The Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC) have led a series of two-day Sensitization Workshops on the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) in Bhutan during 6-22 October 2014 to brief Customs officials on the key principles of the RKC. Bhutan formally became the 96th contracting party to the RKC – the World Customs Organization international standard for an efficient and effective Customs regulatory procedure – on 15 September 2014, and is currently working toward implementation of the provisions of the General Annex of the RKC. 

The Kingdom of Bhutan is implementing the ADB-financed SASEC Trade Facilitation Program that is supporting a more efficient, transparent, secure and service-oriented processing of trade in the subregion. This program aims to develop modern and effective customs administration and/or managements, streamline and make more transparent trade processes and procedures, and improve services and information for private sector traders and investors in the three SASEC countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Implementation of the provisions of the RKC is a core component of the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program.

The workshops were conducted in the regional centers of Gelephu, Samtse, Phuentsholing, and Paro. Topics covered included:

• Overview of the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program
• Body of the Revised Kyoto Convention and its key benefits
• Practical Implementation of the General Annex and identified Specific Annexes of the RKC
• Overview of Gap Analysis implementation, including group discussions and presentations
• Special Procedures for Authorized Persons/Traders and Department of Revenue and DRC)’s plan to roll out a pilot project in 2015
   

Mr. Yonten Namgyel, Director, DRC stressed the importance of simplifying and harmonizing Customs procedures and practices, including the role of Customs officials in facilitating trade. DRC is in the process of amending the Sales Tax, Customs and Excise Act, 2000 as amended in 2012 (limited to Part II and General Provision) for compliance with the RKC.  

About 167 officials from the Regional Revenue and Customs Office of Mongar, Bumthang, Samdrupjongkhar, Gelephu, Samtse, Phuentsholing, Paro, and Thimphu attended the workshops, which were financed by the Asian Development Bank through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction.

Related Links: 

Officials Attend Revised Kyoto Convention Workshop
Bhutan’s Accession to the Revised Kyoto Convention