STAFF REPORT KHI: The National Ozone Unit (NOU), working under the Climate Change Division, has arranged a training workshop in Karachi on HCFC Phase-out Management.
Customs officers, industrialists, importers of HCFCs, Plant Protection Department, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), academia and NGOs attended the event.
On the occasion, Zaigham Abbas, National Programme Manager, Ozone Cell, briefed the participants about the Pakistans obligations to comply with the Montreal Protocol.
Dr. Waqar Ahmed gave his presentation on the ozone layer and its depletion which affects the life on earth.
In his remarks, Mosuf Ali, UNEPs consultant, provided information on the HCFC phase-out schedule agreed by the country and the strategy it has formulated to phase out HCFCs to remain in compliance with the Montreal Protocol.
Issues like implementation of 2012 HS Codes for HCFCs and data feeding in Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) system in customs to automatically control the imports of HCFC were also discussed on the occasion.
Detailed discussions were held on the HCFCs control and role of customs to curb illegal trade was also discussed.
The delegation of the Plant Protection Department mentioned that as there is no viable alternative to Methyl Bromde, the department will continue its use for Quarantine and pre-shipment process.