Implementation of ATA Carnet essential for integration into global economy: ICCB President
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
FE Report
The introduction of ATA Carnet System in Bangladesh will have a positive impact on the country's foreign trade by ensuring that the local exporting firms are able to compete with those of other trading nations under equal terms on the world market.
It will also facilitate Bangladesh's integration into the global economy, said International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICC-B) President Mahbubur Rahman while inaugurating the two-day workshop on ATA Carnet System: Passport to Global Trade at the DCCI auditorium Monday.
He also mentioned that presently the ATA Carnet System is applied in 66 countries including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Besides, a number of countries in Asia (e.g. Indonesia, The Philippines and Vietnam) and Latin America (e.g. Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay) are fairly advanced in the preparatory work involved in the accession to the System.
He said the expansion of world trade has led to a considerable growth of temporary exports and imports of all kinds of goods that play an important role in international trade.
"Industrialists and traders, therefore, need to display their products at trade fairs, exhibitions or similar events in other countries, because these events can offer them a valuable means for marketing their commodities abroad," the ICCB chief said.
Bangladesh is a member of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the intergovernmental organization of customs administrations responsible for the administration of the most recent and comprehensive international Customs Convention governing temporary admission of goods under cover of "ATA Carnets", namely the "Istanbul Convention".
"However, Bangladesh is not yet a Contracting Party to the "Istanbul Convention" itself. As such Bangladesh and its national business community as well as its foreign trading partners are deprived of taking advantage of the benefits and facilities offered by ATA Carnets as "Passports for goods", the ICCB President added.
The ATA Convention entered into force on 30th July 1963, some 45 years ago. Since then, the ATA Carnet has become the most important international customs document for the temporary duty-free admission of goods.
Within these 45 years of operation, the ATA Carnet procedure has weathered many implementation problems extremely well and has proved capable of adapting to a variety of new international transactions, said Mr Mahbubur Rahman.
ICCB President mentioned that to realize the significance of the accession to ATA Carnet System for Bangladesh, ICC Bangladesh has organized this workshop as per its previous activities in support of trade development.
FBCCI Vice President Abu Alam Chowdhury, ICCB Standing Committee on Customs Regulations, Reforms and Modernization Chairman R. Maksud Khan and ICC WCF Carnet Advisor and ICC Asia Director Mrs. Le Ju Song also spoke in the inaugural session.
FBCCI Vice President emphasized the need for immediate implantation of ATA Carnet System by Bangladesh for better benefit of the business community.
Mr. R.M.Khan observed that adoption of ATA Carnet by Bangladesh is of utmost importance to attract investment in Bangladesh and further enhancement of exports.
ICC WCF Carnet Advisor Ms Lee mentioned that Bangladesh need to immediately sign the Istanbul Convention and Implement ATA Carnet.
She said that India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are successfully operating the ATA Carnet and are deriving the benefit for furtherance of business.
The introduction of ATA Carnet System in Bangladesh will have a positive impact on the country's foreign trade by ensuring that the local exporting firms are able to compete with those of other trading nations under equal terms on the world market.
It will also facilitate Bangladesh's integration into the global economy, said International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICC-B) President Mahbubur Rahman while inaugurating the two-day workshop on ATA Carnet System: Passport to Global Trade at the DCCI auditorium Monday.
He also mentioned that presently the ATA Carnet System is applied in 66 countries including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Besides, a number of countries in Asia (e.g. Indonesia, The Philippines and Vietnam) and Latin America (e.g. Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay) are fairly advanced in the preparatory work involved in the accession to the System.
He said the expansion of world trade has led to a considerable growth of temporary exports and imports of all kinds of goods that play an important role in international trade.
"Industrialists and traders, therefore, need to display their products at trade fairs, exhibitions or similar events in other countries, because these events can offer them a valuable means for marketing their commodities abroad," the ICCB chief said.
Bangladesh is a member of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the intergovernmental organization of customs administrations responsible for the administration of the most recent and comprehensive international Customs Convention governing temporary admission of goods under cover of "ATA Carnets", namely the "Istanbul Convention".
"However, Bangladesh is not yet a Contracting Party to the "Istanbul Convention" itself. As such Bangladesh and its national business community as well as its foreign trading partners are deprived of taking advantage of the benefits and facilities offered by ATA Carnets as "Passports for goods", the ICCB President added.
The ATA Convention entered into force on 30th July 1963, some 45 years ago. Since then, the ATA Carnet has become the most important international customs document for the temporary duty-free admission of goods.
Within these 45 years of operation, the ATA Carnet procedure has weathered many implementation problems extremely well and has proved capable of adapting to a variety of new international transactions, said Mr Mahbubur Rahman.
ICCB President mentioned that to realize the significance of the accession to ATA Carnet System for Bangladesh, ICC Bangladesh has organized this workshop as per its previous activities in support of trade development.
FBCCI Vice President Abu Alam Chowdhury, ICCB Standing Committee on Customs Regulations, Reforms and Modernization Chairman R. Maksud Khan and ICC WCF Carnet Advisor and ICC Asia Director Mrs. Le Ju Song also spoke in the inaugural session.
FBCCI Vice President emphasized the need for immediate implantation of ATA Carnet System by Bangladesh for better benefit of the business community.
Mr. R.M.Khan observed that adoption of ATA Carnet by Bangladesh is of utmost importance to attract investment in Bangladesh and further enhancement of exports.
ICC WCF Carnet Advisor Ms Lee mentioned that Bangladesh need to immediately sign the Istanbul Convention and Implement ATA Carnet.
She said that India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are successfully operating the ATA Carnet and are deriving the benefit for furtherance of business.