UNNExT Workshop on

Agricultural Trade Facilitation and Business

Process Analysis in Bangladesh

27-29 October

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Nasir Uddin

Senior Customs & Trade Facilitation Adviser

USAID BTFA

and

Former Member, Customs, NBR

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

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

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

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

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

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.

NBR initiatives…

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

Initiatives by the MoC

National Trade Portal (IFC) Automated issuance of GSP certificates from 01.09.2014

(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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank You

Q & A

17