ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Tuesday directed the Federal Board of Revenue to consult all stakeholders on the business plan for the establishment of National Single Window (NSW).

Chairing the second meeting of Steering Committee to review the implementation status of the NSW, the adviser asked the FBR to carry out further consultation on the business plan for the establishment of NSW with a view to have a broad-based consensus before its formal approval.

The FBR was also directed to simplify the existing laws and regulations to help promote trade with neighbouring countries.

Member Custom (Operations) Jawed Agha gave a presentation to the committee highlighting the concepts and benefits of NSW system. He informed that the implementation of NSW would help promote cross-border trade as well as improving the ease of doing business.

He informed the committee that the establishment of NSW system by 2022 was a basic requirement under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, to which Pakistan is a signatory.

He said that the FBR was actively working on early implementation of NSW system which would play instrumental role in promoting cross-border trade.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2019