Bhutan Status of Cross Border & Transit Transport

21st January 2014 Hotel Taj Tashi, TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM • Road- the principle mode of transport in . • Construction began in early sixties – national road network expanded over 10,000km • All twenty districts are connected by road network • Road construction in the country is costly and challenging due to rugged mountainous terrain. • Air services: – operate to nine destinations in six countries: • - Delhi,Kolkata,Gaya,Guwahati,Bagdogra • Dhaka- Bangla Desh, • Katmandu-Nepal, • Bangkok –Thailand, • Yangoon-Myanmar • Singapore. • Tashi Air-A private airline has commenced operation recently • Domestic air services commenced since December 2011 • No rail transport, no inland water transport and no dry port TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CONTD.

• Motorization has been rapid: – With 13,584 in 1997 – 67,499 in 2012 – with an annual increase of 11%

• Vehicle model split:

– Trucks/Buses -14% – Light vehicles/passenger cars -58% – 2Wheelers -14% – Taxis -08% – Others -06% TRANSIT ROUTE • To third countries including Bangladesh and Nepal via Indian territory.

• Nepal: – Panitanki (India) and Kakarbhitta (Main Route) – Raxaul (India) -Birgunj (Also agreed)

• Bangladesh: – Changrabanda (India) and Burimari (Bangladesh) - 115 Km from Phuentsholing (Main route) – Dawki (India) and Tamabil (Bangladesh) from eastern Bhutan (mainly in exporting oranges from southeastern Bhutan to Bangladesh) – Dalu (India) – Nakugaon (Bangladesh) and Gasuapara (India) – Haluaghat (Bangladesh) – Fulbari (India) - Banglabandha (Bangladesh) and Dhubri (India) - Noonkhawa (Bangladesh) Exit/entry points in India for the imports into and exports from Bhutan

I. India side checkpost Bhutan Side Checkpost 1 Birpara Gomtu/Pugli 2 Chamurchi - road route Samtse 3 Darranga - road route S/Jongkhar 4 Hathisar () - road route Gelephu 5 - road route Phuentsholing 6 Partshala Nanglam 7 Rangapani-road route Lhamoizingkha 8 Ulta Pani - road route Jitti II Other Transit routes Future Transit III Routes 1 Changrabandh - road route Chittagaong, Bangla 2 Chennai - sea & air route 1 Desh 3 Dawki - road route Mongla Port, Bangla 4 Dhubri - riverine route 2 Desh 5 Haldia - sea route 6 Kolkata - air & sea route 7 Mumbai - sea & air route 8 New Delhi - air route 9 Panitanki - road route 10 Phulbari - road route 11 Raxaul - road & rail route Major types of vehicles used in cross-border and transit transport

• Standard Truck (18’x7’) upto 09 MT • Mini Truck (12’x6’) upto 05 MT • Standard Trailer (40’x9’x9’) upto 18 MT (not valid for container transport) • More than 18 MT per ton (not valid for container transport) • 1x20’ container upto 18MT (on one vehicle) • More than 18 MT per ton (on one vehicle) • 2x20’ container upt to 18 MT (on one vehicle) • More than 18 MT per ton (on one vehicle) • 40’ container upto 18 MT • More than 18 MT per ton • Low bed trailer (20’x10’x12’) upto 18 MT • More than 18 MT per ton Volume and types of goods and containerization Kolkata to Phuentsholing (amount in Ngultrums/rupees)

4,500,000,000.00

) 4,000,000,000.00 . u 3,500,000,000.00 N

n i

3,000,000,000.00 s d

o 2,500,000,000.00

o 2011 g

2,000,000,000.00 f

o 2012

e 1,500,000,000.00 2013 m

u 1,000,000,000.00 l o

V 500,000,000.00 - LCL 20' 40' Vehicles Mode of clearances IMPORT & EXPORT STRUCTURE

• IMPORT FROM INDIA: – As per the Bilateral Trade Agreement

• THIRD COUNTRY IMPORT: – All imports via Kolkata Port, India – Bangladesh and Nepal via Indian Territory BHUTAN’S TOP TEN IMPORT AND EXPORT DESTINATIONS, 2011 Sl. No Export Import ($ M) ($ M) Country Country 1 India 341.45 India 754.04 2 Hong Kong 72.96 South Korea 62.49 3 Bangladesh 26.28 Singapore 39.52 4 Japan 2.79 Japan 32.92 5 2.56 26.22 Italy Thailand 6 Germany 1.76 China 18.82 7 Nepal 1.63 Italy 13.75 8 U.K 0.56 Germany 13.70 9 Singapore 0.26 French Polynesia 12.94 10 China 0.13 Sweden 12.46

Source: Bhutan Trade Statistics 2011, DRC, Ministry of Finance, Thimphu. BHUTAN'S OVERALL EXPORT, IMPORT AND TRADE BALANCE, 2001-2011

