KARACHI: Member Customs Mukarram Jah Ansari has assured Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) of resolving business community’s issues especially considering abolishment of documents in containers.
Member Customs held a meeting with business community at the Federation House where the FPCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh raised the collective concerns of the business, industry and trade community of Pakistan, the FPCCI spokesman told media here.
Irfan Iqbal outlined the top most issues pertaining to Customs: (i) obsolete customs valuations a biggest issue at the moment as it had been delayed for over two years now; whereas, it used to be done every three-month or so in the past (ii) the introduction of authorised economic operator (AEO) was being carried out in slow-paced manner; which is making it ineffective (iii) Pakistan Single Window (PSW), though a good initiative but facing delays in its full-scale awareness & implementation (iv) trucks and consignments were unnecessarily stopped again by anti-smuggling during inter-city transit; despite being already customs-paid.
Former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar highlighted that Customs should act as the facilitator of exports; and any issues, anomalies and complaints should be resolved swiftly. He suggested that a high-powered liaison committee should be formed with the Customs from the platform of FPCCI – which was the apex body; representing 250 chambers, trade bodies and associations from across the country.
FPCCI VP Shabbir Mansha demanded the abolishment of the requirement of pasting the shipping documents inside shipment containers; as it was not an international best practice. It was creating a lot of delays and losses as well, he added.
Former VP FPCCI, Saqib Fayyaz Maggo said that the Customs needed to create awareness of its various initiatives; make the initiatives like WeBOC & PSW businessman-friendly and expedite the digitalisation processes. He added that blue channel needed to be streamlined on the basis of feedback and experiences of the stakeholders.
