Sunday, 1 March 2009

Cambodia to apply ASEAN Single Window programme

Thai News Agency MCOT

PHNOM PENH, March 1 (VNA) – Cambodia set to implement a major ASEAN agreement that would drastically cut customs clearance times and allow importers to access the entire region through Sihanoukville Port.

Starting in May, authorities will apply the ASEAN Single Window (ASW), which synchronises customs information systems and allows traders to forward goods to any ASEAN country after clearing one regional port of entry, according to local media.

Under the plan, clearance times would be cut to 30 minutes, from a regional average of four hours, The Phnom Penh Post quoted Ma Sunhout, Deputy Director General at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, as saying.

ASEAN Single Window programme is the single most important customs initiative that will ensure expeditious clearance of goods and reduce the cost of doing business in the regional grouping.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (VNA)

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