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Kathmandu Sunday July 29, 2001 Shrawan 14, 2058.
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ASYCUDA to be expanded
further: FM
Post Report
KATHMANDU, July 28 - Finance Minister Dr Ram
Saran Mahat has said that the Automatic System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) is being
introduced at three more customs offices situated at Tatopani, Mechi and Bheri within the
next three months.
Dr Mahat said that necessary directives have
been given to the Customs Department regarding the implementation of the system in these
three customs offices.
Dr Mahat, addressing the third Annual General
Meeting (AGM) of Nepal Trans Himalayan Trade Organization informed the gathering that the
ASYCUDA system has been highly successful in solving many past problems related with
customs data.
Currently, ASYCUDA system has been implemented
in Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Office, Kathmandu, Birgunj Customs Office,
Biratnagar Customs Office and Bhairahawa Customs office. The implementation of the system
is an attempt of the government to modernize the data system of the customs, which is also
one of the requirements needed before entering the World Trade Organization. The
government has its policy to expand the system in all the customs office of the country.
ASYCUDA is the scientific system used to record
the imports and exports and is expected to simplify the existing difficulties related with
the valuation of goods in the customs office. With the introduction of this new system in
three more customs points, the revenue collection is also expected to increase. In
addition, the system would be helpful in enhancing monitoring, evaluation and inspection
of the customs office from the central customs office.
Dr. Mahat said that the government is preparing
to fix the exchange rates between the currencies of Nepal and China. He further said
"We are trying to make a provision through which Nepali traders can purchase goods in
Chinese currency Yuan and also a Chinese can use their currency in Nepal." Concerned
businessmen have been demanding for such provision since years.
Minister Mahat also informed the gathering that
a rope-way is going to be constructed between Khasa and Tatopani to boost Nepal-Tibet
trading. He opined that the export business has major role in the economic development of
a country and in the present context where the trade deficit with China is swelling, there
is an urgent need to increase the exports to Tibet.
Law Maker Mohan Bahadur Basnet said that though
import-export trade through Tatopani customs point is increasing day by day government has
not been able to contribute for institutional development of cross boarder trade.
MP Subash Karmacharya said that Tatopani Customs
Office has emerged as a major trading point and urged the concerned authority to take
necessary steps to safeguard its further development.
Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, the President of Nepal
Chambers of Commerce said that the problems in Nepal Tibet trade is still in existence
even after the introduction of the banking system. He pointed out the need to formulate a
separate regulation for the Tatopani trading point.
The AGM conducted under the chairmanship of
Durga Bahadur Shrestha, also elected its new executive board members. Durga Bahadur
Shrestha and Bishnu Khatri were elected as the president and the vice president unopposed
respectively.
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