Kathmandu, January 25:

Entrepreneurs today urged government to make customs as trade facilitation points to boost foreign tra-de in the context of globalisation and free market.

Citing Nepal’s entry into multilateral trading system like the World Trade Organisation and other free trade regime, they stressed need of a paradigm shift on its treatment. “The customs points should no more remain a source of revenue rather become trade facilitation points,” they said.

Speaking at an interaction organised today to mark the 56th International Customs Day organised jointly by the Department of Customs, FNCCI and Nepal Foreign Trade Association, they urged the government to improve infrastructure at the major customs points as well as modernise them.

Diwakar Golchha, first vice-president of FNCCI, said that the customs’ role is very vital in facilitating foreign trade, particularly for the promotion of exports, which will ultimately help boost the economy. “Our thrust should be at promoting the export-oriented industries, which is essential for both employment generation and gapping ballooning trade deficit,” he added.

Besides infrastructure development, Golchha stressed the need for improving procedural matters including customs ev-aluation, inspection, documentation and releasing. “Adoption of modern technology including ICT tools could bring in a major ch-anges in customs points.”

Pradeep Man Vaidya, chairman of Income Tax and VAT Committee at FNCCI, made a presentation on Nepali customs in the context of trade facilitation. “Although Nepal has made a significant pro-gress in customs reforms, it has yet to change itself.”