1,200.00

1,000.00

800.00

600.00 N O I L L I

M 400.00

N I

) D S U (

200.00 E U L A V - 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

-200.00

-400.00

-600.00

Source: Bhutan Trade Statistics, DRC, Ministry of Finance, Thimphu, Bhutan. BHUTAN'S OVERALL EXPORT PERFORMANCE, 2001-2011

700.00 D S U

N O I L L

600.00 I M

N I

E U L

500.00 A V

400.00

300.00

200.00

100.00

- 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Source: Bhutan Trade Statistics, DRC, Ministry of Finance, Thimphu. BHUTAN'S OVERALL IMPORT PERFORMANCE, D S U

2001-2011 N O I L L I M

N I

E U L

A 800.00 V 700.00 600.00 500.00 400.00 300.00 200.00 100.00 - 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Source: Bhutan Trade Statistics, DRC, Ministry of Finance, Thimphu. Import Statistics through Phuentsholing(Nu.)

I. Import 2012 2013

Bangla desh 237,367,491.52 113,099,664.62

Nepal 382139085.3 42627937.77

II. No of vehicles

Bangla desh 393 216

Nepal 247 142 III. No. of Transactions Bangladesh 394 216 Nepal 247 142 Import from Nepal & Bangla Desh in 2012-2013 through Phuentsholing

Bangla Desh Nepal

382139085.26

237,367,491.52

113,099,664.62

42627937.77

2012 2013 Export Statistics through Phuentsholing (Nu.) I. Export 2012 2013

B/Desh 855,474,196.99 1,053,654,369.45

Nepal 14,688,289.00 47,402.50 II. No of v/cles B/Desh 6739 6679 Nepal 61 61 TOTAL TRADE THROUGH

PHUENTSHOLINGD (EXPORT & IMPORT) S U

N O I L

1,000.00L I M

900.00 N I

800.00E U L

700.00A V 600.00

500.00

400.00

300.00

200.00

100.00

- 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: Bhutan Trade Statistics, DRC, Ministry of Finance, Thimphu. Export to B/Desh & Nepal (in Nu.)

1,200,000,000.00 1,053,654,369.45

1,000,000,000.00 855,474,196.99

800,000,000.00

600,000,000.00

400,000,000.00

200,000,000.00

14,688,289.00 47,402.50 - 2012 2013

Bangla desh Nepal IMPORT & EXPORT DOCUMENTS EXPORT IMPORT

1. Trade license 1. Bill of Lading; 2. Commercial Invoice; 2. Commercial Invoice attested by the bank through which 3. Packing List; payment has been made; 4. Certificate of Origin; 3. Packing List; 5. Export Declaration; 4. Certificate of Origin; 6. Insurance document, as 5. Certificate of insurance, as applicable; applicable; 6. Transport Challan/Bill; and 7. Transport Bill (truck 7. Special permit from the Government agency concerned receipt); when a restricted product is imported either from India or 8. Phyto-sanitary and third countries (not relevant in the case of import of fruit zoosanitary certificates juices from Bangladesh). 9. Letter of authorization from Additional documents required for Third Country Import: the exporter to the clearing 8. Customs copy of Import License; agent where such agent is 9. Letter of Guarantee issued by RRCO or LTO, Kolkata; appointed by the exporter. 10. Jetty Challan* for the Port Trust Authority (PTA), Kolkata; 11. Loading Order* from the Port, Kolkata; 12. Dispatch Challan* from LTO, Kolkata; 13. Import Declaration Form (CD Form-III); 14. Exchange Control Copy of the payment instruction issued by the Bhutanese Bank. (* items not needed for import from Bangladesh or Nepal) Roles of Various Agencies Export to Bangla Desh:

1. Deptt of Trade/RTIO:

1. Issues Trade license. 2. Issue of COO. 3. Ensure to be registered member of BCCI. 4. Issue token.

2. Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs/:

5. Issue security clearance certificate.

3. Bhutan Chamber & Commerce Industries:

6. Traders register as member

4. Bhutan Food Regulatory Authority:

1. Issues phyto-sanitary certificate against exports. Roles of Agencies for Export to Bangla Desh cont…

5. Ministry of Health:  issues medical certificates to labours 6. Ministry of Labour & Human Resource:  Issues labor permit to Bangla Beshi labours 7. Bhutan Exporter Association:  coordinates exports.  Apply labour permit once requirement submitted by exporters.  Apply for phyto-sanitary certificate 8. Customs:  Issues export declarations 9. Bhutan Importer:  Cross check with bank on the deposit of sales proceed.  Arrange transport till indo-bangla border. Roles of Various Agencies Import Clearance of Bangla Desh goods to Bhutan:

1. Deptt of Trade/RTIO:  Obtain Trade license.  Obtain import license.  Register for import house permit.

2. Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs/Royal Bhutan Police:  Obtain security clearance certificate.

