CCCI seeks branch of customs appellate tribunal in Ctg

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Mahbubul Alam on Saturday urged the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to immediately begin operation of a branch of the customs appellate tribunal in the port city to reduce hassle of the businesses.
The Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry had directed the appellate authority to set up the customs appellate branch in Chittagong, which is yet to be implemented.
Mr Mahbubul Alam said a large number of Chittagong-based exporters and importers have no other alternative but to go to the appellate tribunal in Dhaka for resolving any customs-related case due to absence of any appellate tribunal branch.
The expensive and time-consuming process ultimately bars the concerned parties from getting any resolution, he added.     
Mr Alam said Chittagong, a city of industries and port, is the main driver of the economy where 40 per cent of the country's total heavy industries are situated.
Besides, there are three public and private export processing zones, two proposed special economic zones and a planned deep sea port which will turn Chittagong into a regional connectivity hub due to its strategic location, he added.
Mr Alam said 80 per cent of exports and imports are transported through the Chittagong port which collects 92 per cent of the country's total revenue.
The business community of the area is also playing a strong role in the ever-growing economic progress of the country, he pointed out.