Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
15
Business continuity is important as an incident can have vast implications for the SW services
and data.
1.3. Contribution of Single Window to Trade Facilitation
Governments implement Single Windows for domestic efficiency consideration, and in response
to international commitments. The main driver is to simplify trade formalities and speed up and
secure processing with the objective to reduce clearance time and costs.
1.3.1. Policy Drivers
The array of policy objectives linked to Single Windows includes cutting red tape, eliminate
waiting times, cut border-crossing times, reduce transport costs, improve freight management,
and eliminate corruption. In general, Single Windows are set up to change an environment
where
 Traders and intermediaries have to contact separately multiple agencies and
stakeholders and transport documents back and forth to and between them;
 Government agencies operate in isolation and process sequentially without knowledge
and information from other government bodies;
 Processes are handled manually without consistent targeting and selectivity;
 Handling and processing varies from one location to the other.
A successful Single Window project is expected to lead to
 Improved compliance management;
 Improved process efficiency with better resource allocation;
 Reduced process times through less idle times and agency collaboration; and
 Reduced indirect and direct costs of formalities.
1.3.2. Impact of Digitisation and Process Re-engineering
Single Windows can deliver a change impact through the digitisation and re-engineering of
processes. The digitisation of front-end procedures and back office processing, including
automated decision-making and shared and collaborative business processes, substantially
change the operating environment for traders and government authorities alike. To illustrate
these change an present a business process, i.e. the application for a permit
from a government agency, through a Single Window first as an analogue and then as a digital
process.
In the analogue process, economic operators have at least three physical contacts points with a
r government agency. The agency processes the request manually in a succession of at least five
separate activities. This action is repeated for the number of agencies the trader has to contact.
In the digital process, economic operators have two digital contact points with the SW, and the
request is processed digitally, with analogue decision making by the OGA. This analogue
decision-making can be replaced by automated decision making if the necessary rules are