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Karachi, April 30, 2007 – U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Peter W. Bodde, emphasized here on Monday that the establishment of the International Container Security at Port Qasim “will speed the flow of goods from Pakistan and the Central Asian region into the United States while increasing the security of the United States.”
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Karachi - The U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Peter W. Bodde, emphasized here Monday that the establishment of the International Container Security at Port Qasim “will speed the flow of goods from Pakistan and the Central Asian region into the United States while increasing the security of the United States.”
“This facility is both a preventive tool in the global War on Terror that will make our borders safer and will also increase the economic efficiency of Pakistani exports,” the American diplomat said while speaking at the inauguration of the International Container Security project (IC3), performed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Port Qasim.
Various government officials including Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Arbab Rahim, and Federal Ministers for Commerce and Ports & Shipping were also present on the occasion.
Charge d’Affiares Bodde said that this project highlighted the strong and shared commitment of both the U.S. and Pakistan governments. “As a joint effort with the Government of Pakistan, this facility will test the feasibility of using integrated scanning technology to inspect every container bound for the U.S.”
“Port Qasim is one of only three locations in the world selected for this testing phase, reflecting the close cooperation between our two countries,” Peter Bodde said.
The senior U.S. diplomat said that the testing phase at Port Qasim will help the U.S. Government determine whether scanning hundred per cent of containers bound for the U.S. is technologically and economically feasible. “It will also increase the security of the international supply chain for shippers utilizing Port Qasim,” he added.
The Secure Freight Initiative, a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of State, is a comprehensive model for global supply chain security – it enhances security while keeping legitimate trade flowing. It leverages information, host country government and trade partnerships, plus the latest technology to validate the security of goods in maritime shipping containers and reduce the risk of terrorism.
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