KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs celebrated the World Customs Day with the theme “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement” at the Customs House on Tuesday. The celebration started in the morning by hoisting a national flag at Eduljee Dinshaw road.
The flag was hoisted by Muhammad Zahid Khokhar, Chief Collector of Customs, South-Enforcement, Custom House at a crowded gathering that included customs officials, media persons and foreign dignitaries.
The World Customs community celebrates the “International Customs Day” on January 26. Customs plays a pivotal role in economic development through efficient targeted controls and the facilitation of legitimate trade. In the prevailing scenario, securing global trade requires international cooperation and coordination among governments and trade bodies, as well as with other members of WCO, the chief collector said.
The year 2016 will be dedicated to promoting the digitalization of Customs processes under the slogan “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement”. The team Digital Customs refers to any automated or electronic activity that contributes to the effectiveness, efficiency and coordination of Customs activities, such as automated Customs clearance systems, the Single Window concept, electronic exchange of information, websites to communicate information and promote transparency and the use of smart phones.
Khokhar said, “I congratulate Pakistan Customs on the introduction and successful countrywide roll out of locally developed new software WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) for automated clearance.” The department is moving on the path of modernization and intends employing sophisticated equipment at border stations, airports and seaports,” he said.
He said, “I take the opportunity to state that, in era of declining resources and increasing volumes of trade and travel, effective management and information exchange with all allied agencies and partners is a necessity for Customs.” The Customs clearance system, WeBOC, connects all internal and external users through electronic interface.
It has the potential to become the lead system which connects all border agencies for data and information sharing so that in time the trader can enjoy a one-window facility making custom and border clearance much more effective, easy and faster for all businesses. Such positive outcomes will contribute significantly towards the realization of Customs’ objectives, including improved revenue collection, border security, the collection of trade statistics and trade facilitation.
I also would like to congratulate all officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on this special day of global importance and hope that the department will continue its commitment in achieving revenue targets, facilitating trade and passenger traffic, besides demonstrating efficiency to counter trafficking of drugs and smuggling of contrabands.
