Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The state-run Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is going to introduce automated issuance of generalised system of preference (GSP) certificates from Monday to check forgery in getting GSP benefits.
“We want to make our export risk-free by introducing the GSP automation system,” a senior EPB official said, adding that the EPB believes the automated issuance of GSP certificates would eliminate the fraud and forgery associated with GSP certificate considerably.
He also said taking advantage of the weakness of manual issuance of GSP certificates, a section of foreign country exporters mainly those of China in connivance with local people would forge GSP certificates to avail the preferential advantage against their export to EU which hampered the country’s overall export growth and tarnished image seriously.
The GSP automation software will connect National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank (BB), the country’s central bank, for online verification of respective documents in order to determine the veracity of each consignment for which GSP certificate would be issued.
The software will also provide access to European Commission (EC) and European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for online verification of exported cargoes and GSP certificates.
The GSP is a trade arrangement through which the European Union (EU) provides preferential access of 176 developing countries to its market and territories including Bangladesh in the form of reduced tariffs for their goods.
The authority concerned in the meantime has provided training to more than 2,000 nominees of the export- oriented factories mainly those of garment ones. The training will continue until all the operators are well trained.
BBN/SSR/AD-01Sept14-8:15 am (BST)
