February 21, 2002	Thursday	Zilhaj 8, 1422

KARACHI, Feb 20: The collectorate of customs (exports) has initiated another step to facilitate exporters by setting up export facilitation centre at M I Yard, West Wharf.

Two such centres at air freight unit (exports), Quaid-e- Azam International Airport and Port Mohammad Bin Qasim, have already been functioning since last year.

The facilitation centre at M I Yard will start working from Feb 26, 2002 for which the collectorate has issued a standing order.

The main objective of establishing the centre is to facilitate traders by processing the export documents under one roof. PRAL has developed a software for this centre where facilities of e-mail, telephone, photocopier and documents typing to the traders in addition to the processing of bills of export will also be available.

The automation of bill of export processing will bring transparency in the system on one hand and will facilitate the exporters on the other hand. It will also save time of exporters as well as of the customs staff. The system will also fulfil the information needs of the management for fiscal policy-making.