Exports from Faisalabad are gradually increasing, and imports-related irritants would also be resolved very soon, said the Collector of Customs, Faisalabad Mehboob Saqib. He was addressing a function at the office of Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) here late Thursday night.
He said that the facility of round the clock customs clearance has facilitated both exporters and importers and exports from Faisalabad have increased satisfactorily. About imports, he said that most of the irritants had been removed.
As regards charging of same duties, as received at Karachi ports, he said that 80 percent computer connectivity has been restored and remaining minor issues would also be resolved paving the way to collect same duty rates at this upcountry port as charged at Karachi Port. This would help the local importers to prefer clearance of their import goods at Faisalabad instead of getting these cleared at Karachi.
About the installation of scanners, he said that two scanners have been erected at Lahore after its installation at Port Qasim. He said that Faisalabad would also get this facility as soon as funds are available. He clarified that containers scanned and sealed at Faisalabad would not be opened at Karachi for rechecking.
About taxing samples, he said that 40 percent relief would be given to the exporter immediately. He said that submission of laboratory test report for same item and in case of same exporter is not necessary with every consignment and he would try his best to facilitate the exporters.
About acceptance of laboratory test reports prepared by Faisalabad Textile Testing Laboratory (FTTL) of PTEA, he said that this demand would also be examined to facilitate the exporters.
Earlier, PTEA Chairman Zahid Aslam in his address of welcome explained in detail the problems being faced by textile exporters, and demanded to reactivate the committee locally formed to resolve the day-to-day issues. He also appreciated the efforts of the Collector for taking keen interest and resolving exporters' problems on top priority basis.
Later, Faisalabad Garment City Chairman Mukhtar Ahmad presented a shield to the Collector Customs while Mian Saleem also presented a gift of religious books. Farhat Ullah, senior vice-chairman, also presented a banquet to the Collector.
Ashfaq Ahmad, a former president of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked the Collector for his visit to PTEA. Faisalabad Dry Port Trust Chairman Muhammad Siddique, Ahmad Kamal, a former PTEA chairman, and Azhar Majeed also addressed the function.