By Alfred Sasako
BENEFITS from the maritime trade facilitation in the economy of a country, a change from manual to electronic clearances of ships, cargo and passengers in order to save time, are expected to dominate a three-day national seminar which opens in Honiara this morning.
The seminar, jointly sponsored by the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), the London-based International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Noumea-based Secretariat of the Pacific Community, will also hear an introduction to the Facilitation Convention.
IMO representative Alper Keceli told Island yesterday the seminar would be in two parts. The first is to explain what the FAL Convention is all about and its importance to its 174 member states.
Solomon Islands is a signatory to the Convention but is yet to ratify it.
IMO consultant Kate Mun will on Wednesday give an introduction to the maritime single window system, integration of FAL Forms for clearance of ships, cargo and persons.
Ms Mun will also give an introduction to the single window and possible scope as well as the practical steps in planning the implementation of the single window, tools, examples and standards
She said the change from manual to electronic clearances of ships, cargo and crew and passengers saves money and time.
SPC’s Sitalingi Payne will give a talk on the Green Pacific Ports Initiative on Wednesday.
