AUSTRALIA is supporting Solomon Islands to undertake a Time Release Study at Honiara Port.
This study will commence in July and measure the time it takes for sea cargo to be released after it arrives in Honiara.
This data will help to identify bottlenecks and reduce clearance times.
This will be the first such study for Solomon Islands and will provide an important baseline.
It will help Solomon Islands to have trade facilitation that is equal to other Pacific Island countries, and meet international standards.
The study will also allow the border agencies to work with industry to address areas of improvement or concern.
Similar studies have been undertaken in other Pacific countries including Fiji and PNG which have helped these countries improve their procedures for trade flows.
This study will be led by the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division in collaboration with Solomon Islands Ports Authority, Biosecurity Solomon Islands and the National Statistics Office.
Representatives from these agencies and the private sector attended a national planning workshop this week to map out the process and methodology for undertaking this study.
The study will take seven days and measure the time it takes for each clearance step, from the time a vessel carrying the cargo arrives at the Port, until the time the cargo leaves the port gate.
Results will be made available shortly after that.
The study is being conducted with the support of the Australian Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, and is a part of Australia’s package of support for customs modernisation and capacity building for Solomon Islands.
