KARACHI, March 13: Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Abdullah Yousuf has said that the automated system of goods clearance is necessary to ensure competitiveness of Pakistani goods in the international market.

Speaking to customs and sales tax employees here on Thursday, he said in 2001 a task force was set up to suggest ways and means for introducing transparency and efficiency in the working of FBR, which could match the world standards.

The FBR chief stated that it was the duty of the government to facilitate private sector and make it competitive in the world market by eliminating extra and invisible costs incurred on account of corruption and inefficient systems.

Only by introducing transparency and enhancing efficiency of the revenue collection departments, foreign investment could be attracted, he said.

Mr Yousuf said that many nations had moved far ahead in introducing automation and rapid clearance of goods at import and export stage because it ensures competitiveness of goods.

After doing away with the manual clearance of goods at import and export stages, the FBR chief said automation had ensured clearance within 12 hours as against five to six days in the past, prior to introduction of CARe (Customs Administrative Reforms) working under the Model Customs Collectorate.

He said a foundation would be set up to manage and suggest measures for utilising the properties owned by the FBR.

He also announced to upgrade employees working in BPS-1 to 16 to the next higher grades, and also to provide medical facilities to employees, where required.

Under the ongoing reforms, the chairman said that the FBR’s budget had also increased from Rs3 to Rs7.5 billion, with Rs5 billion going to salaries and other welfare accounts of workers.

He assured the employees that under the ongoing reforms, no layoffs would be made, and if it was at all necessary, a golden handshake scheme would be introduced on an optional basis or workers would be accommodated in other departments if they become redundant.