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Karachi, Sat January 27, 2018

ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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he MCC Peshawar collected Rs180million extra revenue as Customs Duty during Qirst three weeks of January FY1718 against the corresponding FY16-17.

According to details given by ofQicial of the Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar that MCCP received Rs530.90million of CD

during Qirst three weeks of January FY17-18 while it did Rs255.45million under the same head during the same period of previous FY16-17.

During Qirst three weeks of January FY1718, the collectorate showed 107.83% of growth by collecting surplus revenue as CD against the same period of FY16-17. The Peshawar Collectorate was assigned Rs641.04million of CD for the month of January FY17-18. The collectorate displayed 110% of achievement

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during Qirst three weeks of January FY17-18 against the monthly revenue collection target.

The Peshawar Collectorate got Rs151.83million of extra revenue as Sales Tax (ST) during Qirst three weeks of January FY17-18 against a revenue collection under the same head during Qirst three weeks of January FY16-17. The collectorate earned Rs528.34million of ST during Qirst three weeks of JanuaryFY1718 while it did Rs376.51million under the same head during the same period of FY16-17.

Air Freight Unit Islamabad collects marginal Customs Duty of Rs57m

Customs Export recovers Rs 13.83m from four defaulter companies

ASO seizes huge quantity of skimmed milk from Ferozpur Interchange

DG Valuation Surriya revises Valuation Ruling No 1241/2017

Gwadar Customs seizes huge quantity of NDP goods, narcotics worth Rs28.35m

AFU Islamabad generated Rs57million of a smaller amount of Customs Duty | SEE pAgE 02 |

Customs Exports has recovered evaded taxes amounting to Rs 13.83m | SEE pAgE 03 |

ASO team during operation seized huge quantity of NDP skimmed milk | SEE pAgE 04 |

DGValuation has revised the customs value of porcelain ware / glass ware Valuation | SEE pAgE 11 |

Gwadar Customs has impounded huge quantity of smuggled items Rs 28.35 m | SEE pAgE 16 |

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FBR grants zero-rated power facility to 5 textile units Saturday, January 27, 2018

Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has granted sales tax zero-rated on consumption of electricity to five textile units in order to reduce their cost of production for subsequent increase in the country’s exports.

The sales tax zero-rating has been allowed under SRO 1125(I)/2011, which was issued by the FBR to facilitate five export sectors to make purchases of raw material and other inputs including electricity and gas for their production of goods at lower cost.

Air freight unit Islamabad collects marginal customs Duty of Rs57 million

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

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TARIQ DERYA

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he Commerce Ministry has asked customs authorities to take strict action against commercial importers of cars as there was no provision of commercial imports of cars under the law. The ministry of commerce has clarified that the car import has only be allowed for overseas Pakistanis under gift, personal baggage and transfer of residence schemes. It further said that the benefits under these schemes are not allowed on the imports of commercial basis. The ministry said in the recent decisions taken were to discourage the imports of luxury goods. It also said that the ministry was streamlining the imports of used cars. In the latest decisions the provision of bank account certificate was added in order to ensure avoid any misuse of the policy and overseas Pakistanis should pay duty and taxes through their remitted amount through banking channels. The ministry said some elements were propagating that such policy had been formulated to stop the car imports in the future. It said that the overseas Pakistanis will remain avail the facility and the decision was taken after consultations.

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he Customs AFU Islamabad generated Rs57million of a smaller amount of Customs Duty against an assigned proportional revenue collection target for Qirst half of January FY17-18.

According to details explained by ofQicial sources of the Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad that the revenue performance showed slightly downward trend during Qirst half of current January FY17-18. The AFU earned Rs75.97million as Customs Duty (CD) against an allocated revenue target of Rs133.31million.

The AFU showed earmarked revenue collection target of Rs275.50million as CD for the month of January FY17-18. The AFU posted 25.57% average of achievement during Qirst half of January FY17-18 against a monthly revenue target.

The AFU earned Rs111.51million of revenue under the same head during Qirst half of corresponding January FY16-17.

The AFU generated Rs35.54million of extra revenue during previous January FY16-17 against the collection of Qirst half of January FY17-18.

The Customs AFU Islamabad got an extra revenue of above Rs200million of Customs Duty during 2nd Quarter Financial Year 2017-18 against an assigned revenue collection. The AFU received Rs915.888mil-

govt asks customs to take action against commercial auto importers

lion against an earmarked revenue collection target of Rs714.87million while AFU earned Rs505.00million under the same head during 2nd Quarter of FY2016-17. During 2nd Quarter FY2017-18, the AFU generated 382.64% average of growth against an allocated revenue collec-

tion target of CD whereas, during 2nd Quarter FY2017-18, the AFU exhibited 383% average of growth against a revenue collection of previous 2nd Quarter FY16-18. During the month of December FY17-18, AFU received Rs366million as CD while it was earmarked Rs270million of revenue tar-

get. The AFU got Rs284million of CD during the month of November FY17-18 against an allocated target of Rs228million whereas the AFU earned Rs264million under the same head during October FY2017-18 against an earmarked target of Rs215million as CD.

govt to remove RD on basic raw material to reduce cost of production

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ISLAMABAD

m ARShAD

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inistry of Commerce has proposed removal or reduction of regulatory duty on basic raw material and intermediate goods for the downstream industry.

