Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
27
Source: UNESCAP, Joint United Nations Regional Commissions / Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation
Survey 2015. Asia and the Pacific Report (UNESCAP: 2015), p.19 and UNECLAC, Joint United Nations Regional Commissions
/ Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation Survey 2015. Asia and the Pacific Report (UNESCAP: 2015), p.24
2.1.2 Fostering Digitisation and Automation
There is now a strong drive towards creating the necessary legal foundation for paperless
national and cross-border trade 21. Many Single Windows failed to deliver on the “zero paper”
or paperless objective, often due to the lack of a legal framework and change resistance. This
leads to a de facto duplication of digital and paper processes, and limits the change impact of
the Single Window efforts. Many supra-national and national initiatives now pave the way for
e-documents and e-signature and their cross-border recognition.
Single Windows also increasingly adopt process and decision automation. Initially, Single
Windows focused on document digitisation and paid less attention to automation, business
process improvement and simplification. With time, trust in the Single Window processing
ability and security has grown, and stakeholders realise that automation can cut down
processing time even further. The Ghana and Singapore SW prove that decision and process
automation is possible and neither reduces the level of control nor prevents manual
intervention when necessary.
2.1.3 Cross-functional Design
Many Single Windows now aim for a more integrated Single Window, whereby integration
refers to a broader coverage of trade related processes. The expansion of Single Window
services has three directions:
1. Coverage of commercial and regulatory transport and logistics processes either
through integration with external systems or by integrating the services into the Single
Window. This integration is driven by the objective to cut down times in port at border
crossings and en route.
2. Coverage of Business Processes through additional services. Previously, the focus was
on document submission. Now Single Window services also cover write-off and
reconciliation, notification, and payment of fees. Single Windows now also deliver
cross-organisational services such as cooperative workflows, reporting and risk
management – see Box 4 below.
3. Inclusion of value-added services that cater to the business-to-business marketing and
selling processes.
21 See the recently adopted Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific,
June 2016