Slow and steady, costs more

World Bank concerned over non-integration of container X-ray facility at Karachi International Container Terminal.

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) has expressed concern over the non-integration of the container X-ray facility with customs cargo examination and clearance procedure at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT), informed a high-level official in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The World Bank (WB) has highlighted key issues in a recent report of the WB review mission on the customs procedure of the FBR. According to the report, this powerful, non-intrusive examination (X-ray), which facilitates the clearance of containerised freight, is not being utilised. The non-integration of this facility is causing an increase in container dwell times, thereby resulting in additional demurrage costs to the importers.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2010.