KARACHI, July 19: Central Board of Revenue Chairman Mohammad Abdullah Yousuf on Monday said that a new training institute of world standard would be built at the Old Custom House, Karachi at a cost of Rs32 million. It will have an affiliation with the World Customs Organization.

Talking to officers of the Directorate of Training and Research (Customs, Excise and Sales Tax), the CBR chairman said there was greater need to improve upon human skills to meet the growing challenges of new world order.

He disclosed that PC1 for the new directorate of training building had been approved and new structure would replace the Old Custom House, which was built in 1930. However, he said the face of the building would not be disturbed to maintain the historical value of the structure.

The institute, he said, would also cater to the needs of neighbouring countries, including central Asian states, the Middle East and Afghanistan. The CBR chief said at present five such institutes were operating in Asia, including Japan, India, Malaysia, Australia and China.

The CBR chairman also gave an approval for imparting training to other cadres of the customs such as auditors, preventive officers, inspectors and office superintendents. At present only additional and deputy collectors are given training by the directorate.

Mr Yousuf also entrusted upon the directorate of training for doing the cleansing job as well as developing a document management system in the customs to maintain records and other sensitive evidences required from time to time.

The customs authorities generally trash hard copies of their records for want of storage facilities. However, such records are badly needed for evidence and provide proof in case of litigation.

The CBR chief also asked the directorate to continue with their taxpayers' facilitation, which was primarily not their job. He also assured the officers of releasing fund for this purpose to meet extra expenses. A separate hostel will also be set up for officers and staff coming for training from other parts of the country.

The CBR chairman also asked the directorate to impart training for customs agents and allow only certified and trained agents to practice the job of clearing agents.

"The CBR has taken a policy decision that all those imparting training will be better paid. Training managers will be sent abroad for getting latest knowledge and skills," Mr Yousuf said.

Most of these steps will be taken under the customs administrative reforms which will also include media manager to interact with newsmen for developing greater understanding at all levels.