KSC launched its information database on 27th July 2011 in Nairobi. The online portal is a collection of trade rules, regulations and procedures for import and export covering 14 key value chains in the East African region but which will continue to be populated with as many value chains as there are in the region. The portal will eventually be linked with the National Single Window which will enable traders to lodge their documents online as well as make payments.
The portal’s development is in line with the Council’s goal of establishing itself as a one-stop information centre in Kenya and the region, for all trade-related documentation to help shippers cut down on clearance times.
While launching the portal, the Chief Guest and Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat Chairman, Dr. James Mwangi, lauded the initiative as a demonstration or private sector’s proactive approach to making trade logistics efficient, a break from the past when business expected government to provide all the solutions.
The database offers custom, excise and VAT values that apply to various products. In addition, users can be able to ask a question about a specific product, filter content according to country or the regulatory body responsible for issuing a specific document. The portal also has a provision for searching for products from the product list or by inputting the Harmonized System (HS) Code.
In developing this portal, KSC partnered with TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), a multi donor organization that promotes regional trade and economic integration in East Africa by working closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, and business and civil society organizations. TMEA undertook this activity as part of its Single Window (SW) and Integrated Border Management (IBM) initiatives in the East African region whose key aspect is collection and dissemination of trade-related information.
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses in the EAC region is inefficient trade facilitation systems. This in part is due to traders' limited awareness of existing trade rules and regulations, customs procedures, transit transport regulations and border crossing processes. These inefficiencies contribute significantly to delays in completing trade transactions and translate to higher administrative costs. Through easier, more reliable access of this information, KSC anticipates a significant reduction in transport costs which are estimated to be 42% of the cost of production. This reduction will assist the region to manage commodity prices in the EAC region.
