Export certificates now digital

Electronic export certificates are now a reality in South Africa with the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) having completed the first phase of its digital programme. According to the PPECB’s CEO Stuart Symington, the last of the 600 inspectors across the country have now been trained and issued with digital tablets ushering in a new era for the organisation where clipboards and pens will no longer be the tools used to issue export certificates. Addressing the Exporters’ Club Western Cape (ECWC) last week, Symington said the tablet technology rolled out over the past two years would ultimately transform the PPECB into a far more efficient and effective organisation. Symington said through access to real-time, accurate information inspectors would be able to get export certificates out far more quickly. “The technology will achieve long-term efficiencies that should translate into a more cost-effective service to our customers, but we believe we will also be able to offer a far better customer service,” he said. Symington said introducing tablet technology had not been a quick and easy process, but with the first phase now completed the team would start looking into further applications of the technology which would also be rolled out in phases. INSERT & CAPTION The technology will achieve long-term efficiencies. – Stuart Symington