Best Practice in Single Window Implementation: Case of Singapores Tradenet - Literature review Example

Accounting information system-critical article review A critical review of the article: Jonathan, Koh Tat Tsen. ‘Towards A Single Window Trading Environment, Best Practice in Single Window Implementation: Case of Singapore’s Tradenet,’ UNNExT Brief No. 2. (2010): 1-12. Introduction Various countries around the world, especially in the Asia Pacific region are looking into the initiative of setting up national Single Window (SW) facilities. Jonathan (p2) highlights that some of the benefits of adopting a Single Window include improved transparency, predictability and simplified trade processes in international trade transactions. Therefore, there would be lesser complexities, few delays and lowers trade costs, which can mount up to improved competitiveness within a country. Jonathan (p2), in the UNNExT Brief series highlights that Singapore’s TradeNet is the best practice case that counties can apply in implementing a Single Window environment. The article highlights that some of the benefits of TradeNet include a cutback in the turnaround time required for processing trade documents to about 15 minutes, which have resulted in improved productivity and as studies suggest, TradeNet has reduced trade documentation processing costs by approximately 20 per cent or even more. It was also found that TradeNet streamlined trade protocols and procedures, making the trading community more competitive globally. To government agencies, the application of TradeNet has enabled the adoption of a pre-paid system when dealing with custom duties, and has made compilation of external trade statistics more accurate and faster. However, the article does not provide the challenges or problems encountered in implementing TradeNet. Summary This brief focused on best practice in single window implementation, a case study for Singapore Tradenet. The authors aim throughout the text is to help the readers understand the importance of National Single Window facilities in trade transactions. A single window facility is significant in that, it assists in simplifying trade procedures and processes at the same time improving predictability and transparency in global trade transactions. As a result, this leads to reduced complexities, fewer delays and reduced trade costs resulting to improved competitiveness and increased trade. The author has organized this text in a systematic manner which allows the reader to have a clear flow of events thus understanding the text fully. As presented by the author, some major keys points in the text include: The notion of TradeNet System which originated in 1979 was a recommendation for Singapore’s economic future. Implementation of information technology in the country was seen to offer special opportunities for the economy. The National Computer Board was established to create programmes which targeted external trade. This would foresee the improvement of trade in terms of document processing which is a major benefit to the exporters and manufactures. Implementation of IT was also seen as a strategy of improving trade competitiveness. The development of the single window facilities received ample support from the government with various committees being formed to oversee the process. These included the STDB and a TradeNet steering committee that were supported by National Computer Board employees. The development and provision of TradeNet services was to be privatized thus reducing the government costs of operating and learning a countrywide network services and infrastructure. The implementation of TradeNet in Singapore received positive adherence with currently having more than 30, 000 declarations every day. Companies willing to join TradeNet have to pay registration fees, monthly fees and declaration fees which are seen worthy matched with the benefits such companies get in return. TradeNet is seen to have a variety of benefits. One of the major benefits was a decrease in turnaround time period for processing of trade documents with most transactions being concluded in less than ten minutes. In addition, TradeNet operates for twenty four hours while the use of couriers and clerks to deliver trade documents was eliminated. This as a result led to increased savings and productivity. TradeNet also increased international competitiveness due to simplification of trade protocols and procedures. The strategy also offered faster compilation of complete and accurate trade statistic, which is essential both to the government agencies and to the companies themselves as they employ them in trade policies, monitoring and surveillance. There are various development factors that are considered in TradeNet and they encompasses the lead agency, primary users, support from private sectors, financial assistance and government grant, technical support, and legislative empowerment. It is vital for governments to put these factors in mind before implementation of the strategy. To ensure the success of the implementation of the National Single Window system, various necessities including government commitment, setting up of various committees, creation of a corporate vehicle, technical service providers, phased implementation, and creation of document service centers should be considered. These institutions and play a very significant part in overseeing successful implementation of the strategy. Critique This article provides an in depth analysis regarding the benefits of adopting the Single Window system, which can be well established using Singapore’s TradeNet. However, one major weakness in this article is that the author does not provide the challenges that will be encountered while implementing the TradeNet. The article provides a clear illustration of the critical success factors in implementing the Single Window, such as commitment, phased implementation, but does not provide the barriers encountered during the implementation process. Apparently, there is no implementation process that lacks challenges or barriers and therefore in this case, Single Window implementation as well is prone to various challenges, which the author has failed to outline in this article. This is a problem because it is ethical to provide a clear picture to the intended audience regarding the implementation process, including the requirements and the challenges that can be encountered and if possible; provide some solutions to the identified challenges. Therefore, the country willing to adopt the Single Window system has a clear picture of what is required of it and some of the challenges it can encounter, as well as the solutions to overcoming the challenges. One of the major strengths in this text is that, the author’s aim of presenting his views regarding the importance of adopting a National Single Window system has been achieved. He has presented his ideas in a systematic manner focusing on keys points which are significant in such a context. For instance, he has discussed the benefits of implementing TradeNet and the recommendations that are important for nations that are in the early stages of implementing NSW. To a reader, this text offers ample knowledge both in theory and in practical application. Nations can use such knowledge to develop and implement NSW in their respective countries which as a result will offer adequate opportunities for the economy. This is contributed by trade improvements in terms of increased productivity and savings, and increased international competitiveness. Countries at early stages of developing and implementing TradeNet can also benefit sufficiently from this information as the author has offered critical success factors that are essential for implementation. Another point of strength is the author’s ability to use evidence to support his arguments. The author has used examples of countries that have successfully applied the Single Window system to explain the successes of this system and thus validate the reasons as to why other countries should as well adopt the Single Window system. Diagrams have also been used to provide further explanations about the implementation of this system. The diagrams explain how the TradeNet implementation has simplified the trading systems, which proves that the author’s intention of writing the article has been attained. In addition, the author also makes use of the tables to tabulate information to enable the readers get a clear picture regarding his claims. The authors claim is consistent throughout the article since he claims adoption of the Single Window is beneficial to countries trading processes, which has remained consistent throughout the article. It is clear that the author seeks to inform the readers of the benefits of adopting the Single Window, which can best implemented using TradeNet (Jonathan 6). He provides valid evidence to support his claims, using lessons from the countries that have already adopted this system. This evidence is practical since it is drawn from the countries that have already implemented the process and therefore such evidence can be relied on. Other countries can also use the same criteria to implement the Single Window in order to attain affectivity when implementing this system. For instance, Singapore has been used to provide a detailed analysis of how this system can well be implemented and the benefits that have accrued to the country due to the implementation of this process. It can therefore be concluded that the whole process of implementing a Single Window is beneficial to countries as it makes the trading process simple, predictable and transparent. The author has applied practical evidence to support these claims. Conclusion According to the evaluation, it is apparent that, this text has more strengths than weaknesses. The author has presented his ideas in a systematic manner, which gives the reader a clear flow of events thus understanding the text fully. His aim of presenting his views about the importance of adopting a National Single Window system has also been achieved fully. However, the author has not presented the challenges of developing and implementing the NWS, which is a major weakness for the text. Every implementation processes has their own challenges, thus the author should make sure that, he presents those challenges which are related with the development and implementation of National Single Window system. Work Cited Jonathan, Koh Tat Tsen. ‘Towards A Single Window Trading Environment, Best Practice in Single Window Implementation: Case of Singapore’s Tradenet,’ UNNExT Brief No. 2. (2010): 1-12. Read More