The ''controversial'' Pre-shipment Inspection system is likely to get the go for another 12 to 18 months with the restructuring of the blocks as the agreement with the three PSI companies will expire in August, reports agency.

The reappointment will take place as the Customs is yet to be ready for taking over the place of the PSI companies due to full-scale implementation of automation system and shortage of manpower in Customs department, according to a highly placed National Board of Revenue (NBR) official.

During the reign of the previous BNP-led 4-party alliance government, four PSI companies-Cotecna Inspection SA, SGS (Bangladesh) Limited, Bureau Veritas BIVAC (Bangladesh) Limited and Intertek Testing Limited - were hired in August 2005 for three years for certifying price, quality an+d quantity of imported goods.

But, later on, widespread allegations came out from the businessmen, especially the importers, against the inspection companies. On March 19, NBR cancelled the certificate of M/S Cotecna Inspection SA for serious irregularities.

The NBR said the certificate of Cotecna was cancelled under the Pre-Shipment Inspection Rules 2002 for violation of law and rules by the company.

Cotecna was assigned to give Clean Reports of Findings (CRF) for Block B (China, Thailand, Korea (North and South), the Philippines and Cambodia) and Block D (Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Island, Fiji, Kiribati, Venatu and Papua New Guinea).

The allegations against the other three PSI companies-SGS (Bangladesh) Limited, Bureau Veritas BIVAC (Bangladesh) Limited and Intertek Testing Limited-are piling up day by day in the NBR complaint bin. "Our plan was to take over the place of PSI companies through automation of Customs House and appointing officials.

But, for lack of these to primary elements, we are helpless without reappointing the PSI companies," the NBR official said. In this regard, he said that if the automation of the Customs House worked properly and the NBR could have new workforce, the necessity of the PSI would be finished. In absence of PSI companies, customs department needs to train up its officials in WTO valuation, trade policy, ASYCUDA system, risk management.

"Why should we continue this system if our people are capable of doing so," he said. The NBR chairman at a recent pre-budget meeting with Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) stated categorically that the NBR would not spare any PSI companies if found involved in any sort of irregularities, big or small.

"NBR will go ahead, case by case, in detecting and punishing the PSI companies concerned if any irregularity is found," NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid said. He said the NBR would go for instant actions against those PSI companies that will be found involved in irregularities.

"Irregularities by PSI companies are affecting industries of the country-we won''t tolerate that." The NBR has formed committee to assess the need to amend the PSI act 2002, if necessary. The committee suggested some amendments to the existing PSI act.