Single-Window Operations, Fast-Track Clearance Need of the Hour: LCCI President

By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Chief Collector Customs (Exports) Mohsin Rafiq has reaffirmed the commitment of customs authorities to providing maximum facilitation to exporters, saying that positive reforms are under consideration to further improve the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS).

Speaking at a meeting held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said practical measures would be taken to ensure faster clearance of export consignments, timely payment of duty drawback claims, and the removal of bottlenecks hindering exporters. He informed participants that a committee has been constituted to review the EFS and formulate recommendations for its future roadmap in consultation with all stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, Collector Customs Appraisement Lahore Salman Afzal, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, former FPCCI and LCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar, former President Muhammad Ali Mian, former Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar, former Vice President Haris Ateeq, and members of the Executive Committee.

Addressing the gathering, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan’s pursuit of economic stability and export-led growth requires an efficient and business-friendly Export Facilitation Scheme. While appreciating the government’s decision to extend the utilization period for imported raw materials under the EFS from nine months to eighteen months, he noted that several challenges continue to affect exporters.

He highlighted issues faced by the textile sector, where differing interpretations and appraisements of identical products under separate HS codes at various ports result in delays, uncertainty and additional demurrage costs. He stressed the need for uniform implementation and interpretation of HS codes across the country.

The LCCI President further observed that approvals of Letters of Credit and processing through IOCO often take up to two months, while procedures for determining production capacity and adding new HS codes remain complicated. He called for the introduction of a comprehensive single-window operation system to eliminate the need for businesses to engage with multiple departments and approval authorities.

Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol also pointed out that extensive documentation requirements under the EFS create difficulties, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He proposed integrating the scheme with SMEDA’s SME-RP portal to enable businesses to complete all procedures through a single digital platform.

He urged authorities to establish clear timelines for approvals and clearances, introduce an online tracking mechanism for applicants, and conduct awareness programs, workshops and training sessions for new exporters and SMEs.

The LCCI President further recommended that exporters with strong compliance records and consistent export performance should be granted fast-track clearance and reduced documentation requirements under risk management principles, thereby lowering business costs and enhancing competitiveness in international markets.

Later, Chief Collector Customs (Exports) Mohsin Rafiq said that his visit to the Lahore Chamber was specifically aimed at obtaining detailed feedback from the business community regarding the Export Facilitation Scheme. He emphasized that customs authorities are determined to make the EFS more transparent, efficient and business-friendly.

He assured participants that all proposals and recommendations presented by the business community would receive serious consideration and that stakeholder consultations would help formulate reforms aimed at boosting exports, supporting industrial growth and strengthening Pakistan’s economy.