Africa-Press – Lesotho. Ministry of Trade and Industry has on Wednesday launched the Lesotho National Single Window (LNSW) project which will enable businesses and agencies to connect and share certificates, licenses and transmit information electronically. Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General Thabo Khasipe, speaking at the launch, said they have the privilege to champion the administrative phase of the project.
He added that LRA views this initiative as a vehicle to help them realize their revenue mandate and contribute to Domestic Resource Mobilization.
He said they foresee a multi-fold improvement in clients’ satisfaction levels as they utilize the single window as a tool of trust in the course of tax and cross-border trade services. He continued to say that the pace at which people and goods pass through their ports has impact on the economy and therefore revenue mobilization for
government public services in the form of tax is mandatory. “This is why over the years, the World Bank and other institutions had interest in measuring the
ease of doing business across the border,” he said, adding that World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) require countries to
periodically undertake research and release studies to assess how long it takes for traders to conclude cross border transactions, having completed all the requirements.
He noted that some of the formalities include obtaining requisite certificates, licenses, permits and other measures to be complied with in advance of arrival at the ports.
He said it is a great achievement that with a functional LNSW, it will become easier for traders to obtain and present these documents prior to goods arriving at the borders.
The World Bank Senior Private Sector Specialist Michael Ehst said in his two years’ experience in Lesotho, he is proud that the World Bank has been a long standing with the government of Lesotho. He added that the World Bank’s support to private sector development in Lesotho and the LNSW under Private Sector Competitiveness and Economic Diversification (PSCED2), is to work together to rebuild the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. Private sector development and well-functioning business environment are critical to Lesotho’s development, particularly for job creation and stimulating growth.
Lesotho has incredible potential for expanding agribusiness, tourism and light manufacturing but is impended by several constraints including trade impediments,” he said. He said improving systems for trading across borders is a key aspect of World Bank support hence it has, through the PSCED2, provided financing for the LNSW. Minister of Trade and Industry Dr.
Thabiso said the birth of the LNSW presents a window of opportunity to be harnessed by both government and private sector. He said this will improve real time and cost-effective sharing of information between traders and government agencies and amongst government agencies.
It also provides predictability and transparency on all the regulatory requirements while also providing for enhancing clearance of goods at the borders, including
in transit. “This initiative came at an opportune time after Lesotho has ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
This environment will enable us to expedite the movement and clearance of goods at the borders,” he said. Molapo added that it will also provide them with real-time data to monitor trade and trade trends for better policy interventions. For his part, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Keketso Sello said with this electronic platform being launched, their clients will experience a modern customs operations by lodging a standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export related regulatory requirements.
“My sincere hope is that this project will empower our farmers and clients for the betterment of our economy and for job creation,” he said.
Sello further said they will ensure that all their departments which regulate products in and out of the country become part on the National Single Window project.
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