ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is taking measures to improve and upgrade customs procedures in line with international standards.

During a meeting on Tuesday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed World Customs Organisation (WCO) Secretary-General Kunio Mikuriya that steps were also being taken to facilitate and promote border trade. “Pakistan fully supports all measures for enhancing regional connectivity, cooperation and promotion of regional trade is a major area in this regard.”

Referring to ‘CASA-1000’, TAPI and the Integrated Transit and Trade Management System (ITTMS) projects, Mr Dar said these initiatives would further integrate the Pakistan economy with the region.

The two sides expressed agreement on having a greater cooperation and linkages. The WCO would be prepared to cooperate with Pakistan for further improvement in the customs systems.

Mr Mikuriya arrived in the capital after completion of his two-day visit to Afghanistan.

WCO currently has 182 members, three quarters of which are developing countries from six regions, responsible for managing more than 98 per cent of world trade.

The WCO has published its ‘Capacity Building Progress Report’ which says WCO has still to engage more actively with Pakistan. However, Pakistan Customs’ reforms and modernisation efforts have been continuing since the last decade.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2017