Pakistan, Tajikistan sign customs deal

Pact ‘will reduce’ cost of doing business for traders

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Tajikistan have signed an agreement in the field of customs. It is expected the pact would ensure international cooperation for the achievement of strategic objectives for economic integration with the countries.

“An agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters has been signed in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Pakistani Ambassador to Tajikistan Imran Haider and Tajikistan Customs Service Chairman Karimzoda K signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments,” according to an official statement issued on Friday.

The provisions of the agreement were finalised after an exchange of detailed information between customs of both countries and getting approvals by both the governments. In order to ensure prompt implementation of the said provisions, Pakistan Customs, through the foreign affairs ministry, authorised the country’s envoy to Tajikistan to sign the agreement on behalf of the Federal Board of Revenue.

The agreement would promote cooperation between the customs authorities of the two countries through the exchange of customs-related information. “Important information – that would be exchanged between both countries – pertains to goods and passengers; prevention and investigation of offences against Customs legislation; illicit traffic of narcotic drugs; enforcement of customs laws; research and development; enhanced/mutual foreign direct investments; promotion of exports between both countries,” it reads.

The statement read that the pact would go a long way in ensuring optimum trade facilitation/security for the bilateral/transit trade between both countries and would reduce the cost of doing business for the importers/exporters from both countries. “It is yet another milestone in the growing bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan. The agreement also reflects the will of the leadership in both countries to further reinforce friendly relations,” it also read.

Moreover, it was expected that the agreement would ensure requisite international cooperation for the achievement of strategic objectives for greater economic integration with the regional/international countries and diversification of Pakistan’s international trade. To this effect, Pakistan Customs has signed Customs Mutual Cooperation agreements with, inter-alia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, United Arab Emirates and the USA. Currently, Pakistan Customs is actively pursuing the finalisation of such agreements with South Korea, ASEAN Countries, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the European Union as well.

Before the signing ceremony, the Customs Service chairman under the Tajikistan government welcomed the Pakistani Ambassador Imran Hayder and the latter expressed his gratitude for the close cooperation of Tajikistan in customs matters. Hayder said: “The Pakistani government and Customs are always ready to enhance the economic and trade cooperation with Tajikistan.”