NCE urges to expedite implementation of National Single Window
President of the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) Jayantha Karunaratne highlighted the critical need for modernising Sri Lanka’s trade facilitation infrastructure.
He emphasised the increasing strain on outdated systems as global trade volumes continue to rise, resulting in a slow, resource-intensive and time-consuming environment.
“This not only hampers economic growth but also undermines the competitiveness of developing countries in the global market. As global trade volumes continue to rise, the strain on these outdated systems becomes even more pronounced. To address these challenges, the adoption of more integrated and streamlined border control procedures through the implementation of a National Single Window (NSW) system can significantly enhance efficiency by providing a single platform for the submission of standardized information and documents.”
He elaborated on how the NSW system would provide a single entry point for traders to submit all required information and documents, thereby reducing redundancy and the need for multiple submissions to different agencies. This integration would not only streamline the process but also reduce compliance costs and improve the overall efficiency of cross-border trade operations.
By enhancing coordination among various government agencies, the NSW would facilitate quicker and more accurate processing of trade-related documents, ultimately boosting the ease of doing business in Sri Lanka. Karunaratne also stressed the importance of this system for Sri Lanka’s export-oriented economy, noting that efficient trade facilitation is crucial for remaining competitive in the international market. The concept of the NSW in Sri Lanka was introduced as part of broader efforts to streamline trade processes, enhance efficiency, and improve the ease of doing business in the early 2000s.
The NSW is designed to facilitate trade by providing a single platform where international trade and transport stakeholders can submit standardised information and documents through a single entry point to meet all regulatory requirements. In 2016, The World Bank Group, along with other international organizations, began supporting Sri Lanka in developing the NSW.
The government had planned to establish this system by 2022, but progress was delayed due to various constraints faced by the ministry.Secretary General and CEO, NCE, Shiham Marikar, stated, “Over the past 4-5 years, we have participated in numerous meetings, workshops, and other commitments related to the implementation of the NSW. However, we have not seen any solid progress.”
“NSW will be a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to modernise its trade facilitation infrastructure and improve its position in the global trade arena.”
In his Budget speech for 2024, President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the importance of the NSW and announced that Rs.200 million had been allocated for the implementation of the NSW. In early 2024, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies decided to establish a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to implement the proposed Trade National Single Window System Project
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