The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The government is likely to appoint an international audit firm to scrutinize the price quoting of the Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) companies by next month, against the backdrop of suspected import-inspection scam.

Three international audit firms, two from the USA and one from the EU countries, submitted tenders following tender call from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

"A committee is examining the tenders and hope that all processes will be complete by next month," NBR Member (Customs) Dr Dr. Rashidul Ahsan Chowdhury told UNB.

After examining the papers, the NBR will tell them how much they (NBR) could offer the audit firm for the audit of each inspection certificate. "Or we may ask them to submit their price for auditing each certificate," he said.

The government's revenue authority has tried to appoint an audit firm to ensure checks and balances in the function of the PSI companies for a couple of years now. But due to some legal complications and tight procurement system of the government, the NBR failed to appoint an auditor, NBR sources said.

About the payments for the audit firm, he said that as the firm is international so their remuneration would be obviously high. "NBR will bear the cost. We are taking one percent of the total import duties from the importers as PSI charge. From that charge we will cover the audit cost," the NBR official said. The government has taken the move considering the importers' complaints about harassment and delays in getting their consignments after import valuation by the PSI companies.