The federal cabinet has cleared a pact between member countries of the Economic Co-operation Organisation (CEO) according to which a data bank of smuggling and customs offences would be established at Ankara (Turkey), commerce ministry sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday.
The headquarter will compile and consolidate information on smuggling and other customs offences in the region, including Pakistan and suggest remedial measure in consultations with member countries, sources added.
"The agreement envisages setting up of a central computerised repository of data on smuggling and other customs offences with downstream electronic linkages with customs administrations of all member states. It would enable them to have a uniform access to the information complied and consolidated in the data bank," sources said, adding the whole project was being financed by the Turkish customs.
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR), which deals with such kind of agreements, is of the view the pact was not only beneficial for Pakistan but it would promote close ties among customs administrations of the ECO countries. It would enable them to have a shared access to vital information on customs offences in the region, sources continued.
It would also facilitate evolving a joint strategy to control and circumvent such offences, sources maintained.
The concerned agency has consulted ministries of foreign affairs and commerce, besides seeking clearance from the ministry of law prior to signing the agreement.
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