Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has officially launched the Integrated Export and Import Certification System (IEICS).
The innovative digital platform is designed to slash the time and cost associated with obtaining trade plant health certificates, licenses and permits for plant and plant materials.
State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono who unveiled the platform on Tuesday termed it as an important milestone for traders of plants and plant products.
“The new System is a game-changer in how traders dealing in the import and export of plants or plant materials can engage more efficiently and seamlessly with KEPHIS and other agencies through integrated modules,” Dr Rono added.
The PS noted that noble initiatives such as this are aligned with the Government’s efforts to improve the environment for doing business and positioning the country as an attractive destination to invest in.
Congratulating KEPHIS for this innovative achievement, the PS singled out the IEICS as an example on how state agencies, with the support of partners such as Denmark and TradeMark Africa, are facilitating initiatives to improve the business environment through automation of systems for trade agencies.
“The launch of IEICS is in line with government’s initiatives to digitise processes, thus facilitating the ease of doing business,” he said.
Previously, there were two systems: the Export Certification System used to facilitate plant exports to market destinations and the Import Certification System that KEPHIS used to facilitate imports.
KEPHIS Managing Director, Prof Theophilus Mutui, said the innovative system will streamline the certification process, thereby saving traders time and money, while improving overall efficiency of regulatory work as far as the certification process is concerned.
“The system has also enabled government to government exchange of trade information and data through electronic phytosanitary certification platform (ePhyto), thereby reducing forgeries of permits and certificates issued or received by international trading partners,” he added.
By automating the certification process, KEPHIS is promoting a more business-friendly environment and the IEICS system will reduce paperwork, physical interaction and effectively map regional offices for clients’ access.
According to KEPHIS, this has also reduced the administrative burden and transaction cost for traders or their appointed agents by up to 15 percent in that all processes are carried out in real time, and the status communicated to the trader.
Acting Senior Director, Trade Environment at TradeMark Africa, Benedict Musengele said the system will provide a user-friendly online-based automated system for submitting applications, paying the requisite fees, tracking the approval process, and receiving certificates.
Additionally, he added that there is more transparency in the certification process as traders can now track the progress of their applications through the system without having to contact anyone for updates.
The launch of the Integrated Export and Import Certification System (IEICS) comes even as KEPHIS is preparing to host the first International Seed Conference in August 2024 on seed quality assurance.
KEPHIS is the government agency whose mandate is to assure the quality of agricultural inputs and produce to promote food security and economic growth through three key areas: seed certification, protection of plant varieties, phytosanitary services and analyses of agricultural inputs and produce through globally accredited laboratories.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) formerly TradeMark East Africa, is a leading African aid-for-trade organisation that was established with an aim to grow intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share in global trade, while helping make trade more pro-poor and more environmentally sustainable.
By Wangari Ndirangu
