Single window for trade facilitation for the Commonwealth of Dominica

Context

Trade is significant for Dominica’s economy, with a combined value for imports and exports of 108% of GDP (2019, World Bank). Trade facilitation aims to reduce the costs and time of import and export operations, and transit of goods. The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force on the 22nd February, 2017. Between September 2012 and May 2013, UNCTAD provided support to develop a national plan for the implementation of trade facilitation measures in Dominica. The National Trade Facilitation Roadmap (NTFC) 2019-2024 was developed with assistance from UNCTAD to guide the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in Dominica. The Roadmap contains 48 activities including the Single Window initiative. The draft plan covered OECS countries and was approved by a regional validation conference with relevant stakeholders (which took place in Roseau from 28 February to 1st March 2013).

A National Trade Facilitation Task Force was recently revitalized: it is led by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and includes various public and private agencies including the Customs and Excise Division, the Air & Port Authority, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment, Health and Wellness, Ministry of Agriculture, Dominica Bureau of Standards etc.

Objective

In 2021 and 2022, the ICR Facility provided crucial support to the government of Dominica in the development of foundational studies for the establishment of a national single window for trade. This technical assistance was strategically divided into three phases.

During Phase 1, the Facility played a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration between Customs and Cross Border Regulatory Agencies to create a unified data model for the Single Window. This significant step paved the way for efficient and streamlined data exchange.
In Phase 2, a comprehensive review of legislative, institutional, and regulatory frameworks was conducted, ensuring the seamless alignment of the Single Window system with existing regulations.
Phase 3 witnessed the ICR Facility’s involvement in crafting a proposal for a unified payment mechanism, enabling border agencies to access and utilise a cohesive payment system for fees.

Results

This year (2023) marked a significant achievement, with Dominica successfully launching the TradeStream Single Window. This innovative platform addresses existing technological gaps by incorporating ASYCUDA (a customs management system by UNCTAD) and harmonising the functions of various border regulatory agencies in import and export processes. The platform facilitates electronic submission of data and documents required by Border Regulatory Agencies. The system significantly enhances the validation of licenses, permits, certificates and improves risk assessments, access to cargo information, provision of trade statistics, performance measurement, and coordination of cargo release.

Thanks to the ICR intervention and the project leaders, we were able to direct our efforts towards what we consider, at the Ministry of Trade, the most important enterprise not only for our agency but for all other cross-border regulatory agencies. The establishment of this initiative gives me great pleasure, as it will enhance our trade facilitation efforts in Dominica. Thanks to the significant progress made in this project, we now all know the benefits that a Single Window will provide to the country. The Single Window ecosystem will, certainly, become a one-stop-shop for investors, the issuing of approvals, and the making of payments, providing an end-to-end facilitation for trade. This could not have been possible without the assistance of the ICR, and we are most grateful for their intervention.

Mr. Matthan J. Walter, Director of Trade, Dominica

This intervention took place under ICR Facility project, co-funded by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the British Council. The ICR Facility was implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (German Development Cooperation, GIZ), the British Council, Expertise France, and Stichting Nederlandse Ontwikkelingsorganisatie (Netherlands Development Organisation, SNV).