The International Association of Ports (Int'l Association of Ports and Harbors) has awarded the 2013 Gold Medal for “Information Technology” to the Port of Cotonou. The award recognizes the implementation and performance of the Single Window for Foreign Trade, and acknowledges Benin’s role in promoting best practice.

The Single Window is based on a technology platform that manages secure 24/24 and 7/7 information covering all business processes at the port.

Initiated in 2011, this concession operations one stop shop was entrusted to SEGUB (Société d'Exploitation of Single Window of Benin), a joint venture company formed by the State of Benin, SOGET and Bureau Veritas - BIVAC.

The Benin Single Window, integrating business systems of government agencies (Customs / ASYCUDA) and economic players, has generated the following benefits:

• Greater visibility
• Effective management of the supply chain with a significant reduction in time of clearance of goods
• A simplified secure payment system (Unique Slip Fees - BFU) for all foreign trade formalities through selected banks
• Facilitating a community of trade bodies and companies, by grouping all parties together using the same software application

This success is due, first and foremost, to the President of the Republic of Benin, Dr. Boni Yayi, who has demonstrated a strategic vision and mobilized support for the implementation and achievement of fast results.

The prize is officially given to Kassim Traoré, Chief Executive Officer, Cotonou Port Authority, on the occasion of the 28th World Conference of the IAPH, held from May 6-10 in Los Angeles, California.

Bureau Veritas, its Government Services & International Trade Division and Soget are proud to have contributed to this success.

For more information, please click on http://www.bureauveritas.com/gsit

Please click here to download the press release