Plans to integrate key entities like the
DRAP, BOI, MOFA, and private sector service
providers into Pakistan Single Window Unveiled
Business Reporter
Karachi: Deputy Collector Customs and Domain Officer of Pakistan Single Window (PSW), Muhammad Asim Awan, unveiled plans to integrate key entities like the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Board of Investment (BOI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and private sector service providers into PSW. This initiative aims to deliver seamless, efficient, and fast services to the business community.
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Asim Awan highlighted PSW’s ongoing efforts, stating:
“All regulatory functions at the port will be integrated, saving an average of three days per consignment and reducing costs by $50 per container.”
Major Enhancements to Trade Facilitation
Awan’s presentation, titled “Latest Initiatives and Future Projects of PSW,” also revealed:
- Integration of technical and functional upgrades for WeBOC.
- Collaboration with China Single Window, Egypt, and the e-Phyto Hub of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
- The inclusion of DPP Treatment Providers and external labs to streamline port operations.
PSW is also collaborating with Alibaba to develop an e-commerce module, bringing all stakeholders onto a unified platform to address e-commerce challenges efficiently.
Transforming Cross-Border Trade
Discussing Pakistan’s trade landscape, Awan explained that 67% of imported goods and 12% of exported goods require regulatory approvals, permits, or certifications. When including State Bank-related import and export forms, regulation reaches 100%.
He outlined the benefits of PSW, including:
- Enhanced government revenue.
- Improved compliance and efficiency.
- Faster clearance times.
- Transparent processes with reduced bureaucracy.
“PSW is a transformative initiative, driving digital innovation in trade-related public sector entities and supporting efficient port logistics,” Awan added.
KCCI President Urges Timely Implementation
KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani praised the PSW initiative but emphasized the need for immediate action to address delays in goods clearance, which continue to incur significant demurrage and detention charges.
Bilwani noted the business community’s belief in PSW’s potential to reduce operational costs. However, he stressed the importance of effective strategies to ensure timely goods clearance and encouraged more businesses to adopt PSW.
He also appreciated the self-clearance system, widely used by KCCI members, and requested data on its adoption rate. “Bringing every exporter and importer into PSW is critical to reducing the cost of doing business,” he concluded.
