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| Wednesday, 24 December 2003 |
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Major move to attract more investors : Cargo clearing system goes online by Shirajiv Sirimane For the first time in the South Asian Region automated Cargo Clearing System would be introduced to Sri Lanka from the beginning of next year. This will firstly reduce the pain staking paper work for exporters and importers while it will also reduce the cost per transaction. According to Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake, at present cargo clearing costs around Rs. 1000 per transaction and with the new system in place it would be brought down to around Rs. 450. There are around 2000 custom clearances per day and 55 percent of which are exports. He said that with the new electronic data exchange system exporters and importers would not have to go from one institution to another. "There would be only one document needed and the efficiency levels would go up," He said The main components involved in the export and import sector such as the harbours, airports, banks BOI, Tea Board would be linked to simplify matters and to cut off red tape. "We will set up service centers in every district to ensure a smooth operation of the system." He said that some institutions such as Ministry of Agriculture would be provided with the infrastructure to move with the system. "We would introduce this system to the Health Ministry too." The Minister said that very soon electronic payment system too would be in place. The Ambassador for the United States, Jeffry Lunstead said that this system would increase the competitiveness of Sri Lanka. "This will definitely attract more investors and would be a good image build up for the country." Lunstead added that with the introduction of the automated Cargo Clearing System, custom transfers would be more transparent. Managing Director E Services, Rohan Weerasinghe, said that his company has invested Rs. 300 million for the product. Among the main benefits would be the fast track clearance for importers and exporters, online tracking of CUSDECS, pre-clearance of shipments, reduction of lead time for manufacturing -improved ability to supply, reduction in document processing time, faster dispatch of cargo, master movement of containers from the port improved efficiency and capacity. He said that by the mid of next year with the legal legislation to be in place Sri Lanka would have only single entry data for exporters and importers. The Sri Lanka Automated Cargo Clearance System is a system, which facilitates the electronic submission of Customs Declaration and allied documentation between Custom House Agents, Freight Forwarders, Shipping Lines, Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, SAGT, Board of Investment and other regulatory and licensing authorities. Currently in Sri Lanka, the clearance process for export and import of goods involves manual processing of various paper documents between Commercial and State Institutions. The present system involves repeated document submission to various remote locations for approval, which is time consuming, inefficient and costly. The Sri Lanka Automated Cargo Clearance System will enable the electronic submission of Cusdecs, Manifests facilitating, the efficient system for the Custom House Agents and Shipping Line/Freight Forwarders. This system will allow the submission of this documentation right from the Custom House Agents and Shipping Line/Freight Forwarders offices for the respective approvals. eServices Lanka Ltd., the Service Provider, which is implementing this system, is a venture promoted by the private sector with Government participation. Advisor Council comprising key stakeholders has facilitated this project. Imports Clearance will be implemented initially with Manifesting, and followed by Trasshipments and Exports. |
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