UNNExT Workshop on Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Business Process Analysis in Bangladesh October Dhaka, Bangladesh

Transcription

1 UNNExT Workshop on Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Business Process Analysis in Bangladesh October Dhaka, Bangladesh

2 Md. Nasir Uddin Senior Customs & Trade Facilitation Adviser USAID BTFA and Former Member, Customs, NBR

3 Introduction The ability to deliver goods and services in time at low costs- Trade facilitation(tf): any measure aimed at expediting the movement of goods and reducing the costs of cross-border trade TF aims at reducing international trade costs and increasing supply chain efficiency. TF- a key determinant for effective participation in the global economy; 3

4 Trade Facilitation Initiative: NBR/Customs Risk based Inspection of imported goods and consignments: Green Channel/ Yellow Channel/ Red Channel Customs procedures have been simplified & automated substantially- The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World- installed at Chittagong Customs House, ICD and Benapole Private ICDs to promote import export 4

5 TF initiative Customs/port Improvements in Infrastructure: Four container scanners- installed (by Customs authority) at the Chittagong port in 2009 at a cost of Tk 430 million to ensure national security while facilitating legitimate trade. 5

6 Initiatives by GoB/NBR Formation of National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC)- Interfacing remaining stakeholders with Asycuda System- Implementation of National Single Window- Enactment of a New Customs Act incorporating the TF measures of WTO TFA & RKC- Development of an-enhanced Customs Website- Expected to go live by the end of 2015 Introduction of an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) program- Introduction of Customs Advance Ruling-USAID BTFA is working with NBR- draft SRO/guidelines awaits approval 6

7 NBR initiatives Post Clearance Audit- NBR is working with USAID BTFA and ADB to implement systemic PCA in Bangladesh TRS completed at Chittagong and Benapole Custom House to identify areas for improvement (with IFC assistance) Objective: to streamline procedures, reduce time of import- export and facilitate trade. 7

8 NBR initiatives 1. Expedited Shipment(Courier Services); 2. Pre-Arrival Processing; 3. Review and Enhancement of Customs Intelligence Capacity; 4. Review the status of Advance Passenger Information; 5. Review of Non-Tariff Barriers; 6. Review of Current Auction Procedure; 7. Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control(Domestic Transit); 8. Review and Update Selected Existing SOP s, Instructions, SRO, Guidelines & Manual; and 9. Use of Customs Brokers. 8

9 Chittagong Port authority the Chittagong Port Authority has introduced one stop service- The efficiency of the Chittagong Port, the biggest port in the country has been improved in terms of handling of ships and loading and unloading of cargo. it now takes< 24 hours for documents to clear at the port. 9

10 Initiatives by the MoC National Trade Portal (IFC) Automated issuance of GSP certificates from (BTPSP project funded by EU) initiative would positively boost the image of Bangladesh abroad and help increase export there. International trade fairs DTIS (diagnostic trade Integration study) by World Bank- analyzed the trade regime of Bangladesh with a view to identifying the overall trade-related constrains, and made recommendations to enhance overall trade capacity of the country by overcoming the existing challenges 10

11 TF measures by ministry of agriculture Hortex foundation: FAO Food safety program (a sub-project of the Food Safety Program of the Ministry of health) Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification scheme recently contamination free 2.73 tonnes of Langra and Amrapoli varieties of mangoes exported from Satkhira to Walmart (UK) under the ongoing food safety program 11

12 MOA/DAE initiative with FAO assistance The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) mandated by the GoB has been working with Hortex and a company called DiP international to identify the right mango varieties for the UK market, ensure the necessary post-harvest practices to assure quality produce including in appearances, and get key food safety tests done notably for certain pesticides on which the UK imposes strict restrictions. 12

13 MOA/DAE initiative with FAO assistance FAO has turned the country s National Food Safety Laboratory into a facility that can test for more than 100 chemical and microbiological contaminants Trained 31 as International Certified Master trainer*(on horticulture supply chain) [6 day course] In league with FAO, Hortex trained 500 farmers* (tomato, brinjal, and potato and mango growers) so that become conscious and judicious about pesticide applications and other food safety aspects. These 500 lead farmers will replicate how to produce contamination-free vegetables 13

14 FAO initiative to support agricultural goods export FAO s team -with expertise from Bangladesh and abroad, has developed a unique 10 controls approach to train our farmers and value chain actors to deploy effective food safety practices all the way from the farm to the retail spots. 14

15 Ministry of Agriculture Central Packing House- under construction in the capital's Shyampur area (began in January, 2015). will have cooling, sorting, grading, inspection and packaging facilities for the fresh produce The packing centre is being built by the DAE- Tk 138-crore project to strengthen the country's phytosanitary capacity such that entry and exit of pests and diseases by way of agricultural produce are obstructed Quarantine Wing have taken up initiatives for automation, capacity building and business process reengineering to simplify clearance process. SPS certification modernization [Project: Strengthening Phytosanitary Capacity in Bangladesh Project (SPCB)] 15

16 TF initiative Roads and Highways ministry Construction of 4-lane Dhaka Chittagong Highway underway New-mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chittagong Port is under construction It will ease the current vessel and container congestion. New Container terminal at Pangaon in Narayangonj (near Dhaka) to ease pressure on rail traffic Introduction of customs facilities will help reduce cargo dwell time, This terminal will commence soon (awaits arrival of inland ships to carry goods 16

17 Thank You Q & A 17