Streamlining cross-border trade
Directs relevant authorities to work on ‘emergency basis’ to enhance capacity of the country’s ports
islamabad
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the establishment of a Trade Facilitation Board, to be chaired by him, aimed at streamlining trade processes and addressing non-tariff barriers to cross-border commerce.
Chairing a meeting on trade facilitation in Islamabad, the prime minister said the board would take decisions to improve the entire trade supply chain and resolve issues affecting cross-border trade. The meeting was informed that the board would prepare a roadmap to promote trade, formulate a Trade Facilitation Index and devise a mechanism to monitor progress.
PM Shehbaz directed the relevant authorities to work on an “emergency basis” to enhance the capacity of the country’s ports and ordered the formation of working groups to oversee the process.
He said these groups would focus on increasing port capacity, improving coordination among relevant departments, ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework, facilitating pre-arrival clearance and promoting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in international trade.
The prime minister also called for the simplification of transportation, clearance and other procedures for importers and exporters at ports, directing that “maximum possible facilitation” be provided to the business community.
The meeting was informed that ongoing reforms had reduced port charges, resulting in a significant increase in port utilisation.
It was further briefed that the facility for submitting Goods Declarations before the arrival of vessels was being expanded. The measure is expected to speed up clearance procedures.
Food Security and Research Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Adviser to the PM for Industries and Production Division Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior government officials attended the meeting.
