Staff Correspondent:

In a significant step the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will formally launch Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) system next month to speed up international trade online.

The system, considered by NBR a milestone in making businesses faceless and digital, had a soft launch last month, officials said this week.

This platform aims to streamline the import and export processes by integrating multiple regulatory agencies into a unified digital framework.

The BSW is designed to automate and simplify procedures related to international trade, allowing traders to submit necessary documents such as certificates, licenses, and permits (CLPs) through a single online portal, according to NBR papers.

This initiative is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays, enhance transparency, and lower the costs associated with trade activities.

Initially, seven out of the 19 targeted regulatory agencies have been integrated into the system.

These include the Directorate General of Drug Administration, the Export Promotion Bureau, the Department of Explosives, the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, and the Department of Environment.

“We hope that the 12 others authorities would be on board from next month,” NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan told a recently held programme at the NBR.

He said that business people would be able to get various kind of licenses and permits from one single window.

“Request and deluvery pricess will be done from a single window. It will be a totally faceceless environemnt. The husiness people will not need to go anywhere,” the revenue collecting boss said.

The NBR has mandated that, effective from this February 1 all import and export-related CLPs for these seven agencies must be submitted exclusively through the BSW system, discontinuing manual submissions.

Furthermore, the NBR has set a deadline of March 1 this year for the remaining 12 agencies to integrate into the platform. Failure to comply may result in administrative actions, as emphasised by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed during last month’s launch event.

While the BSW represents a commendable effort towards modernizing Bangladesh’s trade infrastructure, its partial launch after an eight-year gestation period raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of project implementation.

Initiated in 2017 during the Awami League regime, the project’s prolonged timeline has delayed the anticipated benefits for the trading community.

The initial plan envisioned the integration of 19 agencies. However, as of now, only seven have been incorporated, with the rest pending integration by the newly set deadlines.

The staggered integration of agencies could pose challenges for traders who interact with multiple regulatory bodies, potentially leading to confusion and operational inefficiencies during the transition period.

Moreover, the success of the BSW hinges not only on the technological infrastructure but also on the readiness and adaptability of the involved agencies and the trading community.

Comprehensive training programmes and change management initiatives are essential to ensure a smooth transition from manual to digital processes, officials involved in the project mentioned.

Another critical aspect is the system’s robustness and security, the NBR officials said speaking on condition of anonymity.

Given the sensitive nature of trade data, the BSW must incorporate stringent cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches and unauthorised access.

Past incidents, such as the 2022 breach of the NBR’s server to release cargo at Chittagong Port, highlight the vulnerabilities in existing systems and underscore the need for enhanced security protocols in the BSW.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of the BSW in reducing corruption and enhancing transparency will depend on its ability to minimize human intervention in the approval processes, a senior NBR official said wishing anonymity as he is not authorised to speak on the subject.

While automation can streamline procedures, it is imperative to establish clear accountability mechanisms to prevent potential misuse or manipulation of the system.

The NBR said its initiative to implement the BSW aligns with global best practices in trade facilitation, aiming to create a more efficient and transparent trading environment in Bangladesh.

However, the partial and delayed implementation raises questions about project management and inter-agency coordination.

To realize the full potential of the BSW, it is crucial for the NBR and the associated agencies to expedite the integration process, ensure system security, provide adequate training to stakeholders, and establish robust monitoring mechanisms to oversee the system’s performance and address any emerging issues promptly.

While the launch of the BSW is a step in the right direction for Bangladesh’s trade facilitation, the challenges observed during its rollout highlight the need for a more proactive and coordinated approach to project implementation, according to analysts.

“The success of the BSW will ultimately depend on the collective commitment of the NBR, the integrated agencies, and the trading community to embrace and effectively utilize this digital platform,” according to another NBR official who also wished anonymity.