ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China Customs officials have agreed to strengthen the bilateral relation in order to facilitate the trade at Sust border, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
A six-member delegation of General Administration of Customs People’s Republic of China held a meeting with Customs-North Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira Habib and other customs officials here on Tuesday at Islamabad Customs House.
On this occasion, Islamabad Customs Collector Dr Arslan Subuctageen, Gilgit-Baltistan Collector Muhammad Ali Reza, Additional Collector Ayesha Wani, Additional Collector Sharlay Khan, Deputy Collector Shahid Jan, Deputy Collector Sadia Usman were present, while FBR International Customs Chief Dr Muhammad Zubair specially attended the meeting.
Chinese delegation comprising Urumaqi Customs Director General Zhao Ge, Administration Division Chief Li Qinghua, Customs Supervision and Control Division Chief Zhang Jian, Anti-Smuggling Bureau Deputy Head Kulat Kurban, Hanggilaf Customs Head Cao Lei and Urumaqi Customs Deputy Head Jin Rongs met to Pakistani counterparts.
In the meeting, Pakistan Custom suggested to China Customs for forming a committee that discusses periodically the cases of smuggling between Pak-China, modes and routes of smuggling, and evaluates risks areas between the two customs agencies.
Chief Collector Sarwat Tahira and International Custom International Chief Dr Zubair proposed that “discussion may continue to enhance bilateral trade under relevant articles of agreement on facilitation of cross-border movement of goods and mutual assistance in enforcement of customs laws.
Dr Zubair also proposed that Sost Dry Port was needed to be upgraded, possibly with Chinese investment, to make it capable of quarantine facilities, basic office and storage capacities.
Regarding feasibility of “green corridor” for agricultural products proposed by Urumqi Foreign Affairs Office, it was suggested that necessary agri-treatment facilities need to be located in GB to take advantage of green corridor.
Pakistan authorities were also suggested that it was a new concept that Pakistan government might consider after due deliberation and official process.
GB Customs Collector Muhammad Ali Reza briefed the officials about the facilities at Sost border and future planning to handle the trade under CPEC project.
Urumqi Customs Director General Zhao Ge
By deeping the anti-smuggling intelligence information sharing, establishing the exchange content which covers customs laws and regulations, import and export data intelligence, intelligence of key smuggling goods, smuggling suspects and other information in all anti-smuggling law enforcement fields, electronic information, strategic intelligence, trade data and abnormalities, appropriate risk assessment can be done.
This was purposed by Urumqi Customs Director General Zhao Ge in the meeting.
He said that the bilateral trade can be promoted by taking effective measures by both courtiers. In order to promote border trade between China and Pakistan, he said that “Pakistan is agreed to coordinate with the internal relevant departments to provide certificate of origin and inspection and quarantine of goods exported to China, so that businessmen can enjoy relevant preferential tax policies under the China–Pakistan free trade agreement.
Director General Zhao Ge said that the feasibility of opening the “green corridor” for agricultural products and rapid clearance at the border will promote the traditional friendship between the two countries.
