Feb 27 layout 1

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Daily

Vol 1 Issue No. 303

Karachi, Sat February 27, 2016

LAHORE

M IMRAN MEHAR

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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has remanded an alleged tax evader, director of Joy Foam (Private) Limited into the custody of the Customs Investigation for 10 days.

The Lahore Customs Intelligence arrested Hassan Javed on the charges of sales tax evasion. The Customs Intelli-

Price Rs. 14.00

gence checked his company’s record and found a difference of Rs 34 million in sales tax statements. A First Information Report was registered against him under Section 2 (37) of Sales Tax Act, 1990 and a Customs team presented him before the court on February 25 (today).

The ofRicials sought his physical remand for interrogation, which was granted by the court. The director of the Joy Foam will be presented before the court on March 4 for further prosecution after completion of the investigation.

FBR urged to check smuggling of fruits, vegetables from Irani,Turkmenistan

Faisalabad ASO impounds items worth Rs 9.25m in February

Hydel profit issue resolved: Centre to give KP Rs 70b in four years

Hyderabad ASO seizes smuggled Iranian diesel, non-duty paid truck

SCCI vows for early completion of mega projects in Sialkot

The Senate Commerce Committee has asked the FBR to activate department | SEE pAgE 02 |

The ASO has recovered smuggled items worth Rs 9.25m during the third week | SEE pAgE 03 |

The Centre and KPk govt have resolved an old issue of hydel profit arrears | SEE pAgE 04 |

ASOhasconfiscated5,000litersofsmuggled Iranian diesel and a Bedford truck | SEE pAgE 12 |

SCCI President Mansur Ahmed has vowed to continue struggle for ensuring | SEE pAgE 09 |

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Sindh Revenue Board collects Rs 4.93b tax in first 20 days of Feb Saturday, February 27, 2016

KARACHI: The performance of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) regarding tax collection improved during the first 20 days of February. Talking to Customs Today, Advisor of Tax Policy Mushtaq Kazmi said that increased revenue was attributed to better collection efforts. He said that the department would continue its efforts to generate more and more revenue in future. As per details, Sindh Revenue Board has managed to collect Rs 4.93 billion tax in first twenty days of February, which is higher as compare to collection of previous months. The taxpayers have filed their tax returns earlier rather than waiting for the last dates of the month.

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fBR urged to check smuggling of fruits, vegetables from Irani, turkmenistan

fBR defends different rates of import duty from Afghanistan, Iran ISLAMABAD

M ARSHAD

ISLAMABAD

M ARSHAD

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he Senate Commerce Committee has asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to activate department concerned to check smuggling of Iranian and Turkmen fruits and vegetables into the country through Afghanistan.

In this regard, the committee moved four recommendations to the government to check illegal import of vegetables and fruits which were damaging the local agricultural sector.

The Senate committee met here with Chairman Shibli Faraz in the chair to discuss a call attention notice raised by Senator Amir Kabir and referred to the committee by the House. The calling attention notice drew attention of the Minister for Commerce, to a matter of public importance regarding import of various vegetables and fruit from Iran affecting the local farmers of Balochistan. A group of farmers and growers from Balochistan briefed the committee that Iran had blocked the import of Pakistani rice and Kinnow but Iranian export of apple and other fruits was damaging the local agricultural sector in Balochistan.

Haji Abdul Rehman, head of the delegation, observed that it was a matter of life and death for the farmers and fruit growers because local

he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR has fully defended different rates of import duty from Afghanistan and Iran as well as import duty on paper.

Chief of Customs Tariff, Iftikhar Ahmad, while speaking in two separate meetings of the Senate Committee on Finance and Revenue as well as Standing Committee on Commerce, defended the FBR on both issues. In the Finance committee, former chairman Pakistan Association of Printing and Graphics Arts Industry (PAPGAI) SM Minhajuddin briefed the committee that Pakistan had more duty on import of raw paper than on printed paper.

He said that heavy taxes and duty on importing raw paper was affecting the printing industry of Pakistan and companies were printing their books and magazines from abroad.

Moreover, heavy duty is also effecting the printing cost and quality of educational and textbooks.

Senators demanded to know what percentage of textbooks were printed from imported paper and questioned whether the prices of textbooks would go down if the duty was lowered.

grower could not compete the Iranian imported apple just because of higher cost of production.

He said that Iran provided seed, fertilizers and agricultural machinery to its farmers and growers free of

cost therefore it was quite easy for Iranian farmers to sell their yields at the lowest possible cost. “The volume of import of Iranian fruits has doubled this year than the previous year. In the wake of possible recom-

mendations from the committee, over 37 containers carrying Iranian fruits crossed into Pakistan today” he added saying that around 20 importers were destroying the whole agricultural sector in Balochistan.

tax refunds of up to Rs 5m to start from March: khurram M LAHORE

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inister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan said that the government would start refund up to Rs 5 million to exporters from next month.

He said, refunds issue of exporters would be resolved very soon and the textile ministry would pay Rs 2.5 billion to exporters according to textile policy.

Khurram Dastagir said through active diplomacy, the government was trying to get better market access for the local businesses in international markets by concluding free trade agreements and preferential trade agreements with different countries.

He said that 33 percent increase has been made in Pakistan’s exports after gaining GSP Plus status, adding that under GSP Plus status, ninety percent products of Pakistan has access to 28 European Union coun-

tries at zero rated duty.

He said the government was making efforts to further exploit the status by diversifying its exports. He said Pakistan was also exploring opportunities of exports to east European countries.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastigir Khan has said that the economy of Pakistan is on sound track and there is no need to depend on other countries for achievement of the economic targets.

He was talking to Customs Today during an exclusive interview. Dastigir lauded lifting of sanction on Iran and said that “we are waiting for lifting of sanction on Iranian banking sector.” He said that a high-level delegation of the State Bank is going to Iran during the next week while other high ranking ofRicials of both countries will also pay visit to each others’ countries. Answering a question about PTA between D-8 countries, Dastigir said that Muslim countries have lot of skilled labour

and there is no need to consult western countries in this regard. He said that the volume of trade between D8 countries is very low and the PTA among D-8 countries is a big achievement. The minister said that six countries of D-8 nations will start implementation on the PTA from July 1, 2016. He said that increasing of trade activities leads to investment. He said that Islamic countries failed to build a strong partnership among them in terms of trade and investment.

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Federal Service Tribunal postpones hearing of three cases ISLAMABAD: A division bench of Federal Service Tribunal (FST) adjourned hearing of three cases after hearing arguments from counsel of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the appellants. FST Division Bench comprising of Members, Syed Rafique Hussain Shah and Syed Muhammad Hamid heard the arguments before deciding to date cases in office. Tribunal’s office now would schedule the further date of hearing in the cases. The bench was hearing submissions regarding “promotion” and “up-gradation” matters. Appellant Muhammad Moin Ud Din and Abdul Ghaffar had submitted a case regarding their promotion at the department which they said promotions had not been granted to them yet.

gwadar customs seizes smuggled items worth Rs 38.6m in 20 days

Saturday February 27, 2016

National

faisalabad ASo confiscates items worth Rs 9.25m in february

KARACHI

wAQAR AHMED ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Collectorate Gwadar recovered a huge quantity of smuggled goods during the first 20 days of February. The market value of these items is Rs 38.6 millions.

Sources told Customs Today that eight accused were taken into custody during seizure of these items. The items which were seized in the first week of February include 86,000 liters of smuggled Iranian diesel, 1,000 bundles of non-duty paid cigarettes and 25 kilograms of hashish. While during the second week of February, the customs authorities recovered 250 bottles of foreign alcohol, smuggled Iranian diesel and different quality of foreign assembled generators.

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IHc adjourns hearing of two tax references until March 17 ISLAMABAD

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slamabad High Court on Thursday adjourned hearing of two cases challenging decisions of Customs Appellate Tribunal and Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR).

Justice Noor ul Haq N Qureshi and Justice Athar Minallah heard a tax reference filed against LTU officers and ATIR. The bench adjourned hearing of the case till third week of March. M/s Capgas Private had filed the reference.

Another Division Bench, comprising of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard the tax reference filed by M/s Shalimar Diplomatic Bonded Warehouse Islamabad against Customs Appellate Tribunal, Islamabad. After hearing arguments, the bench adjourned hearing of the case till March 17.

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FAISALABAD

NAEEM SHEIkH

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has recovered smuggled items worth Rs 9.25 millions during the third week of February, 2016.

Sources informed Customs Today that Collector ZulRiqar Ali Chaudhary formed many teams to foil smuggling attempts. These teams conducted various raids under the supervision of Deputy Collector Falik Shair which also included Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Javed Mehmood, inspector Sardar Muhammad, Masood Saeed Chohan, Abdul Jabbar and ZulaRiqar Ali, HaRiz Naseer Ahmed, Muhammad Abdullah (sepoys) and Afzal Hussain (driver). The ASO team successfully seized food grains, foreign origin tea, and detained two vehicles which were brought into the country without payments of customs duty and taxes.

Sources said that the accused persons failed to produce any legal documents regarding possession of vehicles and items. Now ASO authorities forwarded cases of seizure to customs adjudication.

Meanwhile, The Customs AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO), Sargodha, has seized foreign origin silk cloth along with carrier, Toyota Corolla car worth Rs 1.42 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 140,757. ASO Deputy Collector Falik

Sher received information regarding the smuggling of cloth from Rawalpindi to Sargodha and made a team to foil the smuggling bid. The team intercepted a vehicle bearing Registration No. LEC-4267 near Luck More, Sargodha.

During checking, the officials recovered silk cloth on which they asked the driver Muhammad Bilal to show documents regarding the legal import of the cloth. But, he could not provide any valid docu-

the ASo, Sargodha, has seized foreign origin silk cloth along with carrier, toyota corolla car worth Rs 1.42 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 140,757. ASo Deputy collector falik Sher received information regarding the smuggling of cloth from Rawalpindi to Sargodha and made a team to foil the smuggling bid

Sukkur Rto holds seminar on voluntary tax scheme SUKKUR

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he Regional Tax OfRice has arranged a seminar to create awareness on Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme (VTCS) 2016 at a local hotel. The seminar was widely attended by members and representatives of tax bar associations, Sukkur Chamber of Commerce & Industry, trade associations

of Sukkur and Larkana divisions.

Commissioners, additional commissioners and other ofRicers of the RTO were also present on the occasion.

Additional Commissioner Pervez Ahmed Shar gave detailed presentation on the VTCS, highlighting the salient features and beneRits of the scheme. Chief Commissioner Syed Nadeem Hassan, Additional Commissioner (Zone-I) Dr Pervez Ahmed Shar, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran Sukkur Secretary General Naeem Mir, Anjuman-e-Tajran Sukkur Pres-

ident Haji Haroon Memon, Sukkur Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Amir Ghouri and Sukkur Tax Bar Association President Asif Sheikhani also addressed the audience. The speakers shared their views on the VTCS and urged the traders to avail the scheme as it was a golden opportunity for making their businesses documented.

Naeem Mir informed his colleagues that the scheme was Rinalised after long negotiations between the traders and the FBR.

mentary evidence on the spot; therefore, the cloth was seized along with the vehicle under Section 168 and 157(2) of the Customs Act, 1969.

The ASO team comprising Inspector Nazar Hussain, Bashir ahmed, Sepoys Abdul Hameed, Muhammad Feroz, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Ashraf, Shafqat Mehmood, Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Mansha and others participated in the raid.

gujranwala Excise impounds 67 vehicles he Excise and Taxation Department has impounded as many as 67 unregistered vehicles, besides, confiscating the documents of 259 other vehicles during an operation. The crackdown against the defaulter vehicles has been initiated in various parts of the Gujranwala Division. The special teams led

by Excise Director Rao Shakeel Ur Rehman conducted as many as 12 hour long general hold up in the division.

