ISLAMABAD: Participants at a workshop hailed the FBR’s initiative of doing away with the traditional, one-way communication of the past and starting a more engaging, interactive and productive partnership with the business community, leading the way in the use and adoption of new innovative technologies to drive socio-economic changes in the society.
The appreciation was expressed at an orientation workshop for members of the working groups for National Single Window implementation, organized by the Program Management Office (NSW), FBR in collaboration with Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA), USAID.
The session was inaugurated by FBR Chairman Jehanzaib Khan and attended by senior members of FBR and senior customs management, representatives of various public sector regulatory authorities/ministries/departments related to cross border trade, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, traders, freight forwarders, NADRA, and business community.
In his address, FBR Chairman Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan appreciated the efforts of Member Customs Zahid Khokhar and his team for undertaking this project of national significance and assured them his full support for making the project a success.
The Project Director (NSW) gave a detailed presentation on the concept of National Single Window and its potential benefits for Pakistan and the Program Management Office gave presentation on the working, composition, rationale and deliverables of working groups.
The presentations were followed by live questions and answers sessions that generated keen interest among the audience.
The NSW initiative is a key trade facilitation tool that is increasingly being adopted by many advanced as well as developing economies around the world. Under the multilateral Trade Facilitation Agreement that entered into force on 22.02.2017, Pakistan is committed to establish a trade related ‘National Single Window’ in five years.
The Prime Minister’s Office vide its directive dated 18th March, 2017 has approved the development of the NSW and designated Pakistan Customs as its lead agency keeping in view customs’ proven track record in successfully reengineering and automating customs related processes.
Accordingly, FBR has established Programme Management Office (PMO) in Customs Wing, FBR which is responsible for the design, implementation, and management of the NSW in consultation and coordination with all stakeholders and development partners. USAID under its PREIA initiative is providing active technical assistance to the Pakistan NSW initiative in order to ensure the development of the NSW in a structured manner.
