Al Amin :
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has undertaken massive plan to reform, modernise and automate its Customs wing in order to cope with the worldwide revolutionary changing situation in export-import trade.
Considering the national security and global changing Customs systems, the implementation of the undertaken action plans was of dire need, NBR officials said.
Following this, the NBR is working relentlessly for implementing ‘Customs Modernisation Strategic Action Plan 2019-2022’ and has taken up 40-point strategic working plan to cope with the massive expansion of the international trade, the officials said.
Of the strategic plans, the formulation of international standard new Customs Act is the at final stage to cope with the ‘Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC)’, which is known as blue print of customs and ‘Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO.’
The new Customs Act, comprising a number of provisions, has been designed to automate the customs administration and facilitate cross-border trade. The act has already been approved by the Cabinet on Monday and expected to be passed in the next parliamentary session.
The act has provisions for advance cargo declaration, electronic submission of export-import documents and maintenance of electronic records to facilitate the traders.
The law has given magistracy power to the customs officials for the purpose of inspecting, conducting searches, seizures and arresting the violators of the proposed law, NBR officials said.
The other strategies are introduction of E-payment system, installment of container scanners at customs houses, setting up Independent Customs Risk Management Commissionerate, E-auction system, infrastructural development, formulating of rules to release rotted goods quickly, formulating Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for expedited shipment and formulating Megaport Initiatives SOP for Chattagram Customs to reduce radiation risk.
Besides, introduction of pre-arrival processing, expansion of Bangladesh Customs waters, post clearance audit, appointment of authorized economic operators (AEO) to release goods without physical and documentary examination, installment of National Single Window to introduce complete paperless customs system, introduction of National Enquiry Point (NEP), Advance Ruling System, automation in Bond management and Customs IPR.
The NBR also formed a committee headed by member of the board with a view to developing ‘Trading Across Borders’ of Ease of Doing Business index. It has also introduced electronic lock services for ensuring security of the containers of the export-import goods.
NBR officials said apart from measures of the regional connectivity, formulation of Customs Transit Rules is at final stage.
As part of the customs cooperation agreement, NBR has already signed a Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement in Customs Matter. Besides, signing agreements with Mexico and Saudi Arabia is final stage, they said.
They said the Bangladesh Customs will be able to ensure most of the international standard facilities, if the ongoing reformation and modernization activities complete successfully.
NBR is determined to introduce a technology-based modern customs system in Bangladesh by this year, they added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, told The New, “The initiatives are good but the NBR should take measures to remove corruption first. Otherwise, all steps will go in vain.”
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has undertaken massive plan to reform, modernise and automate its Customs wing in order to cope with the worldwide revolutionary changing situation in export-import trade.
Considering the national security and global changing Customs systems, the implementation of the undertaken action plans was of dire need, NBR officials said.
Following this, the NBR is working relentlessly for implementing ‘Customs Modernisation Strategic Action Plan 2019-2022’ and has taken up 40-point strategic working plan to cope with the massive expansion of the international trade, the officials said.
Of the strategic plans, the formulation of international standard new Customs Act is the at final stage to cope with the ‘Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC)’, which is known as blue print of customs and ‘Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO.’
The new Customs Act, comprising a number of provisions, has been designed to automate the customs administration and facilitate cross-border trade. The act has already been approved by the Cabinet on Monday and expected to be passed in the next parliamentary session.
The act has provisions for advance cargo declaration, electronic submission of export-import documents and maintenance of electronic records to facilitate the traders.
The law has given magistracy power to the customs officials for the purpose of inspecting, conducting searches, seizures and arresting the violators of the proposed law, NBR officials said.
The other strategies are introduction of E-payment system, installment of container scanners at customs houses, setting up Independent Customs Risk Management Commissionerate, E-auction system, infrastructural development, formulating of rules to release rotted goods quickly, formulating Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for expedited shipment and formulating Megaport Initiatives SOP for Chattagram Customs to reduce radiation risk.
Besides, introduction of pre-arrival processing, expansion of Bangladesh Customs waters, post clearance audit, appointment of authorized economic operators (AEO) to release goods without physical and documentary examination, installment of National Single Window to introduce complete paperless customs system, introduction of National Enquiry Point (NEP), Advance Ruling System, automation in Bond management and Customs IPR.
The NBR also formed a committee headed by member of the board with a view to developing ‘Trading Across Borders’ of Ease of Doing Business index. It has also introduced electronic lock services for ensuring security of the containers of the export-import goods.
NBR officials said apart from measures of the regional connectivity, formulation of Customs Transit Rules is at final stage.
As part of the customs cooperation agreement, NBR has already signed a Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement in Customs Matter. Besides, signing agreements with Mexico and Saudi Arabia is final stage, they said.
They said the Bangladesh Customs will be able to ensure most of the international standard facilities, if the ongoing reformation and modernization activities complete successfully.
NBR is determined to introduce a technology-based modern customs system in Bangladesh by this year, they added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, told The New, “The initiatives are good but the NBR should take measures to remove corruption first. Otherwise, all steps will go in vain.”
