• ISSN: 2301-3567 (Print), 2972-3981 (Online)
    • Abbreviated Title: J. Econ. Bus. Manag.
    • Frequency: Quarterly
    • DOI: 10.18178/JOEBM
    • Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Eunjin Hwang
    • Executive Editor: Ms. Fiona Chu
    • Abstracting/ Indexing:  CNKI, Google Scholar, Electronic Journals Library, Crossref, Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, MESLibrary, etc.
    • E-mail: joebm.editor@gmail.com
JOEBM 2015 Vol.3(9): 883-888 ISSN: 2301-3567
DOI: 10.7763/JOEBM.2015.V3.302

Study on the Challenges of Implementing Single Window Concept to Facilitate Trade in Sri Lanka: A Freight Forwarder Perspective

M. H. Abeywickrama and W. A. D. N. Wickramaarachchi

Abstract— Ports, airports and customs procedures are one of the major bottlenecks in product supply chains of Sri Lanka. Delays at border crossings and ports caused by lengthy, complex procedures and excessive paperwork have created a negative impact on trade mainly in terms of time and cost. A Single Window is a one-stop facility that allows exchange of information between all parties involved in trade, to reduce the complexity, time and costs. This research was conducted to identify the challenges that hinder the development of a single window system in Sri Lanka. Qualitative approach was adopted with a structured questionnaire distributed to 30 freight forwarding companies in Sri Lanka. It was found that the Sri Lankan system is not compatible with the single window concept definitions. According to the Sri Lankan freight forwarders, the most critical challenges of single window implementation are “Lack of government support”, “Inadequate coordination between Stakeholders”, “Organization and human resistance to change”. The top two critical challenges are strategic level challenges, which require government and high-level strategic decision makers to actively take their parts in the creation of political will and inter agency collaboration.

Index Terms— Freight forwarders, single window concept, Sri Lanka customs, trade community.

M. H. Abeywickrama is with the Avery Dennison Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Sri Lanka (e-mail: mhabeywickrama@gmail.com).
W. A. D. N. Wickramarachchi is with the Department of Transport and Logistics Management, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (e-mail: wa.deepthi@gmail.com).

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Cite: M. H. Abeywickrama and W. A. D. N. Wickramaarachchi, " Study on the Challenges of Implementing Single Window Concept to Facilitate Trade in Sri Lanka: A Freight Forwarder Perspective," Journal of Economics, Business and Management vol. 3, no. 9, pp. 883-888, 2015.

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