ISLAMABAD: The Customs authorities of both Pakistan and China have agreed to build up institutionalized cooperation and adopt a mechanism to exchange intelligence between anti-smuggling bureaus .
It was agreed between the meeting of Director General Urumqi Customs, Peoples Republic of China, and the delegation from Pakistan Customs, headed by Chief Collector North Customs Sarwat Tahira Habib. The delegates expressed concern over lesser trade volumes through land rout via Sust Border and agreed to simplify procedures to ensure speedy clearance of import and export cargoes. Both sides also agreed to provide technological support and improve infrastructure to expedite the clearance and thereby increasing bilateral trade via land route.
The delegates recognized the exponential surge in the bilateral trade between China and Pakistan in the wake of upcoming CPEC and agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation between the two Customs administrations to cater to the needs of rapidly increasing bilateral trade by holding regular meetings at regional level, for resolution of day to day issues, besides holding annual meetings for strengthening the long standing ties between the two administrations.
For the purpose, both sides agreed to designate focal persons and contact points at regional level to maintain liaison for timely resolution of issues. Both side also agreed to facilitate import of agricultural commodities and products. It was conveyed to China Customs that import policy in Pakistan is regulated by the Ministry of Commerce, while Quarantine Certificates issued by the plant protection department, Ministry of Food Security. These ministries and other relevant stakeholders will be consulted for considering the idea of a green corridor. It was agreed to strengthening Customs controls at the border and to exchange information to curb the menace of illicit trafficking and smuggling across the border. For the purpose, both sides agreed to designate contact points and focal persons. Both side recognized the importance of exchange of information on regular basis to counter under valuation and mis-declarations.
The China Customs were informed that Pakistan is keen to establish “Electronic Data Interchange “ (EDI) linkage with China on “Real Time Basis” to expedite clearance and to safeguard government revenues. The China Customs officials were informed that with the establishment of the proposed EDI between the two countries the “Certificate of Origin” required for the imports made under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be available online, which will save the importers from the hassle of obtaining the same from the Ministry of Commerce, and thereby save their time. Both sides agreed to organize exchange of professional experts in various fields of Customs and to invite Officers of Customs for mutual training for a better understanding of Customs procedures and documentation requirement of both countries.
