Angola will join the Single Window platform for Foreign Trade as from 2021 to facilitate the movement of goods across borders.
The electronic tool, presented this Thursday in a workshop in Luanda by the Ministry of Finance, through the General Tax Administration (AGT), in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, provides for the reduction of customs clearance time and costs, in addition to ensure greater security and speed in the processing of customs procedures.
The electronic platform, which is being developed on the basis of Presidential Decree 220/18 of 25 September, lays down requirements to improve export control, establishes a single IT system for international trade and imposes appropriate monitoring of the territorial sea and of the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
With this project, Angola seeks improvements and efficiency of customs services, following examples from countries like Uganda, Mozambique, Singapore and China.
In this way, the agents involved in the foreign trade chain will present, at a single point of entry, standard declarations and customs clearances, with a view to complying with the refutatory requirements regarding the import, export and transit of goods.
The “Single Electronic Window” project is part of an AGT initiative, which is financed by China’s credit line.
It is a process that aims to end red tape that hinders the good business environment.
Economic operators determine Single Window option
The Minister of Finance, Archer Mangueira, pointed out the main measures that will dictate the implementation of the Single Window of Foreign Trade, with emphasis on the installation of One Stop Shop, the revision and standardization in the issuance of licenses, authorizations, certificates that various governmental entities force their presentation.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Implementation of the Single Window of Foreign Trade, he said that port operators, airport operators, shipping agents, air transport agents, commercial banks, freight forwarders, importers and exporters are the ones that determine the option for the Single Electronic Window.
Thus, with the submission of electronic information only once, at a single point of entry, by the economic operator, all relevant entities have access to it, making it faster, less costs and formalities, as well as standardized documentation.
Archer Mangueira justified the project, pointing to the need of the government to adapt the services so that it can respond efficiently in an increasingly competitive environment, given the increasing volume of trade.
The workshop was attended by Angolan Minister of the Interior, Angelo da Viegas Tavares, Secretaries of State, ministerial technicians and economic operators.
Source: Angop
