The importers urged the government to waive fines as they couldn’t unload their goods from the port within the stipulated time in light of the existing general holiday and absence of normal customs clearance.
The businesses said they couldn’t collect the required documents from the shipping agency under the circumstance of COVID-19 pandemic.
So, the importers sent a letter to the Ministry of Shipping and the Chittagong Port Authority seeking waiver of fines imposed on them considering the current situation.
Executive Member of Bangladesh Paper Merchants Association and General Secretary of Chattogram Kagoj O Cellophane Babosai Group Mohammad Belal in the statement said the government extended the general holiday till May 5 to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 but various goods used as raw material like paper and paper board of the printing industry arrived at Chittagong port in the time.
“In the circumstance of Coronavirus, importers couldn’t pay taxes not having any directive of the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Besides, the customs authorities also stopped the activities of customs. Meanwhile, the NBR issued a circular ordering normal tariffs on April 22,” he added.
Mohammad Belal said it’s not logical to demand fines under the circumstance.
“Therefore, considering the existing situation, the Chittagong Port Authority and other authorities concerned are being urged to take necessary steps for waiving the fines of shipping agents and ports,” Belal also said.
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mahbubul Alam said the authorities concerned should take initiatives so that the traders can unload goods at Chittagong port till April 30 without any fine.
“The shipping agents’ offices are open till 1 pm, which is delaying the making of paper and the traders have to pay fines. The shipping office should be open till 3 pm,” he also requested.
Mahbubul Alam said small and medium traders in Chittagong do business worth around Tk 37,000 crore in the holy month of Ramadan. But, there is no chance of that this year following COVID-19. So, a strategy is needed on how to gradually open up the business activities maintaining health protection.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
