NAIROBI, Kenya, March 16 -The Government says it has facilitated annual savings of up to Sh2 billion for traders dealing with import and export business since the launch of the Single window system which eases cargo clearance, Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) CEO Amos Wang’ora says.
Wang’ora said the platform which aggregates various clearance agencies is a relief for traders who previously incurred corruption costs, cost of delay, and other miscellaneous expenses (transport, hotel expenses) accrued while dealing with multiple agencies.
The single window system which was launched in 2013 has so far achieved a 92 percent activation rate and has onboarded 38 Government partner agencies with over 16,000 registered users.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday, he said that the platforms enable traders to make applications, get approvals, and import their products from the comfort of their homes.
“The system has cleared many obstacles for traders and has minimized corruption by creating a platform where traders can see all the requirements needed to comply with import, export, and transit commodities,” he said,
Kentrade chairperson Mugambi Imanyara urged business people dealing with imports and export to take advantage of the system which provides a step-by-step guide to imports, exports, and transit trade procedures to assist them to make informed choices.
He said that what initially took up to 3 days to clear goods has been reduced to half a day but decried that many Kenyans are still susceptible to cargo clearing agencies who create unnecessary delays in order to charge extra money.
“Kenyans need to be aware of this system to avoid being duped, some clearing agencies create hindrances in order to get additional costs,” Imanyara said.
He also urged Members of Parliament to pass the National Electronic Single Window System Bill, 2021 which he said, will further empower KENTRADE by defining its roles, giving it more funds that will enable it to improve services.
The government spent Shs100 billion to set up the system which is being managed by a Singaporean firm and currently undergoing an upgrade.
While marking its tenth year anniversary, the firm will on March 31 launch the upgraded Trade Facilitation Platform which has been on a test run since August 2021.
The launch will take place during the trade facilitation summit which will bring together 200 stakeholders in the trade facilitation ecosystem.
The agency in June 2021 also launched the e-Maritime Single Window which automates passenger and ship clearance procedure and streamlines the submission of the passenger and ship documents making it simpler and faster for the clearance of ships docking at the port.
Being an international requirement for all IMO members, Wang’ora said that it will ease the submission of the seven mandatory documents for ships to submit to the Kenyan port before arrival.
