ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced major reforms in the customs department to upgrade and transform Pakistan Customs’ core functions of clearances of imports, exports, transit and assessments into new customs digital management systems.
According to a notification issued by the FBR on Wednesday, the FBR will implement major reforms in the customs organization. In order to upgrade and transform Pakistan Customs’ core functions through comprehensive Business Process Mapping & Re-engineering while finalizing system requirement specifications for development of new customs digital management system to replace “WeBOC”.
The existing “WEBOC” customs clearance system will be replaced with the new customs digital management system. The working groups have been formed in the areas of Appeasement, transit, Preventive, valuation, technology, post-clearance audit, integration, HR management, exports and other areas.
The Board has notified working groups with their respective chairpersons and focal persons to coordinate, oversee and validate output of consultants prior to adoption of systemic changes.
The terms of reference (ToRs) of the working groups and focal persons have been specified. The Director Genen Reforms and Automation -Customs will oversee performance of focal persons who shall be attached with Pakistan Single Window Company against special allowances for specified period.
Terms of Reference for Working Groups: In order to transform operations of Pakistan Customs, FBR has hired international consultants for comprehensive business process analysis and development of artifacts for new digital system to replace WeBOC. The consultancy also involves changes in laws and procedures as well as change management.
The Board has already notified a Project Implementation Committee (PIC) to oversee this important consultancy. In order to support the PIC, Working Groups have been notified for various work streams of Pakistan Customs.
The primary objective of the Working Groups is to make an operational technical assessment of the business requirement specification document developed by the consultants as well as their recommendations pertaining to their specific assigned work stream.
The TORs of working groups shall also include to apply subject expertise during evaluation of ‘As-is’ business operations, processes, and data requirements by the consulting firm for respective stream and provide needed input before finalization of related documents.
The TORs also included critically examine and evaluate the ‘To-be’ process flows suggested by the consultants and provide timely feedback before finalization of related documents and proposals.
The groups will also evaluate interventions suggested by the consulting firm and validate the output of consultancy in respective workstreams and perform any other task assigned by the PIC.
Terms of Reference for Focal Persons: The primary objective of appointment of focal persons for each work stream is to ensure close coordination between the consulting firm and Customs.
Whereas the consultants are expected to bring knowledge, experience, and exposure to globally accepted best practices, they will require substantial input from Customs to fully understand the policy, regulatory, and operational framework to suggest an appropriate model and solution design.
Moreover, the activity will benefit from having active local counterparts to facilitate meetings with different stakeholders, ensure timely provision of information and requisite data to the consulting firm, expedite the review and approval process within Customs, and advise the senior management on various issues related to the implementation of the activity.
While these focal persons will be attached with PSW Company against allowances, their performance will be managed by the NC. Their specific TORs shall include to facilitate consultants in correctly and comprehensively capturing ‘As-Is’ position including access to relevant information and practices.
The TOR also include to apply subject expertise during evaluation of ‘As-is’ business operations, processes, and data requirements by the consulting firm and provide guidance/advice during assessment phase.
Provide subject matter expertise and advice to the relevant working group and the PIC in validation of the output of consultant at mapping and re-engineering stage.
Sign-off documents related to output of consultancy including As-Is and To-Be processes with prior approval of respective Working Group. Organize and facilitate consultation/validation sessions with Customs and other stakeholders/concerned users. Provide support in holistic review of policy as well as legal and procedural changes.
The focal persons will act as liaison officer for effective coordination between Customs and the consulting firm in their respective work streams and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to implement change management, and communication, plans pertaining to their respect work streams.
The focal persons will give assistance to PIC for resolving the issue of duplication or overlapping of work streams among different working groups Perform any other task assigned by the PIC, FBR added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023
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