Fresh move underway to integrate bifurcated CCH

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S M Jahangir
Just more than a year after bifurcation of the Chittagong Customs House (CCH) into two administrations, a fresh move is underway to integrate them again as the authorities see little outcome from the separation, official sources said.
"The authorities are considering integrating the two separated commissionerates under the Chittagong Customs House in order to bring dynamism in the customs-related services," a senior official said.
The proposed integration aims to boost government revenue through making the country's largest customs administration more service-oriented and operationally sound, the official added.
Two commissionerates started functioning separately under the Chittagong zone from July 1, 2007 with a view to making the overall customs clearance procedures more effective and easy at the country's main export-import hub.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) formally announced the operation of two commissionerates -- one for dealing with import-related matters while another for looking after exportable goods and other preventive activities.
As the bifurcation of the country's largest customs administration into two wings has failed to serve the desired purpose, the authorities are now considering bringing the two separated wings under one administration, officials said.
Besides, a current official move to bring about automation in the customs clearance procedures has also prompted the authorities to integrate the two separated wings again, another official said.
According to the plan, both the customs administrations are expected to function under one commissionerate, said an official.
A chief commissioner will have the responsibility to look after the overall administration of the Chittagong Customs while two other joint commissioners will take care of the import and export-related matters, the official said.
According to officials, the Chittagong Customs House (CCH) was bifurcated in line with the government's ongoing tax-administration reforms, pursued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Against this backdrop, the government earlier finalised the organograms of two separate customs commissionerates with 301-manpower strength for the commissionerate's import wing and 301 for the export wing, the official sources said.
The main purpose of the bifurcation was to deliver quick services in connection with the customs clearance process for both exporters and importers, they mentioned.
Currently, around 35 per cent of the government's tax revenue and nearly 80 per cent of the customs duties are generated from the Chittagong zone alone, said a senior customs official.
Official figures reveal that nearly 80 per cent of the country's total imports enter through the seaport while more than 90 per cent of the total exports take place through it.