Import, export operations of CCH separated

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FE Report
Preparations for separating the import and export operations of Chittagong Customs House (CCH) have been completed. It is expected to be made official from July 1.
According to sources of National Board of Revenue (NBR), the import and export divisions will be headed by two separate commissioners.
NBR Chairman Badiur Rahman is expected to formally inaugurate the new administrative system July 1 in the port city.
The customs formalities of import consignments will be dealt by one commissioner's office and export and preventive activities will be looked after by another commissioner's office, according to the reformed system.
But, customs clearing and forwarding agents (CCFA) said the reform in the customs unit will be more cumbersome for the exporters and importers, especially while processing documents.
The CCH handles around 90 per cent external trade worth US$ 24 billion a year.
The NBR felt that handling of such big external trade under supervision of a single commissioner is difficult and it took the initiative to reform it by dividing it into two parts.
The NBR also saw that the system that is already prevailing in Mumbai in India would enhance its revenue earnings apart from providing speedy services to the clients.
CCH Commissioner Farid Uddin Ahmed told the FE that the new system would enhance the government's revenue earnings and mitigate the sufferings of the businessmen.
"Our monitoring will be strengthened and our services as well as efficiency will grow further by the new system," CCH Commissioner told the FE Tuesday.
He also said it will overcome the procedural delay of the import and export related formalities.
In the meantime, general secretary of CCFA Altaf Hossain Chowdhury Bachchu told the FE that it had been opposing the move, as it will create complexities in dealings customs formalities.
"Now that we have to go two commissioners, sufferings of the traders will grow by the system as our local industry relies on both export and import consignments," CCFA general secretary added.
The CCFA, however, proposed for two wings for the CCH - export and import - under one commissioner. Two additional commissioners will be at the helm of the two wings, according to the CCFA proposal.
The poor number of customs workforce at the CCH will create hurdle in smooth functioning of the two wings, said CCFA.
Under the new organograms, the total 792 strength of the CCH will be distributed with 301 for the import wing and 491 for the export and preventive wing.
Sources at the BGMEA said it raised the probable difficulties due to the introduction of new system at the country's main revenue earning point and the NBR has allowed RMG exporters to complete their customs related formalities at one of the two wings
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) first vice president MA Salam said their trade relies on export and import consignments and allowing one wing for handling both kinds of consignment will help expedite their customs related formalities.
"The NBR agreed to our logic and I think we will not suffer under the new system," BGMEA first vice president added.