Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
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Interconnectivity has three dimensions:
1. The process level whereby standardised data and procedures build the foundation for
a common process and data model. If two agencies or end-users administrations use
different processes and data models, interoperability will be hard to achieve.
2. Then there is message interoperability, whereby data is exchanged in a process based
on the same semantic structures and definitions. As mentioned above there is always a
certain amount of data translation or conversion but the aim is to minimize these
requirements to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs, by using the same
syntax and the same message implementation guidelines.
3. And finally there is the technical interoperability which translates into infrastructure
requirements to support technical exchange of information through interconnectivity
patterns like network systems and communication standards, security devices and
encryption etc.
Interoperability also requires data translation and conversion, but the extent of this can be
minimized through data harmonisation/integration 26 and alignment with international
standards. Recent Single Window projects place an emphasis on this work to be done as part of
the implementation.
2.2 Practice: Singapore Single Window
The Singapore Single Window, TradeNet/TradeXchange, is the world’s first Single Window
electronic platform and is operational since January 1989. It is a platform for secure
interconnectivity and exchange of information between traders, government agencies and
logistics service providers and covers all27 trade regulatory requirements.
Since 1989, the Singaporean Single Window has gradually and continuously developed and is
now in its 4th generation. It processes daily approximately 25,000 requests for permits and
certificates and 95 % of the requests are automatically processed. This performance goes back
to the back office services of the Single Window. TradeNet/TradeXchange has an integrated
risk management system, which currently manages 8,000 rules (agencies’ taxonomy services
and risk profiles), and the validation, reconciliation and write off of the requests are processed
automatically.
26 Data transformation / integration is the identification of common data elements’ formats, compliant with the WCO and UN
Data Model and the mapping of these data elements to the business processes.
27 There is only one import permit that is currently not covered as it is rarely used.