Pakistan and Afghanistan have signed Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement for the establishment of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

The agreement was signed by Member (Customs-Operation), FBR Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, and Director General of Afghan Customs Department, Khalillulah Saleh Zad on behalf of their respective organizations in Islamabad.

The agreement will ensure reduced clearance time as well as optimum trade facilitation for import, export, and transit cargo between the two countries. It will also ensure reduced risk of evasion of duties and taxes and effective control over smuggling.

The Customs Cooperation Agreement has been signed in light of the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the establishment of EDI between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On signing of the agreement, Syed Muhammad Tariq Huda, Member (Customs-Operations) stated that the agreement would ensure reduced clearance times and optimum trade facilitation for import, export, and transit cargo. Further, Effective control over smuggling through enhanced cooperation would be possible. The Agreement would also ensure a reduced risk of evasion of duties and taxes. Assured assistance by both customs administrations would be achieved. The Agreement would ensure the promotion of exports, including transit trade, not only between both countries but also in the region. Improvement of clearances and service delivery at the Border Crossing Points (BCPs) will also be another benefit of the Agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Javed Ghani, Chairman, FBR said with signing and implementation of this agreement, Customs Administrations of both countries shall exchange information regarding Transit Trade and Bilateral Trade electronically in accordance with the mutually agreed data elements and mechanism.

This includes the exchange of information in advance of the arrival of goods and vehicles.