Gov’t to set up “single-window” to make cross-border trade easier

The Government is working to establish a facility known as an Electronic Single Window (ESW) which is a platform used to make international trade with countries more efficient.

The ESW platform helps to fast-track the process of trade dealings with Government authorities. Guyana is considering adopting the model being used in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is funding the project here, hosted a one-day stakeholders’ forum at the Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday where stakeholders examined Trinidad’s model.

Country Representative of the IDB, Sophie Makonnen explained that there are major benefits of implementing this initiative.

“It’s about expediting and simplifying information flow…The effort will significantly boost the competitiveness of the country at times when profit margins are very small for many products and savings of trade-related processes will make a difference for Guyanese small businesses,” she stated.

Guyana’s Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin told the workshop participants that the electronic single window is not going to be just another initiative that Government talks about.

“This is what businesses in Guyana want and this is what Guyana needs to facilitate trade and other business transactions in a way that is efficient and cost-effective and clean – by clean, I mean free from corrupt practices. This initiative is a key element in the Ministry of Business’ Strategic Plan,” Minister Gaskin said.

He noted that: “we understand the consequences of not keeping up with the rest of the world when it comes to improving the way that we do business.”

Guyana began preparing to introduce the single window system in 2012 with help from Crown Agents of the United Kingdom.

Studies show that back then, doing business with an agency such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission took approximately 133 days of processing and 463 steps to obtain licences and permits.

The single-window platform will, therefore, enable traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location for faster processing.