Muktadir urges for integrated plan to cut time
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Wednesday called for an integrated action plan involving all trade-related agencies to simplify export-import cargo clearance procedures, upgrade logistics infrastructure, and lower overall trade costs.
“The government is working to enhance the capacity of relevant agencies and simplify trade procedures to reduce the time and cost involved in clearing cargo,” the minister said while presiding over the 10th meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) at the Ministry of Commerce.
The commerce minister said effective coordination among all stakeholders is essential to ensure that the benefits of these initiatives reach businesses.
According to a working paper presented at the meeting, Bangladesh has implemented 47 of the 54 measures under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Of these, Bangladesh has implemented and notified the WTO of 21 Category-A and 18 Category-B commitments.
Of the 15 Category-C measures, eight have already been completed, while the remaining seven are targeted for implementation by June 2030.
The meeting stressed the need to expedite the remaining activities to maintain Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international trade following its graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has implemented the National Single Window to bring applications for trade-related certificates, licenses and permits and the delivery of related services under a single platform.
So far, 19 agencies have been integrated into the system, while initiatives are underway to bring another 18 agencies under the platform.
The process of establishing a separate Bangladesh Single Window Commission rate is also underway to operate the system.
NBR Member Dr Al Amin Pramanik told the meeting that they expect to implement the Automated Risk Management Software (ARMS) by October.
The risk-analysis-based system is expected to create scope for faster clearance of cargo once it becomes operational, he said.
The NBR has also taken initiatives to increase the number of businesses receiving Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification, he added.
In customs services, facilities have already been introduced to start the cargo clearance process before the arrival of goods at ports and register auto-manifests online.
The National Inquiry Point has also been introduced to provide businesses with customs and trade-related information.
The meeting also discussed infrastructure for exporting perishable agricultural products.
Modernisation work is underway at the cold storage facility at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Evaluation of tenders for constructing a new cold storage facility at Benapole has been completed, while an agreement has been signed to establish a cold storage and processing plant on 18 acres of land in Mongla.
There is also a plan to establish a packing house and cold chain facility for export-oriented agricultural products at Dewanhat in Chattogram.
Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan said it would not be possible for the Ministry of Commerce alone to implement all activities under the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
Efforts are underway to complete the remaining activities ahead of the stipulated deadlines with cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, he said.
ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky stressed the need for common procedures and digital systems to reduce variations in decisions concerning similar types of products.
The meeting also discussed coordination among relevant agencies to improve food-quality testing and laboratory facilities.
Senior officials from different ministries, NBR, port authorities and other relevant agencies attended the meeting.
Additional Secretary (WTO) of the Ministry of Commerce Khadija Nazneen conducted the meeting.
