Karachi, June 17 – The Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has successfully integrated the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) and Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) into its digital network in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
The Marine Fisheries Department regulates the export of fish and fishery products in Pakistan, while the Mercantile Marine Department is responsible for overseeing the export of second-hand/used passenger and cargo ships, oil tankers, liquid cargo carriers, and fishing trawlers. Additionally, the MMD ensures compliance with stowage standards for the export of Dangerous Goods. Previously, the internal operations of both departments relied on manual and paper-based processes, which were susceptible to fraud, forgery, and time-consuming procedures.
Reliability, safety, and efficiency within the supply chain are crucial for attracting foreign buyers and enhancing a country’s exports. The export of fish and fishery products plays a vital role in Pakistan’s national economy and has the potential to generate substantial foreign exchange earnings. The digitization of cross-border trade procedures represents a significant step towards improving the efficiency and safety of the supply chain.
The CEO of PSW expressed his views on the initiative, stating, “The integration of the Marine Fisheries and the Mercantile Marine Department with PSW recognizes the importance of this sector in facilitating and enhancing Pakistan’s cross-border trade, particularly exports. We anticipate that this integration will not only reduce the time and cost associated with cross-border trade but will also modernize and reform the two departments in line with the Ministry’s vision. We are grateful for the Ministry’s active participation and interest in integrating with the PSW.”
The integration of these two departments under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs will be followed by the phased implementation of the Port Community System, which PSW has designed in consultation with all maritime stakeholders, including the Ministry and international experts.
The integration of the MMD and MFD within the Single Window environment includes fully harmonized and user-friendly interfaces accessible to importers, exporters, and processing staff of the departments. It also involves a standardized data set that importers/exporters need to provide only once for the Customs and all regulatory departments. Any relevant data already provided to authorities should be readily available and not required again.
Pakistan Single Window is a federal government initiative aimed at automating and integrating cross-border trade-related procedures of Customs and other government agencies (OGAs) to make trade faster, easier, and more cost-effective. Traders can utilize the Pakistan Single Window to submit customs declarations, permits, and other necessary information required by multiple government agencies through a single, digital portal. In addition to the single window system, PSW launched its Trade Information Portal in March 2022, offering comprehensive guidance on import, export, and transit-related procedures. PSW is also working towards the launch of the first phase of the Port Community System in June 2023.
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