The objective of this proposal is to reduce the cost of production and enhance Pakistan’s integration in the regional and global value chains.

The FBR had imposed regulatory

duty on 731 items via SRO 1035 (I)/2017 issued on October 16, 2017 despite the fact that around 411 items were already subject to regulatory duty and the list contained some more items to bring under the ambit of the regulatory duty.

A well-placed source at commerce ministry told Customs Today that imposition of regulatory duty had enhanced the cost production of locally manufactured exportable products as cost of production depended on national and international variables.

Therefore, the source said that Pakistan exports faced many challenges like low market diversiQication and lack of introduction of modern technology by the business community which certainly affect cost of production. However, the source said that MoC well aware of the fact keeps on taking various measures that are aimed at reducing the cost of production as well as enhancing competitiveness of Pakistani products in the international market. In this connection, the source said that MoC had

recently undertaken an exercise in consultation with the stakeholders to review the RDs imposed on various items and in result of consultative process commerce ministry proposed removal or reduction of RD on basic raw materials and intermediate goods for the downstream industry.

Furthermore, the source said that several other steps had been taken to enhance exports by reducing the cost of production of exportable products.

In order to enhance export competitiveness, an Export Enhancement

Package of PKR 180 billion for exporting business community would be effective till June this. This incentive was revised further vide Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet decision dated 6th October 2017. Under this incentive 50% of the rate of incentive for the eligible textile and non-textile sectors already announced in the PM package would be provided on the same terms as for the period January to June, 2017 without condition of increment.

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PCA detects tax evasion of Rs 7m by M/s Saleem Garments & Exports KARACHI: The Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected duties and tax evasion of Rs 7 million by M/s Saleem Garments and Export, Karachi, it is learnt. Sources told Customs Today that M/s Saleem Garments and Export imported a consignment of printing colours and chemicals, from Malaysia and got it cleared from the PICT Karachi vide GDs on October 18, 2017 by paying customs duty at 8 percent after claiming the benefit of the SRO 562/2007. However, the subject items were correctly classifiable under the PCT 5608.7809, attracting customs duty at 12 percent and income tax at 10 percent, thus, by way of mis-declaration of classification, the company evaded/short-paid Rs 7 million.

court for submitting charge-sheet in mega misdeclaration case

Saturday January 27, 2018

Karachi

customs Export recovers Rs 13.83m from four defaulter companies

KARACHI

m B RAnA

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ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi directed the Investigation Officer to complete the investigation and submit a final charge-sheet against suspects named Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Faisal Bin Muhammad S/o Muhammad Bin Ahmed, Sheraz Khan S/o Muhammad Sameer Khan and Khan Bahadur S/o Sodager booked in a case of attempting to smuggle more than 14,000 mobile phones in the garb of diplomatic privilege. On a tip-off, a team of the Anti-Smuggling Organization intercepted a container at Chamra Chowrangi and recovered 14,295 China branded mobile phones.

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customs Valuation revises values of olivetti printers KARACHI

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ustoms Valuation Karachi has revised the customs values of printers vide Valuation ruling No. 1244/2018. The customs values of printers of various brands were determined earlier vide Valuation Ruling No.1222/2017. A revision petition was filed by M/s American Technology that values of Olivetti brand printers as mentioned in Table-E of the above-mentioned ruling are very high and may be rationalized as per prevailing international prices. Meanwhile, Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 799/2016 on February 21, 2018, it is learnt. Surriya Butt has said that the department was reviewing suggestions from various importers to set new prices of Ammonium Bicorbonate.

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KARACHI

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he Customs Exports has recovered evaded taxes and duties amounting to Rs 13.83 million from three companies which were issued notices to pay the outstanding dues.

Sources told Customs Today that during scrutiny of the import data; it was revealed that M/s Ishtiaq Garments and Export availed undue beneQits and concessions by importing different consignments and misusing SRO 564 on 17 November.

The consignments were cleared by Examiner Shamim A Khan.

The company founded involved in tax evasion of Rs 5.6 million. After detecting the tax evasion, the Customs Exports issued them Qinal notice on December 15 to deposit the evaded amount within seven days.

After receiving the notice, the management of M/s Ishtiaq Garments and Export deposited the evaded amount. On the other hand, the management of M/s Jaffar Fertilizer also cleared outstanding amount of Rs 5.23 million of taxes and duties on 11th January 2018. Sources told that M/s Jaffar Fertilizer also availed undue beneQits and concessions and avoided to pay taxes according to customs law. Customs Exports authorities issued them Qinal show cause notice on 18 December, after receiving the notice the management of M/s Jaffar Fertilizer de-

posited the evaded amount of taxes.

Other defaulter company M/s SuQiya Enterprises deposited Rs3 millions of after receiving the Qinal tax notice number 252/2017 issued December 2017. Meanwhile, The Customs Export has recovered evaded amount of taxes and duties of Rs 8.04 million from defaulter companies which were issued with notices to pay the outstanding dues and issued Qirst show cause notice in 2018.

Sources told Customs Today

m/s Ishtiaq garments and Export deposited the evaded amount. on the other hand, the management of m/s Jaffar fertilizer also cleared outstanding amount of Rs 5.23 million

Shc seeks comments on plea filed by Jawad Traders

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KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to record their arguments on a constitutional petition Qiled by M/s Jawad Traders challenging determination of customs values of “ceramic and porcelain tiles” over and above 12.5 percent of the Valuation Ruling No 874/2016 by Director General of Valuation.

While the hearing of petition, a twomember bench also directed ofQice to connect all the constitutional petitions, challenging determination of customs values of “ceramic and porcelain tiles” over and above 12.5 percent of the Valuation Ruling No 874/2016 Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in import and trade of goods having description “ceramic and porcelain tiles”. It was informed by the Customs Department that Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House

Karachi has revised the value under section 25 D wherein the DG has no jurisdiction of to impose customs values of the subject good over and above 12.5 percent of the Valuation Ruling No 874/2016 dated 22/06/2016. Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate West, Collector of Customs Collectorate East, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and Director General, Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Customs House Karachi.

that during scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Suleman Traders availed undue benefits and concessions by importing different consignments by misusing the SRO 567 through Examiner Raheel Waris. Sources said that the company was allegedly involved in tax evasion of Rs 3.54 million. After detecting the tax evasion, the Customs Export issued it with a final noticeto deposit the evaded amount within 14 days.

pak rupee gains slightly value in open market he Pakistani rupee slightly gained value against dollar in open market and remained firm in interbank. As per the local money market, the dollar lost five paisas in open market for buying at 112.10 and for selling at 112.40, while it remained unchanged in interbank for buying 110.35 and for selling at 110.55.

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JIT constituted to conduct prove into nine kg of heroin smuggling by lady Czech model Saturday January 27, 2018

Lahore

LAHORE: A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed to investigate the case of the Czech model caught in the smuggling of nine kilogram of heroin at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The JIT will dig out the facts as to why lady smuggler crossed the Anti-Narcotics Force counters. The JIT will also probe as to either the staff was involved in smuggling or not. Other relevant stakeholders of the case like suspects concerned will also be summoned by the JIT. Earlier, 21-year-old model identified as Tereza Hluskova was attempting to smuggle the heroin from Lahore into Abu Dhabi.

customs Tribunal ASo seizes huge quantity of skimmed dismisses appeal in seized milk from ferozpur Interchange diesel case LAHORE

LAHORE

SAJID nAwAZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal has dismissed an appeal filed by one Tahir Rauf, a resident of Multan, against the Additional Director Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, Rang Office Multan and others.

Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial Bench-II, heard the appeal in details and passed the order with remarks that smuggling means anything that enters into the country without paying duties and taxes. After considering all the facts, the appellant failed to prove that the impugned diesel or fuel has entered into the country in line with the law.

According to details of the case,

fmgc importers urge govt to avoid imposition of new RD he Regulatory Duty on imported goods is putting pressure on the importers so government should review the decision for imposition of Regulatory Duty on imported goods.

This was demanded by the FMGC Importers Association’s office-bearers while giving a statement to Customs Today. Patron-In-Chief FMGC Importer Association Naseem Chawla and Chairman Anjum Nisar said the FMGC association rejects the plan by the government on imposing Regulatory Duty on imported goods. Adding more, the regulatory duty is creating stressful environment for the importers and business community. The office-bearers maintained that the said situation will harm the business due to such ill-conceived policies. They appealed to the government to avoid such decisions for the betterment of business community. –CB Report

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the staff of the Intelligence and Investigation-FBR Multan, on a tip-off, intercepted a truck loaded with Iranian origin smuggled diesel. The diesel was stored in the godown. The same item was seized under Section 168 of the Customs Act-1969. After issuing a show cause notice, the adjudicating proceedings were culminated and Order-in-Original passed against the appellant who, being aggrieved from the order, filed the appeal before the Customs Appellate Tribunal on the grounds that the raid conducted by the customs Staff was illegal.

And the Order-in-Original was passed without application of law and liable to be set aside. On the other side, the respondent denied all the allegations. After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Customs Appellate Tribunal dismissed the appeal.

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ustoms Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) team during an intelligence base operation seized huge quantity of non-duty paid skimmed milk which was being smuggled for manufacturing of ice-cream.

Sources told Customs Today, that Collector Faiz Ahmad received credible information that some smugglers were trying to smuggle huge quantity of non duty paid Iranian origin skimmed milk through a Hino truck. He immediately constituted a raiding team comprising Deputy Collector Moazzam Raza, Superintendent Nasir Minhas, Inspector Sajjad Bukhari, Abdur Rehman Butt, Gulzar Bhatti and Azam Wattoo. The above mentioned team established a check

customs, excise & police to start crackdown against nDp vehicles

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he Customs, Excise and Taxation Department and Lahore police have decided to start a joint crackdown against all kinds of defaulter vehicles, specially in Lahore and nearby areas.

