PSW introduces Russian language dedicated helpline to facilitate Central Asian trade
Pakistan Single Window (PSW) has launched Russian language helpline to benefit international transit trade with Central Asia, addressing a crucial language barrier faced by traders particularly from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan using Pakistani ports as transit routes for imports/exports with Central Asia.
Navigating trade in the new year
In 2023, inflation soared, reaching nearly 30%, making everyday living more challenging in Pakistan. Our economy experienced a mild contraction by 0.5%, a sober reminder of the tough road we've had to tread. Yet, amid these hardships, our current account deficit saw a remarkable improvement, contracting from $17.5 billion to just $2.2 billion. The necessary reduction in imports played a key role in slowing down our economy and contributed to the surge in inflation rates.
Single window solution for Pakistan
To overcome the challenges faced by Pakistan in international trade, the government of Pakistan introduced the PSW initiative in 2017, led by Pakistan Customs. It is a unified platform where all trade parties submit information through a single-entry point. It harmonizes customs and regulatory processes, bringing efficiency to stakeholders like government bodies, traders, port operators, ground handling agents, freight forwarders, transporters, and shipping agents.
Licenses and Registrations of pharmaceutics were granted to PSW
The Pakistan Single Window, in collaboration with the Drug Regulatory Authority, has established PSW for all existing entities, their licenses and registrations to improve ease of doing business, transparency, and efficiency of pharmaceuticals, importers, health organizations, and drug import support organizations. has been integrated into the platform.
Cross-border goods via PSW: FBR directs govt depts to apply new ‘IRMS’
FBR has mandated the implementation of IRMS for cross-border trade consignments cleared through the PSW system. The new system applies to government departments handling trade controls on imports, exports, and transit goods. It aims to balance compliance and trade facilitation, reducing business time and costs. The Governing Council will form an inter-agency Risk Management Committee to oversee the IRMS, ensuring collaboration among government bodies and assessing its impact on compliance.
Khadija The Women Entrepreneurship Program to empower women
PSW successfully conducted the Khadija The Women Entrepreneurship Program in Lahore to empower women in international trade. The program was officially launched on 15 December 2022 in Karachi, with the aim of increasing women's participation in international trade through the PSW platform.
Khadija Women Entrepreneurship Programme earns praise
PSW earned praise for its Khadijah Women Entrepreneurship Program held in Lahore. FBR Member Customs (Operations) Zeba Hai Azhar commended PSW's efforts to empower women entrepreneurs, highlighting the program's aim to train and enhance capabilities for active participation in cross-border trade. The CEO of PSW, Syed Aftab Haider, emphasized the initiative's significance in encouraging more women entrepreneurs to engage in international trade and expand their market reach.
PSW’s Khadijah Programme hosts Second Iteration
PSW has launched the Khadijah – Women Entrepreneurship Program in Lahore after its successful launch in 2022. Khadijah aligns with the government of Pakistan’s commitment to gender equality and economic empowerment for women. Speakers from the PM’s Youth Program, SBP, ReMIT, IPA-USAID, SMEDA, Trade Foresight, and representatives from FedEx and Habib Bank delivered training sessions organized around access to information, access to finance, and e-commerce procedures involving banks, couriers, and customs.
Revitalizing Pakistan’s export engine, economic activity
Aadil Nakhoda discusses the recent trade statistics published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for November 2023, suggesting that exports in the first five months of FY24 are hovering at levels similar to those reported for the first five months in the previous fiscal year. He recommends restructuring trading agreements, supporting small and medium enterprises, adopting global standards, and enabling digital access to market information.
Licenses, Product Registration: PSW teams up with DRAP for gradual roll-out of services
Pakistan Single Window, in collaboration with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has successfully integrated all existing entities, licenses, and product registration of drugs with the PSW platform. It will enhance transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business for pharmaceutical companies, commercial importers, healthcare institutions, and humanitarian organizations involved in imports of finished drugs. This partnership was formalized through an MoU signed on 11th November 2022 in Islamabad.