The Directorate General of Training & Research (DGTR), Customs has accepted the proposal of All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) for introducing certificate/diploma courses not only for clearing agents, WeBOC users but also for all stakeholders.
According to a letter written by Director General DGTR to Secretary, Enforcement & Coordination, FBR, the DGTR in principle endorsed the APCAA's proposal of introducing certificate/diploma courses not only for clearing agents, WeBOC users but also for other stakeholders abiding Customs Laws & Procedures in their daily operations in the global and domestic supply chain.
In line with the international best practices, DGTR may be the lead institution for all such trainings by itself as well as in collaboration with reputed institutions like Pakistan Institute of Management (PIM) and Ministry of Industries & Production.
The DG said that work was already in progress for development of curriculum and award of certificates/diploma by DGTR (Customs), which was endeavoring to develop both facility and faculty to attain independent status to award degree diploma/certificate in the medium run and in the domain of customs management in the term/short run. For this purpose avenues of affiliation with reliable independent educational institutions are being explored rigorously to attain an awarding status for the DGTR.
Considering that the annual budget exercise is in offing, the DG requested the FBR to make necessary amendments in customs rules 92, 93 & 95 envisaged in SRO 450(1)/2001 to make it mandatory for the person applying for customs agents license to have completed a certificate/diploma course from DGTR as a prerequisite for his/her eligibility to be licensed as customs house agent and shipping agent.
Moreover, he said that the licensed agents may be bound to issue permit(s) under rule 98 of rules ibid in favor of those employees only who persons who hold relevant certificates from DGTR
Meanwhile, Arshad Jamal, chairman APCAA appreciated the decision, saying that it would enable Pakistan customs to achieve its goals of efficiency, proficiency and transparency.
He said that instead of doing efforts for collaboration with only reputed institutes, DGTR should ensure this diploma/certificate for specific sector to be offered by all major universities in order to make this course affordable for all stakeholders especially for youngsters, who are willing opting this sector as career.
Furthermore, he said that this diploma/certificate should not be restricted only for clearing agents, WeBOC users and others but customs officials should also be welcomed to earn it to deal with customs procedures, laws and rules in an expert manner.
Talking about the proposal submitted to the DGTR, he said that they were heading towards a national single window wherein over 40 departments of about 12 federal ministries would be lined and all their systems would be integrated, including WeBOC for the clearance of goods from customs. Therefore, to operate such sophisticated system the user must be properly educated. As this is a specialized field, the technical knowledge must be obtained by an individual along with proficiency in English language and computer skills in order to prepare themselves for the new and improved systems.
He said that APCAA had proposed not to limit this diploma to the applicants applying for obtaining the customs agents license but also all users of WeBOC system including customs officials, importers and exporters or whoever intended to operate WeBOC as a user or the regulator for the clearance of for the goods.
Moreover, he said that APCAA proposal was line with the Prime Minister's vision, which would not create jobs but also help promoting educated, skilled and law abiding workforce.