ISLAMABAD: Customs officials of Pakistan and Canada agreed to ink an agreement for promoting bilateral cooperation in the fields of technical assistance and training.
The decision was made during the visit of a two-member delegation of Canadian Border Services Agency comprising Regional Director Claude St-Denis and Liaison officer Claude Bergeron.
Pakistan Customs officials also discussed matters with Canadian officials regarding the assistance to install way bridges, establish latest forensic laboratory and improve infrastructure at dry ports of Pakistan.
The delegation paid visit to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Customs Intelligence directorates and dry ports where the officials were given presentations about working of Pakistan Customs and its laws and procedures to handle import and export. They were also briefed on activities regarding anti-smuggling in the region, besides informing that automation was being introduced at the dry ports.
International Customs Chief Zubair Yousfani, Customs North Region Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira Habib, Islamabad Customs Collector Dr Arslan Subuctagee, Additional Collector Ayesha Wani, Air Freight Unit-Import (AFU) Deputy Collector Ansar Aneen and Customs Intelligence Additional Director Muhammad Saleem gave briefings and presentations to the delegation.
CBSA Director Claude St-Denis said that working of customs in Pakistan and competence of officials impressed them during the visit, adding that steps have been taken to increase automation in customs procedures.
Cooperation will be enhanced with the Pakistan Customs in different fields, besides providing training to the officials for their capacity building, he said.
Currently trade between two countries was in favour of Canada, he said, adding that trade level will be increased in coming days. The Canadian officials also showed much interest in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as they inquired about it deeply during the briefing given by Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira. They also termed it a milestone for the development of Pakistan.
The role of customs will be increased with the completion of CPEC project in future, the chief collector said, adding that the Pakistan Customs was enhancing cooperation with other countries keeping in view the future challenges.
