KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday eliminated the requirement of Electronic Form-E (EFE) by amending the foreign exchange regulations to facilitate exporters.

Through the Pakistan Single Window and International Platforms, it has notified revisions in foreign exchange regulations for export of goods from the country, the central bank said.

Key changes include amendments in regulations to facilitate export transactions through the Pakistan Single Window when it becomes operational. “This will eliminate the requirement of EFE for carrying out exports from Pakistan,” said the SBP.

Another key amendment introduced in the revised export regulations is the framework for facilitating Pakistani exporters and entrepreneurs to sell their products through international digital marketplaces including Amazon, e-Bay and Alibaba under the Business-to-Business-to-Consumer (B2B2C) e-Commerce model.

Amendment aimed at helping Pakistani exporters sell products through digital marketplaces

These regulations would pave the way for Pakistani exporters particularly SME exporters to reach out to millions of international consumers for selling their products.

“This would open up the window of new opportunities for the Pakistani business community and result in boosting the economic activity and creation of new employment opportunities in the entire value chain,” said the SBP.

Considering the market dynamics and keeping pace with changing business environment, SBP is in the process of revising the foreign exchange regulations, in consultation with relevant stakeholders in a phased manner, it added.

“The primary objective of these revisions is to promote ease of doing business by simplifying the existing instructions, removing the redundancies and delegating more powers to the Authorised Dealers for facilitation of the stakeholders,” said the SBP.

Earlier, the SBP and Pakistan Customs had joined hands in 2015 and switched from manual export form to electronic export form by implementing EFE Module in the WeBOC system.

The EFE is an electronic declaration submitted by exporters to the Pakistan Customs and is required before filing of Goods Declaration to the Pakistan Customs for clearance of each export consignment.

“However, once the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) becomes operational, the requirement for EFE will be eliminated thus enhancing ease of doing business for exporters,” said the SBP.

The PSW system is a facility that will allow parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.

“The system will help reduce the time and cost of doing business by making trade related business processes more efficient, transparent and consistent,” said the SBP.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2021