Background
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) as the Ministry responsible for trade facilitation in Malaysia, has set up the National Single Window Business Process Reengineering (NSW BPR) Working Group that responsible to formulate and recommend re-engineering of import/export processes.
The working group has taken the initiative to discuss with related government agencies and industry associations in identifying the issues and the most common practices for import and export process flows, particularly pertaining to documentation requirements, time taken and the cost involved for import and export processes.
The industry players (traders) in Malaysia, especially at Port Klang have identified major issues in import and export procedures that need to be addressed by the authorities concern. Issues raised include the excessive documentation requirements and lack of transparency or unclear import and export process requirements.
For this purpose, the Working Group was set up in early 2008 with the objectives to identify the best practices for export and import process flows in order to address gaps or barriers as well as to improve the efficiency of international trade in general. It is important for the affected exporters and importers to have sufficient information on the process flow and time taken in order for them to learn and to adopt the new procedures.
Currently, based on detailed discussions with the industry associations, the Working Group has developed and identified nine process flows of import and export at Port Klang. The study specifically focuses on moving a 20-foot container from a factory to the deck of a ship that is ready for departure (for import and export). The process included four (4) stages:
- Document preparation;
- Customs clearance;
- Technical control, port and terminal handling; and
- Inland transportation and handling.
The Working Group has streamlined nine types of process flows, based on Port Klang scenario: