Feb 22 layout 1

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pAkIStAN’S FIrSt INDepth NewSpAper oN cuStoMS

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Karachi, Wed February 22, 2017

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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he Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue, has showed tremendous performance after the assumption of the charge by Director General Shaukat Ali on 15th of October.

During the period of four months (15th of Oct 2016 to 15th of Feb 2107), Direc-

torate General, in countrywide operations, has seized miscellaneous goods including smuggled and fake cigarettes, non-duty paid cars, smuggled foreign origin cloths, diesel, petrol, auto parts, black tea, carpets, tyres and tubes, Gutka, toiletries and electronic worth Rs2210.60million. During the same period in last year, the directorate general had seized goods valued Rs1745million, so there is 26.88 percent more increase in the collection of customs and duties by the Islamabad directorate general. During the four month, directorate

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general has detected evasions of duties and taxes worth Rs4985.96million while it had detected Rs332.08million taxes and duty evasions in the last year.

There is 1401.4 percent record increase in taxes and duty evasion. Director General Shaukat Ali has lauded the performance of all directorates and expressed the hope that level of performance will be increased further. The director general has also especially appreciated the performance of Rawalpindi, Karachi Customs enforcement, Lahore and Faisalabad.

PCA detects tax evasion of Rs 3.1m

by M/s Ekada Corporation

DC Asma Hameed declares seizures of 66 mobile phones as legal

Secure workplace environment vital for smooth operations: SBP governor

Customs Preventive collects Rs 16,987m duty,taxes from July 2016 to Jan 2017

FBR recruits 180 Preventive Officers for Collectorate: Dr Saifuddin Junejo

Directorate of PCA has detected tax and duty evasion of Rs 3,19 million | See pAge 02 |

DC Customs Asma Hameed declares seizure of mobile phones as legal | See pAge 03 |

GovernorSBPAshrafWathrasaidthatinafast changing,highlyvulnerableenvironment | See pAge 04 |

Customs Preventive has collected Rs 16,987m, including all duty and taxes | See pAge 14 |

FBR has eventually recruited 180 sanctioned oďŹƒcers in Preventive Services | See pAge 16 |

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Sialkot Customs 16-grade employees demand promotion Wednesday, February 22, 2017

SIALKOT: The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sailkot’s employees of BS-16 have demanded the Federal Board of Revenue to promote them to the next grade.

Talking to Customs Today, they said Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had announced in his budget speech of 2014 that employees of BS-16 will be promoted to BS-17.

They added “we are waiting for promotions since then but no action has been taken by the government so far.” Employees said they are working sincerely to curb the smugglings and are strengthening the national economy.

National

pcA detects tax evasion of rs 3.1m

by M/s ekada corporation

FAISALABAD

KARACHI

NAeeM SheIkh

MuBeeN huSSAIN

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) impounded various goods and a vehicle worth Rs2.5million from the smugglers during the first week of February.

The value of the vehicle is Rs420000.

Sources told Customs Today that Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan constituted a team to curb smuggling in the region. The ASO team consisted of Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Inspectors Masood Saeed Chauhan and Safdar Ali, Muhammad Ashraf, Liaquat Ali, Israr Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah (Sepoys). The team seized smuggled goods and one non-duty paid vehicle under Section-157 of the Customs Act-1969.

Sources said smuggled goods include foreign origin auto-parts (200 kg) worth Rs 987000, imported cloths (1130-kg) valued Rs450312 and other miscellaneous items of different brands priced Rs 1.2million. All the items were brought into the country without payment of customs duty and taxes. All abovementioned goods were confiscated due to violation of the customs bylaws of the country.

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected tax and duty evasion of Rs 3,19 million by M/s Ekada Corporation on import of shredded/grated cheese, it is learnt.

In this regard, a contravention report has been issued against the importer. According to sources, during the audit of import data of “shredded/grated cheese”, it has been observed that M/s Ekada Corporation cleared six consignments of “shredded/grated cheese” from MCC Port Muhammad Bin Qasim by mis-declaring the classiRication under PCT heading 0406.1010 & 0406.3000 in order to avail inadmissible beneRit/exemption for sales tax under 6TH Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. The imported goods are appropriately classiRiable under PCT 0406.2000 and are chargeable to Sales Tax @ 17% and corresponding Income Tax @ 06%.

Thus, by mis-declaring the imported goods under PCT 0406.1010 & 0406.3000 to avail the inadmissible beneRit/exemption of sales tax and corresponding income tax, M/s.

Ekada Corporation, Karachi has evaded/short paid Rs 3,192,516.

Since the importers have failed to justify the above mis-declaration, a Contravention Report is therefore, forwarded to the Additional Collec-

Faisalabad ASo impounds worth rs2.5m vehicle & goods in a week

tor, Collectorate of Customs Adjudication-I, for initiating adjudication proceedings in the case.

Meanwhile, The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected evasion of duty/taxes worth Rs6.8million by M/s. Intrachem on import of shredded/grated cheese, it is learnt. In this regard, a contravention report has been issued to the said importer.

According to sources, during the audit of import data of “shredded/grated cheese”, it has been observed that M/s Intrachem imported 11 consignments of “shredded/grated cheese” from MCC Appraisement East & MCC PaCCS and got these cleared by misdeclaring the classiRication under the PCT heading 0406.1010 to avail inadmissible beneRit/exemption for

Sales Tax under 6TH Schedule of the Sales Tax Act-1990. The imported goods are appropriately classiRiable under the PCT 0406.2000 and are chargeable to Sales Tax @ 17% and corresponding Income Tax @ 06%.

Thus, by mis-declaring the imported goods under the PCT 0406.3000 to avail the inadmissible beneRit/exemption of Sales Tax and corresponding Income Tax, M/s.

gujranwala Division generates rs80.883m property tax T

SIALKOT

SALeeM AwAN SheIkhu www.customsbulletin.com

he Excise and Taxation Department of Gujranwala Division has collected Rs80.883million following the imposition of property tax and collected Rs55.344million as motor tax during January 2017.

Reliable sources told Customs Today that Excise and Taxation Department Gujranwala Division has

generated Rs30.255million property tax from Gujranwala Division during said month.

Sources said the Excise collected Rs2.220million from Sialkot against the assigned target of Rs4.540million whereas the Gujrat Excise Department did Rs2.099million by achieving its target of Rs4.50million. Sialkot has been assigned the target of Rs7.2 while it collected Rs3.08million.

However Director Excise and Taxation Department Gujranwala Di-

vision Sohail Arshad has constituted various teams to crack down on defaulters of property tax. The team, comprising Inspectors Malik Riaz, Asad Ullah, Shabbir Ahmed, Gulzar and others, will recover tax from defaulters.

Meanwhile, the motor registration branch of the Excise and Taxation Department Gujranwala Region, including its districts of Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Narowal and Mandi Bahawaldin, has received

Rs29.353million as motor registration fees against the assigned target of Rs34million during November and December. The Excise and Taxation Department earned Rs32.290million from Gujranwala against the assigned target of Rs40.60 while Excise and Taxation Department Sialkot collected Rs2.022million against the assigned target of Rs5.21million.

Sources further said the departmental teams will collect more tax in the wake of imposition of

property tax and vehicle token fees from defaulters. Some teams will impound vehicles plying without payment of token fees and customs duties.

When contacted, District Officer Excise and Taxation Department Sialkot Muhammad Saleem Malik said the department is tightening the noose around the neck of defaulters. He stressed that the teams will not succumb to any pressure for giving relaxation to defaulters.

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PCA detects Rs6.8million duty evasion by M/s Intrachem KARACHI: The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected evasion of duty/taxes worth Rs6.8million by M/s. Intrachem on import of shredded/grated cheese, it is learnt. In this regard, a contravention report has been issued to the said importer.

According to sources, during the audit of import data of “shredded/grated cheese”, it has been observed that M/s Intrachem imported 11 consignments of “shredded/grated cheese” from MCC Appraisement East & MCC PaCCS and got these cleared by misdeclaring the classification under the PCT heading 0406.1010 to avail inadmissible benefit/exemption for Sales Tax under 6TH Schedule of the Sales Tax Act-1990.

Wednesday February 22, 2017

National

Multan adjudication disposes of 86 cases worth rs41m in Jan

Dc Asma hameed declares seizures of 66 mobile phones as legal

MULTAN

IMrAN ALI

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he Collectorate of Adjudication Customs Multan camp office has decided 86 different seizure cases worth Rs41million during the month of January 2016-17.

Deputy Collector Farhat Ali has finalized 27 various seizure cases worth Rs15.795million in January.

Deputy Collector Saima Ayyaz has decided 27 various seizure cases out of 32 ones but the amount of the confiscations could not be known.

There were 33 fresh seizure cases worth Rs22.035million which were added to the court of Deputy Collector Farhat Ali for legal proceedings in the month of February.

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human trafficker sentenced to 15year imprisonment FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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pecial Central Judge Sohaib Ahmed Romi sent an accused to jail who was involved in human trafficking. The accused set up his offices in different areas of Faisalabad city. Federal Investigation Agency’s Deputy Director Syed Imam Ali Zaidi raided the office of the accused and arrested him. The accused used to run an illegal business of sending innocent people abroad after taking big amounts from them. An FIR No: 30/2013 was registered against him under Section (U/S), 17/22 E.O 1979 on victim’s application. The accused had taken Rs930000 from a complainant Muhammad Munir Ahmed, a resident of Jhang city, for sending him to Korea on employment visa but he failed.

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FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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eputy Collector Customs Adjudication Asma Hameed declares seizure of mobile phones by Customs Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) as legal. As per details, the Customs Air Flight Unit (AFU) recovered foreign origin mobiles phones of different brands such as LG mobiles, Samsung mobile , Vega mobile , HTC mobile , ZTE mobile , I phone mobile , Axon mobile , SKY mobile , LTE mobile , Motorolla mobile , LLNU mobile and Honor mobiles, LG mobile etc , also very large amount of the mobile phones a suspect, Muhammad Bilal who is a resident of Faisalabad .

The passenger was coming from the belt side in the Arrival Hall to custom counter side carrying two bags and one hand carry on a trolley with doubtful position.

The AFU team intercepted the passenger and recovered above mentioned mobiles.

The customs staff forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication for further proceedings taking stance that the seized mobile phones were prohibited and brought into country without payment of duty and taxes.

In the light of facts it is clear that the seized goods foreign mobile phones are restricted ones and brought into the country ille-

gally about 66 sets of the mobile phones, thus the same are liable to confiscation the Customs Adjudication under the relevant customs law.

Further more, during the hearing of the case, no one appeared to defend the case on behalf of respondents nor was any written reply was submitted despite giving many opportunities. While Inspector Khalid Mehmood inspector appeared from the prosecution

the customs staff forwarded the case to customs Adjudication for further proceedings

NAB detains five town committee employees

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HYDERABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

www.customsbulletin.com team of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from Karachi arrested former ofRicers and staff of Town Committee Manjhand, Jamshoro district, from Jamshoro.

NAB sources said that the arrested persons were allegedly involved in misappropriation of the public funds to the tune of Rs120 million during Riscal 2012-13 and 2013-14. The arrested persons had

been identiRied as ex-Administrator of TC Manjhand Muzaffar Hussain Katpar (BPS-17), Ex-Town OfRicer Abid Wali Khoso (BPS-17), Accountant Pervaiz Dawood Rahpoto (BPS-14) and Accountant Mirza Qurban Ali Baig (BPS-14).

Katpar was currently posted at Sindh Information Department.

“They misused their authority and misappropriated the funds by awarding various works to the dummy and fake contractors purportedly for carrying out various

works, including municipal and development works, by by-passing tendering process and making illegal payments to them in lieu of bogus works,” the statement reads. It further claims that during the initial interrogation the connivance of the arrested ofRicers and staff with other government ofRicials had also surfaced. The interrogation also revealed that the arrested persons accumulated assets from the allegedly ill-gotten money in Manjhand and other places of their postings.

side and asserted that the seized goods falls under the ambit of Section 2(s) of the Customs Act, 1969 read with current import policy order. It is therefore, The custom adjudication issued notice to accused person on violation of the section 10-A 89 (1) and accused to file has reply by given time.

It is necessary to mention that adjudication has boost up hearing to conclude the hearing of the pending cases on priority basis.

customs foils money laundering at JIAp he Customs officials have foiled a money laundering bid at Jinnah International Airport and arrested two people. According to a Customs spokesperson, a passenger, Muhammad Yaseen, was trying to smuggle $19,000 and 76,500 Saudi Riyal to Dubai, when he was arrested by Customs Superintendent Muhammad Afzal. Later the superintendent freed the accused after allegedly taking $40,000 as bribe.

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Parliamentary body reviews security situation of CPEC projects Wednesday February 22, 2017

Business

ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) reviewed on Monday the security situation of CPEC projects and the staff working in various projects across the country.

The meeting of the committee was held here under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.

The committee was briefed by officials from ministries of defence and interior on security of CPEC (projects and personnel) with reference to role of newly formed Special Security Division (SSD).

Secure workplace environment vital for growth KARACHI

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overnor State Bank Ashraf Mahmood Wathra said that in a fast changing, highly vulnerable environment today, emergency preparedness as well as comprehensive arrangements for Business Continuity Planning were essential for the corporate world to ensure operational sustainability of institutions. “We take pride that the State Bank has come a long way towards development of Business Continuity Rield in order to deal with the full spectrum of threats,” he remarked.

He was speaking as chief guest

pakistan to soon become Asian power LAHORE

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ilgit-Baltistan (GB), Information Minister, Iqbal Hassan has said that a sharp surge in economic activities was a proof that the country was on track of progress and prosperity and policies of PML-N government would soon bear fruits for the countrymen especially the people of GB. He said tangible pour of investment and upward trend of economic activities were being seen in the region, matching the vision and manifesto of PML-N to make the country.

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at the inaugural session of “Safety and Security Week-2017” being organised at SBP and SBPBSC, here on Monday wherein a number of exer-

cises, trainings and information sessions will be conducted by Rield experts to educate SBP and SBPBSC employees on necessary safety and

security procedures.

Highlighting the importance of safety and security, the governor said that a safe and secure workplace environment plays a vital role in ensuring smooth operations of an institution. “SBP has started to build its capacity to effectively deal with any adverse situation and resume operations without any major interruption.” he added. Adding further, he stated that the bank has also fulRilled its regulatory responsibility and issued guidelines for all banks to strengthen the overall resilience of the Rinancial sector.

State Bank had also invited speakers representing Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Sindh and Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

Japan keen to enhance ties: Ambassador kurai A

ISLAMABAD

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mbassador of Japan to Pakistan Takashi Kurai said the 2017 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan and hoped to further extend this friendship and to promote and strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries. He was speaking at an exhibition, “Japanese Traditional Art & Dolls Display” here at his ofRicial residence. The Embassy of Japan in

collaboration with the Lahore Arts Foundation Trust organized the exhibition. In his brief address, he said this small exhibition introduced Japan’s traditional woodblock prints which were uniquely developed in Japan during the Edo period (16031868). This exhibition also featured the display of representative dolls which have been a part of everyday life in Japan since ancient times. Ambassador Takashi Kurai in his welcome remarks while appreciating the works of artist Saba Hussain said today’s exhibition aims to introduce the traditional Japanese

woodblock prints and traditional Japanese dolls to the Pakistani people. Ambassador Kurai stated that woodblock printing in Japan started during Aska Period (593-710) to mainly introduce and spread Buddhism text and painting. However Japanese woodblock printing Rlourished and developed into art and amusement form during the Edo period in early seventeenth century (1603-1868), and today this printing technique is used all over the world. He also pointed out the difference between the western woodblock printing and Japanese.

Business community urged to pay taxes ISLAMABAD

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he United Business Group (UBG) of FPCCI has lauded the moves of the business-friendly government which infused confidence in the business community through various positive initiatives and urged the business community to pay taxes honestly.

Sources said that the package for exporters worth Rs180 billion and other moves would result in revenue shortfall to the tune of billions which should be bridged by paying taxes honestly, UBG Zonal Chairman Naseemur Rehman said. He said that various relaxations had resulted in reduced cost of doing business that had added to the income of business community but no hike in tax collection was recorded which was discouraging. Naseem said that business community should pay taxes properly otherwise the government could reconsider giving incentives to it. He said that apart from the export package of Rs180 billion, the government kept oil prices unchanged for months which resulted in an impact of Rs150 billion. Zero rating for five export sector has been estimated to be around Rs130 billion. Fertiliser was the third largest taxpaying sector on which sales tax had been slashed from 17 percent to 5 percent which was translating into a loss of billions to the revenue collectors, he informed.

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NA body lauds kSew performance, capacity building efforts ISLAMABAD

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he National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Production appreciated performance of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) and efforts for its capacity building.

The committee meeting, chaired

by Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, observed that it was heartening to note

that the Shipyard was not only fulRilling its Rinancial needs but also became a proRit-earning entity of the country. “We highly appreciate the role of Minister for Defence Production, Chief of Navel Staff and KSEW Managing Director for making the institution as a proRitable industry,” Khawaja Sohail said.

