KenTrade has launched risk management system that was being upgraded. This system was first developed in 2017 in partnership with World Compliance Technologies (WCT).
The portal is implementing an electronic portal that provides clients with information about their potential trading partners who are on the international and national Watch List. It was launched in Nairobi in February 2018.
The System was integrated to the Kenya TradeNet System to enable seamless and efficient checking. The information provided, allows the trading community to engage suppliers from outside the country from an informed point.
“It was further implemented with capabilities to screen potential trading partners internationally, thus reducing the cases of fraudsters who may take advantage of the Kenyan trading community,” Amos Wangora, KenTrade Chief Executive Officer said during the virtual launch this week.
To determine the level of customer satisfaction with the System, KenTrade conducted a survey which revealed that the System had some gaps that needed to be addressed to ensure that it served its intended purpose.
“Subsequently, we spent substantial time fixing and enhancing i-Screen and today I am happy that we are re-launching a more enhanced, vibrant and revamped System that will go a long way in easing the way traders conduct business,” Wangora said.
Having achieved all the programmes that TradeNet envisaged in 2014, KenTrade has in the recent year embarked on a number of trade facilitation projects. The system today provides access to Importers/Exporters and Clearing Agents to submit trade documents for processing by the Partner Government Agencies (PGAs).
The System has recorded over 14,000 registered users with 41 stakeholder organizations including 36 Partner Government Agencies (PGA’s) drawn from both the public and private sector and this number continues to grow.
In December 2019, KenTrade commenced the process of upgrading the TradeNet system to enable stakeholders to enjoy a more user friendly, flexible platform incorporating best practice and international standards.
This project is expected to take approximately 15 months and has since progressed well.
“Despite the unforeseen challenges that were brought about by the pandemic, we managed to achieve notable milestones and I am happy to inform you that the Trade Facilitation Platform ‘Go – Live’ was on August 20, 2021,” Wangora said.
It has brought on board Government Agencies such as Energy and Petroleum Authority, Communication Authority, Department of Veterinary Services, Kenya Dairy Board, National Environmental Management Authority, Pests Control and Products Board and lastly Pharmacy and Poisons Board are already on board the platform, and this will be gradually and seamlessly rolled out until we on board all the relevant Government Agencies.
The agency launched the Maritime Single Window System (MSWS) in July 2021. Kenya is among the 122 member states who have ratified the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Convention of Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic commonly referred to as the FAL Convention. FAL Convention makes it mandatory for ships and ports to exchange FAL data electronically through encouraging the use of the “maritime single window system”.
Still under the trade facilitation role, in close collaboration with TradeMark East Africa and UNCTAD, KenTrade launched the Information for Trade in Kenya (InfoTradeKenya) in 2017.
This portal is a useful tool to stakeholders in import and export business as it provides a step-by-step guide to imports, exports and transit trade procedures to assist traders make informed choices.
Through the portal, traders can see all the requirements needed to comply with, to import, export and transit specific commodities. Currently the portal has documented 72 procedures for various traded commodities.
