The background
Panama's strategic location has historically made it a crucial hub for international trade. Its role as a bridge between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans has propelled its economy through maritime activities, including shipping and logistics. However, the country has faced challenges such as inefficient cargo controls, corruption, and smuggling, which have hindered its competitiveness in the global market. To address these issues, The Panama government sought to modernise its trade infrastructure.
In response to these challenges, Webb Fontaine took on the development and implementation of the Foreign Trade and Logistics Portal in the Republic of Panama, known as PORTCEL. This initiative aimed to build upon Panama's trade history by creating an interoperability platform that digitally integrates national logistics activities. PORTCEL's objective was to enhance Panama's competitiveness by improving cargo controls, reducing corruption, and enabling institutions to identify potential cases through advanced algorithms.
The action
Webb Fontaine initiated the development of PORTCEL, leveraging its expertise in trade facilitation and digital solutions. This involved extensive collaboration with stakeholders to understand Panama's trade ecosystem and tailor the platform to meet its specific needs.
Webb Fontaine implemented a range of solutions within PORTCEL to streamline trade processes including:
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Webb Single Window: The trade portal unified trade procedures, simplifying processes for both public and private sector entities.
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Webb Executive Vision: This solution provided online access to foreign trade information, enabling stakeholders to access crucial data anytime, anywhere.
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Paylican: Webb Fontaine's official payment partner, a processing solution facilitated secure and efficient financial transactions within the trade ecosystem.
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API Integration: Webb Fontaine developed APIs for invoices and payments, visits consultation, and license consultation, enabling seamless integration between different systems and stakeholders.
Webb Fontaine incorporated cutting-edge methodologies and technologies such as iPaaS and Cloud implementation (specifically Google Cloud) to enhance PORTCEL's capabilities. This allowed for scalable, efficient, and secure integration of systems from various institutions, including the National Customs Authority, Panama Canal Authority, Tocumen International Airport, Ministry of Agricultural Development, and National Bank of Panama.
In addition to technical implementation, Webb Fontaine provided comprehensive training and capacity building to ensure stakeholders could effectively utilise PORTCEL. This involved workshops, user manuals, and ongoing support to empower users and maximise the platform's benefits.
Webb Fontaine's partnership with Panama didn't end with the initial implementation. We have continued to work closely with stakeholders to monitor PORTCEL's performance, gather feedback, and implement enhancements to ensure its effectiveness and relevance in Panama's evolving trade landscape.