Sources told Customs Today that Pakistan Customs Intelligence has decided to start a strict crackdown against defaulter and non-customs paid vehicles. The Punjab Police and Ecise Department will also join the operation to get all defaulters to the law. On other hand Provincial Minis-

ter for Excise and Taxation Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said that the provincial government is going to start a massive crackdown against the non-custom paid cars. He said the excise department will launch the crackdown with the help of customs department to ensure the transparency and boosting the revenue Qigures of both the departments. “There is a dire need to pay attention on to the provincial taxes but unfortunately this subject has not received any attention,” he said. –CB Report

post near Faizpur Interchange. The ASO team intercepted a Hino truck which was coming from Quetta belonged to transporter Haji Nabi Bukhsh. On demand the driver of the vehicle failed to produce any

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relevant legal documents regarding import and transportation of skimmed milk. After his failure Customs ASO team seized the whole milk and after registering a case started further investigations.

fIA arrests two human traffickers ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujrat has conducted raids in different areas and arrested two land route agents.

According to FIA spokesman, FIA team arrested the land route agents Muhammad Saqib Bashir resident of Sadkal district Gujrat and Ashfaq Ahmad of Ahmed Nagar Chatha district Gujrat. The accused were involved in human trafQicking cases while further investigation is underway. Meanwhile, The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) stopped former Senior Superintendent Police Rao Anwar from Qleeing the country early Tuesday morning at

Benazir International Airport, Rawalpindi. He was barred from leaving the country by FIA, as he is involved in an ongoing investigation against him regarding the‘extrajudicial murder’ of Naqeebullah Mehsud.

Anwar was stopped from boarding an international Qlight, however, was not taken into custody and was allowed to leave the airport. The suspended SSP has twice failed to appear before a three-member inquiry committee, headed by Counter Terrorism Department Additional Inspector General (IG) Sanaullah Abbasi and formed by Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja. –CB Report

customs ASo impounds nDp Qmobile, honda civic from gT Road

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LAHORE

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ollector of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization impounded a Honda Civi car loaded stuffed with Rs 3 million Q-Mobiles from GT Road.

The official sources told Customs Today that the Customs ASO team

on suspension intercepted a black car at Sheikhupura Road and the driver of the car reacting turned the car on the GT Road. The car driver failed his attempt to slip away as the ASO team succeeded to capture the accused with over 1760 mobile of assorted types coming from Peshawar.

The Customs authorities demanded the legal document from

the accused but he failed to produce the required document against the mobiles. The customs team that raided and intercepted the car was led by Superintendent Nasir Minhas, Deputy Superintendent Agha Qadeer, Abdul Rehman Butt and Sajjad Bukhari.

The customs authorities after registering a case started further investigations. The ASO team also

arrested one accused for smuggling the mobiles.

It is also necessary to mention here that Collector Customs Preventive Faiz Ahmad already directed all anti smuggling squads to adopt zero tolerance policy against smuggling. He directed anyone who found involved in smuggling should be dealt with iron hands.

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ISLAMABAD m ARShAD www.customsbulletin.com

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he efforts of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to make people-friendly tax regime by simplifying the tax collection system have produced very good results.

It is an ongoing process taken by the FBR itself as well as in coordination with stakeholders. Therefore, the number of Qilers increased to 12, 16, 614 last Qiscal year from 10, 74,427 in the previous Qiscal year.

“The FBR has made concerted effort to involve all stakeholders including the business community, chartered accountants, tax bars etc, in the budget making process so as to receive input which may help in simpliQication of laws and procedures,” sources at the FBR told Customs Today.

Towards this end FBR has taken a number of steps to make the tax regime people friendly: Since 2014, taxpayers have the facility to Qile their returns electronically through IRIS, an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software application covering all business processes of income tax.

“IRIS has a business rule engine covering all provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and the taxpayer simply has to provide the Qigures of his income, receipts and expenses. The system automatically calculates the tax liability on the basis of the legal provisions applicable for the tax year for which

Saturday, January 27, 2018

the return is being Qiled,” the sources said.

The sources said that the system automatically performed all calculations including totaling and reconciliation of assets. In case the wealth statement of the taxpayer is not reconciled, the system prompts the taxpayer indicating the exact amount by which the wealth is un-reconciled so that the taxpayer can rectify.

“While preparing Wealth Statement the Qigures of the Wealth State-

ment Qiled for the previous year are automatically imported so the taxpayer does not have to Qill all the columns again. From Tax Year 2017, a similar option of importing last year’s data has been provided in the Income tax return as well,” the sources maintained. The sources said that there was a complete help provided on the main login screen of Iris to guide the taxpayer in Qiling of return. IT Wing / PRAL was in the process of developing a more detailed help wherein a taxpayer would be able to access simple user guide at every step of the process by clicking on a sign given at the end of relevant rows.

Furthermore, the sources said that FBR had launched the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software in which complaints by taxpayers, lodged either by e-mail, phone or website is handled in a very scientiQic manner and redressed. It also provides the facility to track, monitor e gin ule en and archive issues reported r s s e e usin h t b f by the taxpayers. “The FBR a o s s a n IRIS h rovisio publishes taxpayers’ facilitap 1 l l 0 a 0 ng ce, 2 n tion brochures and uploads a n coveri i d Tax or has to on FBR’s ofQicial website for e y l m p o c m In er si y taxpayers’ education. In ada p s x i fh e ta dition, an elaborate mechau re s o g and th fi s e e th pense nism of providing assistance provid and ex s t p i /guidelines to taxpayers is e c e r , e available in the form of FBR’s incom helpline as well as taxpayer facilitation centers located at different stations” the sources added.

