Single Window(Regulatory Agencies One Stop

Shop)Jamaica’s Experience

“Working together to make Trade Easier”

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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One Stop ShopVision

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.

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LocatedKingston 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

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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.

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InitiativesDevelopment of an integrated e-trade system that will

include all the regulatory agencies responsible for trade including Trade Board and CustomsAll 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Export Complex One Stop ShopConcept

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

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Export Complex One Stop ShopServices

• 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

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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.

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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/ 937-7924www.portinspection.gov.jm

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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