|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 18 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Trade Minister to streamline import-export services Upgrading the services of Customs documentation for clearing and forwarding is amongst the list of priorities of the UPFA Government said Minister of Consumer Affairs and Commerce Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. The Government's aim is to bring about an up- to- date system that will ensure efficiency, productivity and transparency in all import/export processes and procedures, he added. This will benefit investors as well as importers and exporters. We (the Government) are firmly committed towards ensuring the import/export and investor community, successful transition from the current manual process, which is fast becoming obsolete in the international trading sector, to the state-of- the-art electronic submission of CUSDECS in the weeks ahead, he added. The Minister's assurance come in the wake of his tour of the United States where discussions were held in regard to signing of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between US and Sri Lanka which has been in the pipe-line for sometime. Upgrading the port related services (both air and Sea) is a necessary pre-condition for the implementation of the TIFA with the US. eServices Lanka, which is the facilitator of electronic submission of CUSDECS has already made major inroads in planning out strategic network for the smooth transition from manual to an automated regime. Other key stake holders such as the Sri Lanka Customs, the BOI, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the South Asian Gateway Terminal, Airlines and Shipping, Airport and Aviation have already made major contributions towards this project. The Minister further stated that he would seek the cooperation of the Sri Lanka Customs, the BOI, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and other government departments to expedite the successful completion of the process of transformation from the manual processing of CUSDECS to the electronic process. The Trade and Commerce Ministry is in the forefront of this project as it would help boost both internal and external trade whilst greatly benefiting foreign investors in their import/export procedures. In view of the strategic location trans shipment cargo is yet another area where there is tremendous potential for Sri Lanka to capitalize on, the Minister said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