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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

Realising potentials of cpEc

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arious international financial institutions are weighing options to launch assistance programmes to boost not only industrial productivity in Pakistan, but also increase export surplus, create employment opportunities and fully realise the potentials of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The technical assistance programme will be jointly financed by the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom and the Asian Development Bank.

The programme will also help promote regional trade and will devise a development policy and operational framework in line with the government policy. The programme will improve competitiveness in trade activities, develop an instrument to make the corridor a development hub in the region, enhance the value chain activities and strengthen institutional strategies in coordination with the private sector. According to the media reports, the bank has made the assistance part of the country’s business plan. The two institutions had already agreed to strengthen regional connectivity and trade, spur economic growth and create jobs. A significant part of investment will be made in the transport sector, strengthen publicprivate partnership and provide technical support to the economic corridor. The country is facing fiscal deficit and lack of local and foreign investment due to discouraging public sector resources. The incapacity of the government machinery and lack of coordination among different government agencies are other areas of concern. Experts believe the participation of private sector in the planning and implementation process of the corridor will give fruitful results. The government’s ‘Vision 2025’ plan covers various areas of economy, including development of energy, industry, trade and transportation sectors, allowing the country to fully utilize its strategic location. However, the provincial governments also need to do their share of work to develop and promote agriculture, industry and services sectors. There is a need to balance development programmes for urban and ruling areas of the country and the federal government cannot do this all alone without the active support and participation of the provincial governments.

Imf report on economy I

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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n its latest report entitled World Economic Review, the International Monetary Fund has predicted bleak growth prospects in the countries of Middle East, North Africa, including Pakistan. The fund revised its earlier forecast for the global growth to 3.9 percent in 2018 and 2019, hoping that the global economy will continue to register a healthy growth in 2018 and 2019. Some countries picked up the growth from 2.5 percent in 2017 to 3.6 percent in 2018 but their growth would come down to 3.5 percent after

shedding 0.1 percentage point next year. The growth forecast of 3.9 percent is 0.2 percentage points higher than the October last year. Pakistan is facing political instability and economic challenges along with security issues. In the absence of a strong government in the centre, criminals, antistate elements and hostile countries in the neighbourhood are posing serious threat to peace and stability in the region. Pakistan is an emerging economy, a big consumer market and future hub of business and trade in the region. If maladministration is showing signs of degradation in the country’s economy, India and

Afghanistan are doing everything possible to destabilize the whole region. Both the countries are inflicting collateral damage on every country in the region. The IMF outlook depicts brighter prospects for the emerging economies in Asia, which will grow at the rate of 6.5 percent in the next two years. The report also claims the region will achieve over half of the world growth.

Due to stronger external demand, Chinese growth will moderately pick up in two years. On another note, Indian growth is likely to pick up from 6.7 percent in 2017 to 7.4 percent in 2018 and 7.8 percent in 2019 and may be able to keep

itself stable in the ASEAN region. There is a lesson for the Pakistani leadership and the policymakers to put their own house in order if they want to achieve sustainable growth.

The government writ is weak and will is absent. When political leadership fights, the government machinery fails to work. The political elite will have to develop a sense of responsibility in them to fight the challenges. The IMF report reveals unfortunate aspect of the national economy. India in the neighbourhood is going ahead with expected growth, but Pakistan’s growth forecast will not be up to the mark in the next two years.

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Customs Gwadar seizes 30,000 liter of Iranian diesel KARACHI: The Customs Collectorate Gwadar has impounded a big quantity of Iranian diesel worth more than Rs3.58million. Sources told Customs Today that an operation against smuggling items and nonduty-paid luxury vehicles is going on in full swing and several raids have been conducted during the previous month of December and another operation against smuggling items is also going on during the current month of January. Sources told Customs Today on Monday that Deputy Collector Gwadar constituted a team of Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Mushahid Ali and others. The team, during a search operation on Highway Road, intercepted a container bearing registration No: DL-462 which was going out of the city.

court awards each of two diesel smugglers 17-day imprisonment

Saturday January 27, 2018

National

pcA detects tax evasion of Rs14.30m by m/s Rubi Traders

KARACHI

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ustoms Taxation and AntiSmuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi awarded a 17-day imprisonment and a fine of Rs100000 each to suspects namely Mehboob Ali S/o Ali Akbar and Nabi Bakhsh S/o Ghose Bakhsh on pleading guilty. They were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle nonduty-paid 59,635 liter Iranian HSD oil. During the hearing, abovementioned suspects appeared before the court along with the counsel and filed applications for pleading guilty and left themselves on the mercy of the court. After the arguments, the court awarded them a 17-day imprisonment as undergone period and a fine of Rs100000 each.

Earlier, investigation officer had produced suspects before the court and informed the court that on a

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KARACHI

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wAQAR AhmED AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate of Customs’ Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected evasion of duties and taxes of Rs 14.30 million allegedly by M/s Rubi Traders, Karachi, it is learnt.

