Presentation on

Implementation ofProgramme Global Shield(PGS) in Bangladesh:

Challenges and Recommendation

Ms Abilin SangmaSecond Secretary,

National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh

Global Security Conference Brussels, Belgium03 October, 2018

1. Mentionable Terrorist Attacks in Bangladesh

2. Security Threats

3. Journey of Security Project & PGS

4. PGS Activities in Bangladesh at a glance

5. Initiatives taken by Bangladesh Customs

6. Import statements of precursor chemicals

7. Challenges

8. Recommendations

Outline

Mentionable Terrorist Attacks in Bangladesh

1 July, 2016 Dhaka Cafe Attack (Holy Artisan Bakery)

17 March, 2017 Dhaka RAB camp suicide bombing

24 March, 2017

A suicide bomber blew himself up in the Shah

Jalal International Airport

25 March, 2017

South Surma Upazila

Bombings

Security Threats

Dhaka Cafe

Attack (Holy

Artisan Bakery)

Picture source: The Daily Star

Security Threats

Dhaka RAB Camp

Suicide Bombing

Picture source: Dhaka Tribune

South SurmaUpazila Bombings

in Sylhet

Picture source: The Daily Star

People hurt in two explosions outside Atia Mahal are being taken

to hospital.

Security Threats

High threat of terrorist attack in Bangladesh, Australia says

Source: The Financial

express

Security Threats

Source: The daily Star

Security Threats

Asia Pacific Security Project in Bangladesh

• Journey of WCO

Security Project in

Bangladesh starts on

25 July, 2017

• WCO Secretary

General was present as

Key Note Speaker

Why PGS?

• To secure global supply chain

• To secure public safety

• To prevent smuggling

• To prevent illicit diversion of precursor chemicals that could be used as explosives

PGS Activities in Bangladesh at a glance

Sub regional Training on PGS (Train the Trainers)

National Training on PGS

Acceptance Test and Coordination Meeting

Device Distribution

Operation

Sub regional Training on PGS (Train

the Trainers)

• 13-22 March 2018 in Philippines

• Two officials from Bangladesh Customs participate in the training program

• Gather knowledge and skills to train other officers

• Practical training on detection and handling of precursor chemicals used for manufacturing of Improvised Electric Devices (IEDs)

National Training on PGS

• Five day (22-26 April 2018) training in Dhaka

• 17 Customs officials participated

• Other law enforcing agencies (Police, Navy, Coastguard, BGB, Port Authority) as observer

• Jointly organized by WCO & APSP

• Facilitate by WCO Expert and trained officials from Bangladesh Customs

National Training on PGS (contd.)

• Awareness building

• Experience sharing

• Training on

IEDs threat

Customs role in mitigating IEDs

Safety Data sheets

Labeling, Packaging, licensing frauds

Investigation techniques

Risk assessment

Practical training to detect and identify

precursor chemicals

Raman Spectrometer Devices

Initially 3 device in

July

Raman Spectrometer Devices

1 Additional device in

September

Major Ports

Bangladesh has 3 seaports, 1 internalcontainer depot (ICD), 3 internationalairports and 183 (active 45) LandCustoms stations and several riverport

More than 90% of international tradeare carried by sea. ChittagongCustoms House is the biggest seaport

Benapole Customs House is thebiggest land port located at IndianBoarder.

Major Ports in Bangladesh

Device Distribution

1.Custom House, Chittagong

2.Custom house, Dhaka

3.Custom house, Benapole

4.Custom House, ICD, Dhaka

Custom House, Dhaka Custom House, Chittagong Custom House, Benapole

Acceptance Test And Coordination

Meeting

• Carried out by WCO Representative and RigacuRepresentative

• 25 Customs officials participated

• Practical training on device handling & use

• Detailed discussion on PGS operation

• Representatives from other agencies also participated in the Coordination meeting

Initiatives taken by Bangladesh Customs

Operation Related

• Agreement Signing

• NCP Nomination

• Issuance of office order

• Conducting operation (15-29 September)

Device Related

• Exemption Order

• Faster Clearance

• Distribution of devices

Exemption

letter

Import Statement of Precursor Chemicals (FY 2017-18)

22

Description HS Code Quantity (MT)

Acetone 2914.11 1225.27

Aluminum Powders and flakes 7603.10, 7603.20 7.0

Ammonium Nitrate 3102.30 196

Calcium Ammonium Nitrate 3102.90 0.1

Calcium Nitrate Double salt 3102.60 -

Hydrogen Peroxide 2847.00 535.22

Nitric Acid 2808.00 1079.6

Nitro methane 2904.20 0.7

Potassium chlorate 2829.19 889.54

Potassium Nitrate 2834.21 385.32

Potassium Perchlorate 2829.90 48.52

Sodium Chlorate 2829.11 413.27

Sodium Nitrate 3102.50 -

Urea 3102.10 11,13,961

Challenges for Bangladesh

Challenges

Lack of Cooperation

Lack of Coordination

No Restriction

on chemicals import

Lack of Monitoring

after clearance

PorousBorder

23

Recommendations

• Active Participation

• Direct monitoring by Commissioner

• Regular reporting

• After clearance monitoring

• Building cooperation among border agencies