SL to roll out multi-phased ‘National Single Window’ project with WB funding

The Cabinet nod has been granted to roll out a multi-phased ‘National Single Window’ (NSW) project with US$ 15 million funding from the World Bank (WB) and other stakeholders.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to implement the proposed ‘National Single Window’ project.

Sri Lanka ratified the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in mid 2016 and it came into force since February 2017.  

According to the agreement, Sri Lanka is obliged to establish and maintain a place (a single window) to submit documents and data required to be submitted to the authorities of the participatory trade (import, export and re-shipping) process.

With WB support, Sri Lanka presented a formal plan for the implementation of a NSW project in three phases in 2018.

According WTO, the indicative implementation date for the project is set for December 31, 2022, while definitive implementation date is set for December 31, 2030. 

The country has sought legal assistance and expert support on developing a blueprint; ICT infrastructure support for automation at each State agency; assistance in developing ICT infrastructure and in building staff capacity on implementing the proposed NSW.

So far, three government entities have online systems for testing— the National Plant Quarantine Service, Department of Animal Production & Health and Sri Lanka Standards Institute.