DHAKA: The inter-ministerial working group for Bangladesh Single Window for Trade recently held its 2nd meeting in city.
Chaired by the Honorable Secretary, Internal Resources Division and Chairman, National Board of Revenue, Md. Nojibur Rahman, the meeting discussed the technical and functional requirements for the proposed single window for trade.
The meeting, held on January 19, 2016, also discussed probable operational models for operations, maintenance and sustainability of this Single Window.
With support from the Specialists from the World Bank Group the meeting developed a roadmap and project implementation approach for this challenging task encompassing all key certificate, licensing and permit issuance agencies (CLPIAs) for export, import and transit of goods.
The NBR chair applauded the active participation and interest from the different ministries, government agencies and private sector representatives in rolling out the implementation.
He strongly suggested taking a phased approach, instead of being over-ambitious and carefully designing for a sustainability plan from the beginning of any reform initiative.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Ministry of Law and Justice Division, EPB, Bridges Division, ICT Division, Road Transport and Highways Division, BEPZA, BEZA, Chittagong Port Authority, Bangladesh Land Port Authority, Deep Sea Port Cell, RJSC&F, CCI&E, BAEC, BSTI, BIWTA, DGDA, DAE-Plant Quarantine Wing, Bangladesh Bank, Sonali Bank and representatives from the FBCCI, DCCI, BAFFA, BASIS and BKMEA attended the meeting.
Based on the CLPIA-specific assessment conducted in July 2015 and debriefing from the three-day long workshop held last week, the working group will now finalize the technical and functional specifications and decide on an effective operational model.
The initiative has been taken up under the proposed Regional Connectivity Project 1 supported by the World Bank Group.
BDST: 1636 HRS, JAN 26, 2016
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