Kathmandu. Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has underlined the need to gradually replace import-based consumption with domestic production.

Addressing a programme organised by the Department of Customs on the occasion of the 74th International Customs Day here today, he said it would not be easy to improve country’s economy without increasing the domestic production. He said that unnecessary import of goods that can be replaced by domestic production should be controlled through laws and acts.

Stressing the need of formulating a clear policy for promoting domestic production, Finance Minister Khanal said that the government has given priority to the effective implementation of the Customs Act and to bring the customs regulations soon.

Stating that some demands of the private sector were gradually being addressed, he said it was natural to be criticized in the initial phase of the good works of reform. Stating that reform is a continuous process, he said strong initiatives are needed from the leadership level for the same.

Saying the problem of drug abuse is increasing in the Tarai districts, Finance Minister Khanal raised questions about how the banned goods to be imported are entering Nepal. On the occasion of International Customs Day, the provision of issuing certificate of origin only through national one-door system has been implemented. Now, the certificate of origin with QR code will be issued online.

Finance Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyay underscored the need for some practical reforms in the customs sector. According to him, the online evaluation system should be implemented as problems have been seen due to lack of uniformity in the evaluation of different customs offices. Stating that behavioral improvement in customs administration and development of ethics system was inevitable, he said trade facilitation was the main objective of the customs administration. He stressed on the need to focus the customs on transparent and smooth execution.

Auditor General Shobhakanta Poudel said the customs administration should not be operated under fear or temptation. Stating that easy and efficient service delivery would reduce the trade cost, he expressed the view that there is a situation of doubting whether the customs officials are involved in the illegal import of goods like gold, peas, pistachio and betel nut.

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ram Prasad Ghimire, said reforms like implementation of the new Customs Act and implementation of customs database system have been forwarded. “Customs administration is not only a means of revenue collection but also an important agency for securing the border, facilitating trade and smoothening the supply chain,” he said. He also stressed the need to approve the new customs reform and modernization strategy as soon as possible and bring it into implementation.

Public Service Commission secretary Rameshwor Dangal said that the provision of valuation of transaction value rather than the reference value book was positive. According to him, the customs administration is gradually becoming systematic, automated and technological.

On the occasion of the 74th International Customs Day, Director General of the Department of Customs, Shyam Prasad Bhandari, said that the customs reform and modernization plan has made positive impact in trade facilitation, revenue collection, use of information technology and organizational strengthening. According to him, the customs system is being developed as per the international standard as a result of the reform program carried out by the Department in a planned manner since 2060 BS.

Director General Bhandari said that the online customs valuation database system started from Biratnagar Customs Office has been implemented in all customs offices. Stating that the old customs evaluation reference book has been scrapped, he expressed the belief that it would help reduce trade cost, increase transparency, promote legitimate trade and control illegal trade.