KARACHI: Directorate General of Training and Research (DGTR) has organized an interactive session between high officers of Pakistan Customs and Afghan traders and clearing agents on the “Significance of Afghan Transit Trade through Pakistan.”
Director Transit Trade Muhammad Javed Ghani, Project Director of the Directorate of Reforms and Automation Majid Yousufani, representative of the federal ministry of Commerce Anjum Jahan, Attaché of Afghan Council Zeeshan Ibrahim, Zubair Motiwala, Director DGTR Rubina Wasti, representatives of bonded carriers, clearing agents and others were also present on the occasion.
Speaking at the occasion, Afghan Attaché Zeeshan Ibrahim requested the Federal Board of Revenue to form a committee of authorities concerned to resolve the trade related issues of Afghan traders and clearing agents.
Highlighting the problems of Afghan Transit Trade, Zeeshan Ibrahim said that there was no helpdesk regarding WeBOC working in Afghanistan Customs House. Absence of rules regarding the bulk cargo was also creating problems for Afghan traders; tracker issues were creating impediments in transportation of cargo; absence of transit trade office inside the port creating delay in clearance of consignments; sealing and de-sealing of containers; absence of insurance policy; and delay in examination.
Afghan Attaché further appealed the FBR authorities to exempt the traders and clearing agents from demurrage and detention in case of any strike and unpleasant incident.
He further said that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amongst Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan is being delayed due to recent presidential elections in Afghanistan and assured that the newly elected government of Afghanistan will take initiative in this regard.
On the occasion, Project Director of Reforms and Automation Majid Yousufani said that the helpdesk would be working in all Collectorates at Directorate General level, adding that Pakistan Customs would redress all the problems faced by the Afghan traders and clearing agents.
He requested the clearing agents to file true information in filing their Goods Declarations (GDs).
Speaking at the occasion, Transit Trade Director Muhammad Javed Ghani said that the Directorate General of Transit Trade through FBR has informed the Afghan Commerce Ministry to provide user IDs to the Afghan traders and clearing agents and registered them in computerized system.
He further informed that the officials of Pakistan Customs would also impart training through training sessions to the Afghan Customs officials in order to handle WeBOC in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce Attaché, Miss Anjum while addressing the bonded carriers’ representatives and clearing agents, said that the rules of transit trade should be notified. Anjum said that the Government of Pakistan wants to enhance the trade. She also urged holding of meetings of the committees of customs departments of both the countries and Afghan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement committee (APTTA).
She further stressed upon signing a trilateral MoU amongst Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan in order to enhance the trade. She said that Pakistan was ready and eager to sign a trilateral MoU in order to boost the trade and economic activities amongst the three countries and Central Asia, adding that the Ministry of Commerce has also compiled a detailed draft in this regard.
During the session, clearing agents dealing with Afghan cargo made several demands before the officials of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. They demanded proper photo session at Torkham and Chaman borders in order to avoid irregularities in trade, as the scanners were not being installed at Torkham border. They further demanded issuance of pending insurance guarantees and improvement in the working of Risk Management System (RMS).
At the end, Director DGTR Rubina Wasti took vote of thanks from the participants.