ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and USAID’s Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) jointly organised a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on Pakistan Single Window (PSW).
The objective of the workshop was to encourage stakeholders to participate in making trade-related processes more efficient, effective and transparent, in line with globally-accepted practices as per the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
PSW is a key trade facilitation tool that helps the countries improve their efficiencies in the area of customs clearance. PSW is, therefore, one of the most important reforms needed to improve Pakistan’s trade competitiveness and ultimately stimulate its economic growth.
The conference brought together more than 70 participants from the public and private sector, including government officials from key trade regulators, members of various chambers of commerce, trade bodies and business associations, and representatives of the international donor community collaborating with FBR on various aspects of the PSW.
Speaking on the occasion, Customs Member Jawwad Owais Agha said, “Pakistan Single Window is the most significant cross-border trade facilitation initiative undertaken by the government.
“In order to successfully implement this programme, Pakistan Customs has not only deployed capable resources but has also allocated a part of the GD (goods declaration) fee to fast-track the in-house development and early deployment of the PSW.
“We hope that with continued support from participating government departments and development partners, Pakistan Customs will be able to implement this programme in time.”
USAID’s Acting Director for Office of Economic Growth and Agriculture Malick Haidara said, “Today’s workshop is a continuation of our collaborative efforts with Pakistan Customs and FBR to enhance the understanding and capacity of the stakeholders to manage the complex reforms resulting from PSW implementation.”
USAID’s PREIA is providing active technical assistance to the PSW initiative since its inception in order to ensure the development and early deployment of the PSW system.
