Agility likely to wrap up local operations

Negotiations between PaCCS developer and FBR remain stalled.

KARACHI:

Negotiations between the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Agility remain stalled as FBR has yet to the pay Agility for purchase of the Pakistan Automated Customs Computerised System (PaCCS).

Agility, the software developer, will eventually shut down its system from all trade terminals unless FBR purchases the system as per terms and conditions decided during two meetings with FBR Chairman Salman Siddique this year.

Former FBR chairman Abdullah Yousaf was also present in the second meeting with Agility officials held in Kuwait in April.

Abdullah Yousaf launched the automated system under a public-private partnership, aimed at automation of Pakistan Customs, in 2005.

The system has proved its effectiveness and unmatched performance compared with other semi-automated systems launched by FBR’s subsidiary company Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited, according to sources.

It seems that Siddique is facing some internal problems, as it does not make sense for FBR to not purchase a system giving them the highest tax revenues, said an Agility representative.

PaCCS was built according to international standards to promote trade and automate Customs’  procedures across the country. The system has an end-to-end automated solution covering all Customs functions.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2011.