They reaffirmed shared commitment to strengthen Customs cooperation
Various
GLOBAL, April 28, 2025: The 6th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) Meeting between India and Bhutan was held in Thimphu, Bhutan. The meeting was co-chaired by Surjit Bhujabal, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Government of India, and Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan.
India is Bhutan’s top trade partner both as an import source and as an export destination, accounting for about 80% of Bhutan’s overall trade. Trade with Bhutan through the land Customs Stations is significant as Bhutan is a land-locked country.
The India-Bhutan Joint Group of Customs meetings are held annually to discuss issues relating to the re-defining and re-engineering of Customs procedures, promote Customs cooperation and cross-border trade facilitation with alignment to global best practices. There are 10 Land Customs Stations along the India-Bhutan Border in the States of West Bengal (6) and Assam (4).
The 6th JGC meeting discussed a host of bilateral issues for enhancing trade and transit between the two countries. The automation and digitization of transit processes, Coordinated Border Management (CBM), pre-arrival exchange of Customs data, Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) and movement of transit cargo under Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) were discussed, among others.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note.
The Bhutanese side extended their sincere thanks to CBIC for their continued support, especially recognizing the capacity-building workshop titled ‘Advancing India Bhutan Trade and Economic Partnership’, held from July 29 to August 1 2024, which played a vital role in easing export processes and addressing trade-related concerns.
India proposed extending capacity-building programmes in the areas of Risk Management System (RMS), Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), Food Safety Standards besides need-based capacity building for importers and exporters from the Bhutanese side.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening Customs cooperation, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring secure and efficient border management.
https://indigenousherald.com/