Islamabad: An agreement on cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters has been signed in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Imran Haider, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Tajikistan, and Karimzoda K Chairman Customs Service, Republic of Tajikistan signed the said agreement on behalf of their respective governments.
The provisions of this agreement were finalised after the exchange of detailed information and comments between Pakistan Customs and Tajikistan Customs and getting approvals by both the governments. In order to ensure prompt implementation of the said provisions, Pakistan Customs authorised, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan to sign this agreement on behalf of the Federal Board of Revenue, Government of Pakistan.
The said agreement would promote co-operation 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 offenses 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. This would go a long way in ensuring optimum trade facilitation/security for the bilateral/transit trade between both countries and would tangibly 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 re-enforce friendly relations.
This agreement will ensure requisite international cooperation for the achievement of stated and strategic objectives for greater economic integration with the regional and international countries, and the diversification of Pakistan’s international trade. To this effect, Pakistan Customs, Federal Board of Revenue has already signed Customs Mutual Cooperation Agreements with, inter-alia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, United Arab Emirates, and the USA. 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 Chairman of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan welcomed the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H E Mr Imran Hayder. The latter expressed his gratitude for the close cooperation of Tajikistan in customs matters, and noted that the Government of Pakistan and Pakistan Customs are always ready to enhance the economic and trade cooperation with Tajikistan.
