Islamabad: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to tackle the challenges faced by textile exporters at ports. He emphasized the need for timely filing of Goods Declarations and completion of necessary documentation to streamline the export process.

According to Press Information Department, Chaudhry chaired a meeting attended by representatives from the export industry, port authorities, Customs, and other relevant stakeholders. The discussion highlighted the importance of coordination among Customs, port authorities, exporters, and shipping stakeholders to address clearance delays and enhance transit times for textile exports.

Customs and port authorities provided insights into current clearance procedures and the time required at different stages. Participants agreed on the necessity of closer collaboration to improve operational efficiency. The meeting also reviewed the process of consignments selected for scanning, emphasizing the importance of efficient scheduling to prevent delays while adhering to regulatory and security requirements.

Chaudhry instructed Customs authorities to review the scanning process, identify delay causes, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to streamline operations. He advocated for the increased use of the Pakistan Single Window and advance electronic processing to facilitate prompt cargo clearance.

Exporters expressed concerns over extended transit times due to disruptions in international shipping routes, particularly in the Red Sea. Chaudhry acknowledged these challenges and highlighted the need for both immediate operational measures and long-term improvements in shipping connectivity.

The meeting concluded with an agreement that Customs, exporters, and Pakistan Single Window stakeholders would remain engaged through a coordination mechanism to address issues related to cargo dwell time and scanning. Chaudhry underscored the importance of timely and practical solutions to address port and customs bottlenecks impacting Pakistan’s textile exports’ competitiveness.