The ofQicial sources told Customs Today that M/s Rubi Traders imported a consignment of radiators for different vehicles from Malaysia under the PCT Heading 8809.3451 and got it cleared from the Port Qasim Karachi vide GDs on October 2, 2017 by paying customs duty at 6 percent after claiming the beneQit of SRO 697/2007.

However, the subject items are correctly classiQiable under the Pakistan Custom Tariff 2307.2218 attracting customs duty at 12 percent and income tax at 10 percent thus by way of mis-declaration of classiQication, M/s Rubi Traders evaded/short-paid Rs 14.30 million.

Sources told that the importer has violated the provisions of Section 22 (6)) & (8A) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 19, read with Sec-

tion 78 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 124 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (24) and 32 of Section 71(2) of the Customs Act 1969, Section 122(9) of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 67 & 180 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 7-A of

the Sales Tax Act-1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules 2007(Special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Accordingly, an audit observation was issued to M/s Rubi

Traders for explaining and clarifying as to on what basis they have avoided/evaded the taxable duty and taxes. The importer, however, failed to come up with any tangible evidence and explanation and was also unable to refute the charges leveled by the department.

fBR reshuffles 32 customs officers of BS 19-20 credible information a team of Anti-Smuggling Organization intercepted a Hino track bearing registration No: TLY-348 near Moachko Chowk and recovered 59,635 liter of Iranian HSD oil. He further informed the court that, during the raid, the customs officials asked suspects to produce the lawful documents of said oil but they failed to produce any of them therefore customs officials apprehended both accused and seized the said oil.

Case was registered for violation under Section 2 (s) 156 (2) 157 (2) and 178 of Customs Act-1969 punishable under clauses 8 & 89 of Section 156 (i) ibid read with Section 3 (1) of Import and Export Control Act-1950.

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) transferred/posted 32 Pakistan Customs Service ofQicers of BS 19-20 with immediate effect and until further orders.

Dr. Naeem Ajaz Qureshi (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Director General (OPS), Directorate General of IPR Enforcement, Islamabad from the post of Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Islamabad. Dr. Ahmad Mujtaba Memon (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Director General (OPS), Directorate General of Input Output Co-efQicient Organization, Karachi from the post of Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Exports (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim), Karachi.

Wasif Ali Memon (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Director General, (OPS) Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit, Islamabad from the post of Director, Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi.

Agha Shahid Majeed Khan (BS20) has been posted as Director, Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs), Karachi on return from NMC. Dr. Arslan Subuctageen (BS-20) has been posted as Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Islamabad on return from NMC. Mukarram Jah Ansari (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Director General (OPS), Directorate General of Reforms and Automation (Customs), stationed at Lahore from the post of Chief, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad.

Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah (BS-20) has been posted as Collector, Model

Customs Collectorate, Faisalabad on return from NMC. Abdul Basit Chaudhry (BS-20) has been posted as Chief, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad on return from NMC. Dr. ZulQikar Ali Chaudhary (BS20) has been posted as Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad on return from NDU. Gul Rehman (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Chief, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Peshawar. Ahmad Reza Khan (BS-20) has been posted as Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Lahore on return from NMC. Dr. Saifuddin Junejo (BS-20) has been posted as Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Gwadar on return from NMC. Dr Samina Taslim Zehra (BS-20) has been transferred and

posted as Chief, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Karachi. Ms. Rabab Sikandar (BS-20) presently posted at Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Lahore. She will also look after the charge of Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Multan in addition to her own duties.

Syed Hamid Ali (BS-20) has been posted as Chief, Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad on return from NMC. Muhammad Sadiq (BS20) has been transferred and posted as Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Lahore from the post of Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Faisalabad.

Ms. Shahnaz Maqbool (BS-20) has been transferred and posted as Director, Directorate of Risk Management, Karachi.

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Two Customs officers nominated for NS&WC 2018-19 Saturday January 27, 2018

National customs’ nazim Saleem to retire on April 14

KARACHI: The Establishment Division has nominated two Pakistan Customs Service officers of BS-20 for national security and war course (NS&WC) 201819 commencing from first week of August, 2018 at National Defence University Islamabad.

The nominated officers include Seema Raza Bokhari, Additional Secretary, President’s Secretariat (Public), Islamabad and Mirza Mubashir Baig, Director, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Lahore.

north Region earns Rs84m of surplus revenue against allocated target in Jan

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n attaining the age of superannuation, Muhammad Nazim Saleem, a Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21 officer, presently posted as Member Technical, Customs Appellate Tribunal (Bench-II), Karachi, shall stand retired from government service with effect from 14.4.2018. Sources told Customs Today, that during his tenure with Pakistan Custom his performed some of key posts. He always performed well and according to the expectations of his superiors.

His always performed his duties honestely and dedicatedly. Sources told that Customs House Karachi is going to organize a farewell function in honor of outgoing Member Technical Nazim Saleem to admire his services. Sources told that during the function all staff members will admire the services rendered by Nazim Saleem.

