Cargo assessment hampered

CHITTAGONG, Aug 17: Businesses are facing troubles in getting their import documents assessed timely due to regular disturbance in the internet connection at the Chittagong Customs House (CCH).
Customs sarkars working with different C&F (clearing and forwarding) agents in the city said they cannot get the papers duly assessed in the CCH that is facing troubles every now and then as the internet connection in the net server system is snapped.
Officials at the CCH said they have informed the BTCL (Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd) authority at Agrabad in the city on Monday morning about the matter.
"Due to internet connection problems we could not assess documents duly from Monday morning. The assessment and duty collection system has become very slow," said assistant commissioner (operation manager) of the CCH Sajjad Hossain.
He said currently there is a fault in our server lines but the connections of internet lines have been facing disruption. Sometimes the internet lines get slowed and then the assessment activities slow down the whole process.
The CCH suffered net server problems in the recent past for which the trade body leaders from Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry proposed alternative connection in the CCH.
Employees of C&F firms said cargo delivery from the port remains suspended as long as the documents are assessed and duty and other charges realised. As a result the businesses have to pay extra charges to the port and truck drivers claim extra fares.
"The problem will be solved as it has been conveyed to the BTCL authority," said Liaquat Ali Hawladar, port affairs secretary of Chittagong Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association.
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