Enhancing Public Availability of Customs Information
In the Islamic Countries
85
out the current situation. As will be seen, aspects like websites and online availability have likely
improved significantly since the OECD data were collected in 2017.
Figure 42 shows results for the second major source, namely the UNGS. One area where
Bangladesh is at the global frontier is in terms of its establishment of a NTFC, which is complete.
In other areas, however, it is typically a partial implementer, therefore well within the best
practice frontier represented by Singapore, which has fully implemented all other requirements.
Again, the no implementation result on advance rulings should be nuanced by the information
presented below, which shows that such a system is now in place, although it is limited in terms
of the questions that can be considered.
Figure 42: Performance on information availability in the UNGS, Bangladesh and Singapore,
2017.
Source: UNGS.
Section 3 shows changes in Bangladesh’s UNGS scores over time, specifically 2015-2017. It is
notable that the country’s score on advance publication has increased during that period,
indicating that it has now partially implemented the requisite structures. The picture that
emerges from the UNGS data is one of short term improvement in the country’s approach to
trade facilitation, and specifically the public availability of Customs and trade-related
information.
Scope of Information Dissemination to the Public
As a signatory to the WTO TFA, Bangladesh is committed to ensuring that all Customs related
information is easily available to all relevant stakeholders and to the public. Bangladesh has
notified the implementation of all provisions of Article 1 on information availability, except for
1.1.1 (C) fees and charges imposed by or for governmental agencies on or in connection with
importation, exportation or transit, and 1.1.1 (h) procedures for appeal or review.22
22 Latest communication from Bangladesh to the WTO Committee on Trade Facilitation on the notification of
category commitments under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation circulated on 27 February 2018 (document
no: G/TFA/N/BGD/1).
0
0,5
1
1,5
2
2,5
3
National Trade Facilitation
Committee
Publication of existing
import-export regulations
on the internet
Stakeholders' consultation
on new draft regulations
(prior to their finalization)
Advance
publication/notification of
new regulations before their
implementation
Advance ruling (on tariff
classification)
Bangladesh Singapore