The commerce ministry has urged the quick implementation of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) trade facilitation requirements. It has also directed government offices to build their capacity and simplify trade procedures to cut the time and cost of clearing shipments. The instructions were given at the recent 10th meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee at the Secretariat, according to sources.
Senior officials from various ministries, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), port authorities and other agencies attended the meeting.
According to the meeting papers, 47 of the 54 measures set for Bangladesh under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement have already been implemented. Twenty-one Category A and 18 Category B obligations have been properly implemented and formally notified to the WTO. Of the 15 Category C measures, eight have been completed and a specific target has been set to implement the remaining seven by June 2030. The meeting stressed completing the remaining work quickly to keep the country competitive in international trade after graduating from least developed country (LDC) status.
After Bangladesh graduates from the LDC list, the balance of trade protection in global markets will shift further. At this transitional time, as tariff preferences in international trade shrink, special preparations are being made now to protect domestic industry from unfair and intense foreign competition. To that end, the government has drawn up a new roadmap for LDC graduation, aimed at transforming Bangladesh’s economy into a competitive, production-oriented and innovation-based industrial economy. Its main goals to be achieved by November 2029 include maintaining macroeconomic and external stability, further raising the productivity and competitiveness of industry, diversifying exports to reduce dependence on ready-made garments (RMG), and ensuring deep and sustainable integration of the country’s trade with global value chains.
The roadmap also puts the greatest emphasis on finalising FTA, CEPA or PTA agreements to preserve duty-free and quota-free access after graduation, visibly improving the ease of doing business, building a skilled and inclusive workforce and increasing exports of skilled manpower through human resource development.
The meeting was told that the NBR has implemented a National Single Window to bring applications and services for all trade-related certificates, licences and permits onto a single platform. So far 19 agencies have been connected to the digital platform, and 18 more are in the process of being added. Work is also under way to set up a separate Bangladesh Single Window Commissionerate to run it.
NBR sources said the Automated Risk Management System (ARMS) will be implemented by October. Once this risk-analysis-based system is in place, it will allow faster clearance of goods. The NBR has also moved to increase the number of firms holding Authorised Economic Operator certification.
Moves are also under way to expand cold storage at ports so that perishable goods can be cleared and stored quickly. Cold storage facilities are being set up and modernised at Chattogram port and the airport. Mongla Port Authority is proceeding with a feasibility study and consultancy for building cold storage, and land has been allocated to a private company under a long-term agreement. The Land Port Authority has also moved to build cold storage at Benapole land port with World Bank support, with tender evaluation in its final stage. An office order on border agency cooperation has been issued and notified to the WTO. Overall, the commerce ministry is working in coordination with all relevant public and private bodies to expand business, bring transparency to international trade and make the economy more dynamic through export diversification.
Commerce secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan said all the work under the Trade Facilitation Agreement will be completed on time with the cooperation of stakeholders.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report