Kathmandu, May 10:

Entrepreneurs laid stress on immediate reforms of customs as it is the major source of government.

Speaking at an interaction, they also asked the government to reform customs administration and infrastructure to check illegal trade. “Government sh-ould immediately start simplification of procedu-res,” they said, adding that trade facilitation is a must.

The government is upgrading the infrastructure and simplifying the procedures, said Laxman Pokh-rel, director general of Department of Customs. “The revenue collection has increased by 25 per cent,” he said, requesting the private sector for more cooperation in future.

Rameshwor Khanal, revenue secretary at the Ministry of Finance, on the occasion, asked the entrepreneurs to invest more on manufacturing and production sector to control the inflation. He also hinted at readjustment in tariff.

Surendra Bir Malakar, president of NCC, asked to immediately implement Revenue Administration Reform Suggestion Committee’s report.

Rajesh Kazi Shrestha, president of Nepal-China Chambers of Commerce and Industry, asked the government to develop a dry port near Tatopani customs.