Finance minister orders shake up in Customs Dept after receiving complaints
After visiting the Customs Department on Wednesday, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said he has instructed officials to use technology to reduce the time spent on inspection so goods can be released quickly as well as to ensure transparency.
“The department’s job has shifted from collecting revenue to making import-export easier for business operators. Recently there have been many complaints about the department taking too long to release cargo. Hence, my policy is to introduce technology, so the process can become faster and more transparent,” Arkhom said.
He also followed up on the National Single Window system, which is meant to connect Thailand with Asean countries but is not working effectively. Arkhom said the licensing system and database should be completed by 2021, so demands from local and foreign businesses can be met.
He has also ordered stricter controls on illegal imports and has instructed officials to ensure cargo is sanitised before release to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The minister went on to say that in a bid to make Thailand a hub for international shipping, the Map Ta Phut checkpoint in the Eastern Economic Corridor will be used as another shipping centre.