KSEW Managing Director Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah briefed the body about capacity building strategy of the strategic organization

and achievements made by it. He said the shipyard was engaged in sufRicient repair work orders from both the government and commercial sides, adding “The facility is booked till March and April next year and further bookings for repair orders would be made after these dates.” The MD said KSEW was meeting its Rinancial requirements on its own and earning proRit for last ten years. He said the organization was in the process of installing Ship Lift and

Transfer System (SLTS), associated machinery and equipment to provide docking and repair facilities to surface ship and commercial vessels of upto 7,781 tonnage. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2018 at a cost of Rs9,563 million and so far 60 percent work has been completed with Rs4,527.393 million expenditure, he added. The MD KSEW said the project would help increase the shipyard’s capacity manifold as it would have 12 parking

and workstations against the existing capacity of berthing three ships at a time. He informed the committee that around 50,000 ships were passing along the Pakistan’s coastline every year, carrying different goods and 40 percent oil shipment of the international market. He said Pakistan had 100 platforms in its waters but lacking the docking facility, which made it unable to extend repair and other facilities to the ships passing along the sealine.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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ISLAMABAD

M ArShAD

www.customstoday.com

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ustoms and Regulatory duties amount up to 15% of the total receipts collected by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). FBR through its enforcement arm Pakistan Customs is responsible for border measures including eradication of piracy and counterfeiting through Pakistani borders.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is committed for effective border measures because Pakistan Customs is the guardian of Pakistan’s borders against movement of contra band goods as well as a facilitator of bona fide trade.

“Pakistan Customs also provides a major source of revenue to the Government of Pakistan in the form of taxes levied on the goods traded across the borders and helps to protect the domestic industry and movement of genuine goods through borders” a well placed official source at FBR told Customs Today.

In a bid to empower Pakistan Customs against smuggling of contraband items under fake registration and names, the source said that FBR had inked a memorandum

o f un-

derstanding with IPO-Pakistan. MoU has enabled both the organizations on data sharing and further cooperation, as required in the areas of common regulatory and supervisory interests, and in furtherance of their operational objectives.

“MoU had helped not only to detect original and fake consignments but also provided an opportunity to genuine exporters and importers to register with FBR for protection of their businesses” the source maintained, adding that it had enabled FBR to effectively address issues of piracy and counterfeiting in the country because it proved a milestone towards relentless enforcement drive at our borders.

It is pertinent to mention here that major functions of IPO-Pakistan include administer and coordinate all government systems for protection and strengthening of Intellectual Property (IP), manage all IP offices in the country, create awareness about IP Rights, advise Federal Government on IP Policy as well as ensure effective enforcement of IP rights through designated IPR Enforcement Agencies (Police, FIA, and Pakistan Customs).

e is evenu r f o rd e r B o a rd ive bo deral t e c F e e ff ms is th d for e stan custo e t t i aki rs comm b o rd e ause p c ’s e n b a t s s u re paki and meas ian of ntra b d o r c a f u o ent the g ovem m t s n agai goods

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Founder & Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Editor rahil Yasin editor@customsbulletin.com.pk For advertising & subscription marketing@customsbulletin.com.pk www.customsbulletin.com Phones: 042-35781643-4, Fax: 042-35781645 Address: 627, Siddiq Trade Centre, Gulberg, Lahore

eDItorIAL

problem of fiscal deficit

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akistan’s exports have experienced a free fall during the first half of the current fiscal year, belying the government’s claim that it has maintained fiscal stability. The fiscal deficit have reached 2.4 percent of the gross domestic product during the period in review, revealing a hard fact that the government has failed to control the situation. Since the completion of a three-year extended facility programme of the International Monetary Fund in September last year, the government seemed to have relaxed its fiscal discipline. But problem originates from trade and industry which could not produce export surplus. Experts believe the deficit would reach eight percent of the GDP at the yearend as the government is also facing circular debt of Rs 480 billion. The circular debt is a new phenomenon appearing on the economic scene in recent years. In the budget for 2016-17, the government wanted to contain fiscal deficit to certain limit and it is yet to be seen which way the situation moves. The full year deficit reached 4.6 percent during 2014-15,at least 5.3 percent in 2014-15 and 5.5 percent in 2013-14.The deficit have crossed Rs799 billion in monetary terms during the first six months of the current fiscal year from Rs515 billion a year ago. According to experts, the government will have to take some hard steps to maintain fiscal discipline and increase exports. The situation is not normal and all is not well on the economic front. The opposition parties, regardless to their political agenda, should also support the government to come out of economic mess. Currently, the opposition groups are creating troubles even in the way of development projects and this is something which needs to be taken into account seriously. On the government’s part, it needs a fulltime finance minister which should maintain and monitor fiscal stability. The past performance shows the government has failed to control its expenditures which have increased by 5.6 percent of the GDP from 6.5 percent a year ago. There is no concept of austerity drive and the hard earned funds are mostly used on non-productive sectors. Apart from the circular debt, the fiscal deficit are on the rise and the government seemed unable to increase exports despite announcing a huge package for the export sector. On another note, the Finance Ministry has revealed a discrepancy of Rs58billion in the government funds during its six month accounts.

terrorism: threat to peace and economy A

LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

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t a time when the government is struggling to overcome economic issues, terrorism has reared its ugly head again in the country, taking the lives of dozens of innocent people and injuring over 100 others.

A suicide bomber exploded himself in the middle of a rally on the Mall Road Lahore where the police ofRicials were trying to open trafRic for the convenience of the public and were negotiating with the leaders of the rally. According to the Inspector General of Police, six police ofRicials were among the dead, including two senior ofRicers while another 100 were

wounded. The Jamatul Ahrar, a faction of the banned Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack in Lahore. On another note, various military and para-military ofRicials are also killed across the country in terrorist incidents on the day. The latest version of terrorism has not only shattered peace in the country, but has also jeopardized the prospects of foreign investment. The government has every right to mourn the death of innocent citizens, but should also take responsibility of its intelligence and the administrative failures.

According to news reports, the intelligence agencies had already warned about a possible attack by terrorist outRits in Lahore. The in-

cident has also shacked the business environment of the country which took place when a group of chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers was protesting against the government crackdown on the alleged sale of spurious drugs. However, the terrorist struck the gathering during the signiRicant presence of law enforcers in the area. The pathetic part of the situation is that there is no guarantee that this will be the last incident of terrorism.

There is a need to start a ruthless operation against terrorists and their well-wishers across the country from tribal areas to Karachi and Balochistan to Lahore. India is the staunch enemy of Pakistan and is engaged in Kashmir. Its intelligence agencies

will not sit idle but will try to shift the focus of international media from Kashmir to Pakistan. The government will have to take proactive approach to chase terrorists and crush them.

The government must check the Indian involvement in the incidents as it is opposing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other projects of vital importance in Pakistan. There are good and promising news about the economy of Pakistan in the international media and the enemies are trying to destabilize peace and bulldoze economic activities in the country. Enough is enough.

The time is running out and the government must act in a beRitting manner to curb the menace of terrorism once for all.

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Hong Kong shares snap 4-day losing streak HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks rebounded on Monday, drawing inspiration from a firmer Wall Street and helped by rising capital inflows from the mainland. The benchmark Hang Seng index added 1.0 percent, to 23,348.24 points.

The Hong Kong China Enterprises Index, which tracks mainland companies listed in Hong Kong, clocked the biggest one-day rise in a month, bouncing 1.6 percent, to 9,840.26 points. Sentiment was helped by rising southbound inflows through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, which used more than 17 percent of the daily quota on Monday, compared with an average of nearly 11 percent in January.

Financial, telecommunication, and consumer goods sectors were among the best performers in the Hong Kong market.

kccI to form focal body to discuss, devise strategies for law & order issues KARACHI

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nspector General Police A.D. Khowaja has said that the Police Act 1861 was not workable at all in dealing with crimes of 21st century hence, this more than 150 years old act, has to be replaced with a new Police Act which must ensure operational and administrative independence to police department.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, IG Sindh requested Karachi Chamber to advocate this demand to

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replace the obsolete Police Act 1861 with a new Police Act which must focus on transforming police from ‘police force’ to ‘police services’. In response, Chairman BMG Siraj Kassam Teli agreed to fully support IG’s demand for new Police Act in lieu of the obsolete Police Act 1861 which will be immediately taken up by the Karachi Chamber.

Karachi City Police Chief Mushtaq Maher, Chairman Businessmen Group Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, Former Presidents KCCI AQ Khalil and Younus Muhammad Bashir, Chairman of Law & Order Sub-Committee Mansoor Ahmed and others were present on the occasion. AD Khowaja also advised Karachi Chamber to form a focal committee in association with Police Department in order to jointly discuss and identify law and order issues, besides devising strategy to deal with numerous issues particularly the rising street crimes.

Wednesday February 22, 2017

Chambers

punjab govt to hold seminar on business opportunities P

LAHORE

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unjab government is holding 2nd International Seminar on Business Opportunities in Punjab (ISBOP) on April 12 and 13 while an exhibition would also be held alongside the seminar from April 12 to 14 at Expo Center Lahore.

