CCH goes online from Friday

FE Report | Published: August 06, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The Chittagong Customs House (CCH) goes online from Friday next, which is expected to end sufferings of exporters and importers.

"We have taken all preparations for inauguration automation system on Friday in the Chittagong Customs House. We want to start the operation of new system with the exporters on the day," Motiur Rahman, member secretary of the automation cell told the FE Tuesday.

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 in financial cooperation 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.

Project sources said initially the system will process the Import General Manifest (IGM) and Export General Manifest (EGM) documents.

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.

Officials 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.

They also said the automation system will maintain profiles of stakeholders.

"We will be able to know details about the stakeholder through maintaining the profiles," said Motiur, who is also a joint commissioner of the CCH.

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.

As per the decision taken earlier, each freight forwarder will have to pay annually Tk 8000 and shipping agent Tk 10,000, a year, clearing and forwarding agent Tk 2000, concerned bank Tk 50,000, private inland depot Tk 10,000 and berth operator Tk 10,000.

The money to be mobilised from the port users, will be spent on software maintenance, salary, training and other purposes.