CCH automation needs more time to be fully operational
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Jasim Uddin Haroon
Automation at Chittagong Customs House (CCH) will require more time to be fully operational as the prime users have not yet prepared themselves to be compatible with the advanced system.
The CCH in cooperation with Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) installed the modern technology at the country's prime customs house in early August to facilitate the country's international trading.
Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed formally inaugurated the new system October 6 at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.
The garment sector which accounts for around 76 per cent of the export earnings annually has not yet developed the software to take advantage of the automation in CCH.
While talking to the FE, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez said they will install the technology at its office shortly to cope with the new system.
"We are planning to install the software at BGMEA office and then will be compatible with the new system by end of next month," Parvez added.
The BGMEA chief also said that trained manpower would be required by all its members to reap the benefit of the newly installed system in CCH.
He, however, expressed his hope that BGMEA members would soon be able to operate the system from their individual offices to derive the maximum benefit.
Md Fazlul Hoque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) told the FE that it also did not install the required system to comply with the CCH automation programme.
"We cannot comment on the benefit of the new system as we are yet to install the required software," Hoque added .
He, however, expressed the hope that around 1300 of its members would be able to reap benefit once the software is installed by November this year.
"We are trying to install the system. We expect it will be completed by next month," he added.
The automation system has been installed at a cost of Tk 18.7 million, the CCCI as part of public-private venture financed the project. The stakeholders will pay for its services annually.
Matiur Rahman, member secretary of the Chittagong Customs Automation Project told the FE that the new system will save at least 70 per cent money and 80 per cent time for the importers after it becomes fully operational.
He said the clients will be able to provide required data and documents from their respective offices without having to visit the CCH physically.
Matiur who is also a joint commissioner said hassles will be reduced tremendously under the new system and the shipment procedures can be accomplished in a day for what it took the exporters 4 days earlier.
He also said customs revenue earning will increase largely after fully implementation of the system.
CCH is likely to earn 154.74 billion in fiscal year 2008-09. It earned Tk 137.40 billion in the previous fiscal.
Automation at Chittagong Customs House (CCH) will require more time to be fully operational as the prime users have not yet prepared themselves to be compatible with the advanced system.
The CCH in cooperation with Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) installed the modern technology at the country's prime customs house in early August to facilitate the country's international trading.
Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed formally inaugurated the new system October 6 at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.
The garment sector which accounts for around 76 per cent of the export earnings annually has not yet developed the software to take advantage of the automation in CCH.
While talking to the FE, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez said they will install the technology at its office shortly to cope with the new system.
"We are planning to install the software at BGMEA office and then will be compatible with the new system by end of next month," Parvez added.
The BGMEA chief also said that trained manpower would be required by all its members to reap the benefit of the newly installed system in CCH.
He, however, expressed his hope that BGMEA members would soon be able to operate the system from their individual offices to derive the maximum benefit.
Md Fazlul Hoque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) told the FE that it also did not install the required system to comply with the CCH automation programme.
"We cannot comment on the benefit of the new system as we are yet to install the required software," Hoque added .
He, however, expressed the hope that around 1300 of its members would be able to reap benefit once the software is installed by November this year.
"We are trying to install the system. We expect it will be completed by next month," he added.
The automation system has been installed at a cost of Tk 18.7 million, the CCCI as part of public-private venture financed the project. The stakeholders will pay for its services annually.
Matiur Rahman, member secretary of the Chittagong Customs Automation Project told the FE that the new system will save at least 70 per cent money and 80 per cent time for the importers after it becomes fully operational.
He said the clients will be able to provide required data and documents from their respective offices without having to visit the CCH physically.
Matiur who is also a joint commissioner said hassles will be reduced tremendously under the new system and the shipment procedures can be accomplished in a day for what it took the exporters 4 days earlier.
He also said customs revenue earning will increase largely after fully implementation of the system.
CCH is likely to earn 154.74 billion in fiscal year 2008-09. It earned Tk 137.40 billion in the previous fiscal.