The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called on the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to amend the Customs Act and implement full automation to streamline the customs management system. At a workshop held at the FBCCI’s Motijheel office on Sunday, President Mahbubul Alam highlighted the potential benefits of these reforms.
“These changes would simplify customs procedures, create a more business-friendly environment, and reduce the cost of doing business in Bangladesh,” Alam stated. The workshop was a joint initiative between FBCCI and NBR.
Alam underscored the importance of the Customs Act in facilitating trade and lowering business costs. “We believe the new law will significantly expedite trade activities,” he added.
The FBCCI president also addressed the complications caused by the Harmonized System (HS) code for product classification, emphasizing the need for complete automation in customs management to mitigate this issue. “A well-crafted law is only beneficial if implemented effectively,” he noted, urging the NBR to incorporate private sector feedback before finalizing the implementation process.
FBCCI Director AM Mahbub Chowdhury spoke about the harassment faced by traders at ports. He pointed out that despite paying fines for delayed duty clearance, traders still encounter obstacles during customs clearance.
Industry representatives presented their specific concerns during the workshop. Abul Hashem, president of the Sugar Traders Association, called for a tax reduction on sugar, citing it as a basic commodity rather than a luxury item. This, he argued, would help curb illegal sugar imports.
Mohammad Enayet Ullah, president of the Bangladesh Spice Traders Association, urged the NBR to adjust taxes based on international market fluctuations for spices, noting that high taxes contribute to rising spice prices in local markets.
In response, NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem assured the business community that logical proposals would be considered during the amendments and implementation phase of the Customs Act. He encouraged businesses to submit written complaints against customs officials rather than making random accusations.
Muneem acknowledged that while large fines are sometimes necessary to maintain trade order, they must be imposed logically and proportionally.
Md Masud Sadiq, NBR Member (Customs Policy and ICT), expressed confidence that the new Customs Act would be more trade-friendly than its predecessor and urged traders to fully cooperate in its successful implementation.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Md Amin Helali, Vice President Shomi Kaiser, directors, former directors, and NBR officials also attended the workshop.
