Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
3
of joint inspection. The payment of customs duties and fees or port charges is integrated into
half of the Single Windows. In only six countries, paper has been removed from all or the
majority of the procedures. The others often duplicate paper and electronic procedures and
documents.
Challenges for Successful Single Window Initiatives
Single Window initiatives are complex projects because of the length and costs, depth of
required changes, and number of actors involved. Governments face many challenges and
impediments to successful Single Windows. This study finds that what matters for Single
Windows to be effective is
 to have a shared integrated design that allows a maximum level of business process re-
engineering and simplification from the perspective of a single point of submission;
 to match business strategy with an adequate IT architecture and infrastructure that
includes high availability concept and business continuity and disaster recovery plan;
 to build an interoperable IT architecture that is flexible and can work effectively in a
distributed, centralized or hybrid (mixed) IT architectural pattern on the basis of a
common data layer;
 to have an adequate level of resources and funding that allows for the most appropriate
design choices and recruitment and training of staff;
 to commit to a medium-term vision that keeps the attention on performance
measurement and improvement.
Single Windows that make a significant contribution to trade facilitation have well performing
end-to-end services that cover a large array off trade related processes from government
licenses, to joint inspections, and control of the physical movement of goods, remove paper from
processing and connect to external IT systems such as the Customs or Port Management
systems.
OIC Member States face numerous challenges in their Single Window efforts. This study
identifies 25 different challenges faced by national Single Window initiatives with regards to
successfully driving and completing the implementation process, managing an efficient Single
Window organisation, designing and maintaining an interoperable and flexible IT architecture
and infrastructure, and continuously managing performance and quality.
OIC Member States that are launching a Single Window initiative try to work through the
challenges of obtaining funding, conducting the preparatory work make appropriate design
choices, and implementing the projects on time with the expected outputs.
OIC Member States that have a Single Window face the challenge of matching their business
strategy and vision with the abilities of the IT architecture and infrastructure, scaling the Single
Window services and users, and controlling the costs of operations. Notable, six of the OIC Single