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KARACHI: In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s export sector, Chief Collector of Customs (Export) Mohammad Sadiq has pledged enhanced cooperation with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to ensure smoother trade operations.
During his visit to the KCCI, Chief Collector Sadiq highlighted the enduring partnership between the customs department and KCCI. He emphasized the shared responsibility in overcoming challenges faced by exporters, stating, “Our meetings are not about assigning blame but about acknowledging that improvements must be a shared endeavour.”
The meeting saw participation from key figures, including Collector of Customs (Export) Irfan Javed and KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, alongside other senior officials and committee members.
Collector Javed introduced recent initiatives such as a 24-hour help desk at the Customs Headquarters and a dedicated WhatsApp group to ensure real-time issue resolution. He assured that concerns would be addressed promptly, including coordination with Drug Enforcement agencies to reduce redundant inspections.
President KCCI Jawed Bilwani stressed the importance of an export-driven strategy for sustainable economic strength. He called for the eradication of unnecessary hurdles and emphasized holding individuals accountable for malpractice to maintain Pakistan’s global reputation.
Bilwani also raised operational challenges faced by exporters, such as high logistics costs and examination delays, urging better coordination for faster clearances. He praised the formation of a quick-response WhatsApp group as a “game-changer” for resolving exporters’ issues swiftly.
Specific concerns highlighted included the exclusion of the iron and steel sector from the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) and liquidity challenges in the textile sector. Bilwani advocated for precise accountability and faster refund processing to support these sectors.
As the meeting concluded, both customs and KCCI reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s export ecosystem through collaboration, efficient facilitation, and transparency.