Department of Customs (DoC) has signed an agreement with United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for upgrading Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) into ASYCUDA World in order to make the customs clearance process easy and transparent.

A press statement issued by DoC said that the upgradation provides opportunity for traders to submit their customs declaration, copies of letter of credit (LoC) electronically from their home or office My Republica reports.

According to the agreement, a customized system suitable for Nepal will be prepared within eight months and the same will be experimented in three key customs point -- Birgunj, Biratnagar and Tatopani -- in the next four months. Thereafter the system will be replicated in all other customs offices.

DoC had adopted ASYCUDA system three years ago.

Asian Development Bank has provided grant assistance of US$ 4.5 million to the government for upgradation of customs systems. DoC will spend $1.92 million for software upgradation and capacity development of its employees. Remaining amount will be spent for operation of ASYCUDA World and integrated customs network systems.