B Mirror Report: To facilitate quicker clearance of imported goods and assist businesses in avoiding port demurrage expenses, Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman has ordered that pertinent services of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) remain operational even on weekly holidays.
Speaking as the principal guest at a stakeholder public meeting today at the BSTI headquarters in Tejgaon, Dhaka, he issued the directive.
The decision, taken in response to long-standing demands from the business community, is expected to speed up the release of imported products and reduce unnecessary demurrage charges at ports. BSTI officials have also been instructed to complete clearance of imported goods in less time than the period specified in the Citizen’s Charter.
The Industries Secretary said the government does not conduct business itself but creates a supportive policy environment for entrepreneurs. He assured that the government would continue to support businesses and address their concerns to maintain the country’s development momentum, according to a press release.
The public hearing was chaired by BSTI Director General (additional charge) M.A. Kamal Billah. Senior officials of BSTI and representatives from leading business groups attended the event. Participants included PRAN-RFL Group, Square Toiletries, City Group, Walton, ACI Limited, Polar Ice Cream, Olympic Bakery and Confectionary Limited, Olympia Bakery, Trust Infinity Farms, and Peerless Industries Limited, among others.
Various issues were discussed in the hearing, including identifying sources of counterfeit products and taking strict action against illegal producers, reducing the time required for issuing SROs related to product standards, testing food-grade colours in BSTI laboratories before use when necessary, unifying standards for sugar and non-sugar bread, and strengthening drives against non-compliant bakeries.
BSTI Director General said businesspeople are the driving force of the national economy and added, “You are our service recipients; we are accountable for any shortcomings in our services.”
He also said efforts are underway to reduce the time for SRO issuance and simplify the standard-setting process, adding that necessary steps will be taken based on the discussions of the public hearing.
