and use of appropriate technology.
Greatest
hurdles
Difficulty of the initial change.
Source: Ramesh (2011)
Single Window is currently adopted by many countries including developing and least
developed countries. According to Doing Business Report 2014, there are currently 73
countries providing a single window. The Report underlines that among these 73
countries, 18 of them are linking all relevant government agencies whereby 55 of them
are linking partially.
In a recent study, Keretho and Pikart (2013) argued that in most countries Single
Window integrates only several agencies because governance and management of