|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 4 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Apparel industry tops list among early service beneficiaries Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle paid an official visit to eServices Lanka - the service provider of the state of the art electronic Customs Declaration system (CUSDECS) to obtain first hand information on the progress made so far on this hi-tech project. This project envisages quicker clearance of cargo through the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), greater accuracy in valuation as against declared item and reduction in operational costs to the importer by way of reduced man hours spent and overall efficiency in port services. The Minister was also given an insight to the benefits the trade would accrue through this electronic process, and the opportunity Sri Lanka would gain placing the country as a strategic location for the movement of international trade particularly in the South Asian region. Managing Director of eServices Lanka Rohan Weerasinghe in his presentation to the Minister outlined the role played by the Company together with key state holders such as the Sri Lanka Customs, the BOI, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, SriLankan Airlines and South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT). He stressed the need for greater input of service to importers by the respective channelling agencies so that the trade could feel the "physical impact" brought about by the electronic services. DG Customs Sarath Jayatilleke also explained to the Minister, the benefits of this project, one of which being able to identify the declarant or consignee of a particular cargo imported into the country unlike in the present manual system where tracking was not possible. He also said that it could minimise illegal import of goods in to the country. R.M. Karunaratne, Executive Director of BOI explained the process adopted for clearance of consignment for BOI companies. He said that measures are being taken to set up a one stop shop for documentation and clearance of BOI consignments through the EDI process. Already a number of BOI companies and Customs House Agents are utilising the services provided by the company. Nearly 28 BOI and Non BOI companies and 13 Clearing House Agents are the early service beneficiaries. Some of the leading importers (Non BOI Category) are Unilever, Ceylon Tobacco Company, Singer Sri Lanka, Chemical Industries, Hemas Pharmaceuticals, Ravi Industries, Darley Butler, and BASF-Finlays, while major clearing agents such as Ace Cargo, MIT Cargo, Universal Freighters, Mack International and Califolink are among the 13 who have begun submitting documents via eServices Lanka. Of the BOI clientele are Bodyline, Aqua Packaging, Colombo Dockyard, Dankotuwa Porcelain, Kuruwita Manchester, Textured Jersey, Timex Garments, Hayleys Electronics, Continental Apparels and Unichela. Minister Fernandopulle was also given an on-line demonstration of the CUSDEC submission process flow through the company's web portal. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
