DHAKA, Jan 26, 2024 (BSS) - Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali today laid emphasis on fully automated customs process to reduce the cost 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 cost of import and export, 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.

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

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

In his speech, Mahmood Ali said NBR is working as the main driving force of the economic progress of Bangladesh by attracting foreign investment 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 that it is very important to increase the capacity of customs to fulfill this responsibility.

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

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