The newly approved “National One Window System” or NOWS is an attempt to eliminate regulatory hassles involved in the current paper based systems. The Government of Pakistan (GoP) has given approval of the automated system that will connect at least 40 ministries and regulatory bodies with each other and provide a fast, reliable, and seamless system for business approvals. Not only that, NOWS aims to help Pakistan join the global fast-paced paperless business community.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved the automated system and has called for Pakistan Customs as the organization to lead for seamless and easy implementation of the system. The target of the system is to create a fast environment for import and export related business, ensuring that the turnaround time for important business is reduced by a major percentage.
Also Read: Global Enabling Trade Index – Pakistan: Economy Profile
Pakistani business community has time and again showed concerns about the slow processes involved in getting approvals leading them to loss of critical business. The system will help traders and other business entities get quick approvals along with creation of a single database repository containing detailed historical information.
A senior officer of Pakistan Customers, Muhammad Zahid Khoker speaking to a local publishing house exclaimed his satisfaction with the project and ensured that it will help Pakistan compete with global trend setters. Shedding light on the financial aspect of the project Mr. Khokher said that the project will be funded through World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO). Pakistan is part of a signatory deal that involved providing modern infrastructure facilities to local and foreign businesses.
The exact budget of the project is yet to be exactly known but according to an early estimate, this may cost several billion rupees.
Also Read: State-of-the-Art CPEC-SEZ Cell, a Support Unit for CPEC Inaugurated
The ‘Ease of business initiative‘ of WTO and WB rates Pakistan at a lowly 144 out of 190 countries involved in the survey.
The NOWS project will provide a common interface involving at least 40 ministries, departments, autonomous bodies and other government and non-government agencies.
Mr. Zahid Khokher added:
“As part of NOWS project, customs will also upgrade its online clearing and forwarding system called WeBoc.”
He concluded by saying:
“There will be strict time line for approval or disapproval of applications. And if any application is not decided or responded then it will be automatically escalated to higher officers. If the entire department is not able to resolve or decide an application then it will further escalate to steering committee chaired by PM.”
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