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Train service between Pakistan and India resumes Saturday, February 27, 2016

Business

LAHORE: Samjhota Express train service which was suspended on Monday due to security concerns in the wake of Haryana riots left here Thursday morning for India carrying 140 passengers under strict security arrangements.

It may be mentioned that Dosti Bus Service and Samjhota Express were suspended on the request of India in the wake of deadly caste violence in India’s Haryana that killed many people and injured more than 150 others.

Lahore-Delhi `Dosti Bus Service’ resumed operation from Wednesday.

pSX gains mammoth 492pts to cross 31,000 mark KARACHI

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he Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed the bullish day on Friday as KSE-100 index gained 491.55 points to cross psychological barrier of 31,000 and reached 31294.08 points at closing.

The stocks recorded the highest trading level of 31329.74 points and lowest level of 30802.53 points, with the volume of 125 million shares, having about Rs7 billion value. As many as 316 companies were active; of which 208 advanced, 97 declined and 11 remained unchanged. Technology & communi-

ffc given excellence award ISLAMABAD

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cation was the top traded sector with 17,977,000 volume, while commercial banks remained second with 15,907,400 volume.

The three top traded companies

Hydel profit issue resolved: centre to give kp Rs 70b in four years

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ISLAMABAD

auji Fertilizer Corporation (FFC) has been awarded the excellence award in the fertilizer sector during the 31st Excellence Awards ceremony, organised by Management Association of Pakistan. The criteria for assessment is all encompassing and reflects the exemplary standards of management by the company, says a press release. On the occasion, FFC CE&MD Lt Gen (r) Shafqaat Ahmed congratulated the management of the company on achieving this honour.

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were Sui South Gas with a volume of 6,833,000 and price per share of 27.44 (1.30), TRG Pak Ltd with a volume 5,964,000 of price per share of 24.52 (0.52), and Telecard Lim-

ited with a volume 5,898,000 of price per share of 2.85 (0.24).

The top three gainers were Unilever Foods with price per share 5300 (90), Philip Morris Pak with price per share of 1825 (84.56) and erozsons (Lab)XD price per share of 813.58 (38.74). The top three losers were RaRhan Maize with price per share of 8050 (-139), Wyeth Pak Ltd with price per share of 1810 (-87.50) and Khyber Tobacco per share of 299.87 (-15.78). Earlier, the Pakistan Stock Exchange took good start and gained 129.68 points to reach 30932.21 points in early trading. The PSX added 265.04 points to reach 31067.57 points level till midday. On Thursday, the PSX opened comfortably in the green territory but was pulled down by midday selling.

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he Centre and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government have resolved an old issue of hydel proRit arrears. Federal Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif and KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak signed the MoU, while Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was also present there. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak along with his cabinet and senior ofRicials represented KP in the high-level meeting.

As per the agreement, the net hydel proRit for KP has been uncapped and the province would receive arrears worth Rs 70 billion in four years. The meeting decided that uncapped NHP, as determined by Nepra, would be notiRied immediately by the Ministry of Water & Power. The meeting also decided that Wapda, after seeking concurrence of Council of Common Interests (CCI) through Ministry of Water and Power, would Rile a tariff petition for recovery of arrears in four instalments – Rirst instalment of Rs 25 billion in current Rinancial year and Rs 15 billion each in the next three Ri-

nancial years. The meeting also discussed matters regarding Pehur Hydro Power Project owned by the KP government. It was agreed that a power purchase agreement (PPA) would be signed by CPPA-G latest by 31st March this year that would incorporate a mechanism for the recovery of outstanding amounts. Considering the matter regarding allocation of gas for power generation, it was decided that the federal government would allocate 100MMCFD gas to the KP government to use it in power generation either on its own or through partnership with the private sector.

weeds can decrease sunflower production by 20-45%: experts MULTAN

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he weeds can reduce sunflower crop production by 20 to 45 per cent, warns agriculture experts.

In a statement issued by the Media Liaison Unit of Punjab Agriculture Department, the experts said that first 6 weeks after germination were important, during which the farmers were required to keep the fields free from the weeds. “Weeds compete with the crop in absorbing water and sunlight, and often get two to three times bigger share than the crop itself, and thus decreases the production,” the experts added. They further said that weeds also served as a habitat for the enemy pests and could trigger diseases. They advised the farmers to perform hoeing by hand to remove weeds in case of availability of manpower, and keep the soil soft besides making its access to the air easy. “Removal of weeds becomes easy in case of crop sown on ridges,” they explained. They said in case the crop was sown on beds, the farmers should spray suitable chemicals, in consultations with the agriculture extension officials, within 24-48 hours after their emergence. They finished on the advice that in case of crop sown through drill or planter.

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government to form policy to control medicine prices: DAg ISLAMABAD

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eputy Attorney General (DAG) Sajid Ilyas Bhatti informed the Supreme Court that the Ministry of Health and Drug Control Authority (DRA) was working to form a policy to control the quality and price of medicines.

The two-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice

Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the suomoto case. During the course of proceedings, the court was informed that three applications of adjournment were Riled by the respondent and the court had to decide that whether it would hear the case in absence of respondents.

The Deputy Attorney General told the court that it was not proper to hear the case in absence of three respondents as it was a matter of

public interest.

The Chief Justice remarked that the sale of sub-standard medicine was continuing without any check.

The open ended escalation of prices of medicine creates hurdles for treatment of poor, he added. Later, hearing of the case was adjourned for an indeRinite period.

Meanwhile, The Food, Beverages and Agro-sector exports to Emirates has touched approximately US$ half a billion mark and there was a 27

percent jump in food exports to UAE in two- year. This was stated by S. M. Munir, Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) while inaugurating Pakistan Pavilion in Gulfood 2016 Exhibition the otherday, says a message received here from Dubai today. S.M Munir said that Pakistan has boosted sales of its traditional agricultural products while simultaneously expanding its reach into new product areas such as processed meat and

poultry products, tea, concentrated milk and cream, certain fruits and vegetables, spices, herbs and confectioneries,” he further elaborated. He added that persistent efforts of TDAP and Pakistani exporters have yielded positive results. Pakistan Pavilion in Gulfood 2016 Exhibition comprises more than 92 companies in Food sector. Pakistan Pavilion was the most ambitious display of Pakistan’s Best of Food Potential to GCC, Middle East and Northern African markets.

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ISLAMABAD cuStoMS BuLLEtIN REpoRt

tionaries administering federal tax laws. When approached, Chief Coordinator, Abdul Khaliq,

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he Federal Tax Ombudsman secretariat was about to accomplish the task of preparing FTO’s 16th performance report for the year of 2015, said FTO ofRicials.

According to FTO ofRicials, experts from FTO secretariat in Islamabad and regional ofRices, particularly from Lahore, were taking part in completion of report preparation.

Lahore ofRice had delivered the reRined information to the Islamabad secretariat where the report was being Rinalized under supervision of Chief Coordinator, Abdul Khaliq, they added.

Shortly after preparation, the FTO would present the report to the President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain on the primary basis.

The report – also known as “Annual Report” – is required to be prepared and presented to the President of Pakistan under Section 28(1) of the Establishment of the OfRice Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000.

According to FTO ofRicials, the report had to be a comprehensive account of yearly activities and performance of FTO secretariat in Islamabad and its regional ofRices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Faisalabad.

FTO ofRicials told the Customs Today that report contained details of FTO institution’s performance from January to December, 2015.

The report would carry the details of complaints entertained by the institution of FTO against ofRicials of Revenue Division or the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) administering income tax, customs duties, sales tax and federal excise duty, ofRicials said.

They also underscored that it would also highlight the way the FTO had diagnosed, investigated, redressed and rectiRied any injustice done to a person through maladministration by func-

told that the report was being prepared.

he ered t v i l e d ad ffice h tion to the o e r o a e Lah inform at where th d e n i r refi ecreta lized under s d a b a r, Islama s being fin dinato r a o o w c t ef repor of chi y added n o i s i v super l khaliq, the Abdu

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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

tax reforms need of hour

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he tax-to-GDP ratio in Pakistan is the lowest in the region, but the Tax Reforms Commission, in its final report, claims that the tax regime in the country is in favour of the elite classes. The report, which is completed in one and a half years, suggests that all the top oďŹƒce holders in the country should be taxed to maintain equality in the taxpayers. It is long been demanded by the international donor agencies to introduce structural reforms in the tax collection system. The report highlight serious flaws in the tax structure as the poor have to pull more burden in the form of indirect taxes than the other classes. The commission proposes the setting up of a national tax agency to rationalize the tax regime as under the prevailing system the business class is also pressured by one tax or the other.

It is unfortunate that the common man has to pay tax on every step, but the president, governors,the provincial head of governments and ministers draw heavy perks from the national exchequer in addition to enjoying exemption on property tax. Though the federal government had withdrawn tax concessions worth Rs 208 billion in the previous two budgets, but they still enjoy concessions and benefits in the shape of income tax exemptions. It should be noted that commissions are often mandated to carry out investigations and give suggestions to avoid the repeat of the similar situations. However, once a commission reports its findings, the responsibility of devising a mechanism rests on the shoulders of the federal government. The Tax Reforms Commission has called for the establishment of a single national tax collection agency with a mandate to collect taxes on behalf of the centre and provinces. No method of tax collection would work until fundamental reforms are introduced in the administrative structure of the country. The current tax collection system is complex whereas business organizations as well as individual taxpayers are burdened with more obligations than relief. The tax-toGDP ratio is lower, but sincere taxpayers should not be pushed to the wall to achieve the annual revenue collection targets. There is a need to formulate a national tax policy in consultation with all the stakeholders.

Industrial units should be documented A

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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ccording to newspaper reports, the government has no updated record of industrial units in the country, including its largest province Punjab, giving a severe blow to the efforts to document the national economy. No updated or ofRicial industrial directory has been prepared and the available record is void of any reasonable data which could help boost industrial activities in the country. Reports suggest that red tape and mismanagement reign supreme in the ofRicial cadre with no interest in updating the record of the existing, closedor sick industrial

units. The developed nations keep record of everything possible to devise not only industrial policies but also to give impetus to planning and development efforts. In this age of information technology, survey of the industrial units and maintenance of record is not an uphill task as it was in a couple of decades ago.

Unavailability of updated record leads to several complications as the industrial units making good business cannot be persuaded for taxes according to the volume of their production while the closed or loss-making units are sent the tax notices in line with their previous business details.

The cottage industry of any country is considered the backbone of economy and even China

and Japan started their journey to industrial development from home industries and have now become second and the third largest economies of the world.

The small industrial units are provided every facility from Rinance to expertise in developed nations, but the departments in the country which are responsible for assisting the small industry have failed to give good performance despite heavy government budget on their disposal. However, at least management of record is the basic requirement in the modern economy and the departments responsible for the job are reeling under ofRicial rigmarole. The record of the business type, location, closed and sick units as well as unregistered units is either in-

complete or missing.

Only the units having stakes in the government funding are registered with the departments concerned and the un-documentation of the units is one of the impediments in the development of the national economy.

Reports suggest that hundreds of new industrial units of pharmaceuticals, food processing, engineering, textile, garments, carpet, plastics, electronics, chemicals, paints, steel and auto parts are being set up in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Hyderabad and Peshawar and Karachi and their documentation in the ofRicial record is important.

