Govt should scrap PSI to boost trade with ASEAN
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought assistance from the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Wednesday to modernise Bangladesh customs department under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), reports UNB.
She made the request when WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya called on her at the Prime Minister's Sangsad Bhaban office in the afternoon.
During the meeting, Hasina said that her government wants to make the customs system more effective and efficient to facilitate export and import activities of the country.
She said there is no scope to remain isolated in the current globalised world. "We need a harmonised customs system to reduce the hassles of the exporters and importers."
WCO secretary general Kunio Mikuriya said that his organisation is very much keen to help Bangladesh for having an effective and efficient customs department.
Mentioning that the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system that still continues in Bangladesh is a very old system; he said that to enhance trade with the ASEAN member countries, the government should scrap the PSI system.
Mikuriya also said that to enhance the foreign direct investment, the government should remove the obstacles and hassles in the customs system.
The Prime Minister requested the WCO secretary general to convince the World Trade Organisation to allow the least developed countries like Bangladesh in entering the markets of developed countries.
She said the present government has taken steps to reform the customs system and customs department for the convenience of the exporters and importers.
Hasina mentioned that the government is giving special facilities to the foreign investors to invest in the country.
Prime Minister's deputy press secretary M Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the meeting.
She made the request when WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya called on her at the Prime Minister's Sangsad Bhaban office in the afternoon.
During the meeting, Hasina said that her government wants to make the customs system more effective and efficient to facilitate export and import activities of the country.
She said there is no scope to remain isolated in the current globalised world. "We need a harmonised customs system to reduce the hassles of the exporters and importers."
WCO secretary general Kunio Mikuriya said that his organisation is very much keen to help Bangladesh for having an effective and efficient customs department.
Mentioning that the pre-shipment inspection (PSI) system that still continues in Bangladesh is a very old system; he said that to enhance trade with the ASEAN member countries, the government should scrap the PSI system.
Mikuriya also said that to enhance the foreign direct investment, the government should remove the obstacles and hassles in the customs system.
The Prime Minister requested the WCO secretary general to convince the World Trade Organisation to allow the least developed countries like Bangladesh in entering the markets of developed countries.
She said the present government has taken steps to reform the customs system and customs department for the convenience of the exporters and importers.
Hasina mentioned that the government is giving special facilities to the foreign investors to invest in the country.
Prime Minister's deputy press secretary M Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the meeting.