Govt moves to cut cargo clearance costs: Muktadir

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has called for a coordinated action plan to simplify import-export cargo clearance, improve logistics and reduce trade costs.
He made the call in his opening remarks at the 10th meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, held at the commerce ministry at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.
The minister said the government was working to strengthen the capacity of relevant agencies and simplify trade procedures to reduce the time and costs involved in cargo clearance.
He stressed that effective coordination among stakeholders was essential to ensure that businesses benefit from the initiatives.
According to a working paper presented at the meeting, Bangladesh has implemented 47 of the 54 measures under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The country has notified the WTO of the implementation of 21 Category A and 18 Category B obligations. Of the 15 Category C measures, eight have been completed, while the remaining seven are targeted for implementation by June 2030. The meeting stressed the need to expedite the remaining measures to maintain Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international trade following its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced the National Single Window, bringing applications and services related to trade certificates, licences and permits onto a single platform.

So far, 19 agencies have been integrated into the system, while another 18 government offices are being brought under the platform. Work is also underway to establish a separate Bangladesh Single Window Commissionerate to oversee the system.
NBR Member Dr Al Amin Pramanik said the agency expects to introduce an Automated Risk Management System (ARMS) by October. The system is expected to speed up cargo clearance through automated risk assessment.
He said the NBR was also working to increase the number of companies receiving Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certification.
Several customs facilitation measures have already been introduced, including starting the clearance process before goods arrive at ports and online auto-manifest registration. 
A National Inquiry Point has also been established to provide businesses with information on customs duties and trade procedures.
The meeting also discussed infrastructure for exports of perishable agricultural products.
Modernisation of the cold storage facility at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is underway, while tender evaluation for a new cold storage facility at Benapole has been completed.
An agreement has also been signed to establish a cold storage facility and processing plant on 18 acres of land in Mongla. 
Plans are also underway for a packing house and cold-chain facility for export-oriented agricultural products at Dewanhat in Chattogram.
Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan said the Commerce Ministry alone could not implement all measures under the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
He said efforts were underway, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, to complete the remaining measures ahead of their deadlines.
Economic Relations Division Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky stressed the importance of standardised procedures and digital systems to reduce inconsistencies in decisions involving similar types of goods.
The meeting also discussed coordination among relevant agencies to improve food-quality testing and laboratory facilities.