Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi, vice-chairman of Multan Dry Port Trust, has said that this dry port is progressing by leaps and bounds and exports worth Rs 7 billion were handled by it during the year 2003.
In the similar period, imports worth Rs 2 billion were cleared at this port. An amount of Rs 194 million was deposited into the government treasury on account of the customs duty and taxes on import.
A movement of 6,354 containers took place from this port during this period. An increase of Rs 29 million in handling of export and Rs 1 billion in import during this year at Multan Dry Port Trust was a satisfactory sign by the management.
Syed Muhammad Qasim Shah further announced a special discounted package for the imports by reducing port dues from Rs 5000 to Rs 3000 per 20 tonnes /40 tonnes container.
The transportation policy was also made flexible and now the importers can use their respective transport for imports.
The port development contribution fund for other bonded carrier was also reduced from Rs 2000 to Rs 1000.
Khawaja Roomi said that Dry Port Trust chairman Syed Muhammad Qasim Shah also announced decrease in handling charges of fabrics from Rs 700 to Rs 500 per container thus removing the existing disparity between handling charges of grey cloth and yarn.
He stressed on the exporters and importers of this region to utilise these facilities, as the port dues have been reduced to a maximum possible limit.