There are industrial units earing millions of rupees, but avoid to come into the tax net.

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CPC pipeline to boost oil exports by 20% in 2016 LONDON: The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which brings oil from Kazakhstan to the Black Sea, plans to increase exports of CPC Blend oil by 20 percent year-on-year to 51.2 million tonnes in 2016, its head Nikolai Brunich said in an interview with Reuters. The pipeline connects the giant Tengiz onshore field in Kazakhstan, and a number of other fields, to the sea terminal near Novorossiisk in Russia. Despite weak global oil prices, CPC is still on track to increase the pipeline’s capacity to 67 million tonnes in 2016, finishing its five-year expansion programme, according to Brunich. The CEO hopes some of the new resources to help and fill the pipeline’s expanded capacity will come from its largest supplier, Chevron-led Tengizchevroil, which is developing the Tengiz field. Tengizchevroil plans to increase supplies via CPC by 4 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes in 2016, Brunich said.

Local traders visits IccI to address their issues delegation of Traders Welfare Association, I&T Centre, G-10/4, Islamabad led by its President Ch. Zafar Iqbal Gujar visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and highlighted various issues being faced by the traders of the area.

They said CDA was paying no attention to the development works in G-10/4 market due to which traders were facing difficulties in running business activities. Ch. Zafar Iqbal Gujar, President, Traders Welfare Association, I&T Centre, G-10/4, Islamabad stressed that CDA should expedite the process of awarding work order to contractor for

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construction of bridge in G-10/4 market as due to lack of bridge the market was divided in two parts and customers were facing many difficulties.

He said lack of proper basic infrastructure like better roads; foot paths parking facility, street lights and good sewerage system were other major issues of G-10/4 I&T Centre, Islamabad which needed urgent attention of CDA. He said many stakeholders including Capital Administration and Development, new local government and CDA have become responsible for the development of Islamabad and stressed that things should be further streamlined to facilitate the trading community. In his welcome address, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the trading community was playing an important role in promoting business activities and improving the economy and emphasized that CDA should resolve key issues of traders on priority. He urged that CDA should focus on better development of all markets including G-10/4 I&T Centre to facilitate the growth of business activities.—CB Report

Saturday February 27, 2016

Chambers

SccI vows early completion of mega projects in Sialkot S

SIALKOT

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ialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) President Mansur Ahmed has vowed to continue struggle for ensuring the early completion of the mega projects of establishing Sialkot exporters’ own airline “Air Sial” now (after already establishing their own Sialkot International Airport), besides, establishing an international standard Sialkot Business and Trade Center, Sialkot Tanneries Zone, Sialkot Engineering University and another Small Industrial Estate at Sialkot, enabling the small traders, exporters and venders to establish their own small industrial units there.

He stated this while addressing an important meeting of the Sialkot exporters held at SCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Sarfraz Butt, Khawar Anwar Khawaja, former SCCI President Fazal Jillani, Dr. Khurram Anwar Khawaja, Dr. Nouman Idrees Butt, former SCCI SVPs Mian Muhammad Anwar and Mir Alamgir Meyer also attended the meeting. Mansur Ahmed revealed that the exporters of Sialkot

are the “Roaming Ambassadors of Pakistan”, who travel all around the world to fetch business and with their personal efforts, the export earnings of Sialkot stand at US $ 2 billion annually. He said that the Sialkot exporters had been earning precious foreign exchange to the tune of US 2 billion annual, besides, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy and boost-

ing the national exports as well.

He said that export-oriented Sialkot city has successfully followed the examples of Japan, Germany, Korea, Taiwan and other countries in development of SME culture in Sialkot, as the Sialkot based SMEs have been producing only exportable items and enjoy special status in the international market for its products.

Measures to be taken to address traders’ issues

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ISLAMABAD

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delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Atif Ikram Sheikh called on Sheikh Ansar Aziz and congratulated him on being elected as the Rirst Mayor of Islamabad. The delegation apprised him of the main issues of business community and sought his support for resolving them.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Lord Mayor of Islamabad said that after taking oath and establishing ofRice, he would set up a Complaint Cell to register the complaints of citizens including business community for redress of their issues. He said business community was playing an important role in developing the local economy and he would take all possible measures to

address their key issues. He said that measures would be taken to curb corruption and urged that citizens should play role for discouraging the corrupt practices while dealing with local organizations. He assured that after assuming ofRice, he would pay visit to ICCI to listen to the issues of business community.

Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry assured the newly elected Mayor of Islamabad that business community will extend all possible support to the local government in ICT for developing the federal capital on modern lines. He said markets, commercial centers and industrial areas in Islamabad needed upgradstion and rehabilitation of basic infrastructure including roads, footpaths, parking facilities, water Riltration plants and sewerage system and hoped that newly elected Mayor would play his role in resolv-

ing these issues.

He also invited Sheikh Ansar Aziz to visit ICCI for an interaction with business community and share his vision for the development of the federal capital. Sheikh Abdul Waheed Vice President and Khalid Mehmood Chaudhry, former Senior Vice President ICCI were also present at the occasion.

Meanwhile, The business community has lauded the government’s decision to give export sector a zerorated tax regime. Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Sunday appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s announcement for announcing zerorated tax regime on sales tax for the export sector. “The decision will reduce Rinancial burden on exporters while ending the practice of the corruption in the refund claims” Shahid Rasheed Butt, Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders said in a statement issued here.

He added that the Sialkot is the only export-oriented city of Pakistan, where 99 percent industrial production is meant for exports.

The products including Sports Goods, Surgical Instruments, Leather Products, Textile Items, Martial Arts Uniforms & Accessories, Musical Instruments, Knives & Cutlery items and Military Uniform badges etc, produced in Sialkot are exported to all parts of the world. Sialkot made footballs, filed hockey sticks, cricket gears and sports wears are used in Olympics, World Cups, Asian Games and other international events.

