The no-objection certificate charge for freight forwarding will remain at the old rate of Tk 1,500 until review by a committee and recommend a rational charge.

The NOC charge was enhanced to Tk 2,500 with effect from January 1.

The decision was taken as exporters vehemently opposed the enhanced NOC charge at a meeting today presided over by Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan.

BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy and representatives from the BKMEA, NBR, Bangladesh Bank, Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), Commerce Ministry, Shipping Ministry, Chittagong Customs, C&F Agents Association and Bangladesh Freight Forwards Association (BAFA) were present.

The meeting decided to forma a committee under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to review the realization of No Objection Certificate (NOC) charge. It will submit report within a month recommending rational charge.

The committee included representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, Bangladesh Freight Forwards Association (BAFA), C&F Agents Association, Commerce Ministry, Bangladesh Bank, Shippers Council and Shipping Agents.

The Minister directed the concerned authority to realize Tk 1500 instead of Tk 2500 until a final decision is taken.

--UNB, Dhaka