Pakistan on Monday inaugurated a new container security project for exports to the United States, which officials said would reduce the risk of terrorism and increase the flow of trade between the two countries.
They said the International Container Security Project (IC3), built at Port Qasim in Karachi, was the first of its kind in the world, and would save US-bound cargo containers, screened at this facility, from any further checks in the US.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz inaugurated the facility built at a cost of US$8 million shared by the US and Pakistan governments.
'This facility will clearly make a major difference in easing the flow of goods between Pakistan and the United States,' Mr Aziz said. 'This will reduce the door-to-door time from Pakistani suppliers to US buyers,' he added.
The US is Pakistan's biggest trading partner, and during the first six months of the 2006/07 fiscal year (July-June), exports to the United States were worth over US$2.2 billion - more than a quarter of Pakistan's total exports.
The IC3 programme includes joint screening of US-bound cargo from Pakistan, through a live video link, by US Customs and Border Protection officials and Pakistan's customs officers.
Five other foreign ports where such a facility is being developed are Puerto Cortes in Honduras, Southampton in the United Kingdom, Port Salalah in Oman, the Port of Singapore, and the Gamman Terminal at Pusan in Korea.
Containers from these ports will be scanned for radiation and information risk factors before they are allowed to depart for the United States.
Peter Bodde, US charge d'affaires in Pakistan, said the facility will speed the flow of goods from Pakistan and the Central Asia region to the US market, while increasing security.
'(It) highlights the strong, shared commitment of both the US and Pakistani governments to security and trade,' he said.
Mr Bodde said the latest technology in use would help validate the security of goods in shipping containers and reduce the risk of terrorism.
They said the International Container Security Project (IC3), built at Port Qasim in Karachi, was the first of its kind in the world, and would save US-bound cargo containers, screened at this facility, from any further checks in the US.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz inaugurated the facility built at a cost of US$8 million shared by the US and Pakistan governments.
'This facility will clearly make a major difference in easing the flow of goods between Pakistan and the United States,' Mr Aziz said. 'This will reduce the door-to-door time from Pakistani suppliers to US buyers,' he added.
The US is Pakistan's biggest trading partner, and during the first six months of the 2006/07 fiscal year (July-June), exports to the United States were worth over US$2.2 billion - more than a quarter of Pakistan's total exports.
The IC3 programme includes joint screening of US-bound cargo from Pakistan, through a live video link, by US Customs and Border Protection officials and Pakistan's customs officers.
Five other foreign ports where such a facility is being developed are Puerto Cortes in Honduras, Southampton in the United Kingdom, Port Salalah in Oman, the Port of Singapore, and the Gamman Terminal at Pusan in Korea.
Containers from these ports will be scanned for radiation and information risk factors before they are allowed to depart for the United States.
Peter Bodde, US charge d'affaires in Pakistan, said the facility will speed the flow of goods from Pakistan and the Central Asia region to the US market, while increasing security.
'(It) highlights the strong, shared commitment of both the US and Pakistani governments to security and trade,' he said.
Mr Bodde said the latest technology in use would help validate the security of goods in shipping containers and reduce the risk of terrorism.