He highly hailed the unique export culture of Sialkot. He said that the Sialkot businessmen also have better awareness about the industrial set up of Sialkot and socioeconomical development projects taken in hand by the SCCI. Meanwhile, The Regional Tax Office has arranged seminars and several meetings with the local business community and various stakeholders to apprise them of the benefits of Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme (VTCS).

LccI congratulates new chairman of punjab Mineral Development he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has congratulated the LCCI former Senior Vice President Mian Nauman Kabir on his appointment as Chairman of Punjab Mineral Development Corporation.

In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Senior Vice President Almas Hyder and Vice President Nasir Saeed said that the appointment of Mian Nauman Kabir would further strengthen government relation with the business community. He said that Mian Nauman Kabir have rendered marvellous services as Chairman Quaide-Azam Industrial estate and well aware of the issues being faced by the trade and industry.—CB Report

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Iraq oil minister says 2016 development costs cut to $9b Saturday February 27, 2016

World

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s oil minister said on Monday development costs for foreign oil companies had been revised down to just over $9 billion in 2016 from $23 billion following complex negotiations. Adel Abdel Mahdi said on his official Facebook page that most foreign oil companies had approved the revised costs, and that it would not affect production and development plans. The slump in crude prices has slashed government revenue in Iraq, OPEC’s second biggest exporter, just as it faces an economic crisis and surging expenditure to fund a military campaign against Islamic State. Since a significant proportion of development costs are passed on to Iraq, the oil ministry had called on firms to revise their oilfield development plans by considering postponing new projects and delaying already committed projects as long as no additional costs were incurred.

customs fish £2.5m drug haul from sea MADRID

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ustoms ofRicers recovered 22 bales of cannabis resin worth £2.5m yesterday.

The haul, which weighed a total of 650 kilograms, was Rished out of the sea off the east side of the Rock.

OfRicers from HM Customs (Gibraltar) spotted the bales while patrolling through British Gibraltar territorial waters.

“It is believed that these must have been jettisoned by smugglers but no arrests have been made,” a Customs spokesman said.

Customs and the Royal Gibraltar Police have reported increased smuggling activity at sea in recent months, as have law enforcement agencies in Spain.

Often when chased, smugglers ditch their shipments in order to increase the speed and manoeuvra-

finland producer prices down by 2.3% in Jan roducer prices for manufactured products fell by an average of 2.3 per cent year-on-year in January 2016, according to Statistics Finland. The producer prices for manufactured products sold on the domestic market went down by 2.0 per cent, while the producer prices of export products fell by 2.8 per cent. The fall in the producer prices for manufactured products was particularly caused by reductions in the prices of oil products, manufacturing of basic metals and chemicals and chemical products from January 2015.The fall in producer prices was slowed down especially by higher prices of paper and paper board products and electricity, the data show.

The export price index fell by 2.8 per cent and the import price index by 5.7 per cent in the year. The Basic Price Index for Domestic Supply went down by 2.6 per cent while the Basic Price Index including taxes fell by 1.9 per cent.—CB Report

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bility of their vessels during highspeed pursuits. The bales were in good condition and it is not believed that they were in sea for long.

“There’s a lot of trafRic out there and these drugs were fresh,” the Customs spokesman said. “They hadn’t been Rloating around for long.” This is the latest in a string of similar drug hauls in British waters.

Yesterday evening, Customs and RGP units were still combing the shoreline and had not ruled out recovering more bales of drugs. Meanwhile, Spain’s fresh produce exports climbed 11.7 per cent for the full year of 2015, according to statistics from the Ministry of Economy and published by Fepex. According to the newly released Rigures, Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable export value climbed to €11.9bn for the year, while also rising 2.29 per cent in volume to 12.79m tonnes. Vegetables exports came in at €4.82bn, up 11.46 per cent, although volumes fell 1.41 per cent year-on-year to 5.2m tonnes.

uk customs seizes 130,000 illegal cigarettes LONDON

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ight men have been arrested after police seized more than 130,000 suspected illegal cigarettes.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ofRicers seized the goods during a series of raids in Strangeways , Cheetham Hill and Bury here the other day. The ofRicers seized material in relation to suspected tax evasion including 137,600 cigarettes, 73 kilos of tobacco, counterfeit cash and four vehicles.

They recovered the items during searches of nine retail properties, one domestic address and a storage container. OfRicers from Immigration Enforcement also arrested six men for immigration offences. Counterfeit goods worth an estimated £2m were seized from 11 premises and

Indonesia customs foils attempt to smuggle baby turtles

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ustoms at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Banten, have thwarted the smuggling of thousands of protected baby turtles from Bekasi in West Java to Guangzhou, China. The turtles, consisting of 3,737 pig-nosed turtles and 883 snake-neck turtles, were put in boxes and then placed in the same container with boxes of clown fish as camouflage, Soekarno-Hatta’s customs law enforcement division head Yulianto

said on Monday as quoted by wartakotalive.com. “We uncovered the smuggling at an export storehouse at the airport last Saturday,” he said, adding the authorities also apprehended five suspects. He did not disclose the citizenship of the five people. He said that at first customs officers were not suspicious of the contents of the container in question, but they started to check them when the suspects could not show a plants and animals shipping letter.—CB Report

49,350 individual doses of unlicensed medicines were retrieved.

Greater Manchester Police seized two vans and issued several dispersal notices. The huge operation involved investigations into a number of suspected offences including tax evasion, smuggling, immigration and counterfeiting. Mike Parkinson, as-

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sistant director of Fraud Investigation Service for HMRC, said: “HMRC has signiRicant criminal and civil powers to disrupt criminality and tackle tax evasion on many levels.

“Sharing intelligence on suspected criminal activity with other agencies and working together is key to our enforcement work.

