Dhaka:The Commerce Minister has called for unified efforts among agencies to enhance import-export procedures and reduce costs.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir emphasized the importance of a coordinated action plan during the 10th meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee. The plan aims to simplify trade processes, enhance logistics, and lower trade costs. He noted that the government is working to build departmental capacity and streamline trade procedures to benefit businesses through effective stakeholder coordination.
The meeting highlighted that Bangladesh has implemented 47 out of 54 measures outlined in the World Trade Organisation's Trade Facilitation Agreement. All Category-A and Category-B obligations have been met and reported to the WTO. Eight of the 15 Category-C measures are completed, with the remaining seven targeted for completion by June 2030. The committee underscored the importance of finalizing these measures to maintain export competitiveness as Bangladesh moves out of the Least Developed Country category.
The National Board of Revenue has introduced a National Single Window to consolidate trade-related services, with 19 agencies integrated and plans to include 18 more. Efforts are also underway to establish a Bangladesh Single Window Commissionerate. Additionally, the Automated Risk Management System is slated to be operational by October, and pre-arrival clearance processing and online auto-manifest registration are already in place.
The meeting also focused on infrastructure improvements for exporting perishable agricultural goods. Existing cold storage facilities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are being modernized, and a new facility at Benapole is in the tender evaluation stage. An agreement has been signed to develop a cold storage and processing plant in Mongla, and plans are in progress for a packing house and cold chain facility in Dewanhat, Chattogram.
Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan emphasized that the Trade Facilitation Agreement's activities cannot be implemented by the Commerce Ministry alone, highlighting the need for cooperation from all stakeholders. ERD Secretary Shahriar Kader Siddiky advocated for uniform procedures and digital systems to ensure consistent decisions across similar goods categories. The meeting also addressed agency coordination to enhance food quality testing and laboratory facilities.