ISLAMABAD: The customs authorities of Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday signed an agreement for electronic exchange of information.
The MoU has been signed on the directives of the Prime Minsiter. Tariq Huda, Member Customs Operations signed the MoU on behalf of Pakistan Customs and Khalilullah Salehzad, Director General, Afghan Customs Department signed on behalf of his country.
Afghan Minister for Commerce and Industry Nisar Ahmed Ghoryani and the chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Javed Ghani was also present on the occasion.
A statement said that on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan the customs authorities of the both sides regularly held meetings.
Tariq Huda, Member Customs (Operations) highlighted the importance of the MoU and said that the exchange of information would reduce the cargo clearance time, which would help in improving import, export and transit trade.
Besides, the agreement will help in preventing smuggling, said, adding that it will also reduce evasion of duty and taxes.
Tariq Huda said that the both the countries had agreed to improve service delivery at the border crossing points.
Afghan Commerce Minister declared the agreement as a milestone and said the bilateral trade between the two countries would grow.
FBR chairman Javed Ghani said that the agreement would help the customs authorities in monitoring the movement of goods and transport.
On the occasion, FBR chairman and Member Customs while talking to the business community said that facilities provided by the government of Pakistan at Torkham border helped in increasing the trade volume.
