Single Window of Foreign Trade (VUCE) Colombia

1. Current state of VUCE Colombia Single Window of Foreign Trade (VUCE) Colombia • VUCE has been in operation since 2005. It currently has 18 connected government agencies. Those agencies are responsible for issuing, through VUCE, the relevant authorizations or certifications, depending on the nature of the goods imported or exported. • Receipt of applications is done electronically - no paper documents are received. If a permit requires a payment, it is also done by electronic means. • All operations are performed safely and supported through mechanisms provided with digital signatures. • There are currently modules for Imports, Exports, Simultaneous Physical Inspection of Cargo at Ports, and the Issue of digital certificates of origin. Conexiones Seguras VPN y Firmas Digitales

2. Major difficulties in the implementation of VUCE Single Window of Foreign Trade (VUCE) Colombia • Difficulties in coordinating all government agencies involved. • Resistance to the elimination of unnecessary procedures. • Resistance from officials and users to the elimination of stamps and handwritten signatures. • Difficulties in the standardization of forms used by agencies • Cultural difficulties to accept the replacement of paper transactions with electronic ones. • Resistance from some agencies to give up control over information they considered their own. Conexiones Seguras VPN y Firmas Digitales

3. The Costs. MainBenefits. Single Window of Foreign Trade (VUCE) Colombia • Initial investment, US$ 2 million, including software applications and hardware. To date, US$ 4 million have been invested (for upgrades and development of new modules) • Agencies responsible for authorizations had to improve their processes and procedures, as well as their connectivity. • VUCE funding has been done with government resources, with no technical assistance from other countries. • Software solutions were developed using Colombian know-how. Conexiones Seguras VPN y Firmas Digitales • Cost reduction (transport, mail, stationery, customer time…) • Elimination of unjustified privileges and preferential treatment. • Elimination of the discretion exercised by public officials. • Access to the system 24 hours, 365 days a year, from any place • Reduction in approval times plus online monitoring of the status of procedures • Increased security, integrity, and confidentiality of information. • Re-engineering and streamlining of processes of agencies involved.

4. Lessonslearned: Suggestions for countries starting a similar process: Single Window of Foreign Trade (VUCE) Colombia • The security, integrity and transparency achieved in the management of information. • A high level of institutional coordination and integration of the entities involved. • Continuous improvement and optimization of processes. • Removal of unnecessary procedures. • There must be a clear commitment of the Government to enact legislation supporting development and implementation of the scheme. • To identify clearly the roadmap and the legislation that supports each process. • The agency selected to lead the process must be empowered to effectively coordinate and manage vis-à-vis other government agencies • To outreach and give plenty of training to users of the new process to be implemented. Conexiones Seguras VPN y Firmas Digitales