GUYANA took a step closer towards implementing a single window system for trade transactions at a stakeholders’ workshop yesterday on the Single Window Automated Processing System (SWAPS, which is expected to be “tremendously beneficial.”

The workshop yesterday was held to address recommendations made for the improvement in the organisational capacity of stakeholders and brought Guyana one step closer to implementing the SWAPS system.
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) hosted the workshop in collaboration with representatives from the public and private sector at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.
Delivering the feature address, acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali said that the workshop provides the opportunity to examine the proposal of the system, which he deemed as “tremendously beneficial”.
“The implementation of SWAPS presents an excellent opportunity for us to create the enabling environment, to create an enabling system that will ensure we improve our business standing, that we improve our competitiveness, increase our efficiency, reduce the cost of doing business both in the public and private sector, and improve our reliability and transparency,” he said.
Ali further stated that persons have to be willing to read, analyze and contextualize the document and make the necessary recommendations with the consultants and designers of the system so that it captures what they need to resolve Guyana’s business environment issues.
He noted that for the SWAPS system to be successful, it has to be designed in relation to the environment in which it has to operate, and for this to happen there needs to be inputs at a conceptual level. And the workshop, he added, provides the opportunity for that to be done, with participation by both the public and private sector.
“There must be integration between all the stakeholders, government and private sector in the sharing of information so all of us would have to make that investment that will equip us, build us and put us on a level playing field,” he asserted.
Ali also observed that Guyana is among only four countries in the CARICOM region seeking to implement the system.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ronald Webster, also speaking at the workshop, said that the private sector as a whole is committed to the movement to implement the SWAP system, and looks forward to this being finalised in the near future.
He further stated that the adoption of internationally-recognised systems is very important, and there must be very thorough cooperation among private sector stakeholders in every aspect of the private sector.
Webster also referred to elements of trade facilitation upon which the SWAP system can have a positive impact.  These elements include the reduction of transport cost, transparency and harmonisation of regulations, efficient and transparent customs procedures, and simplified trade documentation and processing, and clearances. He concluded that time is money and a waste of time is a trade barrier.