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“Single  Window is defined as a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements”

UN/CEFACT RECOMMENDATION No. 33

Информационный бюллетень Центра обработки данных
ИСПС ООО «ППЛ 33-35»

Second International Seminar on Trade Facilitation “A Local Single Window (Port Community System) for the Ports in the Odessa Region in the Perspective of the European Integration of Ukraine”

RECOMMENDATIONS

OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR

“A LOCAL SINGLE WINDOW (PORT COMMUNITY SYSTEM) FOR THE PORTS IN THE ODESSA REGION IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION OF UKRAINE”

 Odessa, 30 MAY 2012

The second International Seminar on Trade Facilitation “A Local Single Window (Port Community System) for the Ports in the Odessa Region in the Perspective of the European Integration of Ukraine” was organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Ukrainian National Committee of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Ukraine) and under support of Association of freight-forwarding organizations of Ukraine “UKRZOVNISHTRANS” in Odessa, on 30 May 2012.

     

The Seminar was attended by representatives of UNECE, the Comité international des transports ferroviaires (CIT), the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), Ukrainian authorities, the business community as well as representatives from Moldova, Lithuania, Russia, European Port Community Systems Association (EPCSA), Bureau Veritas, TRACECA, the U.S. Agency for Technical Cooperation (USAID), etc. 

The participants discussed the progress of Single Window project after the first Seminar, held on June 1, 2011. In particular, there has been progress in establishing the institutional framework for the project: an Interagency Working Group to support the project was established, which has already held three meetings. The port of Odessa has already started the implementation of a Port Community System. Port authorities and PLASKE JSC have signed a Memorandum on Cooperation for the implementation of this project.

The participants noted the relevance of this Seminar in the perspective of the growing role of the simplification and automation of trade procedures, the strategic position of Ukraine as a transit country, and its economic integration into Europe. Mr Pavel Pashko, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, informed the participants on the entry into force of the modernized Customs Code of Ukraine (June 1, 2012). He reported that new elements were introduced into the Code, aimed at the facilitation of Customs procedures and international trade. He also reported on the progress achieved in the implementation of the recommendations elaborated by the participants of the first UNECE Seminar, held on 1 June 2011 in Odessa, Ukraine.

The day before the Seminar, 29 May 2012, a technical visit to the Port of Odessa took place, where port authorities presented the implementation of electronic systems for information exchange among relevant agencies within the Port: e-pass, automated access control systems, etc. Further, the Port Authorities will introduce an electronic manifest, an electronic disbursement voucher, and other innovative solutions. On the current stage, the plans envisage the full introduction of a Local Single Window – a Port Community System. The Port of Odessa and the Customs Service of Ukraine have signed an agreement on collaboration on the first phase of the Single Window, which would be launched on 22 May 2012. The system will be supported by the business community, in particular, PLASKE JSC, and will be based on recognized international standards for trade information exchange. 

 

The following Recommendations were adopted:

 

  1.  Reconfirm the recommendations adopted at the first Seminar in Odessa, on 1 June 2011.
  2. Express gratitude to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mr Mykola Azarov, for the support for the Single Window - Local Solution pilot project in the Southern Customs and ports of Odessa Region.
  3. Express gratitude to the UNECE Secretariat for the support and involvement of the UNECE Regional Adviser, Mr Mario Apostolov, in the development of the Single Window - Local Solution pilot project in the Southern Customs and ports of Odessa Region, and stress the need for further cooperation.
  4. Express gratitude to the State Customs Service of Ukraine for its active participation in Single Window - Local Solution pilot project in the Southern Customs and ports of Odessa Region.
  5. Continue building political will in support of a Port Community System  for the Ports of the Odessa Region (Single Window), taking into account initiatives of Odessa Ports and PLASKE JSC.
  6. Create an organizational framework of users of the system, which will coordinate the further introduction of PCS within Odessa ports together with the Ukrainian State Customs Service and the Odessa Port authorities.
  7. Elaborate a model agreement and lead the signature of such agreement among the system operator and each user.
  8. In order to consolidate investments and the use of public funds, create a project fund based on public-private partnership (PPP).
  9. Carry out research/studies and make recommendations for further action to ensure the reengineering of business processes, creating a favorable legal environment, public-private partnerships, and prepare a feasibility study.

Continue implementing the recommendations from 1 June 2011 with regard to conduct studies, at the national and local levels, on:

(a) establishing the degree of interoperability of technical systems of trade control agencies and representatives of the business community;

(b) the readiness of these systems for an electronic trade data interchange;

(c) the compliance of  document forms and technical systems with the international standards, on which the Single Window should be based;

(d) determining the necessary amendments in legislation, regulations and organization of work of the regulatory authorities and the business community for the implementation of a Single Window mechanism;

  1. While creating the relevant systems, use international standards and technical cooperation with the relevant international organizations (UNECE, WCO, ISO, the European Commission, FIATA, etc.).
  2. Take into account the experience of European ports and the business community in the implementation of electronic data exchange. Strengthen cooperation among public authorities and the business community in Ukraine, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), European Port Community Systems Association (EPCSA), Bureau Veritas, the Comité international des transports ferroviaires (CIT), the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), FIATA, and the relevant authorities of Moldova, Lithuania and other states.
  3. Participants at the seminar, in particular, the representatives of Odessa Port and PLASKE JSC:  should formulate a set of technical and organizational questions on the improvement of the PCS. Mario Apostolov and Richard Morton will assist in bringing these questions to the attention of EPCSA and other experts.
  4. Continue cooperation with the rail community, in particular, for integrating the CIM/SMGS Consignment Note to the information exchange within the PCS. Explore the possibility of organizing a conference under the auspices of the United Nations, with key support from CIT, OSJD and the business community, with the participation of international organizations on rail transport in Europe devoted to the inclusion of railway document and data into the seamless trade information exchange processes, which provides customs clearance procedures within the entire supply chain.
  5. Develop cooperation with relevant international organizations in order to improve the system of vocational training for Customs officers, Customs brokers, declarants, freight forwarders, carriers and other economic operators involved in the transport and Customs clearance processes, implementing the Agreement on Cooperation signed by the State Customs Service of Ukraine and the UKRZOVNISHTRANS Association.
  6. In order to further develop work within the project, continue regular consultations on trade facilitation and single window introduction with the participation of various state agencies in Ukraine, UNECE and other international organizations working in the field of electronic exchange of trade and transport documents / data and trade facilitation.
  7. Hold the Third International UNECE Seminar on 30 May 2013 in Odessa, Ukraine.