2024-11-17-亚开行-跨境无纸贸易准备情况评估更新_孟加拉国（英）_118页_1mb

Summary of the Readiness Assessment for Cross-Border Paperless Trade: Bangladesh

Core Content

This document provides an updated readiness assessment for Bangladesh to implement cross-border paperless trade, based on the original 2019 assessment. It outlines the progress made in technical and legal readiness, identifies gaps, and proposes recommendations and an action plan to further enhance Bangladesh's capacity for digital trade facilitation.

The assessment was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh, and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It highlights Bangladesh's commitment to the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific (CPTA), which it ratified in October 2020. The report serves as a basis for policy formulation and the development of a national roadmap for implementing the CPTA.

Main Points

Technical Readiness

• Significant progress has been made since the 2019 assessment, particularly in the establishment and development of the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW).
• The National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) has been formally established, with the Ministry of Commerce as the secretariat.
• Customs automation has seen limited changes, with ASYCUDA still in use, but integration of the e-payment system under the Bangladesh Bank has been a major development.
• Port automation has improved, with the Chittagong Port Authority (now Chattogram Port Authority) and other land ports adopting the Container Terminal Operating System (CTOS), enhancing connectivity with ASYCUDA.
• Certificate/license/permit issuing agencies (CLPIAs) have made progress in automation, with 12 major CLPIAs completing or nearly completing their internal process automation, while 28 others have made minimal or no progress.
• ICT infrastructure has improved, with network connectivity available in all districts and fibre optic connections being expanded to cover all border posts and government offices.

Legal Readiness

• Bangladesh has limited legal frameworks specifically for cross-border paperless trade.
• The amendment of the Evidence Act (1872) and Customs Act (1969), as well as the draft data protection act, mark progress in legal readiness.
• Five key legal reforms are recommended:
  1. Modernize electronic transaction statutes, particularly the ICT Act.
  2. Harmonize data retention and electronic archiving provisions with the proposed data protection act.
  3. Clearly define the nature and functions of the BSW through legislation.
  4. Establish clear liability criteria for stakeholders involved in cross-border paperless trade, especially through service level agreements (SLAs).
  5. Strengthen legal frameworks for cross-border cooperation and interoperability.

Key Information

• The BSW is expected to be fully implemented by 30 June 2030, though the National Board of Revenue (NBR) aims to accelerate this to 2027.
• A vendor for BSW development has been selected, and the system is being developed with technical and legal readiness checklists.
• Disaster recovery is being planned, with a tier III data centre proposed for trade data.
• Interoperability is a priority, and the Bangladesh National Digital Architecture is being developed to ensure integration with ASYCUDA.
• The E-Government Master Plan for Digital Bangladesh identifies e-customs single window as a key priority.

Recommendations

Technical Recommendations

• Strengthen the governance structure for paperless trade.
• Continue the automation of CLPIAs and ensure interconnectivity with the BSW.
• Develop business process re-engineering and data harmonization.
• Enhance user authentication and data security.
• Improve capacity-building programs for all agencies involved in paperless trade.
• Continue efforts to modernize ICT infrastructure and expand Internet connectivity.

Legal Recommendations

• Update electronic transactions and signatures law.
• Enact laws defining the BSW and its functions.
• Address cross-border legal issues such as data ownership, liability, and dispute resolution.
• Strengthen legal frameworks for interoperability and cooperation.
• Promote legal awareness and capacity-building among stakeholders.

Action Plan

• The action plan is structured around technical and legal aspects, with specific steps outlined for each.
• It includes checklists for both technical and legal readiness.
• The national roadmap for implementing CPTA was finalized in February 2024.

Way Forward

• The readiness assessment report provides a foundation for policy formulation and initiatives in the trade facilitation sector.
• It highlights the need for continued coordination and legal and technical reforms.
• The BSW is expected to be the key enabler for cross-border paperless trade in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh is encouraged to engage more actively in regional and subregional initiatives such as SASEC and the CPTA to promote interoperability and digital trade facilitation.

Conclusion

The updated readiness assessment demonstrates that Bangladesh has made notable progress in the path towards cross-border paperless trade. However, gaps remain, particularly in legal frameworks and inter-agency coordination. The report serves as a guideline for further improvements and implementation of digital trade facilitation measures in the country.