Description
Single Window, supporting the registration of export-import and transit operations in Tajikistan, is an information and communication web-based app designed to speed up and simplify the exchange of information, documents and data related to export-import and transit operations in Tajikistan between the related bodies and those involved in foreign economic activity. Single Window seeks to eliminate the duplication of documents and the repeated appeals of entrepreneurs to authorized departments for access to public services. The system allows exporters and importers to submit the standard documents required by government agencies in one place on a single form, and to one agency. The main functions of the Single Window system include the registration of subjects of foreign economic activity; the receipt of relevant documents from users of the system for subsequent transfer to the relevant bodies for the issuance of trade permits; the transmission of documents, data and messages between the bodies and subjects involved in foreign economic activity; the management of laboratory expertise; the provision of statistical information and reports to the government and other interested registered parties; the provision of normative, legal and other documents in the field of foreign economic activity; and the receipt of payments for the services of the relevant bodies. The State Unitary Enterprise “Single Window Centre” is responsible for technical support and the technical operation of the system, working in close cooperation with the following government agencies: Agency of Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection; Committee of Food Security; Communication Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; the State Supervision Service for the Fields of Healthcare and Social Protection of the Population under the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan; and the State Assay Supervision under the Ministry of Finance.
Technology
To register on the system, users must contact the portal administrator of the State Unitary Enterprise “Single Window Centre”, which operates under the Customs Service of Tajikistan. After registering on the system, an entity engaged in foreign trade can submit a Single Application Form to the system via a browser, along with the documentation required by the government agencies in compliance with the regulatory requirements related to export-import and transit operations. After making an application, the review process begins without the participation of the applicant (aside from providing a product sample for laboratory analysis). The state bodies in question then review the application and decide on whether to issue the requested permits and certificates based on the received data. Representative offices of the “Single Window Centre” of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan are entrusted with the organizational and technical maintenance of the system, and aid entrepreneurs in its use. As of November 2022, the five departments mentioned above had been incorporated into the system, and modules for other governmental bodies were being developed.
Target
The main users of the system are entities engaged in foreign trade with access to the Internet, as well as customs brokers and Single Window coordinators, who represent entities engaged in foreign trade, register new users, facilitate document exchange and make decisions about applications. As of April 2022, more than 2000 users were registered on the system, and had made over 70 200 applications, leading to the issuance of around 61 000 permits and certificates to entities engaged in foreign trade. To support those who are unable to access Single Window via the Internet or who lack the necessary skills, territorial units of the State Unitary Enterprise “Single Window Centre” have been established across the country.
Business model
The purchase and installation of the necessary hardware, telecommunications and software for the “Single Window Centre” were funded by the European Commission (first phase) and the Asian Development Bank (second phase), along with government agencies. The system is free to use.
Impact
Single Window is designed to simplify and speed up administrative procedures related to the registration of export-import and transit operations. It removes the need of applicants to “walk through the offices” of different government agencies, and allows them to submit the necessary information and documents to one online portal and receive a response withing the time limits defined by law. With the simplification and acceleration of the issuance of permits and certificates, documents are drawn up with the minimal participation of the applicant; the timeframe for the consideration, approval and issuance of documents is reduced; documents are transferred from one department to another in a matter of minutes; the provision of services is carried out in strict accordance with the approved Regulations; the influence of the human factor on the quality of services provided is reduced; and the costs associated with the provision of services is reduced. With the support of the Customs Service and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Single Window Centre is also working towards resolving the legal barriers that impede the introduction of electronic document management.
Partners
European Commission; Asian Development Bank
Four Betters
Better life
