The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Business at the Chittagong port experienced a three-hour snap yesterday, as the online service of Chittagong Customs House broke down within 24 hours of its introduction.

Officials are blaming a mismatch among the newly introduced devices for the disruption but did not rule out the possibility of sabotage behind it.

"Some instrument's are yet to be synchronised," an official of the Chittagong Customs told The New Nation.

The authorities, however, formed a two-member inquiry committee headed by Joint Commissioner Matiur Rahman, also the member secretary of the 5-member committee supervising the implementation of automation system.

When contacted Amirul Haque a Director of FBCCI told the New Nation that they are concerned at the disruption of Online Service for import and export.

"It was not desirable he said adding it is early to assess the impact of the disruption".

The automated taxation system, which was introduced at Chittagong Customs House Friday, went off at 9:00 am yesterday and remained disrupted until 12 noon causing a huge business loss.

"It seems mysterious," remarked Shah Alam, Customs Commissioner (Import), and said it might be an act of sabotage, agencies reported.

The automated taxation system allows online submission of export and import accounts by the business firms.

The entire taxation system at the customs house is expected to be fully automated from this month, if this first phase goes smoothly.

On the first day, a good number of shipping agents, including Marks Line, APL and Peninsula Shipping Lines, submitting EGMs (Export General Manifests) and IGMs (Import General Manifests) online direct from their offices.

The automated service by NBR would ensure transparency, as well as save time for users of the Customs House and Port, officials expect.

Operation of the IGM/EGM module would allow round-the-clock entry of documents at a cost of Tk 50 each for 16 different types of services while Tk 180 was charged for each data-entry under the previous system.

Apart from clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents, exporters and importers will also be able to handle documents directly after obtaining the self-clearing licence.

The automation system is expected to go into full operation with the introduction of Bill of Entry (B/E) module by this month.

The introduction of full automation and user-friendly procedures will help Chittagong Customs House check the evasion of revenue of at least Tk 350 crore and double the revenue earnings which now stands at Tk 11,000 crore a year, said a report of the taskforce.

The project is being jointly implemented under the supervision of the National Board of Revenue and Chittagong Customs House, and financed by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries.