International Customs Day-2020 held: FBR chief lauds Customs for being professionally sound

An Iranian Customs delegation is planning to come to Pakistan for singing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on electronic exchange of trade data between Iran and Pakistan and Afghan customs authorities.

This has been disclosed by senior FBR officials on the occasion of International Customs Day-2020 held by the Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Islamabad at Customs House Islamabad here on Sunday.

In this regard, a big event was held to celebrate International Customs Day in Customs House, Islamabad which was chaired and addressed by Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman, FBR. Muhammad Javed Ghani, Member (Customs Policy) FBR also addressed the Customs officers and officials. Senior serving and retired officers of Pakistan Customs, officers of other departments, agencies and representatives of trade bodies attended the function.

Top officials informed that Pakistan and Iran have signed a customs cooperation agreement and now technical teams of both the sides have finalized the MoU. Pakistan would request the Iranian customs side to launch pilot project of the electronic exchange of trade data at Taftan and Zahedan border area.

Afghan Customs have also agreed to sign a customs cooperation agreement as well as MoU on exchange of trade data, electronically between Iran and Pakistan, they added.

Tax authorities had held positive meetings with Chinese Customs and Saudi customs authorities and outcome of these meetings were very encouraging. Saudi Customs Authority had already agreed on exchange of information on real-time basis regarding value of goods originating from both countries and addressing a wide range of problems originating from currency smuggling, narcotics and mis-declaration.

The International Customs Day (ICD) on 26th January 2020 was dedicated to the contribution of Customs towards a sustainable future where social, economic and environmental needs are at the heart of all actions with the slogan: "Customs fostering sustainability for people, prosperity and the planet". To celebrate the International Customs Day, Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad arranged a ceremony at Islamabad Dry Port.

While appreciating the services of Pakistan Customs on International Customs Day, Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi said that Pakistan Customs has achieved milestones in ensuring social, economic, and environmental development and safety for the people of Pakistan. He praised Customs for working very professionally and innovatively and engaging the Customs administrations of the leading trade partners of Pakistan for social, economic, and environmental development and protection of Pakistan.

The chairman FBR, in his message extended his felicitation to all officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on this special day. Moreover, he stated that the role of Customs has, over the years, transcended traditional functions and now it is viewed as a partner for fostering sustainability in the economic, social and environmental life of society.

He emphasized on the year's theme: Customs fostering sustainability for people, prosperity and planet which aims at sustainable economic development and long lasting well being of the society. He further added that in the modern world, Customs has to play a proactive role in not only facilitating trade, implementing various laws but also protecting the society from emerging threats in the areas of terrorism and climate. Pakistan Customs plays a prominent role across the international supply chain, ensuring a sustainable, secure, and inclusive future for all. Customs is tasked with meeting all the environmental, economic, and social challenges while scaling up its ongoing efforts to respond effectively in a proactive manner.

The FBR Chairman said that Pakistan Customs is the lead agency in rolling out Pakistan Single Window which will bring a paradigm shift in doing Business and will boost coordination and cooperation among all the agencies which are involved in trading across borders.

He stated that, in addition to existing automated (WeBOC) system, Customs has initiated a project namely WeBOC-GLO and Pakistan Single Window for updating and modernizing the system keeping in lines with international best practices prevalent around the world for facilitating and securing trade. He stated that, in addition to these initiatives, Customs has implemented Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), Global Travelers Assessment System (GTAS). At the end of his speech, while felicitating the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on this important occasion, he expected them to continue to strive for greater professionalism in line with international best practices and transform the organization into a business friendly, forward looking and a partner in the economic development of Pakistan. He emphasized that customs' efficiency can be improved best with alignment of its operations with internationally recognized/recommended practices. He also underscored that customs' role now is more of facilitation and regulatory.

Talking to media, FBR Chairman said that the FBR is moving towards total automation and use of latest equipment and technology at ports to effectively handle 7,000 and 8,000 containers on daily basis. It is not humanly possible for customs to physically examine each and every container every day.

He said that the customs should play key role in facilitating the import and exports with effective coordination with other government departments and agencies. In this regard, there is a need for close coordination between the customs and other relevant departments dealing in trading across borders.

In the end, while felicitating the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on this auspicious occasion, he expected them to continue to strive for greater professionalism in line with international best practices and transform the organization as business friendly, forward looking and a partner in the economic development of the country.

Javed Ghani, Member (Customs Policy), in his address to the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs, highlighted the milestones, especially during the last one year, in fostering sustainability for people (who represents society), for prosperity (which represents economic gains), and for the planet (which represent environment in Pakistan and the world). He referred to the enforcement tools like National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) which Pakistan Customs has installed. With nCEN, Pakistan Customs is included in the club of 35 customs administrations in the world who are using nCEN and now Pakistan is the seventh country in the Asia-Pacific region where nCEN is operational.

On this occasion, while welcoming the guests, Seema Raza Bokhari, Collector Customs, Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad, said that this day is of great significance for Pakistan Customs as it gives us an opportunity to celebrate and recognize our contributions to the economic and social fabric of the country. This year, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has chosen "Customs Fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet", as the theme for 2020. She said that the theme underscores the future role of customs to provide sustainable solutions for smooth and speedy flow of legitimate trade across borders, curbing smuggling and illegal movement of hazardous and contraband goods to contribute not just for economic growth, but national security, protection of environment and life on the planet. She further emphasized that MCC Islamabad has renewed its resolve to continue best efforts towards achieving sustainability.

Later, Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad held destruction ceremony of seized/confiscated narcotics and miscellaneous contraband goods including liquor cell phone, chemicals, expired medicine/food stuff etc. during this exercise more than 3000 bottles of liquor, 15000 cell phones and expired juices/soft drinks were destroyed through bulldozer while heroin, pirated cosmetics, chemicals/food stuff along with other confiscated goods were burnt. All the officers of Pakistan Customs graced the occasion in proper uniform.

International Customs Day was also attended by a big number of the Customs officers/officials and representatives of the industry/business community.