Intl Customs Day observed

A Panel discussion to mark the International Customs Day was held in the city on Monday. It focused on the transition of the Customs Department from being a controller to regulator,and now,to a facilitator,to maintain harmony in business in the larger interest of revenue collection efforts. A plea was also made by the business class to upgrade the use of information technology beyond filling of forms.

Lipika Roy Choudhury,Chief Commissioner,Customs,Gujarat zone,underlined the importance of the event and said the Customs Department had taken several steps for the speedy clearance of imported and export goods in Gujarat. She said revenue for the Gujarat zone was likely to cross Rs 8,500 crore in the current financial year.

The panel discussion that followed on the theme ‘Customs and Business – Improving performance through partnership’ generated views of GCCI president Samir Shah,industrialist Piruz Khambata,Professor K Raghuram from IIM-A and A K Prasad,Commissioner (appeals),Daman. Additional Commissioner of Customs P K Sinha moderated the discussion.