ASYCUDA to be introduced in four customs points

By Sudeep Shrestha

KATHMANDU, March 1 - The process of linking the information system of four major customs points to the Central Customs Department has begun, with an objective of rendering the customs points systematic and upgrading them.

The process has been started in order to introduce the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), a modern and scientific system of recording and clearing customs data, under the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Biratnagar Customs Offices.

Over 90 per cent of the total export business is done through these four customs points. Similarly, preparations are under way for introducing the system at Krishnanagar and Kakarbhitta Customs Offices.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post, Yorjung Dhoj Karki, National Director of UNCTAD/ASYCUDA Project, said that the project has targeted to introduce ASYCUDA at the Customs Department and offices within the second week of May. However, originally it was supposed to be completed by the end of December 2001.

Following the introduction of the system, all the activities going on at the customs offices can be inspected and evaluated and given recommendations accordingly from the centre. This will also facilitate the communications among the customs offices and bring uniformity in customs valuation and make the system easier, he added.

Since 16 July 2000, the old customs declaration forms have been replaced with new forms, which has eased the act of clearing goods from customs in a shorter time, say customs clearing agents.

Earlier, the process of clearing was traditional, complicated and disputable in most cases. The system used to take unnecessarily longer time and mostly result inaccurate tariff rates and under-invoicing of goods. One of the causes of weakening the competitiveness of Nepalese products abroad was the complicated customs clearance process, says Karki.

Introduction of ASYCUDA has not only simplified customs process, but also saved time, made customs tariffs accurate, arrested underinvoicing thereby making valuation of goods transparent. To make the tariff rates more accurate, records of tariff rates are maintained in offices for internal use.

The process has been introduced in Birgunj Customs at the beginning. "If the valuation of goods is doubtful, it can be checked through computers and one office can contact another for suggestion to solve problems, says Karki.

Yet the problem of underinvoicing of goods continues but it can be resolved through an effective use of ASYCUDA. Producing accurate customs data is one of the major characteristics of the new system. Currently, customs data is available at the Nepal Rastra Bank, Trade Promotion Centre, Central Bureau of Statistics and the Department of Customs. However, there is no uniformity in data in these offices.

Following the introduction of ASYCUDA in all the four customs points, the Project claims that it would provide accurate data of those points. In order to fix the customs tariffs, 6,313 types of HS code for classifying goods have been kept at these points.

Now importers/exporters do not have to carry their tax and value added tax (VAT) certificates along with them for clearing their goods from the customs every time, for their individual records are computerized. Import/export of prohibited goods are automatically detected and they are forwarded for physical test.

"No more tension. No businessmen have to pay customs duty more than the fixed rate. The customs officials too need not consult rules and regulations, says Sharad Rana, an ASYCUDA expert. Since the system was introduced, it has not taken more than half an hour to check any goods, except for the suspicious consignment, he adds.

The only problem with ASYCUDA is the lack of skilled manpower. The Project had requested the government to recruit computer and software engineers six months ago but no one has been appointed yet. The sooner we get manpower, the quicker the system comes into operation, says Karki.

However, Karki admits that around 300 employees were trained in the system but they have already been transferred to offices where ASYCUDA is not implemented.

The system is being executed in connection with joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) to modernize customs and make them scientific and reliable. A study was made on it in 1996 with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project was begun in 1998 with World Bank’s loan assistance of US$ 1.4 million. ASYCUDA is in operation in more than 100 countries of the world.

IT fever catches Solukhumbu

KATHMANDU, March 1 (PR) - The students of Khumjung School and youths of Khumjung village of Solukhumbu are using computers, courtesy of Gertrude Reinisch, an Austrian national.

Gertrude, who has been involved in providing mountain rescue training and lodge management training for the past six years in Nepal, introduced computer to this Sherpa village by donating 6 desk top computers, something almost all the villagers had neither seen nor even imagined.

The 49 year old woman gave three PCs to the school, one to Khumjung Youth Club and two to a school in Namche, another village in the district at the Everest base camp a couple of weeks ago.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post, Gertrude said, "The computers are mostly used for training and sending and receiving emails by the local students and youths, and they are much encouraged by it".

She said that the computers were given with a view to make global information accessible to the remote and backward villagers, thereby creating a global village in line with Global Village, a non-governmental organization in Austria.

Over 100 Nepalis involved in tourism industry have received a three-month mountain rescue training in Austria at the initiative of the philanthropic woman.

Continuing the training package, she is planning to give more computers to the Sherpa villages next year.

Although she is a writer and film director by profession, she has decided to bring the latest equipment being used in the mountain village in Austria to the remotest villages in Nepal by virtue of her affection towards Sherpa people.