The Foreign Trade Facilitation Project is the outcome of a number of deliberations between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Technology and the exporting community. In these discussions, exporters detailed the numerous procedural difficulties resulting in high transaction costs that they experienced in moving products to foreign destinations.
These discussions resulted in the creation of a Trade Facilitation Board whose mandate was to identify strategies and actions to address the concerns of the exporting community. The Trade Facilitation Board recommended that a study on trade facilitation issues to be undertaken by the Policy and Projects Unit of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Technology.
The principal objective of the Foreign Trade Facilitation Study was to agree on a detailed plan for the rationalization and streamlining of Jamaican Export Trade Procedures. This plan should reflect detail analysis and consultation and agreement with the key stakeholders. This objective was pursued through the following actions:
- Detailed flow chart of all procedures relating to all major categories of export.
- Analysis of the various forms and documentation being used in export and propose changes necessary to their alignment to international standards.
- Review of relevant legislation and identify changes necessary to streamline the process.
- Convene a series of consultative workshops with Senior Officials of designated public sector entities so as to arrive at a general agreement in respect of:
- new streamlined procedures for exports and process times.
- new foreign trade documentation (forms) based on international standards.
- proposed changes to relevant legislation.
- list of issues relating to the successful completion of the above-mentioned task.
- advice on the feasibility of establishing a US Customs Pre-clearance facility on the port.
The Governance Network conducted the study and its recommendations and implementation plan addressed the following areas:
Documentation
- Automation of export forms through use of the Export Form Generator of the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA).
- Simplification and harmonization of Customs Export Documentation requirement by adoption of CARICOM Single Administrative Documents.
Security
- Amendment of Port Bustamante Security Regulations.
- Comprehensive study of Port Security Systems and Procedures.
- Development of Risk Data Interchange between the Government and destination countries for Jamaican exports.
Exporter Identification
- Single system of exporter identification and registration (irrespective of commodity).
- Electronic registration of exporters through Trade Point web site.
- Tax Registration Number to be used as the method by which exporters and identified and verified.
Licensing and Certification
- Amalgamation of inspectorates responsible for the certification and/or licensing of exporters and by so doing, reduce the number of physical visits that exporters are required to make.
Standard Testing
- Changes in the Processed Food Act requiring Batch Testing as the prerequisite for export approval and the acceptance of approved quality assurance schemes.
- Bureau of Standards helping to promote the Quality Assurance Scheme as the best way of ensuring the quality of products.
Single Service Point
JAMPRO, through its Trade Point web site, to house and maintain an electronic Single Service Point for exporters. The web site should include features such as:
- On-line exporter registration.
- Export procedures.
- Export documents or at least a hyperlink to the JEA’s web site where such form should be available.
- On-line payment, inclusive of the acceptance of a multiplicity of payments.
- Provide links to other agencies so as to enable exporters to obtain information and make appointment for inspection.
The implementation of the above-mentioned recommendations began in February 2000 and our achievements to date are as follows:
Documentation
- National Acceptance and popularization of the JEA Export Form Generator
- Electronic provision of the JEA Exporter form Generator (JEA web site)
- Customs review of Single Administrative Form, i.e. incorporated as part of the documentation reform of the Customs Modernization Programme
Security
Identification of a programme which can greatly enhance the relationship between the US Customs Department and the Jamaica Customs Department and by so doing, create an atmosphere in which meaningful risk data interchange is more likely.
Identification of a security system that will engender greater confidence in the integrity of Jamaican Export Security Systems by the international community and in particular, that of the US Customs. This system is the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition. It includes inter alia US Customs involvement and recommendations on security systems, training and auditing.
Through the efforts of the Revenue Protection Division of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Container and Pallet Search High Energy Ray System has been recommended to the Ministry of National Security and Justice. This system will enable a thorough examination of exports without adversely affecting the product and the port productivity in terms of container turnaround time.
Exporter Identification
JAMPRO's approval to amendment of the Exporter Identification System.
Trade Point incorporation of Exporter Identification as one of its significant electronic innovations.
Agreement with the TRN Commissioner for the use of the Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) as the method by which exporters are to be identified.
Standard Testing
- Recommendations submitted and accepted by the Bureau of Standards in respect of the amendments to the Process Foods Act.
- Participation in the Bureau’s Quality Infrastructure Project and by so doing, ensure that the National Quality Infrastructure of the new standards that are created in respect of Standardization, Metrology, Accreditation, Inspection, Testing and Certification, have a strong element of trade facilitation.
Single Service Point
- The development of the Single Service Point as a feature of the Trade Point Site as a Work-in-Progress.
The first phase public launch is scheduled for 31st October 2000. Other Role-Outs are scheduled for the first and second quarters of 2001.