UNUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

Press Release

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The Single Window:  a “window of opportunity” for regional trade cooperation in South Caucasus?

Geneva, 6 July 2009 --

On 23-24 June, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) organized a Regional Seminar in Tbilisi on the benefits of the “Single Window” for export and import clearance and trade-data harmonization. Taking part in the seminar were South Caucasus countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as neighbouring countries Turkey and Ukraine.

The Single Window guarantees efficient trading and efficient governmental controls of trade flows, as well as improved governance and fewer opportunities for corruption. By using a Single Window facility for their transactions, actors in international trade can file all the required information in one place, at one time and in a standard format. UNECE  “recommendations” and standards form the basis for developing Single Window systems.

The concept is gradually taking root in the transition economies of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.    Azerbaijan has already adopted a Presidential decree on establishing a Single Window; Georgia is considering linking the Single Window concept with its ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data). Armenia, Turkey and Ukraine have expressed interest in joining a regional initiative for data harmonization using  UNECE standards.

The Seminar addressed the definition and benefits of the Single Window, including the value of using international standards in trade-document exchange; and the importance of harmonizing trade data by using international codes, standards and modelling techniques. It also highlighted best practice in Sweden and the European Union.

There were also discussions on how the Single Window related to other concepts such as the one-stop-shop, integrated border management, joint border posts, and the Single Administrative Document. Confusion over these various concepts has hampered progress in the past.   

A follow-up seminar is planned to review progress in organizing interagency cooperation for the Single Window and technical data harmonization in a regional setting.

The Seminar was supported by Government of the Czech Republic and the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, TIKA. UNECE encourages all its member States to assist in funding these initiatives which it is developing in the various regions with economies in transition.

Downloadable publications on the Single Window:

For further information on the Single Window or on the trade-related work of UNECE,  please contact:

Mario Apostolov
Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade
Palais des Nations, Room 437
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
tel.: +41 22 9171134
fax: +41 22 9170037
e-mail: [email protected]

Ref: ECE/TRADE/09/P07