Malawi National Single Window (MNSW)

The Government of Malawi with funding from the World Bank (Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project) has appointed CrimsonLogic, a well-recognised, Singapore-based System provider with a wealth of expertise in national single window implementations. The company has been the service provider for Singapore TradeNet (National Single Window) since its inception in the late 1980’s. Singapore is a world leader in international trade services and National single window design pioneer. CrimsonLogic has commenced the detailed configuration of its Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) for the design, build and implementation of the MNSW. TFP relies on expertise and knowledge from TradeNet and has a modernized architecture installed in several countries across each of several continents. The Government of Malawi contract with CrimsonLogic includes a perpetual, unlimited user licence, closely coupled middleware formed into the TFP, implementation services and warranty and post-warranty services for the application software.

MNSW will provide webservices to traders and twenty-one participating MDAs.  Operationalization is planned in two phases: phase 1 comprising a pilot site (nominally Ministry of Trade and Industry) and six other MDAs by April 2024, and phase 2 being the remaining 14 MDAs by October 2024.  There are some sixty in-scope CLP processes with the system to be used anywhere in the world for users with access credentials.  The MDA users comprise approximately 55 CLP issuing offices around Malawi and 160+ issuing officers, with MDAs additional 120+ officers at 21 border sites across the country.

National Single Window Concepts

The National Single Window (NSW) is an electronic platform system interconnected with international trade and transport stakeholders to fulfill all imports, exports, and transit border control procedures. Government border control agencies are linked to the NSW platform to process transactions but operate in the background, but with workflow management of their organizations integrated into the NSW.

International trade and transport stakeholders transact with border control agencies via only one system, thus the term “single window.” The NSW is a highly convenient tool for private sector stakeholders since all information associated with a trade or related transport transactions is submitted and retrieved from a single system. Private sector stakeholders reap the benefits of electronic access: savings in time and resources since physical submission and collection of documents are eliminated.

Features and Benefits

• Electronic submission of transactions (eliminating the need for physical submission of documentsat MDAs),
• Automated processing of incoming transactions,
• Aautomated sharing of documents and data with agreed parties,
• Electronic receipt of communications from CBRAs,
• Online support within the NSW for processing applications for permits (for Cross Border Rregulatory Aauthoritiess with no back-office
• Permit-processing system),
• Access to status of trader transactions, and
• Electronic payment confirmation using a link to e-payment services.

Traders

• Time savings in submission of transactions
• Cost savings as fewer resources are required to comply
• Transparency of processing
• Standardization and predictability of procedures
• Tracking of status of transaction

Cargo Carriers and Cargo Handlers

• Time savings
• Cost savings
• Elimination of errors in cargo status
• Elimination of any insider fraudulent manipulation of information
• Operational efficiency in discharge of pre-advised containers for inspection

Cross-Border Regulatory Agencies (MRA, DARS/DAHLD, MBS, IMMIGRATION)

• Timely delivery of services
• Improved coordination with other CBRAs, leading to better border control
• Upgraded monitoring of service-level agreements (SLAs)
• Greater efficiency from streamlined procedures and data harmonization

MRA has been appointed as the interim MNSW operator to help lead in trade facilitation role