Record revenue collection by Mongla customs house
Mongla Customs House has collected a record amount of revenue in the last financial year.
The customs realised Tk 1,198 crore in revenue against the target of Tk 850 crore in 2011-2012 fiscal year, Tk 348 crore higher than the target and Tk 391 crore more than that of the last financial year.
A total of Tk 807 crore were realised in fiscal 2010-11.
Mongla Port realised Tk 798 crore from import of vehicles, Tk 16 crore from machinery, Tk 87 crore from clinkers and Tk 297 crore from import of other goods.
The record amount of revenue collection from the port has been possible due to quick service delivery, increasing service standard, strengthening the skills of the customs officials and employees, effective measures to check tax evasion, automation, and zero tolerance to irregularities, said Customs Commissioner SM Humayn Kabir.
Sources said the arrival of foreign ships at Mongla Port started declining in the early 90s due to frequent labour unrest, politicisation, bureaucratic tangles, and irregularities of a section of politicians and businessmen.
The image of the port was damaged badly while the state coffers remained deprived of huge revenue.
However, positive efforts during the present government, mobilisation of local businessmen, politicians and civil society members have encouraged importers to trade through this port, said the Customs Commissioner.
He said the import cost decreased to a great extent due to quick delivery of goods after completing necessary official formalities within short time.
Encashment of bank guarantees after settlement of cases pending with the Supreme Court has also helped boost the revenue income.
Observers said many more ships will arrive in the port on export-import purposes if adequate ferries are ensured at Mawa.
General secretary of Greater Khulna Development Coordination Committee Ashraf Uz Zaman said there is no alternative to starting capital dredging of Mongla Port to keep the economic wheel of Khulna region moving.
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