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Solomon Islands’ Trade Facilitation Progress Lags Behind

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Honiara, Solomon Islands - A recent survey has revealed that the Solomon Islands has made limited progress in implementing trade facilitation measures. The country’s trade facilitation score stands at 45.16%, indicating a significant gap between its current practices and international best standards.

Survey Assessment

The survey assessed the Solomon Islands’ performance across various areas, including:

  • Transparency
  • Formalities
  • Institutional arrangement and cooperation
  • Paperless trade

Transparency

The country scored 53.33% in transparency, with notable achievements in publishing import-export regulations on the internet and conducting stakeholder consultations prior to finalizing new draft regulations. However, it lagged behind in providing advance publication/notification of new trade-related regulations and establishing an independent appeal mechanism.

Formalities

Formalities were a mixed bag, with the Solomon Islands achieving partial implementation in areas such as:

  • Risk management
  • Pre-arrival processing
  • Post-clearance audits
  • Acceptance of copies of original supporting documents

However, it still needs to establish a separation of release from final determination of customs duties, taxes, fees, and charges.

Institutional Arrangement and Cooperation

The sector saw limited progress, with the country partially implementing measures such as:

  • Establishing a National Trade Facilitation Committee or similar body
  • Aligning working days and hours with neighboring countries at border crossings

Paperless Trade

The Solomon Islands has made little headway in paperless trade, with partial implementation of:

  • Automated customs systems
  • Electronic submission of customs declarations
  • Internet connection availability to Customs and other trade control agencies

Electronic single window systems, electronic application and issuance of import and export permits, and electronic submission of sea and air cargo manifests remain in the planning stage.

Implications for the Economy

The Solomon Islands’ sluggish progress in implementing trade facilitation measures has implications for its economy, as it can lead to:

  • Increased costs
  • Longer clearance times
  • Reduced competitiveness

The country’s authorities must take concrete steps to address these shortcomings and improve its overall trade facilitation performance.

Update Request

If you have found any inaccuracies or would like to submit an update on the implementation of trade facilitation and paperless trade measures in Solomon Islands, please let us know.