By P. Vijian, Bernama,
New Delhi : Impressed with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s comprehensive computer network for clearance and administration, India will soon sign a pact to electronically link up with the department.
Department director-general Datuk Seri Abd Rahman Abd Hamid said that China and Japan were also keen to connect with Malaysia.
“They are impressed with us…India wants to learn our system and interface with our Customs…so do China and Japan.
“India and Malaysia have mutually agreed to conduct a study by establishing a task force soon,” Abd Rahman told Bernama after the conclusion of the 12th World Customs Organisation’s (WCO) Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference in Delhi.
The electronic-based Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) network, introduced by WCO, aims to improve the supply chain security and customs compliance, which would eventually help expedite movement of goods, thus minimising time for exporters and importers.
Malaysia is recognised as the first AEO in the Asia Pacific region for its efficiency in handling cargo clearances at all point of entries — 29 Customs airports and 85 Customs seaports.
“We are now fully computerised, we can clear goods within 15 minutes as compared to two to three days, previously. Our target is to link up with at least the three countries (China, India and Japan) in the region because our trade volume with these countries is big,” said Abd Rahman.
He said Japan and Malaysia had completed almost 75 percent of the negotiations on signing a memorandum of understanding to implement the system between both countries.
Malaysia is the 19th largest trading nation in the world, with its economy surpassing a trillion ringgit and its bilateral trade with Japan amounting to nearly RM120 billion last year.
Malaysia’s bilateral trade with India is close to RM25 billion.
Indian Customs officials are expected to be in Malaysia for a study tour later this year.