'Customs system should reform'

Published On: January 26, 2018 05:56 PM NPT

KATHMANDU, Jan 26: The need of operating country's customs system as per the international standard has been stressed.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Department of Customs to mark the 66th International Customs Day on Friday participants of the program spoke of the need of carrying out technical and administrative reforms in the existing customs system.

Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said there were problems in revenue collection due to low invoicing and transport of goods with tax evasion. He was of the view of solving such problems in collaboration with the Department and business community. "The revenue collection is yet to meet the target and this obviously does not give a positive message and must be reformed."

Minister of State for Finance, Uday Shamser Rana, expressed his belief that only cordial relations between the government and business community would bring economic prosperity in the country, underlining the need of reforming customs point in terms of physical and administrative aspects.

Auditor General Tankamani Sharma declared that there was no possibility of economic development in the absence of financial discipline.

National Information Commission Chief Krishnahari Baskota said the private sector had a hold on country's 75 percent economy and the private sector was responsible for bringing the economic sector to this present situation.

Finance Secretary Shankar Prasad Adhikari stressed that political, administrative and business sectors should work with the same goal of bringing economic prosperity and building an investment-friendly atmosphere in the country.

Revenue Secretary Shishir Dhungana results of attempts made for reforms in the customs field had started coming out and such endevours would be given continuity in the future as well.
Senior vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Shekhar Golcha, President of Confederation of Nepal Industries, Haribhakta Sharma, and Chair of Nepal Chambers of Commerce, Rajesh Kaji Shrestha were of the view of making corrections in the country's customs system.