Kathmandu. An online customs database system has been launched at Birgunj Customs Office.

An online customs database system has been launched at the Birgunj Customs Office on Saturday to replace the reference price list as mentioned in the budget statement for the fiscal year 2082/083.

Inaugurating the system digitally, Finance Minister Rameshwor Prasad Khanal said the government was committed to operate the private sector business with security and good governance.

In addition to this, the online customs database system has been implemented to test the value of the transaction in the context of the GATT valuation system approved by the World Trade Organization in international trade has been accepted in the Customs Act and Rules of Nepal.

He said that the implementation of this system is expected to encourage legitimate trade, help in the implementation of other taxes including Value Added Tax (VAT), reduce informal transactions and promote industries and businesses.

Finance Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyaya, Director General of Department of Customs Shyam Prasad Bhandari, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Uttar Kumar Khatri, Director General of Department of Revenue Investigation Tirtha Chiluwal, Chief Customs Administrator of Birgunj Customs Office Bishnu Prasad Gyawali, Customs Valuation Expert of Asian Development Bank Nirmal Hari Adhikari and President of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hari Gautam expressed their views during the inauguration ceremony.