Single Window
(Regulatory Agencies One Stop
Shop)
Jamaica’s Experience
“Working together to make Trade Easier”
1
Background
• Agricultural Health and Food Safety activities spans
three (3) Ministries:
– Agriculture and Fisheries (MOAF)
– Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC)
– Health (MOH)
Seven (7) Regulatory Agencies
– Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch
– Veterinary Services Division
– Food Storage & Prevention of Infestation Division
– Bureau of Standards
– Pesticides Control Authority
– Pharmaceuticals Division
– Public Health Department
2
Background (cont’d)
• Overlaps and gaps among these entities
recognized
• Logistical inefficiencies and complaints by
traders
• Addressed by the Ministries through the
Agricultural Support Services Project (ASSP)
an IDB funded project within the MOAF in
collaboration with the Office of the Cabinet.
3
Background (cont’d)
• Modalities are being introduce across government
to:
– eliminate duplication of processes
– make doing business convenient and efficient
• Forms part of the thrust to encourage ‘joined up
government’ by establishing collaboration between
government bodies for:
– improved service delivery
– Efficiency and optimum use of available resources
4
Interim Collaboration
• Memorandum of Understanding signed by
the three (3) Ministers in 2005
• Agencies agreed to carry out only those functions
stipulated in the agreement.
• Offering customer service in a timely and
efficient way.
• Regulatory Agencies under one roof designed to
significantly reduce the time taken to complete
inspection processes as the system was
negatively affected by the scattered arrangement
of regulatory agencies
5
One Stop Shop
• The Jamaica Import/Export Inspection Centre
(JI/EIC) was established under the
Government of Jamaica’s Public Sector
Modernization Programme (PSMP)through
the Office of the Cabinet
• The Centre was officially opened on June
23rd 2009
6
7
Jamaica Import/Export Inspection
Centre (One Stop Shop)
The Centre was created to:
– Serve as a central location to coordinate inspection of
traded goods
– Achieve quicker inspection processing time
– Make representatives of Regulatory Agencies more
accessible
– More effectively protect the Jamaican border and
safeguard animal, plant and public health
– Keep pace with global trends in trade facilitation, boost
competitiveness and attract investments
8
One Stop Shop
Vision
To be a world class Inspection facility that supports economic growth
and development through international trade.
Mission
To offer high quality efficient service that advances trade facilitation,
while protecting the Jamaican border; safeguard human, animal and
plant health; promote food safety, food security and expansion of
exports; assure environmental protection and wholesome products to
consumers through the application of sound scientific principles and
established standards enabled by a courteous staff, in a customer
friendly environment.
9
Located
Kingston Container Terminal Services Limited
(KCTSL) Facility on the Port of Kingston
One Stop Shop
• The Centre is managed by a Client Service
Officer, who facilitates the communication of
all relevant information between the
agencies and the Brokers/ Importer
• Administrative responsibility – PQ/PI in
MOAF
• Funding provided by the three (3) Ministries
• Building and furniture provided by Ports
Authority of Jamaica
11
One Stop Shop
• A comfortable Customer Service wait area, which will can accommodate
approximately thirty (30) customers was opened in November 2012
• Customer Service Area will be equipped with computers for customers
use such as
–
Applying for their permits online, with the guidance of the Client Service
Officer, and to access information on the various regulatory agencies.
• Installation of an electronic Logging System, which will seek
to reduce turn around time for the inspection of containers.
– It will also capture turnaround time of customers and used to improve the
processes and make doing business with the government more convenient,
customer friendly and efficient.
12
13
Initiatives
Development of an integrated e-trade system that
will include all the regulatory agencies responsible
for trade including Trade Board and Customs
All presently operate in silos, new system will integrate
the systems
Further modernizations of Customs
One Stop Shop for Montego Bay
Implementation of aspects of the Food Safety and
the Plant Health Policies
14
Initiatives in Train
•A Food Safety Policy
– approved by Cabinet
• drafting of food safety legislation to reflect the Policy
• Establishment of Inter-ministerial Agricultural Health
and Food Safety Committee and the National
Agricultural Health and Food Safety Council (NAHFSC)
• Plant Health Policy –
– Approved by Cabinet
– Implementation plan to be sent to Cabinet
15
Challenges
• Customs Authorized Economic Operator
(AEO) System-: preferential treatment to
companies that are compliant with Jamaica
Customs rules and regulations and is deemed
by Customs as low risk importers.
– Containers are sent to the importers facilities and
sometimes opened before the relevant agencies
are present to conduct their inspection
This is to be addressed under the new Customs
Transformation Project
16
Challenges
• Inadequate staff to effectively carry out their
mandate
• Statutory overlaps and reluctance of agencies
to relinquish powers given to them under
various Acts and Regulations
• The need for decision makers in the
Regulatory Agencies to be at the table in
discussions that will affect their authority
17
Benefits
• Access to multiple government services in a
single location
• Shorter processing time
• Reduce overlaps and gaps in inspection
process
• Minimize the need for importer/exporter to
make multiple visits to Regulatory Agencies
18
Benefits
• Greater collaboration among agencies
• Monthly Agencies meeting –
• Quarterly stakeholders meeting
• PQ/PI collecting samples for PCA
• Agencies are better able to monitor as they
are at the location
• Will assist in the determination of the type of single
Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency to be
considered by government.
19
Export Complex One Stop Shop
Concept
Providing the End Services for
Agricultural Produce
Export Complex One Stop Shop
•
•
•
•
Airlines
Customs
USDA – APHIS
Police – Canine
inspection
•MOAF Staff
-Fumigation Staff
-Inspectorate i.e.
Plant
Quarantine/Produce
Inspection Inspectors
- Accounting and
Administrative Staff
21
Export Complex One Stop Shop
Services
• Inspection and certification of imports and export of
agricultural commodities
• Pre-clearance services for agricultural produce to the United
States of America
• Conduct chemical treatments for agricultural produce
• Cold and ambient storage for fresh produce.
• Facility for Customs services for exports
• Export and import data on agricultural produce for market
intelligence
• Plug-in facilities for the cooling of refrigerated sea containers
22
Export Complex One Stop Shop
Benefits
• A central facility for handling exports in
proximity to the air and sea ports
• Provide a sterile and sanitary environment
for the inspection and processing of
agricultural exports
• Enhances the security of the commodities
• Improve quality of produce due to reduced
handling.
23
24
Conclusion
• Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agencies will expend every effort to
facilitate exports and imports.
• Co-ordination of the inspection activities of the various entities will
greatly improve activities at the ports.
•
The agencies will keep abreast of impending changes to the import
requirements of trading partners and transfer the information from the
public sector to the private sector in the shortest possible time.
Let us all work together to improve trade and Protect our
Countries' Agriculture and Health
Tel : 923-7018/ 937-7924
www.portinspection.gov.jm
25
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
26