Customs Day celebrated with emphasis on collaboration for future challenges

Karachi witnessed the celebration of International Customs Day as Pakistan Customs upheld the tradition of commemorating this significant occasion at Customs House.

During the gathering, a Customs official expressed the importance of not only celebrating past successes but also preparing for emerging challenges. Syed Irfan Ali, a spokesperson for Customs, quoted Member Customs Operations Farid Iqbal Qureshi as saying, "It brings us immense pleasure to address this auspicious occasion of International Customs Day. We gather to honour the pivotal role played by customs administrations globally in facilitating trade and safeguarding borders. Under the theme 'Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,' we explore the evolving dynamics of international trade and the critical need for collaborative efforts in navigating this ever-changing landscape."

Throughout history, customs authorities had regulated cross-border trade, ensuring compliance with laws and collecting duties. However, in today's interconnected world, challenges had become intricate, from rapid digitisation to emerging threats like transnational crime and terrorism, necessitating innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.

To address these challenges, customs must engage with traditional stakeholders and new partners, including technology firms, academia, civil society, and the wider public. By harnessing collective expertise, we could facilitate legitimate trade while combating illicit activities more effectively.

While Pakistan Customs had successfully integrated technology for cross-border trade processes, further collaboration with new partners was crucial. The digital transformation of trade processes provides opportunities to streamline procedures and enhance transparency. Collaboration with technology enterprises could leverage tools such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to modernise systems.