During separate exchanges of views with senior officials related to customs in Chittagong, BGMEA leaders emphasized on modernization of customs services, strengthening coordination and simplification of processes to speed up and facilitate export activities, a press release said.
On April 20, 2026, a delegation of BGMEA exchanged views separately with the newly created ICD Customs House, Chittagong Commissioner Abu Bashar Md. Shafiqur Rahman, Customs Commissioner, Chittagong Mohammad Shafi Uddin and Commissioner of Customs Bond Commissionerate, Chittagong Md. Zakir Hossain.
The exchange of views was attended by BGMEA Acting First Vice President Mohammad Rafiq Chowdhury, Directors Faisal Samad, MD. M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Enamul Aziz Chowdhury, former director and chairman of the Standing Committee on Customs Affairs in Chittagong, Anjan Shekhar Das and senior officials of the concerned departments.
During the exchange of views, BGMEA leaders said that the launch of the newly created customs house will further facilitate business activities at the ICD level and if the activities are carried out in coordination with BGMEA and BICDA with the full cooperation of the customs authorities, the export activities will be further accelerated. As a result, customs clearance can be completed directly at the ICD level, which will save both time and cost and make the process more dynamic.
BGMEA Acting First Vice President Mohammad Rafiq Chowdhury congratulated the concerned customs authorities and said that the full implementation of the ICD activities will further facilitate the export process and will play an important role in removing existing obstacles in the industrial sector.
Director Faisal Samad praised the positive and cooperative attitude of the customs authorities and said that for a long time, delays, additional costs and complications were being created in the export and import process due to the limitations of customs activities at the ICD level. The launch of the newly created customs house will be a significant solution to these problems. At the same time, he proposed to form a committee in collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders including BICDA to revise the ICD policy, so that an effective and industry-friendly policy can be formulated.
Director MD. M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury emphasized on the speedy implementation of the ICD policy, modernization of off-dock activities and provision of improved services through technology-based automation system.
Director Enamul Aziz Chowdhury emphasized on further strengthening the existing coordination and partnership between Customs and BGMEA. Chairman of the Standing Committee on Customs Affairs Anjan Shekhar Das highlighted some of the practical problems existing in customs activities and called for effective solutions.
At this time, emphasis was laid on ensuring one-stop service, green channel goods clearance facilities and fast, transparent and accountable service through digital services through coordination between ports, customs, bonds and banks.
Abu Bashar Md. Shafiqur Rahman, Commissioner of ICD Customs House, Chittagong, said that the ICD policy is in the final stage and if it is approved, import-export activities will be faster and smoother. He further said that in the context of discussions with BGMEA, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will be informed about the introduction of ICD Code-306 from June 1.
Customs Commissioner Mohammad Shafi Uddin said that transparency and dynamism will increase in import and export activities as ICD activities are separated from the customs house.
Bond Commissioner Md. Zakir Hossain said that all possible cooperation will be provided to facilitate export activities by resolving any emerging problems quickly through mutual coordination between Bond and BGMEA.
