FBR body approves hiring of consultants

After implementing NSW project, all cross-border clearance will be done through it

ISLAMABAD: A special committee constituted by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has approved the implementation of the $163-million National Single Window (NSW) project and has also given the go-ahead for hiring the three shortlisted consultants.

It accepted the proposal for acquiring a place on rent for establishing an office for the NSW project.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, the approval was given in line with the Customs General Order 08 in the third meeting of the special committee.

The committee convened the meeting under the chairmanship of its Chairman and Member Customs Dr Jawad Awais Agha at the FBR headquarters.

It approved orders for the purchase of hardware for the installation of three Symmetra PX Power Modules at the FBR data centre, Karachi. Furthermore, it permitted the purchase of APC Power distribution modules and flexible power cables and other tools for the FBR data centre, Islamabad.

According to the documents, approval for the purchase of hardware for the new Islamabad Airport was also given during the meeting.

The implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement under the World Trade Organisation is estimated to cost $163 million, according to the documents. Details were given two months ago and the special committee was formed shortly to work on the matter.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited’s (PRAL) board of directors has given permission for hiring the required human resource besides the logistics for the NSW project office, software and hardware. PRAL is an IT arm of the FBR.

For implementation of this project, PRAL will send invoices of all the procurements to the FBR, which will in turn provide funds according to the invoices.

It is expected that the expenditure of $163 million will technically be supported by the World Bank, foreign development department of America and British Department for International Development.

After implementing the system, all cross-border clearance will be done through it and it will further facilitate cross-border trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2019.

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