NSWP’ll remove barriers to import, export –Tinubu

NSWP’ll remove barriers to import, export –Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, has   said the National Single Window Project (NSWP), initiative will lead to the inflow of foreign direct investments through removal of trade barriers to import and export businesses.  

Tinubu made the remark during the inauguration of a steering committee to drive the initiative which he said is  targeted at eliminating all forms of impediments to trade in the country as well as improve Nigeria’s rating in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

Describing the project, which is domiciled at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as another milestone for his administration, the President noted that  the  project is a bold initiative to simplify and streamline import and export clearance processes by eliminating bottlenecks, and harnessing best-in-class technology.

The National Single Window is an electronic portal that links all agencies and players in import and export processes to an integrated platform.

Membership of the Presidential Steering Committee for the project is drawn from the Nigeria Customs, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and key private sector players such as exporters, importers, shipping lines, freight forwarders, banks, and clearing agents.

“Our import and export processes are bureaucratic which leads to long lead times in our ports. Such inefficiencies have adverse impacts on local businesses in the country and serve as potential impediment to foreign direct investments. To eliminate these challenges, today we are launching the National Single Window Project.

 “The National Single Window Project is intended to enhance revenue generation through imports and exports and accelerate economic activities in the country.

 “This will result in reduced cost of doing business and position us to attract more foreign investment.

“The National Single Window Project will consist of four key pillars, namely; Single Window for Imports, Single Window for Exports, Port Community System and Scanning Services across our sea, air and land borders.

“The Project is not merely a technological advancement but a strategic initiative to increase revenue generation by consolidating import and export related procedures into a unified electronic platform.

“The platform will serve as a single portal for the submission and approval of all import and export related documents, as well as a centralized payment system. This platform will be integrated with the various systems in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the import and export processes.

                                                                                                            The Sun, 18th Aprl 2024