Jakarta (VNA) – ASEAN and the US Agency forInternational Development (USAID) on August 5 held the fifth symposium on theASEAN Single Window (ASW) to plan for greater private sector engagement andfacilitate cross-border trade.

Held virtually and facilitated by the ASEAN-USAID InclusiveGrowth in ASEAN through the Innovation, Trade and e-Commerce project, thesymposium brought together 300 government officials, private sector leaders,and trade community representatives from the ASEAN Member States. 

Titled “Marking Achievements and Pursuing Progress forthe Future,” the forum highlighted ASW achievements and presented updates on2021 priority actions and plans for 2022.

On progress so far, all ten member states have utilised theATIGA electronic Certificate of Origin (ATIGA e-Form D) to enjoy preferentialtariff treatment for goods produced and traded within ASEAN.

This means importers can enjoy swift, preferential tarifftreatment without waiting for the receipt of a hard copy of certificates oforigin from issuing authorities and without being required to send hard copiesto customs authorities of the importing countries.

In another milestone, five ASEAN Member States haveexchanged the ASEAN Customs Declaration Document through the ASW, helpingcustoms authorities of importing countries complete risk management procedures.

“This symposium provides an opportunity to showcase theachievements of the ASW to date and explores options for enhanced privatesector engagement and expansion of the ASW services,” said DeputySecretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community Satvinder Singh.

The ASEAN Single Window is a regional electronic platformthat promotes ASEAN economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange ofborder trade-related documents among member states. Traders can exchangecustoms documentation through the ASW platform, expediting cargo clearance andreducing paperwork. This boosts regional trade efficiency and competitivenessfor inclusive economic growth.

“This groundbreaking trade facilitation platformcontinues to increase trade transparency and reduce costs associated withcross-border trade, benefits that will extend to countries throughout theIndo-Pacific in the future,” said Melissa A. Brown, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. ofthe US Mission to ASEAN.

Symposium discussions focused on expanding ways to reformthe ASW to promote the use of exchanged trade documents and strengthen privatesector engagement. The event also explored options for connecting the ASW toforeign single windows — an important step that can help simplify customsprocedures and reduce the cost of trading for ASEAN Member States andpotentially overseas markets./.