-says Minister Walrond

MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, has disclosed that a new electronic single-window system for trade is expected to be operationalised by the end of the year.

Minister Walrond made this revelation on Monday in the National Assembly while speaking about the Planning and Development Single Window Bill.

During her remarks, she stated that alongside that bill, a new single-window system for trade is set to be established.

She explained that it will integrate the procedures, information and requirements of some 14 agencies in the import-export regime.

“That project is well underway and we expect the electronic single-window to be operational by the end of this year,” she said.

According to the minister, this transformation, which will facilitate convenience and efficiency, is at the centre of the government’s thinking.

She added that it is also part of the government’s thrust to modernise the state and stands alongside similar initiatives.

Minister Walrond said that in the same way that the Central Housing and Planning Authority will be the central entity for the planning and development single window, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be the central entity for the single window for trade.

In addition to electronic optimisation of the various processes, the system will also look at streamlining the various processes with the objective of maximising efficiency for those using the system.