LAHORE: Directorate of Training and Research (Customs) Lahore has organized a hands-on training workshop on Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) system for the members of the American Business Forum (ABF), a club of the US multinational companies working in Pakistan.
It serves as a high level platform to facilitate US businesses in Pakistan where they can interact and better understand the business challenges. Prominent members of the American Business Forum include Coca Cola International, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Pepsi Cola, General Electric, DWP Technologies, Levi’s, Fat Burgers, Expeditors, Monsanto etc. The workshop was well attended.
Web Based One Customs is an interactive web based goods clearance platform, developed in-house by Customs Department. It is one of the most modern and efficient system of clearance of goods and most of the developed countries have similar customs clearance systems. It handles goods clearance electronically without physical contact between taxpayer and tax collector. It seeks to create a paperless environment and do away with the role of middlemen/agents. It is meant to enhance transparency and reduce corruption. Simultaneously this is also aimed at helping the business community to do the business with more flexibility and at faster pace.
Mr. Omar Khayyam Sheikh, Secretary General of American Business Forum, thanked FBR for organizing the training workshop. He appreciated the initiative of Directorate of training & Research (Customs) Lahore for reaching out to the clients and imparting hands on training and hoped that this will help the members in efficient customs clearances.
He hoped that this initiative will be expanded to other areas of concern of their members and similar training programs will be organized by the Directorate on other topics such as Customs Classification of Goods.
Mr. Zulfiqar Younas, Director Training Customs Lahore told Customs Today that the training will enable the multinational companies to ensure smooth and speedier clearances of the goods. Already the multinational companies are playing important role in economic growth of Pakistan and creating useful jobs for Pakistanis.
He thanked the President ABF for the overwhelming response and cooperation in organizing the workshop. While speaking about the workshop he said that it shows the commitment of the Pakistan Customs Department to assist and facilitate the business community in efficient and smooth clearance of goods which in turn will reduce the cost of doing business in Pakistan.
Mr. Rizwan Salabat, Additional Director of Customs, while briefing the participants about efficacy, objectives and salient features of the system said that it is meant to facilitate the trade by ensuring efficient supply chain. He emphasized that this system reduces clearance time by profiling importers/exporters red, yellow &green channels. He said that the WEBOC system has brought about transparency in processing and helps traders to do their business in an improved environment with cost reduced costs.
Mr. Inaamul Wahid from Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited conducted the hands-on training to the participants of the workshop.
