The weekly newsletter from the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) dated 14/07/2023 highlights India’s exceptional trade facilitation ranking and showcases a traditional art form from the Tirupathi region. The newsletter also mentions significant achievements in customs operations and emphasizes the importance of supporting communities affected by extreme weather events.
According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific’s Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, India has made remarkable progress in trade facilitation. With a score of 93.55% in 2023, up from 90.32% in 2021, India is at the forefront of global trade facilitation efforts. The survey recognized India’s achievements in transparency, formalities, institutional arrangement and cooperation, and paperless trade. It also highlighted the commitment to gender inclusivity in trade facilitation, with a substantial improvement in scores for the “Women in Trade Facilitation” component.
The newsletter acknowledges the efforts of various initiatives such as Turant Customs, Single Window Interface for Facilitation of Trade (SWIFT), and Pre-Arrival data processing in streamlining processes, enhancing transparency, and promoting cooperation among stakeholders. It also mentions the cultural significance of the traditional art of making ornamental Marapachi Bommais from the Tirupathi region, showcasing the intricacy of their carving and decoration.
Additionally, the newsletter celebrates the successful return of seized Marapachi Bommais and other antique items by Bengaluru Customs Zone to the Archaeological Survey of India. It highlights a significant anti-smuggling achievement by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), with the seizure of over 48 kg of gold in paste form at Surat International Airport, valued at over Rs. 25 Crore.
The Chairman’s message also urges readers to be mindful of extreme weather events and encourages extending help to affected communities.
TEXT OF THE NEWSLETTER IS AS FOLLOWS:-
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Tel. : +91-11-23092849, Fax : +91-11-23092890
E-mail : [email protected]
Vivek Johri, Chairman
DO No. 13/CH(IC)/2023 Dated: 14th July, 2023
The week has brought some more glad tidings. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific’s (UNESCAP) Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation has placed India at the forefront of global trade facilitation efforts, with an impressive score of 93.55% in 2023, up from 90.32% in 2021.
The 2023 survey, covering more than 140 economies and evaluating 60 trade facilitation measures recognized the exceptional progress across various indicators. The survey gave us a perfect score of 100% in four key areas: Transparency, Formalities, Institutional Arrangement and Cooperation, and Paperless Trade.
This is a testament to our Trade Facilitation efforts in streamlining our processes, enhancing transparency and promoting cooperation among stakeholders through initiatives such as Turant Customs, Single Window Interface for Facilitation of Trade (SWIFT), Pre-Arrival data processing, e-Sanchit, Coordinated Border Management etc. It also validates and affirms the findings of National TRSs without actually measuring the outcomes in the form of Average Release Time.
Particularly heartening is the substantial improvement in our scores for the “Women in Trade Facilitation” component from 66.7% in 2021 to 77.8% in 2023 thereby indicating commitment to gender inclusivity and the empowerment of women in the sector.
Moving ahead, I would like to share about a special art from the Tirupathi region – the traditional art of making ornamental Marapachi Bommais (wooden dolls). Traditionally made from red sandalwood and displayed during the Golu festival in South India as part of Dassara or Navaratri celebrations.
The dolls made in pairs and dressed up for display during the Golu or “Bommai Kolu” festival. The ones made in Tirupathi are known for the intricacy of their carving and decoration.
A pair of exquisite Marapachi Bommais along with other seized/confiscated antique items were handed over by Bengaluru Customs Zone to the Archaeological Survey of India, last week. Heartiest congratulations to the officers for returning the Marapachi Bommais and others to their homes.
On the anti-smuggling front, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized more than 48 kg of Gold in paste form being attempted to be imported at the Surat International Airport. Valued at over Rs. 25 Crore, the seizure is amongst the biggest at an airport in recent times.
Before I sign off of the week, I would like to mention about the extreme weather events in the recent past. A number of places have been impacted by heavy rains and floods. I would urge you to take care of your families as well as extend all possible help to our respective communities in this hour of need.
Till next week!
Yours Sincerely,
(Vivek Johri)
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
