DHAKA: Bangladesh is going to sign a deal with the World Customs Organization (WCO) for assistance in modernizing the outmoded Customs Department and simplifying cumbersome customs procedures.

“The agreement will be signed next week,” Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith disclosed at a seminar on “Customs and Business: Improving performance through partnership” at a city hotel Wednesday.

He said, “WCO wants to assist Bangladesh for development of the Customs Department. Despite being a member-country, we cannot take the opportunity as we have not yet ratified the conditions of WCO’s Save Customs Framework Convention.”

Member (Customs) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Hossain Ahmed presented the keynote at the seminar while head of the Regional Office of Capacity Building (ROCB) Yoshihiro Kosaka and Bangladesh Representative to the WCO Khandker Aminur Rahman took part in panel discussion.

“Once the deal is signed, we’ll get direct help from the WCO on three issues-- taxation system during transportation of goods from one country to another, enhancing quality of goods, and ensuring quality service in quick delivery of goods.

WCO Secretary-General Kunio Mikuriya said, “Extension of global trade is a must for improvement of customs service.”

He suggested the businessmen community to get involved with customs activities for further development on this front of the business world.

FBCCI President AK Azad attended the seminar, chaired by NBR Chairman Dr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed.

BDST: 02:00 HRS, JULY 21, 2010