Hydro to build technology pilot orwegian aluminium producer Hydro has made a formal decision to build a full-scale technology pilot at Karmøy, Norway. The aim is to achieve the world’s most climate and energy efRicient production of primary aluminium. Total costs are estimated at NOK 4.3 billion, consisting of net project costs of NOK 2.7 billion and around NOK 1.6 billion in support from Enova. First metal from the technology pilot is expected during the second half of 2017. “After several successful improvement programs, the next steps in our efforts to further strengthen our cost curve position will increasingly rely on our ability to ad-

vance our industry-leading position in technology and innovation,” says Hydro president and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg. “The Karmøy technology pilot will play a key role in realizing this ambition, ensuring that the Norwegian technology cluster remains the global leader in sustainable aluminium production.”With the pilot project, Hydro aims to industrialize the world’s most climate and energy efRicient aluminium electrolysis technology. The ambition is to reduce energy consumption by around 15pc per kilo aluminium produced compared to the world average, with the lowest CO2 footprint in the world.—CB Report

DABS incurs $2.5m loss due to power cut: chief

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a Afghanistaninfo-icon Bareshna Shirkat (DABS) on Wednesday said it spent two and a half millions US dollars to supply electricity to Kabul residents from diesel-run generators after power supply from Uzbekistan re-

mained disconnected for four weeks due to the sabotage act in northern Baghlan province. DABS chief Qudratullah Dilawari told reporters here that the power utility had been successful in repairing the damaged pylons in Baghlan last night, restoring 320 megawatts of electricity to the rest of Kabul. He said the blackout had resulted from the destruction of a pylon and severing of ca-

bles at few locations in Baghlan. He said the power company had been able to provide electricity to half of Kabul from the imported power from Tajikistan and diesel-run generators in Kabul. He said the company incurred a loss of two and a half million US dollars by running generators during the period. Local ofRicials in Baghlan had said the Talibaninfo-icon blew up a power py-

lon along the Pul-i-Khumri-Kunduz highway, but the rebels denied hand in the sabotage act. DABS chief said: “The enemy has the plan to keep Kabul in complete darkness, but the company used 100 megawatts of generator electricity and 100mg of electricity from Tajikistan.” Dilawari urged the Taliban to avoid targeting electricity installations that beneRitted common people.

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64% Japanese investors in Vietnam see growth TOKYO: Japanese investors are doing well in Vietnam with 64 percent of them planning business expansion, the highest rate of all Asia-Pacific markets. A new survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) showed that many Japanese investors are favoring Vietnam given its low labor costs and high growth potential brought by the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Vietnam and Japan are among 12 members of the free trade pact. The survey found 85 percent of Japanese businesses in Vietnam posted higher revenues in 2015. Responses were collected from 4,635 Japanese businesses in the region, including 557 in Vietnam. The Philippines came second in the survey with 55 percent of respondents planning for expansion, followed by Indonesia with 52 percent.

Drive launched to keep port of cork building in public ownership campaign has been launched to keep one of Cork City’s most historic buildings which is earmarked for sale in public ownership to promote the city’s maritime heritage. People have been urged to attend an ideas forum in the city tomorrow to help prepare a blueprint for possible future uses for the Port of Cork’s Custom House Quay building and adjoining Cork Bonded Warehouse structures. The committee behind the campaign said they would like people to re-imagine the site’s future as was done some 200 years ago when the old Custom House on Emmet Place became part of the complex which today houses the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery. The meeting comes ahead of the expected offer for sale this month of the entire complex, which could fetch between €5m and €7m. The sale has been prompted by the Port of Cork’s planned relocation of its city centre port activities to Ringaskiddy. Committee spokesman,

Ports & Shipping

Non-container ports in texas reaping gains from new plants

kSB service LLc starts operations at Abu Dhabi ports’ kizad l Masaood group along with its partner KSB AG of Germany – one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial pumps, valves, and related systems and services – jointly announced the inauguration of their new facility in Abu Dhabi Ports’ Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). The official inauguration was hosted by HE Masaood Ahmed Al Masaood, PartnerAl Masaood Group, in the presence of HE Dr Eckhard Lübkemeier, German Ambassador to the UAE; Dr Bernd Garbe, Global Executive Officer Service-KSB GmbH; Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports and other senior officials and key partners of Al Masaood Group and KSB. KSB Service LLC is a joint venture between Al Masaood Group and KSB and is a perfect example of the investment initiatives local companies pursue to bring best quality products and offer highest standards of services as part of their commitment towards the development of the local economy. KSB’s new 12,141 sq. metre facility in Kizad is their largest in the GCC region and one of their biggest from over 160 industrial service facilities across the globe. Its high production capacity will cater to KSB’s regional customers, offering services related to pumps, valves, gearboxes, speed converters, compressors and electro motors.—CB Report

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Martin O’Donoghue, said the sale provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim one of the city’s most iconic sites for public use. “We, the people of Ireland, own this site. Once sold, its future ownership, access, and custodianship could well be lost to us citizens.

“Realistically, Cork City Council does not have the budget to purchase the site but they could help support an initiative which retains public access and usage.

“This site, the buildings and its heritage are invaluable. We the people of Cork need to make our voices heard and communicate our desire for this site to remain in public ownership.”The Custom House, designed by Abraham Hargrave, was built in 1818 and became the headquarters of the Cork Harbour Commissioners, now known as the Port of Cork Company, in 1882.—CB Report

Saturday February 27, 2016

WASHINGTON

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he breakbulk and heavy-lift trade is alive and well in Texas. The state’s non-container ports are in the middle of a multiyear boom brought on by construction of massive industrial plants that are being built around the ports of Brownsville and Corpus Christi to take advantage of the abundance of shale oil and gas Rlowing out of the Eagle Ford oil shale Rield in South Texas.

