“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
The role of trade facilitation has moved to the centre stage in the light of Ukraine’s integration into European and world markets. At the moment trade facilitation has the potential to promote competitiveness and market integration. The Single Window is therefore a practical application of trade facilitation concepts meant to reduce non-tariff trade barriers and can deliver immediate benefits to all members of the trading community. Within the context of UNECE Recommendation No. 33, a 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. In practical terms, the Single Window aims to expedite and simplify information flows between trade and government and bring meaningful gains to all parties involved in cross-border trade.
National business in association with international organizations have initiated the implementation of Single Window in Ukraine during the International Trade Facilitation Seminar “Single Window Concept and Integrated Railway Transport to Facilitate Trade in the PanEuropean Space”.
International Trade Facilitation Seminar “Single Window Concept and Integrated Railway Transport to Facilitate Trade in the PanEuropean Space” was held in Odessa, 1 June 2011.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) under the auspices of PLASKE JSC and in assistance with Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine and National Institute for Strategic Studies acted as co-organizers. The event gathered experts from Germany, France, Switzerland, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Singapore, Czech Republic, Russia, and Ukraine.
The participants put forward an initiative supported by UNECE Executive Secretary on the implementation of the pilot project in Odessa Region sea ports and airports of Odessa and Kyiv (Boryspil) engaging international experts under the auspices of UNECE, UN Development Program and EU states concerned.
Mr. Ján Kubiš, UNECE Executive Secretary and Deputy Secretary General highly assessed the Seminar and expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian authorities for their support. He submitted the recommendations elaborated at the Seminar to Mr Nikolay Azarov, Prime Minister of Ukraine.
After this decision, several steps were made to implement the initiative.
The first organizational step included the First meeting of Interagency Working Group for introduction of Single Window Local Solution technology within Southern Customs and Odessa port areas. The meeting was held under a commission by Nikolay Azarov, Ukrainian Prime Minister, aimed at creation of conditions for trade facilitation, increase of trade volumes using Ukrainian transit capacities.
The list of participants included: ministries, governmental authorities, State Customs Service, ICC Ukraine as well as international organizations and Ukrainian companies.
ICC Ukraine, National Committee, was one of the initiators of this event.
Mr Vladimir Shchelkunov, ICC Ukraine President, highlighted that the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine together with other ministries and authorities carried great work which resulted into recommendations on feasibility of Interagency Working Group establishment. Mr Shchelkunov added that the meeting was aimed at defining the options for introduction of the Single Window in Ukraine and Single Window Local Solution as the first stage.
Vice President for Strategic Development of ICC Ukraine Mr Oleg Platonov informed the participants on the results of International Trade Facilitation Seminar “Single Window Concept and Integrated Railway Transport to Facilitate Trade in the PanEuropean Space” was held in Odessa . He reported on the decisions made and recommendations elaborated.
International experts shared their experience on Single Window introduction worldwide and the key results of NCTS RAIL pilot project: Mr Mario Apostolov, UNECE Regional Reade Advices and Mr Valdas Dovydenas, Assistance coordinator for Ukraine and Moldova Customs/ Consultant at US DoJ ICITAP.
Mr Igor Muratov, Head of Declaration and Customs Treatment Department under State Customs Service of Ukraine, described the introduction of e-declarations in Ukraine. He pointed out that Ukraine has virtually elaborated legislation for introduction of paperless environment. In October-December 2009 they implemented pilot project on interaction of EAIS (State Customs Service Single Automated Information System) and NCTS (New Computerised Transit System) for customs clearance under “transit” treatment between Ukraine and Lithuania engaging PLASKE JSC as a carriers and declarant.
In 2010 the pilot project on declaration, customs control and goods handling using electronic freight declarations under “transit”, “import”, and “bonded warehouse” treatments. Mr Muratov informed that State Customs Service supports the introduction of Single Window in Ukraine and hopes that Single Window Local Solution as a pilot project for Southern Customs and Odessa Port areas will facilitate trade and eliminate bureaucratic burden impeding the goods movement via state borders.
The second stage for the implementation of the pilot project appeared to be the meeting held on 22 December 2011. After considering its results the list of experts for the working groups was submitted for adoption of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. They will develop practical (methodological and technical) solutions for the introduction of the project. It was also decided to prepare the challenges impeding the introduction of Single Window Local Solution within the Southern Customs and Odessa port areas.
These actions focused on introduction of the Single Window Local Solution in Ukraine may be deemed as the preparation for the full implementation of the project. As Mario Apostolov, UNECE Regional Adviser, has said on numerous occasions: "Full introduction of Single Window is impossible without political will."
