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| Monday, 26 January 2004 |
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Automated clearance to improve trade facilitation by Ramani Kangaraarachchi The highest revenue-earning agency for the government, Sri Lanka Customs celebrates International Customs Day (26) today. Sri Lanka Customs which has brought an income of Rs. 144,843 million to the government last year also celebrates this event annually. The theme for this year will be "Customs role in the Protection of Society". The Customs, which traditionally performed fiscal and economic missions based on revenue collection is now involved in a much wider range of activities, thus giving it an important role in areas such as protection of society, combating terrorism and criminal organisations, protecting markets, society and environment. Through these activities, customs contributes to nations economic development and ensures that international trade is properly managed, Assistant Director of Customs Gamini Warsapperuma said. He said that this year's theme has a special emphasis on Sri Lanka Customs, as they are very much concerned of its obligations towards the society. A considerable number of detections in the areas of narcotics, counterfeit goods, substandard drugs, war related items and fauna and flora were done in the recent past. Presently they are working with the Ministry of Environment to bring legislation to prohibit and restrict the importation of hazardous waste into the country. A series of training workshops on detection and prevention of the import of Ozone depleting substances, are being conducted by Sri Lanka Customs extending its responsibility to the society and the world at large. Although the Sri Lanka Customs traditionally focuses on the collection of revenue and the enforcement of laws over smuggling and commercial fraud with the introduction of automated cargo clearance in 1992 the outlook of the Sri Lanka Customs have changed towards trade facilitation. With the implementation of this major facility to its stakeholders in May this year as expected all cumbersome procedures will be much more simplified changing the attitudes of Customs personnel too, Warsapperuma said. Under this project the importers and exporters and the other relevant agencies like Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Shipping Agents, Airlines, and Statutory Bodies are electronically connected with the Customs through a service provider. Another innovative facility named Gold Card program will be introduced with the implementation of the new cargo clearance system. Under this program selected clients who have a proven record of compliance with Customs and meet the eligibility criteria will be able to clear their goods on fast track clearance procedure with minimum human intervention. Trade facilitation was enhanced further with the introduction of the dry port concept for speedy clearance outside the port for both FCL and LCL cargo in year 2000. |
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