Sri Lanka aims to have best customs office in region: Treasury Secretary

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:49:16

04 Jan, 2013 12:00:30

Jan 04, 2013 (LBO) - Sri Lanka is aiming to have the best customs office in the region with the office fully online and three 'free ports' in operation, Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera said.

Sri Lanka's customs office will have ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data) World system operating by March 2013, allowing online clearing of exports and imports, he said.

"Don't be cynical when we make ambitious targets," Jayasundera told reporters in Colombo.

"It is the dream of Sri Lanka customs and the finance ministry to the best Customs in the region."

By March 'free port' arrangement will be in three ports, he said.

Jayasundera said Sri Lanka Customs will be handling about 30 billion US dollars of import and exports a year.

Customs will also facilitate the about a million tourists are year, he said.