Streamlining cross-border trade
\nDirects relevant authorities to work on \u2018emergency basis\u2019 to enhance capacity of the country\u2019s ports
\n islamabad
\nPrime 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.
\nChairing 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.
\nPM Shehbaz directed the relevant authorities to work on an \u201cemergency basis\u201d to enhance the capacity of the country\u2019s ports and ordered the formation of working groups to oversee the process.
\n 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.
\nThe prime minister also called for the simplification of transportation, clearance and other procedures for importers and exporters at ports, directing that \u201cmaximum possible facilitation\u201d be provided to the business community.
\nThe meeting was informed that ongoing reforms had reduced port charges, resulting in a significant increase in port utilisation.
\nIt 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.
\nFood 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Streamlining cross-border trade Directs relevant authorities to work on \u2018emergency basis\u2019 to enhance capacity of the country\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":565346,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-565327","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n