DHAKA, Jan 25, 2020 (BSS) – The International Customs Day will be observed in the country tomorrow as elsewhere in the world with the slogan “Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Plane.
National Board of Revenue (NBR) has taken elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.
A colorful procession will be brought out from Rajaswa Bhaban at 7.30am tomorrow. Apart from officials and employees of Bangladesh Customs, artistes, sportsmen, business leaders and representatives of different professional bodies will join the procession.
NBR will organize a seminar at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) Noborattri Hall here at 5pm.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem and FBCCI President Sheikh Fazle Fahim will attend the function.
The observance of the day marks the first official conference of the Customs Co-operation Council-the World Customs Organisation (WCO). A total of 183 countries are now the members of WCO.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the occasion, wishing the success of all programmes of the day.
In their messages, the President and the Prime Minister greeted all concerned including officials and employees of the customs department, service recipients and stakeholders.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said customs plays a very important role in the field of international trade or export-import.
The President said Bangladesh customs has significant contributions to enhance the living standard of people by expanding foreign trade and investment, protecting native industries and conserving environment and protecting public health.
He hoped that Bangladesh customs will continue its efforts to accelerate the economic uplift of the country through ensuring safe business environment and increasing foreign business.
He urged the Bangladesh Customs to make effective efforts to materialize the government’s Vision-2021 and Vision-2041.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said since 2009, the government has taken multifaceted steps to attract local and foreign investments with a view to ensuring inclusive economic development across the country.
She said her government formulated new time-befitting, easy and coordinated “Customs Act, 2014” abolishing Customs Act 1969.
The government also adopted ‘Customs Modernization Strategic Plan, 2019-2022’ plan, she added.
The Prime Minister said the government has simplified the process of export-import with the use of information technology in line with the vision to build a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021. Highlighting different initiatives of the government in expanding trade and commerce, she said Bangladesh has attained unprecedented success in economic uplift because of the government steps.
She hoped that Bangladesh Customs would play an important role to take forward the country by attaining its professional excellence.