Staff Correspondent

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Friday laid emphasis on a fully automated customs process to reduce the costs and time of doing business.

"One of the main functions of customs is trade facilitation. Customs will become truly smart following the continuation of Smart Bangladesh announced by the prime minister. To reduce the costs of imports and exports, attention should be paid to full automation," he said.

The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar marking the “International Customs Day 2024.”

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) organised the seminar at the Multipurpose Hall of the NBR building in the capital's Agargaon area.

Internal Resources Division (IRD) Senior Secretary and NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem presided over the seminar.

Finance Division Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, among others, spoke on the occasion while NBR member Masud Sadiq presented the keynote paper.

In his speech, Mahmood Ali said the NBR is working as the main driving force of the economic progress of Bangladesh by attracting foreign investments and protecting the local industries.

"Whole world has already recognised the economic progress of Bangladesh," he added.

Referring to one of the responsibilities of customs to prevent money laundering, the finance minister said it is very important to increase the capacity of customs to fulfil this responsibility.

He hoped that customs will pay special attention to this end.

Suggesting the NBR to make trade easier, he said, "Without making trade easier, it is not possible to reduce the costs and time of doing business."