On behalf of Pakistan Customs, the Pakistan Single Window Company signs an agreement with TradeLens, a blockchain-underpinned logistics platform supported by 5 of the 6 largest ocean carriers globally, to digitise import-export documentation of the containerised cargo moving in and out of the country.
Pakistan’s international trade ecosystem is being rapidly transformed through the introduction of technology-driven initiatives led by the Pakistan Single Window and the country’s authorities recognise the potential benefits of digitising supply chains for efficiencies, enhanced transparency, and data-driven decision making.
Complex business ecosystems
“Our Government is committed to bring ease of doing business for the importers and exporters of Pakistan. We are making a determined effort to move away from complex, manual, paper-based documentation towards digital solutions that drives value for trade.” - Mr. Shaukat Tarin.
Cross-border containerised supply chains are some of the largest complex business ecosystems
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Mr Shaukat Tarin added, “Joining the TradeLens platform is allowing us to enhance our ecosystem in a way that all the involved stakeholders get access to a transparent and secure platform that makes processes more efficient.” Cross-border containerised supply chains are some of the largest and most complex business ecosystems in the world.
Improving operational efficiency
It is not uncommon for 30 independent parties, 100 people and up to 200 exchanges of information to be connected to a single shipment. With increased complexity comes increased cost. Shippers or beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) need consistent, auditable and immutable data from multiple sources to effectively manage their supply chains.
The authorisation to sign the collaboration came from the PSW Governing Council chaired by Mr Shaukat Tarin. The Chief Executive Officer of PSW Aftab Haider formally signed the agreement with Irtaza Hussain, the Regional Head of Network for TradeLens at IBM. PSW integration with TradeLens will help Pakistan Customs and other trade regulators to improve their operational efficiency and create value through the blockchain platform.
Supply chain ecosystem
Pakistan now joins an increasing number of connected Customs Authorities on the TradeLens platform"
The immutability of Blockchain-underpinned document information is important in the identification of illegal activities, as well as, improving the smooth operation of legal trade.
Marvin Erdly, Head of TradeLens at IBM. commented “The growth of the TradeLens’ network is evidence that participants from all across the supply chain ecosystem can derive significant value through digital collaboration. Pakistan now joins an increasing number of connected Customs Authorities on the TradeLens platform exploring innovative solutions to enhance global trade access and enhance process efficiencies for all involved.”
Global supply chain
TradeLens is a neutral platform that brings together data from the entire global supply chain ecosystem including shippers and cargo owners, 3PLs and freight forwarders, intermodal operators, customs and government authorities, ports and terminals, and several ocean carriers.
This data allows TradeLens and its network partners to modernise manual and paper-based documents by replacing them with blockchain-enabled digital solutions. It also allows the network partners to provide their customers with deeper visibility into the entire journey for their cargo from origin to destination and reduce uncertainty allowing for better planning and reduced inventory costs. TradeLens welcomed its first network member in Pakistan, Al-Hamd International Container Terminal, earlier this year.