LAHORE: FAST will bring in transparency in operations of the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, deepen understanding between the tax collectors and tax payers and help sustain initiatives of the Collectorate. FAST is endogenously developed software for reaching out importers and traders conducting their businesses through dry ports in the jurisdiction of the Collectorate, through a system generated SMS.
These views were expressed by Collectoarte of Appraisement Collector Nasir Jamil while addressing customs officers and importers after inaugurating the application the other day at the Mughalpura Dry Port.
“This unique software, which the Collectorate has named as FAST: ‘Feedback and Suggestion Tool’, is part of five-pronged strategy of revenue optimization based on transparency, facilitation, zero tolerance for corruption, better utilization of human resource, and controls through ICT interventions,” the collector said.
He added that the main purpose of this software is to send a confirmatory SMS directly to the importers regarding their clearance of GDs and disposal of their applications related to different sections and branches of the Collectorate.
“The importers will have an option to reply these SMS through Collectorate’s email or direct phone number mentioned in the SMS, he explained.
Representatives of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), terminal operators, shippinglines as well as renowned industrialists, traders and importers present in the launching ceremony appreciated the efforts of Collectorate of Appraisement for constant improvements in standards of service delivery according to the vision of FBR.
On the occasion, participants lauded the initiatives taken by the Collectorate for speedy Customs clearances and quick resolution of issues of the trade community.
Nasir, in his address thanked the business community for consistent support in meeting the revenue targets.
He said that it was with their support and cooperation that the Collectorate showed growth of 35 % in overall revenue and 41% in customs duty collection during the period July to November 2017, Collector said. He appreciated the efforts and hard work put in by the officers and staff of the Collectorate.
“I am confident that FAST will bring in transparency in the operations of the Collectorate, deepen understanding between the tax collectors and tax payers and help sustain initiatives of the Collectorate”, Nasir concluded as saying.
