The Single Electronic Window (SEW) for Trade and Business Facilitation is being strengthened to allow for improved interoperability in the exchange and analysis of data with the information systems at the Ports at Port-of-Spain and Point Lisas, the Customs and Excise Division and the information systems of T&T's strategic trading partners.
Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, who recently chaired the Inaugural Inter-Ministerial Committee Meeting for SEW, this is part of ongoing efforts to improve the country's trade performance and business facilitation environment.
"Interoperability between ministries and the involvement of the Customs and Excise Division is pivotal to the success of the project," she said, adding that enhancing and expanding the services of the SEW will focus on upgrading the current system to international best practices.
In addition, she said the governance and the institutional framework of SEW will be modernized by addressing the deficiencies in the regulatory framework, process architecture and institutional governance.
During the meeting, Randall Karim, Director-Strategy, Business Facilitation and Programme Management at the Trade Ministry, gave a detailed presentation on the strengthening of the SEW, which is an Inter-American Development Bank-funded project.
Among those taking part in the detailed and extensive two hour discussions were Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh, Works Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie, Comptroller of Customs Glen Singh, Jerry Hospedales of the Ministry of Finance and Walda Dottin-Matthews, Advisor to the Minister of Planning and Development.
Other members of the Committee include the Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat and Stuart Young, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.