In December, the Prime Minister unveiled a government-wide action plan identifying over 500 ways to reduce red tape. It brought together 'Simplification Plans' covering five hundred measures from across 19 departments and agencies which the government hopes will save business and the third sector over two billion pounds in administrative costs.
Among the projects highlighted in the action plan was the UK International Trade Single Window project, the first phase of which was launched in November as we reported in the last issue. The savings from this project alone were cited as being in the region of sixty million pounds per year.
Malcolm McKinnon, SITPRO's CEO, said, "SITPRO is delighted that the Government has highlighted the administrative burden that it places upon businesses. SITPRO has been working to reduce red tape for over thirty-five years, not least through our promotion of the single window concept. We look forward to continuing government support as we work to identify new ways to simplify trade."
The UK Single Window project is among the trade facilitation initiatives that will be showcased during SITPRO's seminar series. Business.gov will be highlighting the benefits for traders, including the existing services at www.businesslink.gov.uk/internationaltrade/ (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
) and new facilities that will be included in the next phase of the project.
Further details of the action plan and all the other simplification measures can be found at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/reform/simplifying/plans.asp (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ).
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 59, Winter 2006/2007
