Message from Member, Customs

World Customs community is celebrating International Customs Day on 26th January, 2012. Customs play a pivotal role in economic development through efficient targeted controls and the facilitation of legitimate trade. In the prevailing scenario global trade requires international co-operation and co-ordination among governments and trade bodies.
It compels in sharing and improving knowledge within the customs community and this year's theme of "Borders divide, Customs connect" underscores the importance of collaboration and communication. In addition to the traditional tasks, Customs has new responsibilities which cannot be addressed without the necessary skills, knowledge and connectivity.
It is essential to broaden the horizons, enhance the competence and improve the effectiveness of Customs administration through better performance, transparency and development of new techniques and systems. I congratulate Pakistan Customs on the introduction of indigenously developed new software WeBOC (Web Based One Customs) for automated clearance of cargo at three containerised terminals in Karachi. The department is focused on the path of modernisation and has implemented state of the art systems employing sophisticated equipment at border stations, airports and seaports in collaboration with international agencies like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
I take the opportunity to state that in an era of declining resources and increasing volumes of trade and travel effective risk management is a necessity for Customs. It is almost impossible for Customs to physically check every consignment and passenger. Risk management is something that needs to be implemented across the organisation. At the operational level it enables Customs to better achieve the balance between facilitation and control and to concentrate on goods and passengers posing the highest risk. Pakistan Customs has finalised the creation of Directorate of Risk Management which would help in facilitating trade on one hand and un-covering the scrupulous elements in trade on the other.
I congratulate all officers and officials of Pakistan Customs on this special day of international importance and wish that the department will continue its commitment in achieving revenue targets, facilitating trade and passenger traffic. The department has to improvise in all its fields to contribute positively in the domestic economic growth and consolidation of international trade relations in consonance with the WCO's 2012 theme of connectivity.