KARACHI: The All Pakistan Timber Traders Association (APTTA) has appealed to the prime minister, concerned ministers and federal secretaries to the government to suspend the import conditions and restrictions in SRO 545 (I) 2022 in the IPO Order 2022 on wood and timber in tariff classes 44.01 to 44.09 for all the "Bills of Lading" issued until June 30, 2023 so that the industry doesn't collapse.

The association emphasised that the import conditions in Imports Policy Order (IPO) 2022 are very delicate and technical issue for the entire community of the wood/timber trade falling under H.S Codes: 44.01 to 44.09 which has been introduced through SRO 545(I) 2022.

These conditions will increase and skyrocket our prices, and the timber community will be penalized with heavy detention and demurrage, a big contributor to inflation

Any decision made in haste will destroy the entire wood business sector H.S. Code 44.01 - 44.09, causing damage to a large number of industries and livelihood of millions associated with wood based industries that rely on wood as a basic raw material.

For example, out of the large number of industries that rely on wood, one very important industry for example is the building and construction industry and that is responsible and connected to 45 to 50 other industries and will have the impact on overall economic situation of our country.

In the absence of forest reserves in Pakistan and due to heavy deforestation, wood has to be imported, and this is known to the whole world the importance of the environment and the reasons for climate change. Due to the lack of forest resources available in Pakistan, the country is suffering badly because of climate change, and the recent floods are an example.

Pakistan imports wood from the USA, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Malaysia, Finland and other countries. These countries are developed countries and are environmentally responsible unless the current regime wants to damage and destroy the wood trade which may hurt our export and bilateral trade relationships with wood-exporting countries.

The association appealed to save the wood industry unless the regime wants the shortage to be created which will result in very high prices the livelihoods of millions to be lost, the supply chain damaged, and wants to create chaos in these tumultuous and terribly tough times in the history of our nation.

The association urged government to suspend import conditions on wood and timber in tariff classes 44.01 to 44.09 for all the "Bills of Lading" issued until June 30, 2023, so that the industry doesn't collapse and come back to track and industries start their economic activities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022