The delays being experienced at Mombasa port and border points might end when an online cargo clearance system goes live later this year.
The first phase of the National Single Window System is set to be implemented in December.
It will also save the sector billions of shillings lost in the long and tedious clearance processes, said retired major general Joseph Kibwana, chairman of the Kenya Trade Network Agency.
The agency was created to oversee the implementation of the system.
The delays being experienced at Mombasa port and border points might end when an online cargo clearance system goes live later this year.
The first phase of the National Single Window System is set to be implemented in December.
It will also save the sector billions of shillings lost in the long and tedious clearance processes, said retired major general Joseph Kibwana, chairman of the Kenya Trade Network Agency.
The agency was created to oversee the implementation of the system.
"For a long time, the cumbersome trade processes have led to perennial congestion, delays in cargo clearance and long truck queues at the port of Mombasa and airports," he said,
The system will create a platform for submission, receipt and processing of trade related cargo clearance documentation.
The electronic platform will be the sole entry point for lodging trade transaction documents and will integrate over 24 government agencies including Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services and Kenya Ports Authority.
Phase one will automate cargo documentation processes by integrating the systems of all the key stakeholders involved in cargo clearance in the public and private sectors.
Phase two will involve integration of the single window system with the national payments system via a national payment gateway to ensure an end to end electronic solution in trade logistics, planned to be operational by mid next year.
"The system will also solve the chronic problem of corruption and be the solution to the lengthy, manual and uncoordinated trade processes," Mr Kibwana told participants at a workshop for stakeholders at Whitesands Beach Resort.
"At the moment, we are continuing with sensitisation campaigns among stakeholders to update them on the progres," said Mr Alex Kabuga, Kentrade CEO.
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