All exports oriented services - Manufacturing Bond, Export Oriented Unit (EOU), Duty & Tax Remission for Export (DTRE) and SRO 492 are being automated, which will minimise human interaction and ensure trade facilitation, said Chief Collector Enforcement.
During his visit to FPCCI along with collector preventive and collector export to attend meeting on the other day, Dr Wasif Memon Chief Collector Enforcement said that Pakistan customs has started automation in all four exports oriented services to eliminate corruption by minimising human interaction that would facilitate the trade at maximum.
He said that disbursement of duty draw back during last 10 months of current fiscal year was 15 percent higher than the preceding period of last fiscal year, showing positive attitude of the government to facilitate Pakistan's business community at all levels. He said that in its budget proposal, Pakistan customs would recommend procedural amendments to streamline the rules of export processing zones and also offered arbitration to resolve issues between business community and shipping agents.
Earlier, in his presentation, vice president FPCCI Muhammad Arshad Jamal highlighted issues related to Air Freight Unit Karachi, export processing zones, procedural reforms, malpractices and corruption in shipping sector. He said that All Pakistan Customs Agents Association (APCAA) was playing proactive role for ensuring secure business environment and for economic development. He also offered both associations of shipping sector to come forward and resolve issues related to trade in amicable manner.
Arshad said that they were facing delays in the consignment clearance at air freight units (AFU) causing serious financial losses and added that all AFU terminals were poised to provide 24x7 services on international standards besides M/s Gerry DANATA also launched new IT based warehousing system at Karachi Airport, which would be extended to other airports.
Furthermore, he proposed to allow at least 16x7 hours service at all airports and appoint customs officials in two shifts to avoid unnecessary delays and extra cost of doing business. He said that if the government allowed and promoted free zones in Pakistan, it would attract local and foreign investors in the country and added that several Pakistani investors informed that they were facing difficulties at EPZ Karachi.
He also suggested the FBR to control malpractices and corruption in shipping sector and requested to review SRO 1220 in true sprit to resolve issues being faced by the trade. Meanwhile, SM Muneer former chief TDAP and patron-in-chief United Business Group (UBG) directed Arshad Jamal to prepare a comprehensive presentation on free zones, which he would discuss with PM Imran Khan for implementation. A large number of importers, exporters and other stakeholders attended the meeting.
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