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4 customs officers of BS-20 nominated for 108th nmc ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has nominated four Pakistan Customs Service officers of BS-20 for 108th National Management Course, Lahore commencing from February 12, 2018 to June 15, 2018. A notification issued by the FBR stated that the Establishment Division had nominated Muhammad Zubair Yousafani, Project Director, FBR (HQ), Islamabad; Faiz Ahmad, Collector, MCC (Preventive), Lahore; Gul Rehman, Collector, MCC, Peshawar and Dr Samina Taslim Zehra, Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Karachi.

The nominated officers have been asked to report to National School of Public Policy, Lahore (NSPP) on January 9, 2018. –CB Report

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he Customs North Region received Rs84million of additional revenue as FED against an earmarked revenue target for January FY17-18.

According to details given by sources of the Customs North Region that two customs stations out of four, comprising Model Customs Collectorates of Islamabad and Peshawar, earned a handsome revenue against an assigned revenue collection target of Federal Excise Duty (FED). Sources added that the North was allocated Rs24.52million revenue as FED for 15 days of January while it fetched Rs108.72million.

The sources told CT that, during above said period, the North

showed 343.39% average of achievement under the head of FED against an earmarked proportional revenue target. The North earned Rs7.58million of FED during Qirst half of the corresponding January FY16-17. The North posted

1334.30% increase of collection as FED during Qirst half of January 1718 against the same previous period. The Collectorate of Islamabad generated Rs102million of FED against an assigned revenue target of Rs9.92million. The Collectorate

of Peshawar got Rs5.95million under the same head during the Qirst half of January FY17-18 against an allocated revenue target of Rs14.16 million. The Customs North Region received an additional revenue of Rs38.00million against an earmarked revenue collection target of FED during July to December Fiscal Year 2017-18. The North was assigned Rs287.00million revenue target for said period whereas it received Rs325.00million as FED. The sources notiQied CT that the North generated Rs123.00million under the same head during corresponding 1st of July to December 31, 2016-17. During 1st of July to 31st of December FY 2017-18, the Collectorate of Islamabad got Rs209.00million of FED against an earmarked revenue collection target of Rs195million.

customs Auction cell Islamabad fetches Rs33m as cD during 15 days of January T

ISLAMABAD

muBEEn huSSAIn

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he Customs Auction Cell MCC Islamabad received over Rs33million of Customs Duty by auctioning off impounded smuggled goods and vehicles during Qirst half of January FY17-18.

According to details explained by ofQicial of the Customs Auction Cell Islamabad that, during 1st half of January FY17-18, the Auction Cell held an auction along with the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) here at Islamabad. The MCC Auction Cell fetched Rs32.216million as Customs Duty (CD) while the I&I Islamabad received Rs0.984million by holding the auction of conQiscated items and vehicles.

The Auction Cell Islamabad earned Rs 109.00million of Customs Duty during 2nd Quarter of

Fiscal Year 2017-18 by auctioning off goods conQiscated by the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) and Islamabad Customs. The Auction Cell fetched

Rs57.344million as Customs Duty (CD) during the month of December Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 whereas the Auction Cell did Rs5.478million under the same

head during the month of November FY17-18 while it got Rs46.173million through auction of various kinds of items during the month of October FY17-18.

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Special customs tribunal gives last opportunity to customs KARACHI: A special customs appellate tribunal comprising Ghulam Mustafa Memon, Member Judicial and Tanveer Ahmed, Member Technical on Tuesday deferred hearing of an appeal filed by telecom giant Telenor till Feb 6 affording last chance to the Pakistan Customs.The appellant represented by Franklin Law Associates, assailed the notice of recovery maintaining that a committee formed by the department it self which while hearing a plea by another telecom giant Mobilink held that PCT heading mentioned by Telenor are enforceable and none else. The tribunal asked the departments council to either solve the controversy or it would decide the case and would set aside the Order in Original.

Appraisement west foils attempt to smuggle mobile, tablets worth Rs 440m KARACHI

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odel Customs Collectorate Appraisement West has foiled an attempt to clear electronic items worth Rs 440m from Al-Hamd International Container Terminal (AICT). Sources told Customs Today that mobile phones, tablets and batteries were imported against three bills of ladings in the garb of refrigerator parts, dyes and garments. The team of the Appraisement West received information that M/s Rana Enterprises, Arham and Company and Zuantyqan Impex will try to clear mobile phones from the port by mis-declaring the description. The customs team informed that an estimated value of the goods is more than Rs 440 million involving du-

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ties and taxes of Rs 104 million. The offending goods are seized under section 168 of the Customs Act, 1969. An investigation had been launched on the directions of the Collector Customs Collectorate Appraisement West Karachi which revealed that as against declaration of 13 pallets of refrigerator parts, dyes and garments on the BLs, the imported goods were consisted of 28,000 mobile phones of various American, Korean as well as Chinese brands like Motorola, LG, Samsung etc, at least 2,700 tablets and 16,500 mobile batteries. The case is believed to be a part of a larger racket of fraudsters who have caused colossal loss to public exchequer by importing and clearing mobile phones in the garb of other goods. In the last few months many such consignments have been seized by the customs department in Karachi, Lahore and Multan.

