Electronic Single Window project in development phase

The Electronic Single Window (ESW) project under the Business Ministry is progressing despite a few hiccups along the way. This was disclosed by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin who explained that the ESW project relies heavily on several agencies to execute the mandate of the scheme. “I do not think there has ever been a project of this type that requires different types of agencies to be

involved in it.”
He noted the cooperation of various agencies is vital to the project’s success, especially since it allows access to an electronic platform, through which they can conduct numerous types of transactions.
The ESW is mainly traded facilitation; as such it would involve the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as the major stakeholder. It will also involve other licensing agencies and agencies that endorse permits or import and export licenses, among others.
However, Minister Gaskin indicated that a number of agencies have not yet begun the digitisation process, which poses some challenges in electronic information sharing. Nevertheless, the Minister noted there are other agencies indicating “readiness” towards the project.
The ESW project is one that will be loan funded, and the Business Ministry is hoping the funds will be approved by the end of 2018. Minister Gaskin said once the loan is approved “it will speed up the process”.
On February 21, the Business Ministry in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank hosted the first ESW workshop with public and private stakeholders at the Pegasus Hotel, with the focus of “Developing a Roadmap to Electronic Single Window in Guyana”.
The workshop aimed at identifying and analysing conceptual models and challenges for the implementation and global practices for the development of the ESW in Guyana.
The Electronic Single Window aims to expedite and simplify information flows between trade participants and the Government, by bringing meaningful gains to all parties involved in the domestic and cross-border trade.