Border Customs To Get One-stop-service Centres

[george]

Border customs to get One-Stop-Service Centres

BANGKOK: -- Thailand plans to introduce ''one-stop-service'' centres at some of the country’s border towns to help speed up customs procedures for traders, according to a senior customs official.

One-stop centres will be established initially at four border checkpoints -- Mae Sai checkpoint in northern Chiang Rai province, Mae Sot checkpoint in Tak province, Aranyaprathet checkpoint in Prachinburi province bordering Cambodia, and another one in the nearby Mukdaharn province, the country’s chief customs official, Sathit Limpongpan told TNA on Sunday .

''The one-stop-service centres will cut down on the time consuming paperwork for cross-border traders and should also help increase the value of bilateral trade with our neighbouring countries,'' said Mr. Sathit.

Border trade has long been an important part of the Thai economy, he said. Customs officials hope to provide a speedier service to traders to help boost border trade, he said.

''Usually, to import certain goods from neighbouring Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, local traders need special licences. These they have to acquire from various ministries – including the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Health Ministry Health. In the past they would have to make special trips to Bangkok and waste their time. In the near future, our one-stop-service centres at the border check points will issue all licences on the spot. This will save a lot of time and effort, and allow the goods to be processed very quickly,'' he said.

Thailand's neighbours are expected to introduce a similar service for traders on their side of the border in due course, he said.

The Thai customs will begin a one-day-clearance service for cross-border traders from early next month.

''We will reduce the week-long process to only one day to save traders time and money,'' Mr. Sathit said.

--TNA 2004-10-24