General Secretary (2018-2019) Karachi Customs Agents Association
I congratulate all the officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on the auspicious occasion of International Customs Day celebrating by Pakistan Customs on 26th January, 2019 along with other Customs Administrations across the world, This year, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), announced that 2019 will be devoted to the swift and smooth cross-border movement of goods, people and means of transport, with the slogan “SMART borders for seamless Trade, Travel and Transport.”
Customs authorities, working with other agencies at the border, plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade and travel, simplifying, standardizing and harmonizing border procedures, and securing the borders. It is, therefore, quintessential for Customs to take the lead in consolidating and further amplifying the ongoing efforts to ease the flow of goods and people across borders, thus turning globalization into a positive force. To that end, the WCO commits to promote the transformation of frontiers into “SMART Borders” with Customs acting as the central connecting and coordinating agency.
SMART mean that Customs should ensure that the guiding principles are at the centre of Customs compliance, enforcement and facilitation efforts, secure, measurable automated, risk management-based and technology-driven. Automation underpins every aspect of a modern Customs administration. In an era characterized by rapid digitalization, shared economy, E-Commerce, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the demarcation between physical, digital and biological components is fading away. Customs should strengthen measures to exploit cutting-edge technologies to improve its processes, services and overall performance.
Securing the business environment involves the streamlining of Customs procedures, enhancing integrity, facilitating the movement of goods, conveyances and people, and combating cross-border crime to prevent the shipment of illicit goods that endanger people’s health, safety and security.[the_ad id=”31605″] Customs administrations are expected to maintain a fine balance between the smooth flow of goods and the simultaneous protection of the nation’s borders from the entry of illegal and potentially dangerous items. The ability to quickly analyze information through data mining and predictive analysis is a necessary capability that customs agencies must possess and enhance for improved targeting and better deployment of customs inspection resources.
I feel great pleasure that Al-Mighty Allah give me this opportunity to represent the Karachi Customs Agents Association which is one of the largest and most proactive association in Pakistan having more than 3000 members who are playing a vital role for the collection of budget targets fixed by FBR time to time. I on behalf of Managing Committee of Karachi Customs Agents Association pay our gratitude and well wishes to Pakistan Custom & World Custom Organization on World Customs Day. [the_ad id=”31605″]