The customs officials of Asian countries including Bangladesh and Europe nations as well sought stronger integration to help boost trade as well as ensure product safety and enhancing skill and capacity of tax administration. The top tax officials of the countries participated at the three-day 11th Asia Europe Customs DG/Commissioner Meeting in Goa, India ended on Friday discussed ways of expanding cooperation among them towards promoting trade. The major focus of the meeting was on the five main priorities of ASEM in the customs field including trade facilitation and supply chain security, combating infringement on intellectual property rights (IPR), protection of society and environment and involving business and communication and visibility. Md Nojibur Rahman, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) led a three-member Bangladesh delegation, NBR press release issued on Sunday said. Kunio Mikuria, Secretary General of World Customs Organisation (WCO) also attended the two-day biennial meeting. Bangladesh delegation met with the representatives from India, Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Spain and European Union. At the meetings, NBR chief highlighted the recent activities of the government to improve the skill and efficiency of the NBR. ASEM Customs Directors-General and Commissioners meet regularly once every two years to discuss relevant developments and priorities of customs work. The 1st ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Bangkok, Thailand, 1-2 March 1996. The Goa conference will help NBR raise skill in operating its customs and duty related activities successfully, said the NBR Chairman at the press statement. Besides, the knowledge and experience of the conference will also help NBR to run APA and successful application of the report cards that was issued by the Board recently issued to its field office, he opined.
