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| Saturday, 10 January 2004 |
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Measures to improve import-export procedures at Port by Ramani Kangaraarachchi A ten-member working group appointed by the Chairman, Ports Authority Parakrama Dissanayake has submitted a number of recommendations to improve new import-export procedures. The main consideration has been given to expedite transfer of documentation with regard to Imports and Exports among relevant Agencies through EDI to minismise existing delays in receiving shipping documents such as cargo manifests. It has also empowered Director, Merchant Shipping and other Agencies concerned to take appropriate action against those who do not submit cargo manifests in time to the Customs, SLPA etc. which result in delays for importers to clear their cargo. It has also recommended to simplyfy procedures among other things by reducing the number of documents used for clearance, shipping cargo. All cargo manifests addressed to various Divisions of the SLPA should be received at the Canal Yard Customer Service Centre and such copies should be dispatched to the respective Divisions and Sections immediately by the Logistics Division of the SLPA was another recommendation. It further recommends that arrangements should be made by the Customs to receive all copies of cargo manifests at one centralised location. Upgrading of conditions of the SLPA warehouse, and computer systems introduced at the Customer Service Centre at Pettah are also included in the recommendations. Finally to consult Trade Associations before any major policy changes in regard to import and export procedures and to arrange regular training programs for the SLPA and Customs staff who are working at Units which need public relation as a regular feature. Meanwhile, commenting on the report, M. Niyas of the Association of Forwarding and Clearing Agencies said that the recommendations will be very valuable only if properly implemented, monitored and reviewed according to a set target. |
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