Logistics and trade forum on Export Facilitation Centre process review, progress and operational iss

Monday, 27 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In the last quarter of 2014, the Sri Lanka Customs Department initiated a new trade facilitation tool by providing Sri Lanka’s first Export Trade Facilitation Centre (EFC) at the port access road to enhance its automation process by reducing operational activities of exporters. Under the E-Customs initiatives the one stop Export Facilitation Centre was established so that the exporter now do not need to visit Customs Department unless otherwise there are special licensed products to process through the Customs export declaration. The department has introduced electronic warranting, e-cargo dispatch note, e-payment, and e-terminal information. These processes have reduced the number of copies from 18 to one or two maximum. In addition the EFC further reduces documents, number of movements of wharf representatives and Customs officers, panel examinations, provide faster export clearance, boat note passing, operations and charges, etc. BOI Companies too can now pass the final port clearance at this location and avoid entering the SLPA to do the same operations. The new processes have reduced time and use of resources and taken away hidden costs, which many are not willing to talk about from the trade as they know they were doing the wrong process for many years by using speed money as a tool, which costs export companies dearly as petty cash. The Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC) together with the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC) has organised a logistics forum on 30 April at the Sri Lanka Foundation from 9 a.m. to 12 noon where two presentations by Customs and the Export Facilitation Centre will be done to educate the export and the service community. They will explain the process and will discuss operational issues with the trade to further improve the service level. The forum will be very useful for exporters, shipping, clearing house, wharf, transport and logistics companies. For registration please contact tel: 0112392840/5588871 (Secretariat SLSC); Tel: 011 3560844/0773820703 (SAC). Email: [email protected], [email protected]; fax: 011 2874065/0112472535. For online registration visit www.shippersacademy.lk.