It was revealed by Secretary Industries, Commerce & Investment Dr. Mujtaba Piracha while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The LCCI Acting President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan presided over the meeting while President of Gujranwala Chamber Saeed Ahmad Taj, Vice President of Faisalabad Chamber Engr. Ahmad Hassan, President Woman Chamber Shazia Suleman, Masoom Qamar from Gujrat Chamber, Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association Dr. Abdul Karim, Chairman Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association Javed Iqbal Siddiqui and Senior Vice Chairman of Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers Saeed Iqbal Khan and Chairmen of sector speciRic associations also spoke on

the occasion.

Dr. Mujtaba Piracha said that Punjab government has take Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Punjab on board for this mega event of international standards. He said that ISBOP would have broad thematic focus while all sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, social sector service outsourcing, mines & minerals, information technology, innovation, tourism, energy

and infrastructure are being focused. While throwing light on the objective of Expo, he said that it would promote trade and investment by showcasing substantial improvement in investment climate besides enhancing security and growth trajectory of Punjab. He said that primary focus would be on trade and export led growth of sectors like textile, information technology, agriculture, furniture,

Dubai chamber of commerce presents cSr Label to 39 companies

D DUBAI

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ubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DCCI, has honoured 39 companies with the CSR Label for their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, and sustainability efforts. Those who received the accolade included Intercoil International Co. LLC, Mashreq, Qurum Business Group, and Standard Chartered Bank for the sixth time, while Ducab, Emirates Transport, Emrill Services, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Summertown Interiors, and UAE Exchange earned the label for the fifth time.

Al Rostamani Pegel LLC, Chal-

houb Group, InfoFort, Kimoha Entrepreneurs Ltd., MAB Facilities Management LLC, Paramount Computer Systems, Veolia, and Zulekha Hospitals received the label for the fourth time, and thirdtime winners were Al Futtaim Carillion, Beta Information Technology Co., Bond Interiors, CHEP Middle East, CHICAGO Maintenance and Construction, Empower, Etechan International, Quick Registration, and SamTech Middle East. Amlak Finance, Corporate Business Services, International Modern Hospital, Mirak Group, Abela and Co LLC, NMC Trading LLC, and Union National Bank were presented with the CSR label for the second time.

BLUE, Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, School Transport Services LLC, and TECOM Group

were honoured as first-time winners. Congratulating the honourees for their achievements, Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, explained the importance of the CSR Label as a symbol of recognition and inspiration, in addition to an effective development tool that has enabled so many companies to improve their CSR and sustainability strategies.

Al Ghurair said, “We are very encouraged by the growing number of honourees that we meet each time we host this ceremony, as it demonstrates the label’s ability to encourage other businesses to adopt more responsible practices.”

He urged them to continue the hard work and set new targets that will take their CSR and sustainability efforts to the next level.

leather products, sports and surgical. He said that spring festival, Rlower festival, literacy festival, horse and cattle show, polo match and food festival would also be the part of this mega event. He said that investors from Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Russia, Saudia Arabia, South Korea, Spain Turkey, UAE, UK, USA and various other countries have been invited to the event.

uS wine exports set record in ‘16 S exports of wine the bulk of it from California set a record in 2016 despite having to fight a strong dollar, subsidies and barriers in other countries and a tight water and labor supply at home, according to the Wine Institute. The $1.62 billion in foreign trade revenue for 2016 bested the previous year’s record of $1.49 billion by a slim margin through steadily strong sales in the top market, the European Union, and sharp growth increases in China and Britain. About 90 percent of the 49.5 million cases of U.S. wine sold came from California, according to a report released this week by the Californiabased industry advocacy group. But it was the price tag of the wines, more than the volume, that drove revenue, continuing a trend of “premiumization” of Golden State labels, said Robert P. Koch, Wine Institute president and chief executive. –CB Report

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Pakistan predicted at No20 amongst 32 most powerful economies in 2030 Wednesday February 22, 2017

National customs foils two smuggling bids; arms, 300 fertilizer bags seized LANDIKOTAL

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ISLAMABAD: The PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the world’s largest professionalservices firms has ranked Pakistan on 20th amongat 32 most powerful economies in 2030. The report, titled “The long view: how will the global economic order change by 2050?” ranked 32 countries by their projected global gross domestic product by purchasing power parity (PPP).

The PPP is used by macroeconomists to determine the economic productivity and standards of living among countries across a certain time period. While PwC’s findings show some of the same countries right near the top of the list in 13 years.

Additional collector Beelam issues oNo against Jk Spinning Mills C

FAISALABAD

IQrA ShehZADI

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he Customs officials, along with local law-enforcement agencies, have foiled a bid to smuggle weapons and fertilizers in Landikotal.

The officials seized a huge quantity of arms and fertilizers in two different raids and also arrested a peddler. The sources said that the Customs officials stopped a van coming from the border village Pasedkhel in Landikotal and recovered 5,000 bullets rounds and one shotgun from the van. The driver, identified as Asif Ali, a resident of Landikotal, was arrested and sent to Landikotal lock-up for investigation. Meanwhile, Pakistan Customs officials at Torkham border foiled a bid to smuggle fertilizers to Afghanistan.

They recovered 300 bags of fertilizers from a truck that was carrying vegetables to Afghanistan. The Customs official Naeem Khan told media that fertilizer bags had been concealed under the vegetables cartons and were being smuggled to Afghanistan from Pakistan.

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Shc asks govt why Ayyan’s name not removed from ecL indh High Court Tuesday heard Ayyan Ali’s plea for removal of her name from the exit control list (ECL).

During the hearing, the SHC bench asked why her name was not removed from the ECL by the authorities concerned despite the court orders and sought an action against the officials concerned. Attorney General demanded for more time from the court as he didn’t receive the detailed copy of the Supreme Court of Pakistan order regarding removal of Ayyan’s name from the ECL. The judge remarked that a new order could not be given in the case till the perusal of the order of the apex court. –CB Report

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ustoms Adjudication Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan has issued ONO against M/s J.K Spinning Mills Limited, Sheikhpur Road.

OfRicial sources told Customs Today that M/s J.K Spinning Mills Limited import a container from UAE which included cotton grey fabrics and other goods.

The said consignment was transhipped from Lahore to dry port Faisalabad through bonded carrier M/s. J.K Spinning Mills Limited after arrival the said container, neither importer nor his authorized person approach for clearance of their consignment.

The examination team of Faisalabad Customs along with represen-

tative of FDPT during examination the bolt and rivets of the door of the container were apparently found

tempered/altered.

It was also observed that the condition as well as packing of goods

was quite shabby and not up to mark. It was suspect that pilferage of cargo has been taken place in the container en-route and high tariff good have been replaced with low tariff good. It is pertinent to mention here that an FIR has been lodged against accused company.

Sources said Dilawar Hussain , Muhammad Asif , Muhammad Jameel Ahmed (appraiser), Amjad Iqbal Cheema (inspector), appeared in adjudication department but no one appeared to defend the case from respondent’s side nor any written reply has been received from the respondent.

Therefore additional collector customs adjudication Beelamur Ramzan ordered the seized goods under clause 14 of section 156(1) and section 157(1) and (2) of the customs act 1969.

customs impounds 5 non-duty paid vehicles T

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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he Directorate Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue Rawalpindi, has impounded worth Rs41.34million Rive nonduty paid vehicles under Section 16 of the Customs Act-1969 during the month of January 2017.

These are most expensive vehicles in the market. Director General Customs I&I Shaukat Ali has lauded the performance of the Rawalpindi Directorate.

Rawalpindi Customs Antismuggling staff has caught Rive vehicles from different areas of Rawalpindi.

The vehicles impounded are Toyota Land Cruiser ZX V8 CIF valued Rs19.25million and duty and tax evaded from the total price of the vehicle is Rs.13.97million, Mercedes Benz car CIF valued Rs6.24million and duty and tax evaded is Rs.3.46, Honda Civic car valued Rs3.37 and duty and tax evaded is Rs.1.73million, Toyota

Corolla CIF valued Rs2.91million and duty and tax evaded is

Rs1.49million and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TZ valued

Rs9.56million and duty and tax evaded is Rs6.93million.

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IHC postpones hearing of tax matter filed by M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday adjourned the hearing of a tax matter filed by M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited, challenging a show cause notice issued by deputy commissioner Inland Revenue, Islamabad.

A division bench of the IHC comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case pending with the courts since 2014. M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited had filed case against LTU, Islamabad.

Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of LTU including commissioner Inland Revenue, deputy commissioner Inland Revenue and Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) were made respondents in the case.

khoushab FIu seizes computers worth rs6.8 FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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houshab Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Field Investigation Unit (FIU) has confiscated huge quantity of smuggled computers worth Rs6.881 million involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs1,562,281 during a road checking. According to details, the FIU team following the directions of Deputy Director Riaz Hussain conducted a raid to foil smuggling attempt in the region. During the raid the team impounded a Trailer bearing Registration No TLG-TLG-551 loaded near Sindh Punjab Check Post National Highway kot Sabzal Tehsil sadiqabad with Foreign origin (F/O), CPU (977-Pcs), used serwar assorted brand (8010-Kgs),

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used key board (500-Pcs), lap top with hard disk (357-Pcs), and computers (500Pcs) and others items. The officials asked driver named Muhammad Ashraf son of Ghulam Muhammad residential of Tehsil and District Layyah and owner of items Mubashir Ali son of Fazal Hussain Ali to show documents regarding legal import of the items. On which he produced a Goods Declaration No KPPI-HC-33919 dated 2911-2016 issued by M/s Waseem Raza Cargo service showing clearance of used computer regarding transpiration of container from Karachi to Lahore. The officials found discrepancies while examining the documents and recovered goods; therefore, they confiscated items under Section 18, 32 of the Customs Act, 1969 read with Section 3(1) (3) of the Import and Export Control Act, 1969. The intelligence officers, including Deputy Director Riaz Hussain, Superintendent Muhammad Saifullah, Senior Intelligence Officer Tahir iqbal, Intelligence Officers Naseer Ahmed Muhammad Saleem, Mansoor Nasir, and Sepoys Ajamal Hussain and Muhammad Musaddiq Ahmad participated in the raids.

National

customs central region registers 12pc growth in customs duty collection C

LAHORE

M hAYAt

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ustoms Central Region has collected Rs23723 million customs duty (CD) during the Rirst seven months of Rinancial year 2016-17 (July-January) registering 12 percent growth against collection target of Rs24117 million during the above said period.

Sources said that Chief Collector of Customs Samaira Nazir has instructed all the collectors of the four collectors to work hard to achieve the revenue collection target for the current Rinancial year.

As per details the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs 13503 million during the seven month against target Rs 13771 million during the period under review.

Similarly, Customs Preventive collected Rs 4818 million customs duty during the seven month of Rinancial year 2015-16 against target Rs4918 million during the period.

The Collectorate of Multan collected Rs 4034 million during the period under review against the target Rs 4532 million for the period.

In the same way, the collectorate of Customs Faisalabad collected Rs

1567 million during the seven month of Rinancial against the target Rs 842 million during the period.

Overall the central region collected total customs duty from all the four collectorate worth Rs23723 million customs duty against the assigned target of Rs24117million during the above said period.

Meanwhile, Customs Central Region has collected Rs8823million on account of withholding tax (WHT) during the Rirst seven months (July to January) of current Rinancial year 2016-17. The withholding tax col-

Wednesday February 22, 2017

lected by all the four collectorates of customs including collectorate of Customs Preventive, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement, Collectorate of Customs Multan and Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad.

As per details, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement collected Rs7565 million on account of withholding tax during the period under review while the Collectorate of Customs Preventive collected Rs4684 million during the Rirst seven months of current Rinancial year 2016-17.

Additional collector Saima Aftab hears two cases FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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he Customs Adjudication Additional Deputy Collector Saima Aftab has conducted the hearing of two smuggling cases worth Rs 4,273,317 forwarded by Customs Intelligence and Investigation. Sources told Customs Today that additional collector heard a case filed against M/s Digicon Trading which is allegedly involved in smuggling of QMobile phones (1530 numbers) worth Rs22,83,280. Sources said that Additional Collector Saima Aftab also heard case of Mudassar Hussain and others involved in smuggling of material along with vehicle. The party evaded customs duty and taxes worth Rs19,90,037. During hearing customs counsel said that container was being used for transportation of smuggled goods and was plying on road without payment of duty taxes.

The Customs Intelligence team seizes items according to customs rule and regulation. After conducting hearing of cases, Additional Collector Customs Adjudication adjourned hearing of all cases until next dates. The additional deputy collector directed all relevant parties to make ensure their appearance during next date of hearing.

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custom court grants interim pre-arrest bail to suspect

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KARACHI

M BILAL

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ustom Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi granted the interim pre-arrest bail to the accused person namely Muhammad Adnan. The suspect was booked in a mega tax evasion case.

During the hearing, counsel for the applicant/accused person filed an application for interim pre-arrest bail and argued that applicant is innocent and is falsely implicated in this case, and that he is also ready to face trail. Therefore, the court may grant him bail till final

disposal of this case.

After the hearing, the court granted him bail and observed in its order that, “without touching the merits of the case , ad-interim pre-arrest bail is granted to accused Muhammad Adnan subject to furnish surety in the sum of Rs 200,000 with P.R bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court, court issued notice to the special prosecutor for customs department and call police papers, court also directed the accused to join the investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on next date of hearing. It needs to be pertained here that accused

Sharafatullah son of Attaullah Khan is on interim bail in this case.

Meanwhile, Custom Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has awarded 15 days imprisonment and Rs 100,000 fine to the suspect, Abdul Nafay, on pleading guilty.

The suspect was booked for attempting to smuggle 45,000 litters Iranian origin high speed diesel.

During the hearing, above named accused person filed application for pleading guilty, therefore, the charges were framed against him.

The accused already remained under judicial custody from Jan 1, 2017 to Feb 7, 2017.

In default of payment of fine, he

will suffer simple imprisonment for further two months.

Earlier, investigation ofRicer Pervaiz Ahmed Zardari, intelligence ofRicer, directorate general intelligence and investigation-FBR (customs anti-smuggling) had produced the above named accused person before the court and submitted that on a credible information, staff of the anti-smuggling organization department dated 22/01/2017 during checking/surveillance limits of Moucko Check Post Hub River Karachi, intercepted a suspect oil tanker bearing registration number TKS-540 having 45,000 litters Iranian HSD Oil valuing in open market Rs3,465, 000.

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Swiss drug maker Actelion’s core income rises 27% in 2016 Wednesday February 22, 2017

World

ZURICH: Swiss drug maker Actelion’s 2016 core net income rose 27 percent on accelerating sales of its newer medicines to treat deadly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the company said.

Core net income rose to 881 million Swiss francs (US$877.8 million) from 693 million francs in the previous year, the company said in a statement. Sales rose 18 percent to 2.42 billion francs, in line with the 2.41 billion francs expected in a Reuters poll. Actelion reported that sales of its new drug Opsumit for PAH rose 57 percent to 831 million francs, while Uptravi booked 245 million francs in its first year after launch, more than making up for slumping sales of its once-mainstay Tracleer after patent expiration.

Afghan Special Forces nabs top drug smuggler ‘wolf’

Japan approves $100m support for Iraq BAGHDAD

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KABUL

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top drug smuggler who was famous as ‘Wolf’ arrested in western Nimroz province of Afghanistan.

According to the local security ofRicials, the drug smuggler, Naeem famous as Wolf, was arrested during a special military operation conducted by the police forces of the counter-narcotics department.

Provincial police spokesman Mohammad Omari said Naeem was arrested along with another drug smuggler. He said the Afghan security forces also conRiscated 38 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine which was professionally placed in a vehicle for the smuggling. Omari further added that the two drug smugglers are originally residents of Khashrod district.

According to Omari, the Afghan

gcc set to impose 5percent VAt in 2018 pite administrative and technical obstacles, policymakers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are all set to introduce a 5 percent value-added tax at the start of next year, a senior UAE official has said. The tax, planned to be adopted in 2018, is aimed at increasing non-oil revenues, but economists and officials in some countries have said privately that simultaneous introduction in all countries may not be feasible, reported Reuters.

That is because of the complexity of creating the administrative infrastructure to collect the tax and the difficulty of training companies to comply with it, in a region where taxation is minimal, the report said. However, Younis al-Khouri, under-secretary at the UAE finance ministry, reportedly said GCC governments were planning for early, simultaneous adoption. –CB Report

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security forces have continuously conducted operations to arrest Naeem since eight years. He said Naeem was one of the major drug smugglers in western Nimroz province. The latest attempts by the Afghan security forces to counter drug smuggling and production came as the UN OfRice on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said late last year that the drug production has in-

creased by almost 43 per cent in the country. According to UNODC, the area used to farm the poppy plant, the source of opium, increased by 10% to 201,000 hectares. Meanwhile, Afghan security forces in eastern Nangarhar province seized over 2000 kilogram unhealthy smuggled meal in an operation. Reportedly, the meat was smuggled to Afghanistan.

Switzerland’s second largest bank to cut 6,500 jobs this year

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witzerland’s second largest bank, Credit Suisse is to cut up to 6,500 jobs this year after reporting a 2.44 billion Swiss franc ($2.43 billion) net loss for 2016, and said it was examining alternatives to a planned stock market listing of its Swiss business. Chief Executive Tidjane Thiam is shifting the group more toward wealth management and putting less emphasis on investment banking. As part of his turnaround plans, the bank is look-

ing to cut billions of dollars in costs and cut a net 7,250 jobs in 2016 with more to follow this year. “We’re setting a target now of between 5,500 and 6,500 for 2017,” Chief Financial OfRicer David Mathers said after the bank published earnings. The bank did not specify where the extra cuts would come but said this would include contractors, consultants and staff. Credit Suisse said it was still preparing sell 20-30 percent of its Swiss business. –CB Report

apan approved a loan of about $100 million to support humanitarian, counterterrorism and infrastructure projects in Iraq, a Japanese embassy statement said.

