Dry ports be restricted for exports only: KCCI

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has recommended to the federal government that the use of dry ports be restricted for exports only. In a communication to the government, the KCCI further suggested all imports consignment should be cleared by customs at sea ports only.
The chamber noted that dry ports were conceived to facilitate exports but instead importers and authorities alike leading to mass corruption had massively abused those.
The chamber noted that since total elimination of smuggling was difficult at the borders, it should be curtailed by reducing incentives for smuggling by cutting tariff rates of smuggling prone items.
The chamber pointed out that smuggling through ATT and Sost (KKH) borders continued unabated, causing colossal loss to trade, and industry and revenue losses to the government. The chamber proposed abolishing of 0.25 per cent export development surcharge.
The Chamber further noted that that tax reduce competitive edge of Pakistani products in international market.