PSW to enable businessmen reduce time, cost in cross-border trade

KARACHI: The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) portal will enable traders to reduce time, cost and complexity in cross-border trade, a top official of PSW said on Monday.

“It will also improve [the] quality of experience for all stakeholders with [the] primary focus on [the] ease of doing business, Naveed Abbas Memon, chief domain officer of PSW, said at an awareness seminar held at the Karachi Customs Agents Association.

Memon said the PSW will also support other government agencies in adopting an integrated risk management approach for efficient enforcement of the trade-related controls.

The PSW implementation will enable Pakistan achieve compliance with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, besides helping Pakistan to unlock its potential in becoming a trading hub.

KCAA president Saif Ullah Khan said that it is an honour to host the PSW representatives of the highest level who are leading a mega transformation through PSW-based on the approach of trade facilitation.

PSW will promote the ease of doing business by maintaining collaboration with 74 different public sector entities involved in the regulation of cross-border trade in Pakistan.

KCCA general secretary Arshad Khurshid appreciated the implementation of true automation under the PSW portal, and said that Pakistan Customs initiated the implementation of automation in business through risk management systems by launching Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PACCS) in 2005, which was greatly appreciated by the trade of Pakistan.

Now, a big change is being introduced for the second time by the government and Pakistan Customs in the shape of PSW.

This new system will digitalise the processes related to importers, exporters, Customs house agents, freight forwarders, shipping companies and transporters, while ensuring reduced cost of doing business with the compliance of laws and regulations.

The KCAA office-bearers also assured their full support and cooperation for the implementation of automation in true spirit.