Report on Kenya National Validation Workshop on Integrated Border Management and Electronic Single Window Systems

The inefficient trade transaction processes have led to a relatively high cost of doing business in Kenya, resulting in a poor ranking in the World Doing Business Report. In 2010, Kenya was ranked 95, and in 2011, the country dropped to position 115. The inefficient trade processes have had a negative impact at the Port of Mombasa and other entry/exit points, leading to perennial congestion at the port, delays in cargo clearance at international airports, and long truck queues at border posts. The congestion has resulted in underutilization of port facilities due to unnecessarily long cargo dwell time. To address this problem, the Government of Kenya has established KENTRADE to implement the Electronic Single Window platform for submission, receipt, and processing of trade-related cargo clearance documentation. The Electronic Single Window System (e-SWS) will provide an electronic platform for exchange of trade-related documentation electronically by stakeholders involved in international trade. All manifests and cargo declarations will be lodged through the Single Window System, which will then transmit the same to the various Government Agencies for processing and approval. Similar projects have been successfully implemented in various countries, including Singapore, Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal, and Mozambique. The Single Window System model being implemented by KENTRADE is an automated Information Transaction System through which a trader can submit electronic trade declarations to the various authorities for processing and approval in a single application. Approvals will be transmitted electronically from governmental authorities to the trader's computer. The Single Window System will be implemented in two phases. Phase One will automate the cargo documentation processes by integrating the Systems of all the Key stakeholders involved in cargo clearance in the public and private sectors. Phase Two will involve integration of the Single Window System with the National Payments System (NPS) via a National Payment Gateway to ensure an end-to-end electronic solution in trade logistics. It is estimated that the implementation and operationalization of the Single Window System will save the Kenyan economy between US$250 million and US$300 million after the first year of operation, mainly through eradication of inefficiencies and delays in cargo clearance processes in Kenyan ports. The Single Window System will be accessible 24/7 nationwide to facilitate the flow of goods in and out of Kenya's borders. The Kenya National validation workshop on Integrated Border Management and National Electronic Single Windows System was held on February 15-16, 2012, at the Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa. The workshop was sponsored and supported by the USAID COMPETE program. The objective of the workshop was to bring together key public and private sector stakeholders to review the status of the implementation of the National Electronic Single Windows System and progress in the operations of the Integrated Border Management at select Kenyan borders as a precursor to full implementation of the e-SWS. The workshop was attended by various institutions, Government Agencies, and Private Sector Stakeholders, including the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Public Health, Kenya Police Service, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, Kenya National Highways Authority, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and Transit Transport Coordination Authority of the Northern Corridor. The workshop made several recommendations, including KENTRADE taking a leading role in coordination and facilitation of trade, developing a clear work and action plan with specific time frames for implementation of the National Single Window System, consulting and involving all key stakeholders during the introduction, development, fast-tracking, piloting, and implementation of the National Electronic Single Window System, and operationalizing the IBM model through the existing Joint Border Committees (JBC) structure established with the support of USAID COMPETE program.