ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) will reduce the clearance time of containers from the current nine days to one day by the year 2008.

This was stated by CBR Chairman M Abdullah Yousuf while speaking at a function to celebrate the International Customs Day here on Thursday. The ceremony was arranged by the Collectorate of Customs, Rawalpindi.

Mr Yousuf reiterated the CBR commitment to reduce the dwell time at the port from nine days to five days, which includes customs clearance time of two days only, by June 30, 2006, and to reduce the same to one day by 2008 to bring it on a par with the international standards.

He also dilated upon the slogan of the current year “Safer world through security and facilitation”. He briefly outlined the establishment of the Customs Cooperation Council, now renamed as World Customs Organization, and the close- knitting of customs organizations the world over and their role in international trade.

He appreciated the role of Customs department and expressed the hope that more attention would be paid to the taxpayers’ facilitation for the betterment of trade and industry.

Earlier, Collector Customs Ahmed Dildar in his speech gave a brief overview of the performance of his formation and highlighted the role of customs in the swift and timely clearance of huge quantum of relief goods on round-the-clock basis.

A flag hoisting ceremony and distribution of mementos and certificates among top importers and exporters on their meritorious services were also held on the occasion.