The Chittagong Customs House (CCH) launched Friday partial automation for processing export and import documents.
Automation project sources said initially the system will process the Import General Manifest (IGM) and Export General Manifest (EGM) documents that deal with export and import. The CCH will launch bill of entry module by next one week to complete its automation.
The country's leading exporters and importers hailed the introduction automation system in the premier customs house saying it will end their sufferings.
"The implementation of the automation, which we have been seeking for long, will further simplify the customs procedures," said Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
He also said they will now be able to watch different relevant information including the result of chemical test and notices sitting at their offices in Dhaka or any other parts of the country.
However, sources at the CCH told the FE that they would organise a ceremony at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre later this month to mark the full automation.
Motiur Rahman, a joint commissioner at the CCH, told the FE that it launched the EGM and the IGM on the first day, which will save time, money and provide hassle-free services to the users.
"We are confident of offering a full-fledged online system by this month. Our preparation is complete, but we need some policy decision relating to the other online programmes that were earlier introduced by the National Board of Revenue," Mr. Motiur, who is also member secretary of the automation cell at the CCH, told the FE.
Shipping companies like Maersk Line, Sea Consortium and APL enjoyed the benefit of the automation on the first day.
"Earlier, the shipping agents needed to come physically to the CCH and used money, time and manpower for the job," Motiur added.
He said the new system will help save around four hours and an amount of Tk 500 for processing a document of the exporters and importers.
The CCH with the financial assistance of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) started the project couple of months back. The project cost has been estimated at around Tk 20 million.
Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu, senior joint secretary of Chittagong Customs and Clearing and Forwarding Agent (CCCFA) told the FE that it would reduce sufferings of the clearing and forwarding agents.
"Now, we will be able to do our business with a good image," Mr Bilu, who was present at the launching programme on behalf of the CCCFA, an organisation of around 1900 clearing and forwarding agents.
The launching programme was attended by CCH commissioner (import) Shah Alam Khan, CCH commissioner (export) Margub Ahmed, BGMEA first vice president MA Salam and other high civil and military officials.
Syed Badrul Hoque, first vice president of Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Agent (BAFFA) told the FE that their business would benefit from the new system.
"We will be the main beneficiary of the automation system as our time and money will be saved," said Mr Hoque, who is also managing director of Hybrid Trading and Marketing, a freight forwarding agent.
Officials working at the project said the users will have round-the-clock services under the automation system and they need not to come to the CCH physically as they will be able to watch their reports on computers at their offices.
Muhammed Amirul Haque, a CCCI director, told the FE that it had taken the move after the European Union decided to stop receiving any manually handled document against imports from July 2009.
Mr Haque, who is also coordinator of the project, also said a call centre will be set up at the CCCI to give round-the-clock services to the consignees under the project.
He said the new system will offer paperless services.
Officials at the project also said CCH revenue might grow significantly after inauguration of the automation system as it will help stop fraudulent practices in declaration of imported goods and other corruption.
Project sources said exporters and importers need not to pay directly as it will be borne by the port users like shipping agents and freight forwarders.
The CCH is the single largest revenue earner as it contributes around Tk 150 billion each year to the national exchequer.