According to details, last month Japan agreed to lend Iraq up to 27.2 billion yen ($240 million) to rebuild damaged electricity infrastructure in areas recaptured from Islamic State.

Iraq’s government income, which comes almost exclusively from oil exports, fell sharply when crude prices tumbled three years ago. Japan is a member of the U.S.-led coalition that has been Righting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s rate of oil exports in January fell month-onmonth by roughly 161,000 barrels per day (bpd) as the country began

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making efforts to comply with an OPEC agreement to cut production.

Reportedly, early estimates are based on analysis of independently gathered tanker loading data, and not ofRicial Iraqi export Rigures. According to analysis report, Iraq exported a total of 3.89 million bpd in January.

The Iraqis are making the bulk of their cuts at southern Rields,” said Robin Mills, chief executive ofRicer of Dubaibased consultant Qamar Energy, who advises clients working in the region.

“Most of the decline is coming in the south because the Iraqis have moved forward some of the maintenance on Rields there. The Kurds haven’t been cutting and I don’t expect them to cut at all.” OPEC and 11 other producing countries including Russia agreed late last year to cut a combined 1.8 million barrels a day of output starting from January, with Iraq’s share set at 210,000 barrels. Some analysts expressed doubts that Iraq would deliver its share of the cuts, potentially undermining the drive to rebalance the market.

oman Air signs Mou with taiseer man Air has signed a MoU with Taiseer. The company acts as a local trading platform that aims to create an integrated business environment between companies. The aim of the MOU is to help market and promote local businesses in Oman, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to Oman Air. Taiseer will act as a mediator for Oman Air and will help to gain access to additional and new SMEs and vice-versa. aiseer operates by facilitating business deals, contracts and projects, as well as purchasing orders and recruitment opportunities through the

promotion of the products and services of local businesses. The company then channels these into one platform that acts as a marketing and promotion tool enabling all companies who have an agreement with Taiseer to access the platform and Rind out the opportunities available in the local market. Oman Air beneRits from the yearlong contract signed with Taiseer by streamlining and expanding the airline’s access to the services of local businesses, in particular SMEs. In doing so, Oman Air is continuing its commitment to promoting and developing local businesses as part of Oman Air’s policy. –CB Report

Airbnb pays €7.3m tax to France in 2016

H PARIS

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ome rental platform Airbnb paid €7.3 million in tourist tax to 19 French municipalities in 2016, and plans to expand its automatic tax collection system to 31 more cities across France this year. Airbnb was the Rirst platform

to automatically collect and remit tourist taxes to city authorities on behalf of hosts, it said in a statement. The platform reached an agreement with French authorities on the collection of taxes in August 2015 after the French government published a decree demanding that internet platforms take on this role.

Previously, home-sharing hosts were expected to collect the tax and

send this to the authorities themselves. The agreement followed the introduction of the Bill ALUR in France in 2014, which simpliRied the legal rules around home sharing in France. Airbnb will extend its automatic tax collection initiative to a further 31 cities in France, covering “other popular destinations across the French regions and ski resorts” by the spring of 2017, it said.

“Moving forwards, we want to collect and remit tourist taxes in all cities in France which levy tourist taxes and where we are allowed and able to collect and remit tax on behalf of hosts. To that aim, we are also working with ofRicials in the national government to develop a system that allows us to automatically collect and remit tourist taxes in all applicable cities,” Airbnb said.

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Customs officers at Dublin Port seize €11,000 worth of wine DUBLIN: Revenue officers working at Dublin Port seized almost 800 litres of wine with a value of €11,000. The discovery was made during a routine customs check, when officers stopped and searched a Transit van that had arrived into the capital on a ferry from France via Holyhead. Officers found 786 litres of red and white wines, which would have represented an estimated potential loss to the Exchequer of €5,400. The seizure was made as part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the illegal importation, supply and sale of alcohol in the shadow economy. In a statement, Revenue officials said that investigations into the seizure are ongoing, and have urged anyone with further information to contact the Revenue’s Confidential Freephone on 1800 295 285.

poland smashes international tobacco smuggling gang olish police, border guards and customs officers have smashed an international criminal gang producing and smuggling tobacco products to EU countries. Officers closed down two illegal cigarette factories and two plants handling cut tobacco, seizing goods worth PLN 40 million (EUR 9.3 million, USD 9.9 million). Agnieszka Hamelusz, a spokeswoman for the Central Bureau of Police Investigation (CBŚP), said six people who worked on the production of cut tobacco have been detained. They could face up to five years in prison. Hamelusz said more people could be detained. “The criminals labelled tobacco products with the logos of well-known companies, but also created their own brands,” Hamelusz said, adding that the gang operated in the Lower Silesia region in southwest Poland and the Wielkopolska region in centralwestern Poland. –CB Report

World Customs

thai army seizes 5,000 boxes of cigarettes, 8,000kg oil

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ukraine exports 40.2 MMt of grains in 2016 kraine exported a record 40.2 MMT of grains in 2016, or almost 7.5% more than in 2015, reports the Agrarian Economics Institute. This included 17.9 MMT of wheat, 17.3 MMT of corn and 4.8 MMT of barley. However, due to a decline in world commodity prices, the record grain exports from Ukraine did not generate record revenues in 2016. The latter remained almost at the 2015 level: about USD 6.1 Bl. A peculiarity of 2016 grain exports was an advance in the Asian direction. Countries of this part of the globe absorbed 54.3% of Ukrainian grain exports. As before, the top importer of Ukrainian grain is Egypt with an export share of 12.4% (USD 755 Ml). China remains the second largest buyer (7.6%) and Spain is ranking third (7.1%), informs UkrAgroConsult. –CB Report

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BANKOK

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hai authorities seized 5,000 boxes of various brands of cigarettes and 8,000 kilogram of cooking oil smuggled from Malaysia in two separate operations in Wang Prachan, here.

Satun Region 5 Task Force Army chief, Col Nipon Chanthana said the cigarettes were seized from a car passing through the inspection centre in Wang Prachan.

“The car ferrying 5,000 boxes of cigarettes was driven by a 27-yearold local man,” he said, adding that the success of the seizure was due to intelligence information.

He said the authorities were investigating to determine the mastermind in the smuggling attempt.

In the second incident late at night, he said soldiers raided a building without address in Kampung Wang Prachan and seized 8,000 kg of cooking oil smuggled from Malaysia.

According to Nipon, a one-kg packet of cooking oil smuggled from Malaysia was being sold at 35 baht (RM4.48), and a Rive-kg bottle of cooking oil sold at 200 baht (RM25.60) in southern Thailand.

Meanwhile, A 44-year-old Filipino charged of smuggling 16 illegal immigrants into Malaysia. However, no plea was taken from Saring Osman after the charge was read before Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz. Reportedly, Saring

was accused of smuggling the illegal immigrants by transporting them from the Philippines through a vessel on Feb 6 at the Tanjung Berungus, off Kudat waters. The offence under Section 26A of the Anti-TrafRicking in Person and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 carries a jail term of up to 15 years, or Rine, or both, on conviction. Azreena ordered the case to be transferred to the High Court following an application by the prosecution. Saring’s plea would be recorded at the High Court. He was ordered remanded further pending the disposal of his case. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurun Nazifah Muhammad Iyen from the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency appeared for the prosecution while Saring was not represented.

Finland customs agents seize drugs

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HELSINKI

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inland customs agents announced they seized around €1 million earlier in 2016 in connection with a operation that was being run on an online dark market. In a statement, the Finnish customs agency also said it stopped around 15 kilos of drugs, totaling 10 million doses and valued on the street at about €1.1 million.

Three Finnish people are suspected of trying to bring more than 40 pounds of powdered drugs, more than 40,000 ecstasy tablets, 30,000 tabs of LSD, a variety of “designer” drugs and pure methamphetamine into Finland. In a translated version of the Finland customs agency’s statement, it said the suspects are around 30 years old and are natives of southwest Finland and the Helsinki metropolitan area. Customs is cooperating in the investigation with the Netherlands, the U.S., Germany,

Latvian authorities and Europol.

The three individuals have been in jail since April when the customs agents seized the drugs.

