Kathmandu : On the occasion of the 73rd International Customs Day, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce honored Gopal Prasad Bhattarai, Section Officer at the Department of Customs, for his outstanding contributions to customs operations and trade facilitation.

The recognition, based on the department's recommendation, highlights Bhattarai's commitment to excellence in public service.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chamber President Kamalesh Kumar Agrawal emphasized the need for customs reforms to streamline processes and curb illegal trade at border points. He advocated for replacing the reference valuation system with transaction-based valuation in line with global standards and called for a review of harmonized codes to enhance accuracy in tax assessments.

Former Chamber President Rajendra Malla underscored the importance of modernizing customs through technology to improve efficiency and combat smuggling. Senior Vice President Deepak Malhotra pointed out the challenges of overvaluation in customs assessments and suggested that adopting a transaction-based valuation approach could enhance revenue collection.

Finance Secretary Ram Prasad Ghimire highlighted the government's commitment to policy reforms and collaboration with the private sector to address regulatory challenges and create a business-friendly environment.

The Nepal Chamber of Commerce, through such recognitions, continues to support efforts that enhance transparency and efficiency in Nepal’s customs operations, contributing to economic growth and trade facilitation.