Trade processes involve a lot of document exchange and previously, the passing of documents was done in a tedious physical manner. In a manual process, duplicate documents are required by different authorities and agencies for approval. Too often, this slows down operations within the trading community.

With the introduction of eServices in Trade Facilitation, exchange of trade documents among businesses and approving authorities and agencies is done electronically.

In Malaysia, the backbone of such electronic-based trade eco-system is the National Single Window (NSW) for Trade Facilitation - a one-stop Trade Facilitation system linking the trading community with relevant Government agencies and various other trade and logistics parties through one single window, which allows for a seamless and transparent process.

An initiative of the Government of Malaysia, and led by the Ministry of Finance, Malaysia’s NSW for Trade Facilitation system was launched in 2009 to simplify clearance procedures, facilitate the electronic exchange of trade-related data, reduce cost of doing business and thereby enhancing trade efficiency and national competitiveness.

The trading community in Malaysia is a vibrant one comprising not only traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, forwarders, shipping agents, warehouse and depot operators, but also transport and logistics players, and banking and insurance agencies.

This network is further linked across the region and globally as well, making it a necessity to have smooth communications for this community to run business efficiently.

When exchange of trade documents is done electronically, the trading community can benefit from:

• Data reusability, which also reduces risk of data error
• Single connectivity to many approving authorities and agencies
• Convenience of ubiquitous trade documents processing

The trading community hence can save time and cost, gain competitive edge, improve efficiency and productivity, which at the end of the day simply means improvements in its bottom line. On a larger scale, benefits experienced by the trading community can contribute positively to the ease of doing business for the country and competitiveness as a trading nation, and ultimately the whole economy.

In Malaysia, the NSW for Trade Facilitation system is developed, operated and managed by Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd (Dagang Net).