Kenya has joined a select league of nations that have embraced the electronic single window system.

The system will facilitate faster and efficient trade, improve business environment and open a new chapter in a paperless cargo clearance process.

Speaking during its launch, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the benefits of the single window will be realised when the supporting infrastructure is in place to ensure efficient evacuation and movement of goods once they have been cleared at the ports of entry.

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The system, the President said, will simplify international trade logistics that involves submission of large volumes of information and documents to Government authorities to comply with import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.

Implementation of the concept will also provide an efficient platform for data exchange among Government agencies among partner states for cargo being cleared through any port within the EAC region, he said.

“The information and documentation have often to be submitted in paper through several Government agencies using their unique systems which is either manual or automated,” President Kenyatta said.

In recognition of the shortcomings, the President said, countries are embracing national single window systems to enhance trace facilitation. The region has already started implementing the system in individual countries.

President Kenyatta said clearing cargo through the Port of Mombasa now takes an average of seven days, and about five days at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after Government intervention last year.

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With the electronic Single Window System in place, the Government intends to progressively reduce the cargo dwell time at the Port of Mombasa to a maximum of three days.

At JKIA, cargo dwell time will also be reduced to a day and this significantly ease the cost of doing business in the region, he added.

President Kenyatta said his Government is putting in place a gateway that will ensure all payments by citizens and business are done electronically.

The gateway, the President added, will integrate with the Single Window platform to facilitate end-to-end electronic solution to business logistics in the country.

“It will be imperative to automate the business processes of other Government agencies to share information electronically,” he said.

Business

The President urged countries in the region to adopt National Single Window Systems, saying full implementation of the Kenya TradeNet System will have a major impact on business.

“I am aware that our brothers in Rwanda are already implementing a Single Window System, while similar efforts are underway in Tanzania and Uganda,” he said.

President Kenyatta called on Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers in charge of East African Affairs, working with their National Treasury colleagues, to move the agenda at the EAC level and encourage partner States to work together to make the Single Window System a reality.

He added: “Our ultimate vision should be to implement an EAC Regional Single Window platform, which will integrate the National Single Window Systems in EAC partner States”.

Kenya TradeNet System was launched by Rwanda President Paul Kagame at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi and witnessed by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, among other regional leaders.

President Kagame said the project will support the East African integration and lower the cost of doing business.

Deputy President William Ruto said the Electronic Single Window System will make the region more competitive to attract more investors.