Commerce minister calls for unified action plan to cut cargo clearance time, costs

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has urged all concerned agencies to implement a coordinated action plan to simplify import-export clearance procedures, upgrade logistics systems and reduce trade costs.

"The government is working to build capacity across departments and simplify trade processes to cut the time and cost of clearing consignments," Muktadir said, adding that the benefits of these initiatives can only reach businesses through effective coordination among all stakeholders.

Muktadir made the call while presiding over the 10th meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee at the Ministry of Commerce conference room today (23 September).

According to the working paper placed at the meeting, Bangladesh has implemented 47 of the 54 measures required under the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement.

All 21 Category-A and 18 Category-B obligations have been fulfilled and notified to the WTO, while eight of the 15 Category-C measures have been completed, the remaining seven are targeted for implementation by June 2030.

The meeting stressed completing the outstanding measures quickly to preserve export competitiveness following Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has rolled out a National Single Window to bring trade-related certificates, licences, permits and services onto a single platform, with 19 agencies already integrated and efforts underway to bring 18 more on board. Work is also progressing on forming a separate Bangladesh Single Window Commissionerate to run the system.

NBR member Al Amin Pramanik told the meeting that the Automated Risk Management System (ARMS) is expected to become operational by October.

The risk-analysis-based system will help speed up cargo clearance, he said, adding that NBR is also working to increase the number of Authorized Economic Operator-certified companies.

Customs authorities have already introduced pre-arrival clearance processing and online auto-manifest registration, along with a National Enquiry Point to provide businesses with customs and trade information.

The meeting also discussed infrastructure for exporting perishable agricultural goods. Cold storage facilities are being modernised at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, while tender evaluation has been completed for a new cold storage facility at Benapole.

An agreement has been signed to set up a cold storage and processing plant on 18 acres of land in Mongla, and plans are underway for a packing house and cold chain facility for export-oriented agricultural products at Dewanhat in Chattogram.

Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan said the Commerce Ministry alone cannot implement all activities under the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and efforts are underway to complete the remaining work ahead of schedule with cooperation from relevant stakeholders.

ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky called for uniform procedures and digital systems to reduce inconsistent decisions on similar categories of goods.

The meeting also discussed coordination among agencies to improve food quality testing and laboratory facilities.