The senior officials of Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) met Pakistani customs authorities in Karachi and Islamabad and appreciated the electronic customs clearance processes in Pakistan. Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the Claude St-Denis, Regional Director of Canada Border Service Agency for Asia is visiting Pakistan from October 17 to 21, 2016. Beside senior officials of CBSA, liaison officer High Commission of Canada also assisted the delegation.
The CBSA provides clearance, control and examination services, on behalf of other government departments and agencies, for travellers, importers and exporters, at close to 1,200 points of entry (POE), including land border offices, international mail processing centres, airports, sufferance warehouses, and a number of other service locations.
During their stay in Pakistan, the CBSA officials held meetings with senior customs officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and discussed ways and means to increase cooperation between the two customs services. The meetings also discussed the methodology of CBSA to support customs operations in Pakistan by providing assistance in technical fields being identified by both sides after mutual consultation.
The officials of CBSA met officials of Karachi customs during October 18-19 and also interacted with the Chief Collector Customs (North) and Collector MCC Islamabad. A detailed presentation was arranged by Dr Arslan Subuctageen, Collector Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad for the visiting CBSA officials. The Collectors' presentation focused on working of electronic clearance system, modernisation, automation and customs reforms and areas of mutual cooperation. MCC Islamabad arranged visit of CBSA officials to Islamabad dry port and briefing was given on electronic clearance system of WEBOC.
During the briefing of Assistant Collector (IDP) at Islamabad Dryport, it was informed that the Islamabad Dry Port 100 percent clearing containerised cargo, imported consignments and containers through the WEBOC electronic system. The delegation appreciated the efforts of Pakistani customs authorities in reforms and automation during customs clearances for checking smuggling and accurate assessment of duties and taxes, sources added.