Finance Minister Mahat presses for digitalization of customs administration

Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has underlined the need of digitalization of customs administration to enhance its effectiveness.

Speaking at a programme organised to mark the 72nd International Customs Day here today, the Minister echoed the need of collective efforts to build a robust customs administration by applying available technology, international criteria and good practices in it.

As he assessed, the customs administration is not motivated to use new innovations in the customs service. It is necessary to give priority to the use of advanced technology in customs service for its effectiveness and transparency as well, according to the Minister.

Department of Customs, Director General, Shobhakant Paudel, underlined the need of professionalism and integrity in customs service.

He said the Department is ready to switch to paperless, faceless and contactless system in customs service by improving customs infrastructures.

Revenue secretary Dr Ram Prasad Ghimire said the customs administration is not just a means of collecting revenues, its role is crucial to make domestic and foreign trade decent and systematic. He insisted on further improvements in the customs administration.

Finance Ministry Secretary Dr Krishnahari Pushkar said the Ministry has accorded priority to the investment in customs administration. The Department is witnessing improvement in collaboration with the private sector, he said.

Department former Directors General, Tankamani Sharma and Krishnahari Baskota, called for further systematizing customs administration, making it private-sector friendly.

Nepal Chamber of Commerce president Rajendra Malla and Confederation of Nepalese Industries president Rajesh Kumar Agrawal called for making the customs service in compatible with time with control of smuggling of goods.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Dr Mahat launched the service for electric signature, inaugurated the customs museum and released the ‘Customs Souvenir’.

On the occasion, former Director General Sharma was conferred with the ‘letter of honour’. Journalist Bhagawat Bhattarai of Setopati.com was honoured with the cash prize of Rs 15,000 in recognition of his contribution to the finance, revenue and management sector. Similarly, Department’s computer engineer Mohammed Raheem Ansari received the ‘best employee’ award. On the occasion, the Department honoured 25 employees and eight customs agents.