3. Bhutan Importer:  Transfer money to exporter.  Arrange transport from indo-Bangla border

4. Customs:  Issues letter of gurantee.  Clearance of goods at Burimari.  Clearance of goods at Changrabandha  Issue import declaration. CUSTOMS PREMISES AND GOODS ENTER THE VEHICLE NOS ARE IMPORTER PROCEED TO CLEARING AGENTS PHUENTSHOLING MAIN GATE REGISTERED AT THE GO TO ENTRANCE

Commercial Invoice/Excise Customs Declaration Invoice/Certificate of Origin/Permits/Necessary Documents NO PHYSICAL VERIFICATION OF GOODS

INCHARGE/SHIFT HIGHER AUTHORITIES CONSULTATION OK INCHARGE

NO TEMPORARY REGISTRATION

OK

TAX/NON TAX DETENTION/SEIZURE/CONFISCATION TAX

REVOLVING A/C N N O O NO YES N MAY ALSO RESULT TO REVENUE ACCTS. CUSTOMS T A X EXIT OF VEHICLE WITH GOODS PAYMENT AND THE DETAILS OF THE ENTRANCE ARE CROSS VERIFIED ALONG WITH ENSURANCE OF COMPLETION OF CUSTOMS OK FORMALITIES PERMANENT REGISTRATION Procedure Flow Chart at LTO, Kolkata, India [APPENDIX 3, WCO SAFE FoS Diagnostic Report, p. 57]

Invoice Import License is Packing List Importer issued by Ministry Insurance of Trade Truck Start to Freight charge Phuentsholing Ceretificate of orgin B/L

Receive License All document Return the B/E and other returned to the to the Cearning documents and Cearning Agent Agent develop Bill of Entry (Permission of (B/E) Transit)

Request and Issue

Receive Import Letter of Submit B/E with LTO input Clearing License from Issue Dispatch Guranttee (L/G) other documents information to AgentPay Service Ministry of Trade by CHALLAN by LTO is issued by such as L/G, BACS and issue Charge to LTO e-mail throug Bhutan Customs License, B/L, Import (0.25% of CIF BACS Invoice to LTO Declaration Kolkota) Number

Indian Customs Loaded at Truck Submit all Assess the Bill of Officer at Dock and sealed by document to Entry and Issu check number and Indian Customs Indian Customs Declaration mark of the cargo Number

Payment of Carog Obtain Sale Tax JETTY CHALLAN Handring Charge Seal from issued from PTSA to Port Trust Commercial Tax Authority (PTA) Office ADB Assisted Initiatives

• SASEC Road Connectivity Project

• SASEC Trade Facilitation Program SASEC Road Connectivity Project

• DEVELOPMENT IMPACT: – Industrial development and regional trade promoted in the southern economic hubs • Mini Dry Port in Phuentsholing • Northern By-Pass & Bridge in Phuentsholing • Customs Land Station at Allay, Bhutan • Road Access to Pasakha, Bhutan

• PROJECT OUTCOME: – Efficient, safe, and expanded capacity of road transport infrastructure in the southern region of Bhutan with India and through India to Bangladesh and Nepal: • Road Network II Project (On-Going) • National Highway - Nganglam & Dewathang (Pipeline) SASEC-TFP Objective (Source: PDS, ADB) Type/Modality of Assistance Approval Loan (70%) & Grant (30%) Approved by the ADB Board on 29th November 2012

 Development Impact & Project Outcome (Regional): • Increased intra-regional trade in the SASEC region • Faster and cheaper processing of cross-border trade in the SASEC region

 Outputs (National): • Modernized and more effective customs administration • Streamlined and transparent regulations and procedures • Improved information and responsiveness to the private sector

7/20/16 Bhutan Customs Administration 27 Core Policy Action Commitments

Accession & Compliant to Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), WCO

Customs Management Module (CMM), Revenue Administration & Management Information System (RAMIS)

National Trade Facilitation Committee

7/20/16 Bhutan Customs Administration 28 Bhutan Customs: Current Status

• For Third country Imports- majority of the goods are transported in containerized cargo. • Goods coming from India- are transported in open trucks • Free entry and exit of vehicle to the country within proximity 7-10 KM • Multi-enforcement agencies involved to clear the goods Changes over time in Bhutan’s doing business scenario (2006-2013) • Cost of export and import has almost double since 2011. Export: - 2006 – 2008: $ 1,150 per container - 2009 – 2010: $ 1,210 per container - 2011 – 2013: $ 2,230 per container Import: - 2006 – 2008: $ 1,780 per container - 2009 – 2010: $ 1,840 per container - 2011 – 2012: $ 2,505 per container - 2013-- $ 2,330 per container CHALLANGES

• Lack of tracking equipments for tracking the movement of good for predictability purpose • Manual verification of consignments. • Narrow road conditions. • Multi check post on the highways (local authorities) • Lack of multi-access bypass from importing country to exporting countries. • Non involvement of customs in border coordination meetings TASHI DELEK & THANK YOU