Called the Thailand Interoperability Framework, it will be developed based on the ebXML standard. ebXML stands for Electronic Business Extensible Markup Language. It is to define a framework for global electronic business that will allow businesses to find each other and trade based on defined XML messages within the context of standard business processes.

The subcommittee's secretary Somnuk Keretho said the framework was also expected to build a foundation for further electronic business in the country and to support its vision to provide the national single window and Asean single window system in 2008.

The National single window is a system which enables a single submission of data and information, a single and synchronous processing of data and information, and a single decision-making for Customs' release and clearance. A single decision-making shall be uniformly interpreted as a single point of decision for the release of cargo by Customs on the basis of decisions, if required, taken by line ministries and agencies and communicated on time to Customs.

Under the national single window, three parties - export companies, freight forwarders and the Customs Department - are involved.

To facilitate the single window system, he said centralised electronic forms would be developed to allow businesses to exchange information with government agencies over computers. These forms are to expedite the export process.

Somnuk said the Customs Department and the Foreign Trade Department were working with the Philippines to conduct a pilot test on the Asean single window. The project is to allow businesses in the two countries to import and export their products via electronic transactions.

Asean members, however, signed an agreement to establish and implement the Asean single window in December last year. The Asean single window is an environment where each national single window of member countries will be integrated.

Under the agreement, member-countries will develop and implement their national single windows in a timely manner for the establishment of the Asean single window.

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore will operate their national single windows by 2008 at the latest.

Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Vietnam will set up their national single windows by 2012.

"Thailand's vision is to provide one-stop services to private sectors and government agencies to communicate and exchange information electronically," said Somnuk.

He said Thailand now has the potential for cross-border trade and its position is 54th among 146 countries, as reported by the World Bank. Businesses now spend 23 days for export information processes and 25 days on import information processes. It is hoped that with electronic business the time for each process will be reduced.

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation