Virtually inaugurated ICES at 2 new Land Customs Station, Nagarakata and Kulkuli in West Bengal
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman virtually inaugurated Indian Customs EDI – Electronic Data Interchange – System (ICES) in recently operationalised two Land Customs Stations, Nagarakata in the districts of Jalpaiguri and Kulkuli in the district of Alipurduar in West Bengal.
In her address, the Union Finance Minister said that the electronic data interchange will facilitate data sharing on real-time basis and therefore encourage more border trade. Smt. She underlined the importance of Sashastra Seema Bal in containing the illicit trade. While referring to SAFTA agreement for duty free trade between the neighbouring countries, the Union Finance Minister also stressed on duty free quota free (DFQF) trade with minimum items in negative list for improving cross – border trade with neighbouring countries.
She also stated that EDI system will help in tracking, monitoring and facilitating the bilateral trade happening between India and its neighbouring countries. “Such systems are being deployed all across the country,” Smt. Sitharaman said. The Finance Minister also said that CBIC should give special attention towards the land-locked counties like Bhutan and Nepal and be a helpful nation to the neighbouring countries.
During her visit to Panitanki, the Finance Minister was appraised on the role of Customs in using advance technology installed to deliver service in cost and time effective manner, thus enhancing trade with our neighbouring nation.