APEC Symposium Urges Greater Use of Paperless Trading Systems for Import/Export Business
An APEC Symposium on paperless trading and e-Business has recommended APEC Member Economies to adopt paperless 'Single Window Systems' for processing goods for cross-border trading.
The APEC Symposium on ebXML for Internet Paperless Trading and Collaborative e-Business, held in Thailand on July 21-23, attracted more than 160 e-commerce experts and policy makers from the APEC region.
Web-based single window systems allow businesses involved in cross-border trade to lodge standardized information and import, export, and transit-related documents at the one location. The systems allow for shipment data to be shared through internal computer networks with relevant government departments and agencies.
The symposium was briefed on the possibilities created by using the Electronic Business eXtensible Markup Language (ebXML) that enables companies of any size to lodge trade-related data with government agencies over the internet.
The expanded use of single window systems involving paperless trading technologies such as ebXML is expected to result in a significant reduction in business costs around the region through the more efficient movement of goods through ports.
Delegates from the government and business sectors at the symposium provided case studies on single window systems currently in use or under development.
These include Thailand's recent approval of 31 million dollars to build a fully integrated online trade administration system. The system is expected to save the Thai business community around $US700 million dollars a year when it is fully operational in 2007.
Korea is in the process of developing the single window system that will save Korean businesses around 1.6 billion dollars each year, while Singapore's existing system saves its traders over 1 billion dollars each year.
Dr. Chong Yoke Sin, Chief Operating Officer, NCS Pte., Singapore highlighted the benefits of integrating single window e-logistics systems with trade administration platforms. Dr. Chong said such single window systems deliver business lower freight costs, shorter order cycle times, better inventory management, and enhanced customer services.
Mr. Tadahiko Mori, Executive Officer of Logistics Division, Minebea Co., Ltd. said that the single window system used by his companies for customs clearance and logistics had improved Minebea's supply chain management, reduced the cost of business and increased his firm's profits.
The APEC Symposium on ebXML for Internet Paperless Trading and Collaborative e-Business was organized by the Institute for Innovative Information Technology and sponsored by the Government of Thailand, APEC and private sector companies.