KATHMANDU, July 20: With the beginning of online system for issuance of Certificate of Origin, traders who export their products to the third country can issue Certificates of Origin through links in the websites of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC).

The NCC organized a soft launch of the online system on Friday. The FNCCI and the CNI have already launched the system, recently.

"Before this system, traders had to wait for office hours to issue the certificate, which slowed down their business," said NCC President Rajesh Kaji Shrestha. "Now, the process can be completed within few hours during any time of the day. We have hired staff to help with the system."

This system will help the Department of Customs, Department of Industries, and Nepal Rastra Bank in checking the fact details on exports and transactions, Shrestha said.

"This is a good step towards bringing paperless trade. This will greatly reduce hassles in trade," said Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. "We have provided one month's time to the traders to get used to the system. From mid-August, using an online system will be mandatory to issue Certificate of Origin."

Speaking at the launch, Adhikari also stated that the Department of Customs has implemented a single-window system for the facilitation of trade.

"We have already linked with 15 agencies till now," he said. "Our target is to adopt a business friendly approach and integrate business processes with technology. Vehicle Tracking Consignment System (VCTS) is also an initiative toward this end," he said.

According to Adhikari, VCTS has been introduced as a trial for three months. "The government is working on improving the process on modes of transport and related infrastructure during the three months," he said.

"We are yet to integrate payment mechanism with the online system of certification. But we will be collaborating with digital payment platforms such as e-Sewa and Khalti within a few weeks," said Bipalav Man Singh, former president of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN), who developed the online system of Certificate of Origin for the FNCCI, CNI, and NCC.

"For now, traders can pay through banks and attach the voucher with the certificate," he said.

 
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