<i>Ctg computer business shines on customs automation </i>

An operator fills in a bill of entry on his computer at a shop at Agrabad in Chittagong. IT services gained a new momentum in the port city soon after the Chittagong Customs House introduced the automation system.Photo: STAR

Internet-based computer services business has gained popularity in Chittagong with an introduction of automated systems at the Chittagong Customs House.
Businessmen said daily sales shot up by around 20 percent with an increased demand for submitting bill of entries and e-mails regarding invoice packing lists or locating vessels through internet.
As many as 20 small-scale computer centres and several cyber cafes have been providing such services to meet the requirements of around 300 clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents. However, several C&F agents are now gradually being equipped with the internet.
In July 2008, the Chittagong Customs House was automated to increase revenues and check irregularities by enhancing efficiency.
With automation by DataSoft, a local software maker, manual processes at the port ceased.
The Import General Manifest (IGM) and Export General Manifest (EGM) modules were launched under the first phase of automation at the customs house.
Shipping agents, freight forwarders and stakeholders then began submitting IGM and EGM online from their offices or any other location.
Following automation, computer based businesses in Chittagong witnessed major changes. Computer centres in various parts of the port city are taking internet connections to help businessmen, especially C&F agents, to do customs-related work.
Mohammad Sohel and Mofassel Hossain turned their phone-fax shop, Madina Communication at the BSCIC Market at Badamtal Intersection, into such a centre eight months back.
“I had some computer and internet knowledge and immediately after the Customs House was automated, I got an opportunity to participate in a brief workshop regarding the automation system that was organised by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI),” said Sohel.
"Initially, we used dial up internet but as our business grew, we took a broadband connection," added Sohel.
“We get at least 30 to 40 customers everyday for internet based work and we can earn an additional Tk 3,000 a day, above the income from phone/fax services,” he added.
These shops have also installed photocopiers and printers, as C&F agents take printouts of documents and make xeroxed copies.
C&F agents everyday throng shops like SD Enterprise, Business Centre, Azmir Enterprise, Pragati Computer Network, National Type Writer Service, Zohra Enterprise, Tariqa Computer, Iqbal Store and Barlaw Cyber Doom located at Agrabad area for internet services.
Rajib, owner of Barlaw Cyber Doom, located on the ground floor of Hotel Saint Martin, said his daily income increased by 20 percent after the automation system was introduced in the Customs House.
Although there are computer and high-speed internet facilities at the help desk at the C&F Tower, many agents go to computer centres to save time and avoid hassles.
Zaved, who works for a C&F agent, said the skilled operators at various computer centres around the port city are able to complete the submission of a bill of entry in just 4-5 minutes.