Karachi, December 5, 2024 – Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has announced a series of initiatives aimed at streamlining processes and integrating various organizations and stakeholders to ensure swift and efficient clearance for businesses. These efforts are designed to simplify the clearance procedures for the trade community by enhancing coordination between regulatory bodies, service providers, and other key players.
In a recent seminar organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Asim Awan, Deputy Collector Customs & Domain Officer at PSW, highlighted the upcoming integrations set to further improve the efficiency of the system. Among the entities to be integrated with PSW are the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DARP), the Board of Investment (BOI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and several private sector stakeholders, including laboratories, pre-shipment inspection companies, and transporters. This integration aims to create a seamless process that would provide hassle-free, fast, and efficient services to the business community, saving valuable time and reducing administrative burdens.
Awan emphasized that integrating all regulatory functions at the port will significantly improve the speed of clearance, reducing the average time per consignment by up to three days and cutting costs by US$50 per container. Furthermore, technical upgrades to the Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) system will be implemented, alongside the integration of DPP Treatment Providers and external laboratories. Additionally, international integration efforts are underway with initiatives such as the China Single Window, Egypt, and the e-Phyto Hub of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
The seminar, which drew a large crowd, included key figures from the business community, including KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, and former Vice Presidents Younus Soomro and Haris Agar. PSW representatives, including SVP Arshad Hussain, Manager Azka Rehman, and Senior Software Support Engineer Muhammad Hamza, also attended. Many importers and exporters participated in the session, both in person and online.
Awan also shared that PSW, in collaboration with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, is working on developing an e-commerce module to bring all relevant stakeholders under a single platform. This initiative is expected to address various challenges related to e-commerce, making the process smoother for businesses involved in cross-border online trade.
On the subject of Pakistan’s cross-border trade, Awan revealed that 67% of all import declarations and 12% of export declarations are regulated by various government agencies requiring permits, certifications, and licenses. When considering related import and export forms from the State Bank, this number rises to 100%. He outlined the many benefits of the single-window system, including enhanced government revenue, improved compliance, better resource allocation, faster clearance times, and greater transparency. These improvements are expected to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, simplify port operations, and enable a smoother trade process.
KCCI President Jawed Bilwani also spoke during the session, highlighting the growing interest in PSW services among the business community. He noted that while the introduction of PSW was expected to reduce business costs by accelerating clearance times and eliminating demurrage charges, delays in clearance still remain a significant concern. He called for immediate action to address these delays and improve the overall efficiency of the system.
Bilwani also praised the self-clearance system introduced under PSW, which has proven to be beneficial for many KCCI members. He expressed a desire for more information on how many businesses are using this facility, the annual growth in PSW participation, and how long it will take to integrate every exporter and importer into the system. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of encouraging all businesses to join PSW, as this would further reduce the cost of doing business in Pakistan.
Through these initiatives and integrations, PSW is set to transform Pakistan’s cross-border trade landscape, bringing efficiency, cost savings, and transparency to the logistics and trade sector.