The International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ Sri Lanka) proudly unveiled a transformative suite of digital platforms poised to revolutionize the landscape for Sri Lankan SMEs engaged in international trade. The platforms were officially launched by His Excellency, President Ranil Wickremesinghe at an event organized by ITC and GIZ together with the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Tuesday 8 August.
The event was also graced by the Ministers Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister of Agriculture; Hon. Nalin Fernando, Minister for Trade, Commerce, and Food Security; Hon. Shehan Semasinghe, the State Minister of Finance; Hon. Dilum Amunugama, the State Minister of Investment Promotion; and Hon. Kanaka Herath, the State Minister of Technology. The event also saw the presence of Ambassadors and High Commissioners, representatives from the United Nations. Secretary to the President and Secretaries from various relevant Ministries, delegates from the ITC, German Government and GIZ, as well as stakeholders from the private sector, trade chambers, and academia.
The four game-changing systems are set to empower SMEs to soar to new heights of success and competitiveness in the global market. They include the e-Certificate of Origin (e-CoO) System at the Department of Commerce (DoC), the Electronic Payment Gateway at the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, the digitalization of the Registration and Monitoring of Organic Agriculture-Related Stakeholders at the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), and the Development of a Progress Monitoring Tool for the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC).
The fully digitalized e-CoO system streamlines the issuance of Preferential Certificates of Origin, crucial for establishing goods' origin and eligibility for trade agreement benefits. The system remarkably reduces the CoO issuance time by 93%, with the processing time reduced to just 30 minutes, which saves considerable costs and lowers the carbon footprint, fostering an eco-friendly trade by obviating multiple trips and paper documentation.
The e-Payment Gateway at the NPQS offers traders convenient and secure payment options, enabling swift transactions from any location. This advancement leads to an impressive 94% time savings for businesses, eliminating the need for time-consuming in-person payments. Furthermore, the system includes analytics and reporting tools for informed decision-making.
The NOCU's digital Registration and Monitoring system streamlines organic stakeholder registration and certification, ensuring smooth compliance and supply chain continuity. This platform empowers stakeholders to effortlessly register and monitor certifications online, saving 96% of their time and approximately LKR 50,000 per registration.
The Progress Reporting and Monitoring Tool for the NTFC tracks trade reforms in real time, aiding strategic decisions. It connects border agencies, NTFC members, donors, and businesses for smooth information flow, coordination, and effective facilitation efforts.
Following the launch, a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Raghad Altalli, Programme Manager and Trade Facilitation Advisor, ITC took center stage, delving into the transformative potential of each innovation. Esteemed panelists included Dr. Kingsley Bernard, Chairman/ CEO of the Export Development Board; Ms. Gilma Dahanayake, Director/General of Commerce (Actg) at the Department of Commerce; Mr. Achala Chandrasekera, Head of NTFC Secretariat; Mr. Buwanekebahu Perera, Secretary General Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Shalindri Perera, Component Manager, SME Sector Development Programme Sri Lanka, GIZ; and Mr. Yamada Tetsuya, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka Office.
The initiatives are implemented with the technical assistance of ITC and GIZ, within the framework of the Trade Facilitation for SMEs project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
