Upgradation of customs to pick up
KATHMANDU, JAN 22:
The Department of Customs (DoC) will be able to introduce inter agencies online connection by the end of April.
The inter-agency link will be possible after installation of web-based system in various customs offices, said director general at the department Mukti Narayan Paudel. “Major agencies like Inland Revenue Department, Department of Revenue Investigation and Department of Commerce and Supply Management will be connected after installation of IT system.”
Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) has been providing technical assistance to install IT system in the customs offices, he informed.
Department of Customs (DoC) will also modernise valuation and inspection system, apart from enhance risk-management in export-import of goods after the IT system installation at the customs points, he said, adding that the customs modernisation process will continue even after installation of IT system in the customs.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided $15 million to prepare e-customs master plan, Paudel said. “ADB will also provide assistance to upgrade IT system in the customs to make real time inspection of activities of customs offices possible.”
Meanwhile, World Bank-funded project is going to reform customs sector.
World Bank has provided fund to construct six modern and integrated lab at main customs points, he said, informing that the department will also upgrade infrastructure at Birgunj Customs Office and study feasibility of constructing ICD at Dhodhara from assistance of World Bank.
The Department of Customs should also work to fulfill World Trade Organisation (WTO) compliances as it has pledged to follow WTO standards, he said, adding that the department should also revise its tariff structure according to World Trade Organisation standards and should adopt IT-based system to control customs fraud.
Country has been facing problem of massive under-invoicing and smuggling due to lack of effective monitoring mechanism and IT-based clearance at customs point will be added advantage to control under-invoicing, he said.
Source: THT
