Sri Lanka’s Customs Department to accept online documentation and e-signatures from June 1
Sri Lanka Customs Department is geared to accept online documentation and e-signatures from June 1 Customs Director General Sarojini Charles has been quoted as saying in the local media.
Charles has reportedly stated that the Department is committed to reducing time and costs related to cross border trade, despite constant pressure to squeeze more taxes from the border.
Online document processing is currently being trialled at the Customs Department and will be officially launched on 1 June.
“This was long overdue and a dream-come-true for traders. We are ready for paperless documentation. The goal is to maximise cross border trade facilitation,” Charles has said at a forum at the Customs Headquarters.
By the end of 2019, it will be made mandatory for importers and exporters to submit customs declaration forms and supporting documents online.
“Our goal is to minimise the time and costs at the border, but we need the support of the private sector and other border agencies to make this work,” Charles has added.
OSL take:
The move by Sri Lanka’s Customs Department would further improve the ease of doing business environment in the country. The government of Sri Lanka is engaged in a programme to continuously improve the ease of doing business environment in the country. The overall development and growth recorded by the country’s key economic indicators makes the island nation an attractive business destination in the Indian Ocean region. Hence, foreign businesses/investors could explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka with confidence.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/17042019/Z_4 |