The small Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste is taking a bold step in boosting international trade by expanding its electronic single window system. This streamlined platform allows businesses to submit and receive all necessary documentation for import/export processes through a single online portal, simplifying the otherwise bureaucratic process. This move is expected to improve efficiency, cut costs, and ultimately attract more foreign investment to the fast-developing country. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the expansion of Timor-Leste’s electronic single window means for the country’s economy and its place in the global trading landscape.
Timor-Leste has recently boosted the capabilities of its electronic single window system, connecting eight government agencies responsible for releasing goods from customs. The system, called TileSW, was developed in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) using its Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) technologies. It aims to reduce the cost and time of trading internationally, enable paperless trade and enhance clearance controls. During the development of the system, customs and partner government agencies were not electronically connected, leading to customs clearance paperwork delays. To prevent these, the Government of Timor-Leste adopted TileSW.
The system is capable of conducting various processes electronically, including motor vehicle import authorization, joint inspection by three government agencies, certificate of origin application submission and approval, exporter registration and passenger customs declaration paperwork. By allowing the exchange of data between port authorities and customs systems, the single window makes the entire process more efficient. It streamlines tax exemptions processing on imported goods, facilitates medicine and medical equipment clearance, eases import/export permit application and processing for animals, plants and their products and fast-tracks customs clearance, benefiting importers, exporters and government authorities.
Furthermore, the system has led to an 85% reduction in the use of printed paper in government agency operations since its implementation, according to data from the agencies. Trip numbers by investors between customs and other relevant offices have reduced by 91%, leading to better control and management of imports of ozone-depleting substances and cutting delays and subsequent demurrage costs.
This development significantly improves the efficiency of customs clearance, as authorities can now process paperwork up to six months before the goods’ arrival. User self-registration is also allowed, enabling traders to obtain TileSW access online. TileSW is available in English, Portuguese and Tetun.
Shamika N. Sirimanne, director of UNCTAD’s technology and logistics division, said “the single window system in Timor-Leste enables the country to import and export more easily and reduces the environmental impact of Timor-Leste’s regional and international trade”. Additionally, Timor-Leste’s vice minister of trade and industry, Domingos Lopes Antunes, stated that the system “will tremendously help the private sector in expediting trade procedures and transactions, thus contributing to resource-saving and time efficiency.”
This development is part of UNCTAD’s work to promote cutting-edge technologies that allow developing countries to participate more equitably in the global economy and implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. ASYCUDA is UNCTAD’s largest technical assistance programme, over the past four decades aiding customs offices in 127 countries around the world to accelerate the clearance of goods and increase the pace of trade.
