COMCEC Trade Outlook 2019
60
 Improving the infrastructure of land border crossing points and transport connectivity
through the joint efforts of the neighboring countries e.g. through establishing joint
technical/working committees, which include relevant stakeholders to identify the factors
which cause bottlenecks.
Furthermore, the 9th Meeting of the Trade Working Group has elaborated on an important
instrument of trade facilitation, which is Single Window Systems. The TWG has convened on
March 9th, 2017, in Ankara, Turkey with the theme of “Single Window Systems in the OIC Member
Countries.” During the Meeting, the participants deliberated on the conceptual framework,
global practices and trends in single windows and the current status of the OIC Member
Countries regarding the implementation of the Single Window Systems.
Single window systems serve as the platforms for the exchange and processing of electronic
information between traders, government agencies, and private operators. The research report
prepared for the meeting highlighted the importance of single window systems for facilitating
trade by offering a single point of contact and single submission for import, export and transit
relevant formalities. The report indicated that, at present, 23 Member Countries have been
benefiting from the single window systems, whereas 4 member countries are in the process of
establishment of a system. Furthermore, 11 member countries have a vision to establish their
single window systems42.
There are major challenges faced by the Member Countries during the initiation and
implementation processes of the single window systems. In this regard, weak quality of
preparatory work, non-implementation of necessary legal and regulatory changes, inflexibility
and lack of interoperability of the systems, and insufficient IT architecture and infrastructure are
some of the main challenges faced in this field. In order to address these challenges, the Working
Group has come up with the following policy recommendations:
 Strengthening Single Window efforts in OIC Member States by developing integrated
Single Window strategies that reflect national and regional requirements and actively
engage the stakeholders in this process
 Improving the effectiveness of Single Window projects by identifying and implementing
necessary changes in the laws and regulatory framework and operational practices,
 Prioritizing flexibility, scalability, safety and interoperability of IT architecture of Single
Windows Systems,
 Promoting cross-border interconnectivity and interoperability of the national Single
Window Systems in the OIC Region towards establishing Regional Single Window Systems
Finally, the 11 th Meeting of the TradeWorking Group has elaborated on an important instrument
of trade facilitation, which is Customs Risk Management Systems. The TWG has convened on
March 7-8, 2018, in Ankara, Turkey with the theme of “Facilitating Trade: Improving Customs
Risk Management Systems in the OIC Member States.” During the Meeting, the participants
deliberated on the conceptual framework, global practices and trends in customs risk
management and the status of the OIC Member Countries regarding the implementation of the
customs risk management systems. In line with the relevant resolution of the 33rd Session of the
COMCEC, this meeting also served to the preparations for the Exchange of Views Session of the
34th COMCEC Ministerial Meeting to be held under the same theme.
42 COMCEC Coordination Office, 2017a.