PERSONS DOING business through the Jamaica Trade Point portal can be assured of the integrity of their electronic transactions, according to Leone Hines-Smith, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) manager and Trade Point director.
The JAMPRO executive pointed to the levels of password protection built into the system. Along with the regular password prompt, the system has an "e-sign" or encryption feature that gives an added level of security, she said.
Addressing JIS Think Tank, Mrs. Hines-Smith, described the product as a "one stop shop" or a single source for completing import and export transactions via the Internet.
Jamaicatradepoint.com, launched by JAMPRO in November 2003, provides trade facilitation so business persons may complete all applications relevant to conducting trade on-line.
ARRANGEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
It also provides for the arrangement of transportation, whether shipping, trucking, air cargo or courier; and offers banking and insurance options through another JAMPRO application, fundingoasis.com, which helps the trading community source funds and technical assistance.
Jamaica Trade Point allows users to submit forms on-line from the comfort of their office or home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"No longer does anyone have to wait in line or move from one business place to the next," said Mrs. Hines-Smith.
Additionally, payments may be made by credit card on-line. And, in the next few months, exporters and importers will have the added convenience of direct debit payments.
Mrs. Hines-Smith said other benefits to be realised are the removal of internal barriers to trade with less movement between agencies, the ability to track documentation, increased company efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction.
AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE
The web site also features 'buyjamaica.com', an exporter e-marketplace, where locals can showcase their products and services to an international audience.
Buyjamaica.com will act as an electronic shopping centre where companies and their products will be listed at electronic "storefronts". Visitors may then choose the product they are looking for from these storefronts. Jamaican businesses, which already have web sites, may be linked to buyjamaica.com.
Service providers are the Trade Board; the Jamaica Customs Department; JAMPRO; the Shipping Association of Jamaica and the Port Authority of Jamaica.
Mrs. Hines-Smith noted that currently digital signatures were not accepted on-line so users of Jamaica Trade Point still have to visit business offices to complete their transactions. The acceptance of digital signatures is pending the passage of e-transaction legislation.
The World Trade Point Federation was established in November 2000 by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to assist small and medium sized enterprises to trade internationally through the use of e-commerce technologies.
There are 110 trade points worldwide operating in 87 countries.
