KARACHI, Nov 1: All the Collectorates of Customs in Pakistan will adopt Pakistan Good Declaration (PGD), a standard based on United Nations Layout Key for global trade, by June 30, 2003. PGD helps traders make their declaration through computer.

On November 1, PGD was launched at the Port Qasim Collectorate of Customs as a pilot project, replacing all the existing cargo clearance documents for imports for the time being, says a press release of the FPCCI.

The introduction of PGD is being undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce and Pakistan Shippers’ Council.

To assist the traders in producing the document through the computer, Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited of the Customs has developed software which is being supplied to the clearing agents free of cost.

A World Bank study to evaluate the logistics costs of international trade of Pakistan has observed that in case of certain commodities — the transaction and logistics costs amount to as much as 15 per cent of the cost of the commodity. These costs are created by the delays due to cumbersome and outdated procedures, which result in blockage of capital and the expenses involved in transaction of documents through such procedures.

Internationally the transaction and logistics costs are in the range of five per cent.

Pakistan Shippers Council of the FPCCI has joined hands with the Ministry of Commerce in the formation of National Trade and Transport Facilitation Committee. The main aim of the committee is to simplify the documents and procedures relating to international trade and harmonize these with international practices. The ministry has obtained the technical assistance of UNCTAD.