The Ministerial Plenary which is functioning as an extended form of Cabinet has given its stamp of approval for the Customs and Trade Single Window System Bill 2019 to be tabled at the next sitting of the National Assembly. This was noted yesterday by Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
During his meeting with the press, Harmon explained that the bill will provide for the establishment of the Customs and Trade Single Window System; a single decision-making facility for customs inspection, clearance, and release of cargo. The Minister said that it will enable a single submission and, a single and synchronous processing of data and information.
He said, too, that it will allow for a single submission of documents electronically for fees, levies, duties, and taxes due to the government on goods which are imported or exported.
The State Minister said that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be responsible for the management of the system and will define the expected roles, responsibilities and obligations of all agencies that will be involved in providing legal and technical assistance its creation and operation.
Further to this, Minister Harmon said that the bill provides for an oversight committee which would be responsible to the National Assembly. The committee, he explained, will function for one year to monitor the implementation of the system and resolve any disputes amongst participating agencies and entities that may arise.
