Pakistan’s Border Trade Improves By 31 Places On Trading Across Border Index

 

Pakistan has moved up 31 positions, from the 142nd to the 111th, in the rankings of the Trading Across Border Index.

This was disclosed via a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday.

The FBR has made trading across borders easier by focusing on three crucial areas.

Firstly, the board has focused on enhancing the integration of various agencies in the Web-Based One Customs (WEBOC) electronic system.

Secondly, the board has focused on reducing the number of documents required for import/export clearances.

Thirdly, the board has focused on enhancing Pakistan Customs officials’ capacities for playing a pro-active role in smoothly regulating border trade.

The FBR statement said that the border-related facilitations are among the top priority areas as per the comprehensive policy laid down by the federal government.

It added that Pakistan Customs’ concerted efforts, under the FBR, led to impressive performance in compliance with the World Trade Organization Trade (WTO) Facilitation Agreement provisions.

“Pakistan Customs has pursued the implementation of effective customs controls so that compliant trade is thoroughly facilitated, while lesser or non-compliant trade is diverted to detailed scrutiny,” it added.

According to the statement, the FBR has been pursuing simultaneous completion of the Regional Improvement of Border Services (RIBS) project and the Pakistan Single Window system to improve Pakistan’s ease of doing business.

The RIBS project is being implemented at Torkham, Chaman, and Wagah borders.

The project is a flagship program to improve border-crossing facilities at key transit points to Afghanistan and India.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Single Window will integrate online at least 46 departments and agencies in Pakistan and further promote trading activities across the border.