The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has planned to give World Customs Organisation (WCO) certificate of merit to customs officials and public or private entities for automation, reform activities, modernisation, outstanding performance in curbing money laundering and smuggling.
The NBR has already set nine parameters for selecting the persons eligible for WCO certificate of merit, sources said.
"The customs officials and public or private entities will be selected on the basis of their contribution to trade facilitation, innovation, simplification of services, support for automation, reform activities, modernisation, outstanding performance in curbing money laundering and smuggling and as per other WCO guidelines," said an NBR official.
He said the certificate of merit will be given to customs officials and other stakeholders. The parameters are outlined in the draft 'WCO Certificate of Merit Policy-2021'.
NBR's customs and VAT wing has already circulated the draft of the policy to all the customs and VAT offices across the country asking them to give their opinion by June 30, said the NBR official.
While explaining the draft policy, the official said a committee of NBR would select the customs officials and public or private entities for the certificate of the merit for their activities in curbing money laundering and smuggling and as per other WCO guidelines.
He said a total of 17 customs officials and three public or private firms would be awarded the certificates of merit.
"It will be an annual event marking the International Customs Day that falls on January 26," he added.
The selection committee would invite applications 60 days before the International Customs Day.
The draft policy has set the eligibility criteria for the award.
The private and public sector entities which have revenue arrears against import, export or other activities would not be considered for the award.
Customs and VAT officials who have departmental cases or any corruption and criminal cases against them would also not be eligible for the award.
Customs and VAT officials from both cadre and non-cadre services will have to work for at least two years to be eligible for the award.
The selected officials will receive a certificate signed by the WCO Secretary General, Tk 50,000 from the Bangladesh Customs and a crest. However, other stakeholders will not receive any money.
In the draft policy, the NBR attached a prescribed form for application where aspirants would have to give details of their contribution, educational qualifications and other personal details.
The NBR would issue a gazette notification with the names of award winners after the final selection.