One-Stop Online system
Since the launch of the One-Stop Online system, we saw a steady increase in the adoption rate in Singapore. The online submission volume increased steadily from 8000 transactions in 2002 to more than 450,000 transactions in 2010. Over the years, BCA has closely monitored the performance of the One-Stop Online system to ensure that the system remains adequate and relevant. BCA has taken the lead in making enhancements to ensure that the online system remains adequate and relevant. These enhancements include upgrades to major hardware and software in 2008 as well as an upgrade to storage solutions in 2010. As a result, the One-Stop Online system has been able to cope with a steady increase in the e-submission rate in Singapore. To date, the building industry has made almost 3 million online submissions. This has enabled the building industry to save more than SGD$30 million in printing and dispatch costs, just based on these submissions to BCA alone. The saving in time and cost will be multiplied taking into account the other 15 regulatory authorities involved.
At the time of its implementation in 2001, the One-Stop Online system was the first of its kind in Singapore and the world. It allowed virtually every building submission type to be made electronically via the internet from businesses to government agencies. As a result, there was significant savings in terms of materials and time as public need not make multiple hardcopies of drawings and need not make frequent trips to agencies for submission. These factors have contributed to Singapore being ranked the fastest in the world to issue construction permits in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report from 2010 to 2013 and the world’s most business-friendly economy in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report from 2007 to 2013.
Over the years, BCA has also been invited to share on the development, implementation and benefits of the One-Stop Online system with overseas delegates such as Brunei, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Russia, Finland, Norway, Nigeria, Denmark, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, China, Thailand, Belgium, Dubai and Indonesia.
In October 2010, BCA also conducted a workshop for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) delegates who were keen to learn how BCA reformed the building regulatory system through the One-Stop Online system.
One-Permit system
One-Permit system can be transferred to countries which practise Multiple Permit system. For example in Hong Kong, a multiple permit system is adopted whereby permit application (consent) is required for each plan approval. A permit is required for the carrying out of works under each major and minor amendment plan approval.
The One Permit System won a POWER award in April 2003, which was given to BCA’s parent ministry (Ministry of National Development). POWER is the acronym for Public Officers Working to Eliminate Red Tape. The award was given by the Public Service (PS) 21 Organisation Review Committee, commissioned by Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office, in recognition for the effort in reducing or simplifying rules and regulations in government agencies.
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