“We’ve got three international projects that will start coming on line this year that we’ve been working on for six years or more,” said John LaRue, executive director of the Port of Corpus Christi. Those projects, which have fueled steady imports of heavy machinery and project components during their construction, will boost exports of breakbulk cargo through the port now that they are nearing completion. “They are not at all dependent on the price of oil, so we should see signiRicant revenue increase next year.” Brownsville, where total tonnage of bulk, liquid bulk and breakbulk cargoes moving by water, rail and truck jumped 21.3 percent

last year, stands to become a major port for export of liqueRied natural gas if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approves construction of three LNG plants that are proposed for the construction around the port. The plants, which involve investment of $12 billion in their Rirst phase alone, would be built to liquefy natural gas from the Eagle Ford shale Rields for export to Asia in huge LNG tankers that would transit the new locks at the Panama Canal. “We see that as a huge opportunity for us, and would obviously beneRit Panama as well,” said Eduardo Campirano, port director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville.

Export orders plunge to 2009 levels

T TAIPEI

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he nation’s export orders plunged 12.4 percent to US$34.19 billion last month, representing the largest scale of annual decline since June 2009, mainly due to a weak international economy and sluggish demand for handheld devices, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday.

The monthly result also marked the 10th consecutive month of an-

nual decline, ministry data showed.

As negative factors, such as the weak global economy and volatility in international crude oil and stainless steel prices persist, the ministry said it expects the nation’s export orders to linger in the negative territory this quarter. “It is likely that export orders this quarter will continue to contract from a year ago,” Department of Statistics director-general Lin Lee-jen told a news conference.

Lin said due to fewer working days because of the Lunar New Year holiday, the ministry forecast export or-

ders would be between US$26 billion and US$27 billion this month.

That translates to an annual decline of about 13.01 percent from the US$29.89 billion recorded in February last year, and the forecast would mark the lowest monthly performance in the past seven years if it happens, Lin said. When asked if the Feb. 6 earthquake in southern Taiwan might have affected export orders, Lin said all companies in the affected area resumed operations on Monday and the ministry does not expect the incident to inRluence export order

performance overall. However, she said some of the Rirms told the ministry that they would adjust shipping dates due to the earthquake. The ministry foresees a possible delay in shipping would affect performance in the near term. The latest data on export orders are disappointing and suggest a continued weakness in the current quarter, when GDP is likely to remain in the negative territory after two straight quarters of downturn, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group’s Hong Kong-based economist Louis Lam said.

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FBR to hold Urdu computer courses for employees ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will hold Urdu language computer courses for superintendents, assistant incharge and other clerical staff. This training course will be held in Secretariat Training Institute.

Sources informed Customs Today that the main purpose to hold such courses is to promote national language, while these courses will enhance basic skills of the employees and they will be able to use their national language in official matters.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Hyderabad ASo seizes smuggled Iranian diesel, non-duty paid truck HYDERABAD ASLAM ANJuM QuRESHI www.customsbulletin.com

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he anti-smuggling organization (ASO) has conRiscated 5,000 liters of smuggled Iranian diesel and a Bedford truck worth Rs 600,000 involving duty/tax 187,000 during a crackdown Sources told Customs Today that Additional Collector Customs Hyderabad Omar ShaRique received information regarding the smuggling of Iranian diesel. Following the information, the additional collector formed a team comprising deputy superintendent Sikander Akbar Phanwar, inspector Khair Muhammad Pathan, inspector Syed Momin Shah, sepoyes and driver to foil the smuggling bid. The ASO team intercepted Bedford truck which was plying on road with registeration number near Bypass and recovered 5,000 liters of Iranian diesel. The ASO team asked the driver of the vehicle to produce legal documents regarding possession of diesel and truck but he failed to provide any relevant documents. The ASO team conRiscated the diesel beside impounding the truck Bedford under the prevailing customs law.

faisalabad Excise collects Rs 9.91m of cotton fee in 7 months FAISALABAD

IQRA SHEHZADI

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he Excise and Taxation Department has collected Rs 9.91 million during first seven months of the current fiscal year. Sources informed Customs Today that department collected Rs 9.91 million under the head of cotton fee against the assigned target of Rs 23.3 million. The Excise Jhang branch collected Rs

1.045 million against the assigned target of Rs 3.792 million during the seven month of the ongoing fiscal year. Sources said that Chiniot branch of excise department collected cotton fee amounting to Rs 0.428 million against the set target of Rs 0.866 million. While excise Toba Tek Singh collected cotton fee to the tune of Rs 5.854 million against the assigned target of Rs 15.071 million. Meanwhile, The Excise and Taxation Department has collected Rs 46.196 million in seven months under the head of professional tax. Sources informed Cus-

toms Today that the department has collected RS 46.196 million against the assigned target of Rs 87.269 million which is 53 percent extra.

Similarly, excise Jhang branch collected Rs 3.684 million against the assigned target of Rs 8.937 million under the head of professional tax durning seven months of current Fiscal Year.

Meanwhile, excise Chiniot branch collected professional tax to the tune of Rs 2.015 million against the assigned target of Rs 4.135 million.

Toka Tek Singh excise collected

Rs 4.001 million against the assigned target of Rs 8.706 million during first seven months of current Fiscal Year.

Meanwhile, The Excise and Taxation Department has collected Rs 4.993 million under the head of entertainment duty during seven months of the current fiscal year and achieved its annual target of Rs 7.655 million up to 65 percent.

It has collected Rs 4.819 million from the Faisalabad against the assigned target of Rs 7.295, which is about 66 percent.

From Jhang, it could not collect

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

tax under the head of entertainment duty against the assigned target of Rs 35,000.

Meanwhile, the department has also collected the Rs 148,000 against the target of Rs 111,000 by achieving its target up to 134 percent. Therefore, the Toba Tek Singh region has collected Rs 25,000 against the assigned annual target of Rs 215,000 and achieved its target up to 12 percent.

Therefore, the Toba Tek Singh region has collected Rs 25,000 against the assigned annual target of Rs 215,000 and achieved its target up to 12 percent.