Members say the implementation of the digitalised procedure at the Douala Seaport is a reality.

Members of the steering committee to put in place a computerize procedure for external trade met in Yaounde on November 8, 2013 under the chair of the Secretary General of the Prime Minister`s Office, Louis Paul Motaze and resolved to hasten the implementation of the single window system aimed at facilitating and ushering transparency in the Douala Seaport.

Friday's meeting that came on the heels of the June 21, 2013 second steering committee session was aimed at evaluating the directives of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang. The one-stop-shop is government`s initiative to increase efficiency through time and cost for external trade with the goal of boosting the economy. By so doing, the electronic procedure, recognized and promoted by several organizations intends to improve the business climate.

The Director General of Customs, Minette Libom Li Likeng assured Cameroonians and users of the Douala Seaport that it is now a reality that one can start clearing goods before they arrive the port. She said obtaining relevant clearance permits has been facilitated with better visibility and transparency.          “I am confident that we are going to make giant progress by the end of this year in the single window`s system by significantly reducing the time frame for the removal of goods at the seaport,”`

She said they were experimenting a system whereby all is being done electronically and businessmen and/or users could start declaring their goods before they arrive upon receiving a message from the customs department.