Given the number of important formalities that take place at the border, in order to enable transactions to happen as effectively and efficiently as possible, many countries have turned towards developing better infrastructure and border management processes at specific entry and exit points. One such initiative is to develop a "one stop" form of border crossing point jointly managed by neighbouring countries where activities are streamlined to maximise efficiency.
This "one stop" concept is often linked with other initiatives such as trade corridors and efforts towards more integrated and coordinated border management. Each "one stop" will differ in accordance with the agreements between the bordering countries, the number of agencies involved and the degree of their involvement, as well as the level and form of infrastructure at the border crossing point.
Developments in this area can be seen across the world. In Africa, DFID and JICA have been working with EAC, SADC and COMESA to develop the One Stop Border Posts (OSBP) which underpin the important North-South transit corridor.
In Southeast Asia, the Greater Mekong Subregion's Cross-Border Transit Agreement (CBTA) includes implementation of single-stop inspection (SSI) and single-window inspection (SWI) points that aim to produce maximum efficiencies at the border.
Joint processing initiatives also form part of the multi-donor CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) programme managed by the Asian Development Bank taking into account lessons learned from the Southeast Asian and European experiences.
Crown Agents is closely involved in the regional initiatives that foster the development of one stop / joint processing concepts through its work for the EU, EAC and ASEAN. We bring expertise in a number of different models and can assist our clients in choosing the most appropriate for application.
We are uniquely placed to provide support in the multiple layers that make up such an initiative: infrastructure, policy and procedures, and capacity building to put them into practice. In doing so, we help our clients reduce duplication and maximise the free flow of legitimate trade through key pinch-points.