Rwanda has launched a pilot electronic single window project aimed at speeding up international trade flows with the country. “Once effectively implemented, it will improve the country’s competitiveness in terms of increased domestic investment and foreign trade due to the simplified clearance processes,” Francois Kanimba, the Rwandan Minister for Trade and Industry, said last week during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the four agencies implementing the pilot project. Those involved in the pilot phase are the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) and Magasins Generaux du Rwanda (MAGERWA). A full roll-out is planned for May this year. The electronic single window allows information and administrative requirements for imports and exports to be submitted at a single online entry point. The US$3.3-m project is financed by Trade Mark East Africa. “One of the biggest challenges facing Rwanda is its landlocked status. Approximately 40% of the price of imported goods is related to the cost of transport and logistics from the Ports of Dar es Salaam, Mombasa along the corridors.” said Mark Priestley, TradeMark East Africa, Rwanda country director.