In a report by CoinDesk, a representative of Finland’s customs office said the online drug site was named Valhalla, which has been in operation since Oct. 2013. Valhalla is still operational, according to the report. The site is referred to as the “Online Drug Shop,” according to the Finland customs agency, and came to prominence in 2014 after the operators of the website

Wednesday February 22, 2017

richter’s Q4 profit doubles on financial gain large financial gain lifted Hungarian drugmaker Gedeon Richter’s fourth-quarter net income to HUF 19.3 billion, a little more than double the HUF 9.5 bln it brought in during the same period in 2015, an earnings report published early this morning shows. Net income was a little more than the HUF 16.7 bln estimate by analysts polled by Portfolio.hu. Earnings per share came to HUF 103. Richter booked a HUF 5.9 bln financial gain for the quarter, improving over a HUF 3.3 bln loss in the base period. Revenue rose 19% to HUF 105.7 bln. Cost of sales outpaced the increase, climbing 27% to HUF 48.3 bln, and gross profit rose just over 13% to HUF 57.4 bln. Higher R&D costs caused operating profit to drop 26% to HUF 10.6 bln. A large financial gain also lifted Richter’s profits for the full year. The company booked net income of HUF 63.3 bln, up 18%. Financial profit came to HUF 8.7 bln, compared to a HUF 8.3 bln loss in the base period. Richter noted that the big loss in 2015 was due to the weaker ruble and Kazakh tenge, while exchange rate gains on trade receivables in Russia, Richter’s biggest export market, were supported by a 23% strengthening of the ruble against the forint. Revenue rose 7% to HUF 389.7 bln. Gross profit rose a little more than 2% to HUF 225.4 bln as costs of sales climbed 13% to HUF 164.3 billion. –CB Report

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marketed themselves by sending potential buyers free LSD. The website runs via the Tor browser and appears to have accepted bitcoin for payment, the report noted.

Selling drugs on the Dark Web has become a big business for the bad guys. But it’s also raising the attention of law enforcement around the globe, which have been announcing more arrests. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors in California accused two men from Brooklyn of selling drugs on Dark Web marketplace AlphaBay.

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FIA recovers millions of rupees after conducting 100 raids Wednesday February 22, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has completed its 100 raids on the people involved in the illegal business of Hawala/Hundi and recovered millions of Pakistani and foreign currency, said a spokesman for the probe agency.

He said that under the instructions of FIA Corporate Crime Circle Lahore Deputy Director Jamil Ahmad Khan Mayo and in pursuance of the National Action Plan, 100th raid was conducted by the team which consisted of Inspectors Nasir Awan, Abdul Qayyum, Muhammad Ashfaq, Shafqat Jabbar, Nadir Azad and Muhammad Marouf, on a shop #68, New Azam Cloth Market Lahore, where one Khalil Khan was found involved in illegal business of Hundi/Hawala without permission of the State Bank of Pakistan.

haroon Akhter khan reviews pending cases in apex courts

customs preventive collects rs 16,987m duty, taxes

LAHORE

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SAJID NAwAZ

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pecial Advisor to Prime minister Haroon Akhter Khan has presided over a meeting to review delayed cases in the Supreme Court and Lahore High Court. All the chief commissioners of Lahore attended the meeting.

Chief Commissioner Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Chaudhary Safdar, Chief Commissioner Regional Tax OfRice-I (RTO-I) Tasneem Rehman, Chief Commissioner Regional Tax OfRice-II (RTO-II) Khawaja Adnan Zaheer and senior ofRicers of Customs and legal advisors of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) participated in the meeting.

Member Legal of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Muhammad Ali

790 cartons of smuggled cigarettes impounded ike other parts of the country, raids are also being conducted in Multan against smuggled and local illegal cigarettes’ sellers. Recently, FBR’s Customs Intelligence department led by Deputy Collector Tasawwar Hussain conducted sudden raids at Gulshan Market, Qazzafi Chowk and Khanewal Road Multan and recovered 790 cartons of smuggled and local illegal cigarettes from some shops in the market.

The confiscated cigarettes include Pine, Marble, Raison, Milano, Mond, Highlight and other cigarettes. The raids caused panic among smuggled and local illegal cigarette sellers and they escaped from the spot. The raiding team warned the shopkeepers that noose would be tightened around smuggled and local illegal cigarette sellers and those inflicting billions of rupees losses on national kitty with tax evasion would not be spared at any cost. –M Hayat

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and the ofRicers of Customs Preventive and Customs Appraisement and the Commissioners Inland Revenue (CIR) also participated in the meeting. The senior ofRicers of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) discussed the top 100 cases pending in the Supreme Court and Lahore High Court since Rive years. Due to litigation of these cases, billions of rupees’ recoveries are being delayed.

During the meeting, the chief commissioners Inland Revenues and the ofRicers of Customs and lawyers briefed Haroon Akhter Khan on the status of cases in the court. After a brieRing to ofRicers, Haroon Akhter Khan said the recovery of Rs200 billion is delaying due to the litigation, especially Rs50 billion from Lahore. He further said the FBR is going to formulate a policy for quick decision of the cases from different courts for the huge recovery within minimum duration.

LAHORE

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ollectorte of Customs Preventive has collected Rs 16,987 million, including all duty and taxes, from July to January 2016-17 against the collection of Rs 17,463 during the corresponding period of the last Rinancial year.

As per details, the collectorate under supervision of Collector Customs Preventive ZulRiqar Younas collected Rs 4,681 million under the head of customs duty during the period under review. The collectorate collected Rs 7,722 million under the head of sales tax during the period under review. Similarly, the Collectorate collected Rs 8,481million withholding tax (WHT) during the period under review in Rinancial year 2016-17.

The Collectorate collected Rs 164

million federal excise duty (FED) from July to November 2016-17 against the collection of Rs 52 million collected during the same period last Rinical year. The Collectorate collected Rs 4,681million as customs duty (CD) during Rirst seven months of current Rinancial year 2016-17.

Over all the Collectorate collected Rs

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16,987 million during the seven months of the Rinancial year 2016-17 (July-January). The Collectorate collected all the revenue from Airport, Wagah Border, Railways Station, AntiSmuggling Organization and other stations. The collection as made on account of duty and taxes on import and export from Lahore.

pcA detects alleged duty, tax evasion court adjourns hearing of 16 cases he Customs Court adjourned The court also adjourned cases of rs 8.3m by M/s MN enterprises hearing of 16 cases related to of narcotics, tax evasion, smuggling

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irectorate of Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has summoned M/s MN Enterprises Business Centre Hall Rod Lahore in duty and tax evasion on the import of tarpaulin.

According to the details, the PCA Lahore observed that the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the

SRO (1125)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of Tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is specifically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence was not entitled for such benefit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011. –M Hayat

customs matters.

During the hearing of most of the cases, the counsels for the accused requested the court to postpone the hearing of their respective cases for preparation of arguments on which the court adjourned the hearings of these cases for different dates.

According to the cause list, three out of 16 cases were Rixed for formal hearing of accused namely Shahzad, Abdullah and Tariq Fatmi and others. Pre arrest bail pleas were also scheduled for Friday that the court has also adjourned for next hearing.

and customs matters. Cases from Faisalabad, Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan were also scheduled for hearing on Friday.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has adjourned 16 important cases for next hearing.

As per the details available to Customs Today, the Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard a mobile smuggling case and 15 other cases which were adjourned until the next hearing. –M Imran Mehar

pcA unearths tax evasion of rs5,779,017 by Fiaz traders

D LAHORE

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irectorate of Customs Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has summoned M/s Fiaz Traders Landa Bazar Lahore in duty and tax evasion of Rs5,779,017 by on the import of tarpaulin.

The PCA Lahore observed that

the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years. 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the SRO (1125)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of Tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is speciRically excluded from that am-

bit of said SRO and hence was not entitled for such beneRit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011. Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount Rs 5,779,017 sales tax,

additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011. The importer was asked to pay above mentioned short paid amount of duty/ taxes within 10 days of receipt of this letter positively. The importer was told in case they do not agree with the audit observation; they may provide the written clariRication along with supporting.

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Shipping activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Four ships C.V Maersk Kinloss, C.V UASC Al-Khor, M.T North Gas and M.T Brizo carrying containers, LPG and furnace oil took berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, SSGC LPG Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively on Tuesday.

Meanwhile another Containers ship Maersk Surabaya also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim (PQ) during the same day. Sixty percent berth occupancy was observed at the Port on Tuesday where total nine ships namely Maersk Kinloss, UASC Al-Khor, Zealand Driane, BBC Africa, CTG Bismuth, North Gas, Umm Bab, Maritime Dinar and Brizo are currently occupying berths to load/offload Containers, Clinker Cargo, Chemicals, LPG, LNG, Palm oil and Furnace oil respectively during last 24 hours.

Abu Dhabi ports honour first batch of coastal Seafaring course bu Dhabi Ports, the master developer, operator and manager of the Emirate’s community and commercial ports as well as Khalifa Industrial Zone, honoured the first enrolled batch of students for completing the first phase of training in its certified Coastal Seafaring course to become seafarers in the future. The first batch included 16 Emiratis, including four women, who are set to become the first female seafarers in the UAE and the region upon completion of the full training programme of vessels up to 24 meters long. The ceremony, held at the headquarters of Abu Dhabi Ports, was attended by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports; Captain Jasim Al Khamiri, Manager of ADNOC Petroleum Ports Authority ;Phillip Lenthall, Course Leader at the Australian Maritime

port of oswego set for major expansion of rail capabilities

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College (AMC); and several senior managers and staff from Abu Dhabi Ports, and IRSHAD (Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Operating Company) an ADNOC Group company and National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC).

