LCCI seeks regulatory duty relief on flour export

The president, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mian Shafqat Ali, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit, Vice President Aftab Ahmad Vohra, and Executive Committee Member Majid Abdullah have urged the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to withdraw 15 percent regulatory duty on export of flour to Afghanistan.
The LCCI office-bearers, in a joint statement, issued after a meeting with representatives of Flour Mills Association, said that the regulatory duty on export of flour to Afghanistan was imposed at a time when there was a shortage of the commodity in the country. Now when there is no shortage of wheat in the country, no justification is left for this levy because of this duty Pakistan is fast losing traditional Afghanistan market at the hands of Tajkistan and Uzbekistan.
The LCCI office-bearers said the government may not be generating much revenue against this duty, but on the other hand, it is creating problems for the flour milling industry, which already has surplus wheat.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government has ample stocks of wheat in their godowns, therefore, there is a dire need to exhaust these stocks in order to make room for the next year crop thus facilitating the farmers.study report on steel sector in January
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) will release its report being compiled by it on 'Steel Sector of Pakistan' in January 2006 which will throw light on strengths and weaknesses of the steel sector, apart from its installed and production capacity.
Research and development section of the LCCI has collected data about steel sector including history, present and future scenario besides preparing a directory of industrialists, importers, indenters and sellers associated with this sector, said the Convenor LCCI Standing Committee on Steel, Kashif Yunus Mehar while talking to Business Recorder on Saturday.
Kashif averred that this report would not only discuss the problems and impediments in the way of development of this important sector but would also tender practical and solid suggestions to the government.
He further said that data to be given in this report would also throw light on iron-ore reserves found in Pakistan. "Our industry is still using recycled steel for its products, and if these iron-ores can be explored and utilised, we can also go in to basic industry, which produce raw material for making steel for structure," he added.
He said that the report would also threw light on the sources from which steel industry was getting its raw material and energy resources being utilised by it.