ISLAMABAD: Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira Habib has said that Pakistan Customs not only guards the frontiers of this nation from the menace of illicit trade and smuggling of drugs, hazardous materials and all contraband items, it has also deployed officers to control nuclear proliferation and movement of radioactive material. Addressing to Customs officials on International Customs Day at Margalla Dry Port, she said, “We also protect this nation from the piracy and counterfeit substandard products.”
She said that the World Customs Organization is dedicating 2016 to promote digitalization of the Customs process under the slogan “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement”. Custom organizations worldwide celebrate International Customs day each year on 26th January. This marks the day of the officials meeting of the Customs Co-operation council, held in Brussels on 26th of January, 1953 in presence of representatives of seventeen European countries; now known as the World Customs Organization, which has 177 members states. International Customs Day theme highlights the significance of business partnership. It contributes in many areas such as trade supply chain security, worldwide Customs growth, enhancing business standards and public-private enterprises. WCO members celebrate International Customs Day as a magnificent reminder to play vital role to the Customs bodies all over the world.
She said now Pakistan Customs is working on Web Based self filing goods declaration system (WeBOC). It is non interactive web-based goods clearance system which is used for both imports and exports of goods, it seeks to create a paperless environment. The system is also aimed at helping the business community do the business with more flexibility and at a faster pace. In the current global environment, beset by the damaging consequence of financial crises we can see all too clearly that in and interdependent world operating under integrated global economy and no one has been spared.
One lesson we must draw from these tumultuous times is that there is no alternative other than co-operation between all the stakeholders in international trade, and that the futures of all those involved in the supply chain are closely related, and depend on their ability to work together. She said we shall bear in mind that Customs in its day-to-day operations, works closely with business in a shared endeavor to enhance performance, and that all the stakeholders need to make a commitment to work more closely together, redouble their efforts to secure international co-operation and take bold initiatives aimed at simplification, speed, flexibility, effectiveness and fairness of procedures, in order to put spirit in the WCOs theme for International Customs Day for the year 2016 ”Digital Customs :Progressive Engagement“.
On the eve of International Customs Day I would like to convey my message to my colleagues that we are passing through one of most difficult times of national history. Challenges are great but our resolve is even greater. No matter we don’t have sufficient resources; but we have courage, ability and ambition to overcome these challenges. Let’s pool up each and every ounce of our energies and efforts and work for the noble cause of socio economic well being of our state and society.