The students completed a key element of the Coastal Seafaring programme which included a 10-week theoretical and practical training course. With that, they were able to successfully pass the exams of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Federal Transport Authority-Land & Maritime (FTA). The following levels will feature a four-month practical training on-board vessels. This specialised marine training programme for seafarers commenced in early 2016 as a partnership between Abu Dhabi Ports. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

OSWEGO

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he Port of Oswego is ready for a major expansion of its rail capabilities. $2.1 million in funding just awarded from New York State will allow the Port to extend its rail line by just over half a mile.

By adding the additional track,

the Port will have 68 cars of storage capacity at the Oswego Intermodal Center, which is in the works at the site of the former Fitzgibbon Boiler Work property.

It will also allow the Port to fill a train of up to 65 cars, double what it can now, full of grains.

It’s vitally important during the three winter months when there is no ship traffic on Lake Ontario or through the St. Lawrence Seaway. Port of Oswego Authority CEO Zelko Kirincich says, “During

the wintertime when the Lake is closed, we handle it by rail and right now are rail capability is at its peak.”

At the present time the Port of Oswego fills and empties it’s grain silos twice a year, but once they have more train cars to load the plan is to do this four or five times a year. It will quadruple the amount of soybeans they move from local farmers through here to markets across the globe.

Kirincich tells NewsChannel 9, “The shipping costs in larger volumes means the price comes down. It’s such a low margin business that you need that volume to make it efficient.”

The Port is projecting an 80 percent increase in rail car volume which will result in new revenues and the need for them to start more second shifts for rail car handling. Besides the 5 to 10 direct jobs at the Port Kirincich says there will be many more indirect jobs like truckers and farmers. He sees it as an 18-month long project with design work by this summer and construction later in the year.

Wednesday February 22, 2017

port of Antwerp opens new training centre in India ndian port professionals who follow courses given in Mumbai by APEC, the port of Antwerp training centre, can now benefit from a purpose-built training facility. The new facility was officially opened on Monday this week during the annual Port of Antwerp Mission to India, in the presence of Belgian deputy prime minister Alexander De Croo, port alderman Marc Van Peel, APEC principal Kristof Waterschoot, JNPT chairman Shri Neeraj Bansal and Indian Port Association chairman Shri Sanjay Bhatia. After the inauguration the guests attended a first lesson in the new training centre. Port professionals in India have been able to follow APEC courses since 2015 when the Antwerp training institute signed a five-year agreement with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), the largest container port in India.

At that time JNPT planned to expand rapidly in terms of container handling, and to help it achieve this ambition it turned to APEC which already has nearly 40 years of experience in training port professionals, both white and blue collar. –CB Report

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cuba signs ports deal with ASpA C

WASHINGTON

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uba’s National Port Administration has signed a fiveyear cooperation agreement with Alabama State Port Authority to grow traffic between the Port of Mobile and Cuba. The memorandum of understanding marks the first ports agreement between the two nations signed on U.S. soil since 1959. “We are seeing increasing demand for normalized trade between the United States and Cuba, and it is our goal to foster relationships between the ports and their maritime communities to further changes in U.S. Cuban trade policy and facilitate improved ocean carriage services to the benefit of our shippers,” said James K. Lyons, CEO of Alabama State Port Authority.

Until late last year, vessels calling at Cuba were barred from entering U.S. ports within 180 days of departure from Cuba.

Following easement of U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) rules trade between Cuba and the deepwater port of Mobile is now expected to grow. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Center ranked the Port of Mobile as the 10th -argest seaport in the U.S. in 2015.

Meanwhile, The Green Party is calling on WorkSafe and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to undertake an urgent review of the ongoing use of methyl bromide – a highly toxic fumigant – at ports across the country. The call follows a decision made by the Environment Court last Friday to block an application by Envirofume

Ltd to fumigate logs for export using methyl bromide at the Port of Tauranga.

Envirofume’s application to use methyl bromide was rejected on the basis that it could harm people’s health and contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. The Court also concluded that methyl bromide should only be used to fumigate logs in dedicated areas designed to recapture the gas. “This decision makes it clear that this highly toxic fumigant shouldn’t be used unless it is very carefully recaptured. Yet multiple ports in New Zealand still fail to protect their workers by safely recapturing the gas,” said Green Party pesticide and biosecurity spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Under the Montréal Protocol, the Government is meant to phase out the use of ozone-de-

pleting methyl bromide by 2020, but since 1990 its use in New Zealand has increased tenfold.

“Workers and residents near the ports of Napier, Tauranga and Whangarei are potentially being exposed to methyl bromide as there is limited recapture of the gas in those places. “We need both WorkSafe and the EPA to do their job, stop the unsafe release of this toxic gas, and protect both workers and the environment. “Methyl bromide, if inhaled, can have long-term impacts on the brain, increase the risk of cancers and neurological issues. We shouldn’t be exposing anyone to this stuff. “Because the gas is colourless and odourless, people don’t even know if they’ve inhaled it until well down the track, when they have potentially serious health issues,” said Mr Browning.

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ASF detains three men with two-kg heroin MULTAN: The Customs and Airport Security Force (ASF) officials Tuesday arrested three passengers, including a couple, from the Multan International Airport with two kilogram of heroin. The ASF and customs officials led by Assistant Collector customs Multan Muhammad Akram held Nadeem Akram and his wife Zunaira Nadeem and recovered 2kg haroin hidden in their shoes, customs officials said. They were held before they could board an Air Arabia flight G-9-542. Both were residents of Rahimyar Khan and according to documents they were going to Saudi Arabia toperform Umra.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

FBr recruits 180 preventive officers for collectorate: Dr Saifuddin Junejo KARACHI S r khAN

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he Federal Board of Revenue-FBR has eventually recruited 180 sanctioned ofRicers in Preventive Services of Pakistan Customs.

This was disclosed by the Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo while talking to Customs Today at his ofRice. The Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo has informed that the notiRication in this regard is not yet issued by the FBR, but the list of 180 Preventive OfRicers (POs) has been Rinalized and also published at the FBR’s website.

Replying to a query, the Collector Preventive Dr Saifuddin Junejo said that the offer letters have been distributed among the recruiters while their training would be conducted in the Directorate General of Training and Research (DGTR) by the experienced Customs ofRicers.

Responding to another query, the collector revealed that the FBR has recruited the ofRicers in the Preventive Services for last 25 years, as the last recruitment in Pakistan Customs was being done in the year1992. The Collector further informed this scribe that the situation in the country,

freeze/ban on jobs and lack of resources are the main reasons due to which the recruitment is not being im-

plemented in the Customs Preventive.

The Collector Preventive said that the sea operations of Anti-Smuggling Or-

ganization is being affected due to lack of resources and shortage of manpower, although the ofRicers and ofRi-

cials of Customs Preventive have done the marvelous jobs in seizing contraband items at land as well as in sea.

customs valuation revises value of ciprofloxacin KARACHI

wAQAr AhMeD ANSArI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the Customs value of Ciprofloxacin Base and Ciprofloxacin HCL through Valuation Ruling No 1038/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.According to details, The values of Ciprofloxacin

Base and Ciprofloxacin HCL for reference/guidance were earlier issued vide VDB No. 66/2016 dated 21-10-2016. However several representations were received from importers of pharmaceutical raw materials for determination of customs value of Ciprofloxacin Base and Ciprofloxacin HCL afresh considering the current international prices. Meeting with all stakeholders including importers of pharmaceutical raw materials and representatives from clearance Collectorates, was held on 02.02.2017 to discuss the cur-

rent international prices of the subject item. The commercial importers stated that the prices of subject item are showing down ward trend in the international markets. The view point of all participants was heard in detail and considered to arrive at Customs values of Ciprofloxacin Base and Ciprofloxacin HCL. Valuation methods provided in SeCtion 25 of the Customs Act, 1969 were duly applied in their regular sequential order to address the particular valuation issue at hand.

The transaction value method as provided in Sub-Section (1) of Section 25, found inapplicable in light of the wide variety of invoices submitted at import stage the veracity of which could not be ascertained fully, hence requisite information required under law was not available to arrive at the correct transaction value. Identical / similar goods value method provided vide Sub-Sections (5) & (6) of Section 25 ibid were examined for applicability to determine Customs value of subject goods, this data provided

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some references, however-, it was found that the same cannot be solely relied upon due to the absence of absolute demonstrable evidence of qualities, and quantities of commercial level etc. In line with the statutory sequential order of Section 25, this office then conducted a market inquiry using Deductive Value Method under Sub-Section (7) of the Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, however, it was found that being industrial material (pharmaceutical Industry raw material) it is not available to all for retail sale.