The background
Nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Nepal boasts a rich history of trade that spans centuries. As a landlocked country bordered by trade giants India and China, from which 90% of its international trade originates, Nepal boasts a strategic geographical location. Over the ages, Nepal's trade has been profoundly influenced by a tapestry of diverse cultures, economies, and geopolitical dynamics, shaping both its economic landscape and societal development.
In May 2019, with the backing of the World Bank, Nepal embarked on a transformative journey toward digitalisation, marking a significant milestone in its trade evolution. Through a collaborative effort involving 49 stakeholders from both public and private sectors, a comprehensive two-year implementation plan was set into motion, supplemented by a five-year support commitment. This initiative, driven by Webb Fontaine, aimed to modernise Nepal's trade infrastructure and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage. With its official launch in February 2021, the project signifies a significant leap forward in Nepal's journey toward a more streamlined and responsive trade ecosystem.
The action
Central to the project’s execution was the implementation of the Webb Single Window platform, locally known as the Nepal National Single Window (NNSW). Designed as a cornerstone of Nepal's government digital transformation agenda, NNSW seeks to revolutionise international trade services by introducing digital efficiencies that transcend traditional bureaucratic hurdles. The platform aimed to achieve several objectives:
- Reduction of time and cost: By streamlining processes and eliminating redundancies, the project aimed to facilitate quicker and more cost-effective international business transactions.
- Harmonisation of government services: Through integration and standardisation, the project sought to harmonise the delivery of governmental services across various ministries and agencies.
- Enhancement of global competitiveness: By fostering transparency and efficiency, NNSW aimed to bolster Nepal's global competitiveness and attract foreign investment.
- Improvement of citizen's quality of life: By simplifying procedures and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, the project aimed to enhance the overall quality of life for Nepali citizens.
The implementation unfolded in three distinct phases, with each phase progressively connecting stakeholders and expanding the platform's reach. By October 2021, Phase 1 had connected 18 stakeholders, followed by another 18 in Phase 2 by March 2022, and finally, 13 stakeholders in Phase 3 by June 2022. With the project now in its support phase until 2026, continuous efforts were dedicated to refining and enhancing the platform's functionalities.
