Under instructions from Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to reduce cost of production and business, to modernise and simplify the ports and shipping facilities and to remove unnecessary obstacles in trade, the second meeting of National Trade Corridor Committee (NTCC) was convened at Islamabad under the chairmanship of CBR Chairman M Abdullah Yusuf.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) nominee on KPT Board A Q Khalil and Javed Ahmed Vohra, Chairman Shipping and Multi-model Transport Sub-Committee represented KCCI and highlighted the problems faced by the traders due to increase in free time and demanded to reduce the time from 7 days to 5 days.
The meeting resolved to form a subcommittee under Secretary, Ports and Shipping, to urgently review the free time issue and make recommendations in this behalf.
Another issue related to the ever-increasing complaints against freight forwarders and shipping agents also came up under discussion and proposals were presented by KCCI representatives to resolve the matter on permanent basis by determining legal charges, fixing responsibility and time for delivery order etc.
The CBR Chairman asked the Secretary Ports & Shipping to examine these proposals in the meeting of the newly formed subcommittee and examine, on priority basis, the matters related to House Bill of Lading, Original Bill of Lading and disputes arising on this account, especially the complaints of illegal charges being claimed in this regard.
"The KCCI has already made recommendations for formation of a Shipping Supervisory Council to deal with these matters," clarified Javed Ahmed Vohra.
The meeting also examined the present system and facilities for Afghan Transit Trade through sea, land and rail and emphasised need for close co-ordination among various government departments to improve these facilities.
The matter causing delay in clearance of imported livestock, edible goods and perishable agricultural products also came under discussion.
It was agreed that for speedy clearance of air cargo, latest and new scanning machines should be installed and Cargo Throughput Charges (CTC) may be revised.
It was also agreed that a decision in this behalf should be urgently taken on the basis of the report from Ministry of Commerce.
The Secretaries of Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Communication, Ports & Shipping, Railways, Agriculture and representatives of KTP, Port Qasim, NLC, Civil Aviation, Customs, KICT attended the meeting.-PR