Dhaka  - Authorities in Bangladesh on Monday began to automate customs clearance at the country's main Chittagong port to speed up the process to export and import goods.

Inaugurating the automation process of Chittagong Customs House at a ceremony in Dhaka, the chief adviser of the country's interim administration, Fakhruddin Ahmed, said his government will also bring other customs offices under the computerised system for the betterment of trade and commerce.

"It's part of our administrative reform agenda, we will carry on the reforms," said Fakhruddin, whose military-backed government took up a number of political and administrative reform programmes after taking over in January 2007.

He added the process would help reduce unnecessary delays and hassles for exports and imports through the prime seaport located in the south-eastern part of the country.

The online system will also lower the cost of doing business by 40-50 per cent and speed up the process by three to four days, said Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, the president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which initiated the automation project.

Businessmen now need to complete formalities only at five customs points instead of the previous 42, the chamber leader said. (dpa)