Key Takeaways
- Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to expand customs digitalisation through artificial intelligence.
- The initiative aims to strengthen border controls, reduce clearance times, and support regional trade.
- A Pakistani delegation is visiting Tashkent to discuss future initiatives.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan are set to enhance their customs cooperation by leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This development was announced following a high-level bilateral meeting held in Tashkent during an international conference.
The two countries plan to implement AI-enabled risk management and data analytics, which will improve customs clearance processes and enforcement mechanisms. These measures are expected to strengthen regional trade security while supporting legitimate trade activities and combating illicit cross-border activities.
Syed Shakeel Shah, Member Customs Operations at the Federal Board of Revenue, is leading a Pakistani delegation that met with the First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee in Tashkent. The meeting focused on reviewing existing cooperation mechanisms and planning future initiatives.
Pakistan has already established advance customs information exchange through the Pakistan Single Window for both imports and exports with Uzbekistan. This marks a significant milestone in digital customs cooperation between the two countries, as it is the first such agreement of its kind.
The delegation highlighted the importance of extending this existing digital connectivity to cover transit trade information. This move aims to improve the quality and speed of customs data exchange, thereby strengthening border controls and reducing clearance times.
Both nations also discussed advancing trade facilitation through mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operator programmes and regulatory documents. They agreed to promote the wider use of AI-enabled risk management and data analytics to support customs clearance and enforcement.
Public-private partnerships will be encouraged to facilitate legitimate trade while effectively combating illicit cross-border activities. The collaboration is expected to lead to faster, safer, and more seamless regional trade and transit operations.
The discussions during this meeting underscore the commitment of both countries to modernise their customs processes through technology-driven solutions. This development is seen as a significant step towards improving regional trade security and efficiency.
