A historic moment for Vanuatu's Forestry sector as government officials and private sector representatives witnessed today, the launch of the FORESTRY SINGLE WINDOW MODULE,
The Forestry Single Window Module reduces the time it takes to process export permits for trading sandalwood, and eventually other forestry products. This means stakeholders within the sandalwood export trade including farmers and growers, local buyers and exporters, Customs, Brokers and Biosecurity will use this portal to apply for permits and licenses, process payment, approve permits and issue licenses online.
Whilst officiating the launch of the portal this morning, Director General for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry & Biosecurity Timothy Tumukon, commends the collaborative efforts by the Single Window Office, the Department of Customs, the Aid for Trade Management Unit (VAMU) and the Department of Forestry in working on this module since 2019, until its official launching today.
The chairman of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, Mr Harold Tarosa, who is also the Director for the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue, described the launch as a milestone achievement because forestry was the first commodity to be exported in the 1800's when sandalwood was popular then. Mr Tarosa says the system will not only facilitate the trade process, but it will support revenue making for all players in this trade, and it is accountable.
Following the launch, the Forestry Department registered its first customer, a local sandalwood buyer, whom will export 5 tons of sandalwood hardwood to the Arabic market on October 1st, 2025.
This module will likely be used by 60 local customs brokers who will be assisting local business in trading sandalwood, and over 500 users globally who may be involved in trading with Vanuatu.
According the current data, nine government agencies are registered with the single window portal.
