Crown Agents' senior solutions specialist Valentina Mintah shared lessons learned from Single Window implementations at the Global Trade Facilitation conference in Geneva in December 2011. Mintah assisted with the delivery of a "Single Window Implementation and Planning" workshop organised by UNECE and UNESCAP to enhance the managerial competence of delegates.
Delegates included policy managers, decision makers, and practitioners in government agencies and other entities involved in international trade across several regions and countries. We also shared the lessons learned from our Single Window implementations with the attendees.
Policy makers and implementing managers charged with the conceptualisation, planning implementation and oversight of Single Window projects need to have a deep and common understanding of the different steps, tasks and techniques required to implement and manage complex projects.
For many governments, Single Window has become a core instrument to facilitate trade, simplify procedures and implement electronic business. Furthermore, Single Window is increasingly important to support regional integration of trade, security and regulatory compliance.
As one of the world's few real Single Window implementers, Crown Agents believes that Single Window is an environment rather than simply an information technology solution. It comprises: People (change management, administrative and organisational aspects, and capacity building); Policy (legislative framework); Processes and Platforms (technology and infrastructure).
By creating the right environment, countries are able to reap the benefits of greater efficiencies and measurable differences to trade and investment. By getting the environment wrong, countries may simply end up creating inefficiencies for example by doing things a little faster but with low utilisation and ultimately increasing the possibility for failure.
Our approach to Single Window project design is drawn from our understanding of Single Window implementations both conceptually, due to our extensive involvement in shaping the international dialogue on the subject, and our practical, on-the-ground experience.
For more information on how Crown Agents can assist with Single Window implementation contact Valentina Mintah at valentina.mintah@crownagents.co.uk