Effective engagement, information exchange a must for Customs
World Customs community is celebrating the “International Customs Day” on January 26, 2016. Basic purpose is to highlight the role of Customs in ameliorating lives of general public globally through opening up economies and connecting world trade through modern techniques.
In Pakistan too, Customs plays a pivotal role in economic development through efficient targeted controls and the facilitation of legitimate trade. The year 2016 is dedicated to promoting the digitalization of Customs processes under the slogan “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement”.
The term 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.
Pakistan Customs deserves special appreciation on the introduction and successful countrywide rollout of indigenously 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 going forward.
I take the opportunity to state that in an era of declining resources and increasing volumes of trade and travel, effective engagement 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 the trader could enjoy a one-window facility making custom and border clearance much more facilitative, 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 statistic, 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, facilitation of trade and passenger traffic, besides demonstrating efficiency to counter trafficking of drugs and smuggling of contrabands.
The use of improved IT technologies has positively impacted the customs landscape through improved compliance by the stakeholders, faster clearance time, better and informed communication amongst the customs units and organizations, increased transparency in the application of regulatory laws and procedures and enhanced monitoring of the customs processes and officials by the customs administrations.
It has also helped in detection of irregularities and building up a comprehensive database for trade analysis. Although, Pakistan Customs has already progressed towards the implementation of digital customs but still there is a need to extend the digitalization of customs to all such areas and spheres, which are still out of its ambit so that Pakistan Customs could tread on the path of progressive engagement of all the key elements towards achieving its ultimate goal of efficiency, control and revenue collection.
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.
It is indeed a matter of immense pleasure and honor to address this august forum on this International Customs Day when the world Customs Community is celebrating its annual day. This year the world Customs Organization has decided to dedicate the year 2016 for promoting the digitalization of customs processes under the theme “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement” .
Customs, all over the world, is amongst the premier agencies, which plays a remittal role in the economic development and trade facilitation through the cautions exercise of relief and control measures. Its role can promote or impede the inward and outward trade flows. The era of globalization calls for opening up of economics through international and regional cooperation amongst the WCO member countries for promotion of world trade by adopting the modern day technologies. It is where the Customs Day theme becomes more relevant.