The government has withdrawn the requirement of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) ''sanction'' for the temporary export of goods for exhibitions, repairs, testing and other business processes. The Trade Policy, 2006-07, reveals simplification of the temporary export procedure, establishment of modern border terminals at the Pak-Afghan border and implementation of the National Trade Corridor Improvement Program (NTCIP).
At present, specific sanction has to be obtained from the commerce ministry for temporary export and subsequent duty-free import of goods for exhibitions, repairs, testing and other business process requirements. The sanctioning process can sometimes be time-consuming and therefore onerous for exporters.
It has, therefore, been decided to dispense with the sanction requirement from the ministry, and instead temporary export-cum-import will be permissible on provision of an appropriate indemnity bond and undertaking to the customs authorities concerned.
To Improving the Border Infrastructure, the National Logistics Cell (NLC) will establish modern border terminals at Taftan, Chaman, Torkham and Wagah keeping in view the importance of the transit trade. These terminals will house all the required facilities like customs and immigration offices, quarantine facilities, warehouses and display centres, scanners and weighbridges. These terminals will also serve as hubs for multi-modal transport since railway and road transport modes will be integrated.
National Trade Corridor Improvement Program (NTCIP): Under this program, the commerce ministry is working on improving the cold chain infrastructure and has initiated feasibility studies for three projects to provide state-of-the-art cool chain facilities for fresh fruits and vegetables. Secondly, the ministry has initiated a feasibility study to ascertain new locations where facilities are needed for dispatch of exports via air cargo.
Thirdly, the ministry is working with other government agencies to arrange the early accession to the International Transport Carnet (TIR) and the ATA Carnet conventions, since this will greatly facilitate the achievement of benefits associated with developing this trade corridor.