Trade Board Information System Ready for Implementation

The Trade Board Information System (TBIS), which is a component of the e-Government initiative under the Government of Jamaica/Inter American Development Bank-funded Information Communication Technology project, has been tested and evaluated and is now ready for implementation.
This is according to Ministry Paper 54, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on June 1. The paper provides highlights of the performance of the Trade Board Limited during the 2004/2005 financial year and presents the board’s programmes for 2005/2006.
TBIS is aimed at developing an Import/Export Licence, Export Certification and Cashiering System, with links to Jamaica Promotions Company (JAMPRO), Jamaica Customs and the Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) systems, as well as other government ministries and agencies. It will be undertaken in later phases of the e-Government component of the IDB/ICT Project.
The objectives of TBIS are to: streamline information flow within the agency both intra-office and inter-office (Kingston – Montego Bay); allow online submission of import licence applications and applications for export certification; and reduce customer interaction with different government agencies by capturing required information and exchanging it electronically, rather than having the client resubmit similar information to other agencies with which business is transacted.
The system will also permit easy generation of Management Information System (MIS) reports; allow electronic payment; facilitate online status query of submitted applications; and allow for pro-active notification of significant events (e.g. approval of application or rejection of certification) to customer by email and or Short Message Service (SMS).
The Trade Board Limited is a portfolio agency of the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology (MCST) and has responsibility for: establishing and operating a central clearing house for Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and a registration and certification authority for public keys (electronic transactions); interfacing with the commercial sector to facilitate commerce; and issuing import and export licences for specific items that impact negatively on the environmental, social and economic conditions of the country.
The Board is also mandated to, issue certificates of origin for Jamaican products exported under various preferential trade agreements; register and maintain a list of importers/manufacturers that use milk powder and refined sugar as raw materials for the production of specified products in accordance with the regulations governing pre and post entry verification.
It also ensures that Jamaica meets its international obligations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Rules of Origin and the WTO Agreement on Import Licencing.