Major project to speed up Customs transactions to start next year

Oct 18, 2016 News

The implementation and full usage of the Single Windows System or Single Windows Automated Processing System (SWAPS) stands to benefit the business community and country as a whole, according to the Ministry of Business.
These benefits include reduced transaction costs and time; enhanced trade compliance; greater cargo through-put (movement of goods through the production process); improved levels of security; increased revenue collection and better risk management.
It is also seen as a mechanism to reduce corruption as it limits human intervention in certain trade transactions.
Over the years, there have been numerous complaints about sloth and corruption at Customs.
At his first budget presentation in 2015, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin had signaled his intention to move ahead with this project.
In 2012, an international development company, Crown Agents, was contracted to undertake preparatory work for the introduction of a Single Window System to enhance trade. The final report was presented to the then government in June 2013. However, the recommendations were not implemented, a statement from the Ministry of Business indicated yesterday
“The Ministry of Business is championing this project and has appointed a steering committee comprising Kim Stephen (Ministry of Business), Komal Singh (Private Sector), Sese Jones (Guyana Revenue Authority), Andrew Astwood (Shipping Association of Guyana) and Francis Simmons (Ministry of Public Telecommunications), Sheranne Isaacs (Ministry of Finance), and Nicola Namdeo (Ministry of Business) to oversee the implementation of SWAPS in Guyana.”
Funding for the project is being sought from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
In August of this year, the bank hired a consultant to conduct a review of all documents and reports associated with the project as well as to evaluate the cost of the project. The CDB is currently reviewing the consultant’s draft report.
Meanwhile, another appraisal mission is planned for this week.
“The Ministry of Business views this project as one that will improve Guyana’s competitiveness and contribute to improvement in its ranking on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index and is keen to see it realised.”
Once funding has been approved, the project is expected to begin in 2017. However, according to the ministry, the benefits will only be realised after full implementation – about two years after.

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