National

Dg Valuation Surriya revises Valuation Ruling no 1241/2017

pakistan, Russian central banks sign mou on bilateral cooperation KARACHI

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entral Bank of Russian Federation (CBRF) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral central banking cooperation on Monday. Tariq Bajwa, Governor SBP and Ms. Elvira Nabiullina, Governor CBRF signed the document in a ceremony held at the CBRF Headquarters, Moscow Russia. The event was also attended by the honorable Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, H.E. Qazi Muhammad Khalilullah. SBP’s delegation was included on Syed Irfan Ali, Executive Director Banking Policy & Regulations Group and Muhammad Ali Malik, Executive Director Financial Markets & Reserve Management. The MoU aims at promoting cooperation between the two authorities primarily in disciplines of financial systems development, payment systems & financial infrastructure and financial institutions supervision. SBP has been quite active on international cooperation’s front; especially during the last two years or so. This is the twentieth (20th) MoU that SBP has signed so far.

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of porcelain ware / glass ware Valuation Ruling No 1241/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to the details, the Customs values of porcelain ware / glass ware were determined under section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969 vide Valuation Ruling No. 1088/2017 dated 17-03-2017. The said valuation ruling was set aside

by Customs Appellate Tribunal vide order dated 24-08-2017 in various appeals. The department has filed reference before the Honorable High Court of Sindh against the order of the Customs Appellate Tribunal. A number of representations were received to determine the customs value of porcelain ware / glass ware afresh keeping in the international market trends.

An exercise was initiated with a view to determine the customs values of the subject goods afresh under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969 in terms of prevailing international prices.

Saturday January 27, 2018

Stakeholders’ participation in determination of Customs values: Meetings were held on 28-09-2017 and 31.10.2017 with the stakeholders. During the meetings, the importers were of the opinion that values as determined in the earlier valuation ruling were very high and did not commensurate with trading prices. They further contended that prices of porcelain

ware / glass ware have been reduced in international market due to advancement in technology and cost cutting done by Chinese manufacturers in raw material etc. The manufacturers of glass wares contented that the customs values determined vide Valuation Ruling No.1088/2017 dated 17-03-2017 were too low and the values must be enhanced substantially.

court seeks charge sheet against suspects in tax refunds scam

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KARACHI

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Court has directed the investigation ofQicer to complete investigation and submit charge sheet against suspects namely Luqman Javed and Abdul Hameed Agar, who were booked in a case of illegal sales tax refunds and causing losses to the national exchequer to the tune of Rs 120 million. During the hearing, the investigation ofQicer sought more time to submit charge sheet, therefore, the court granted him time and adjourned the matter.

On the last date of hearing, the investigation officer had produced the suspects before the NAB court and informed that the suspects were arrested from different areas of Karachi, who are beneficiaries of illegal sales tax refunds and nominated in a reference in which DC FBR Abdul Rauf Nasir was arrested on October 25, 2017. He further informed the court that accused persons are receivers of proceeds of offence they committed by managing tax refunds on the basis of fake and bogus invoices, incurring loss of Rs120 million in connivance with other accused persons. After the hearing, court had sent them to

jail and directed investigation officer to complete investigation and

submit charge sheet against them within reasonable period.

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World Customs

Apple agrees to pay the UK £137m in extra taxes

LONDON: After an extensive audit by UK tax body HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Apple Europe has agreed to pay over £137 million (around $185 million) in extra taxes. The payment includes interest on unpaid tax, covering several years until September 2015.

Apple operates two primary subsidiaries in the UK called Apple Europe Ltd and Apple Retail UK Ltd. Apple Europe Ltd provides marketing, financial and support services, while Apple Retail UK Ltd runs Apple’s online and physical stores across the UK.

Saturday January 27, 2018

Sri Lanka customs destroys illegal imports worth Rs. 31m

Saudi cash injection boosts Yemeni currency RIYADH

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ri Lanka Customs today publicly destroyed Rs. 31 million worth of goods imported into the country illegally in 2017.

The items seized by the Legal Enforcement Unit protecting Intellectual property rights of the Sri Lankan Customs in 2017, were destroyed at the Orugodawatta Container yard.

Large stocks of counterfeit items including school equipment, toys, mobile phone spare parts and auto parts were destroyed. Most of these items have been imported under famous brand names. The items were crushed by a stone roller.

He said the main purpose of the exercise was to protect the rights of traders who import original products to the country legally.”Today we destroyed the equipment imported

S. korea’s ramyeon exports surpass uS$300m in 2017 xports of South Korean-made instant noodles, or “ramyeon,” surpassed the US$300 million mark for the first time ever on the back of strong popularity in China, the United States and Southeast Asian nations, government data showed.

Shipments of ramyeon reached a record high of $380 million last year, up a sharp 31.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korea Customs Service. South Korea imported $3.86 million worth of ramyeon last year.

China was the biggest importer of the Korean noodles, accounting for over a quarter of total exports, followed by the United States with 10.8 percent and Japan with 6.7 percent, according to the Korea Customs Service. Sales of ramyeon in Southeast Asian nations also increased this year as the popularity of K-pop boosted demand for Korean food among young people, it noted. –CB Report

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violating the Customs Act and the Intellectual Property Act,” the spokesman for the Customs, Sunil Jayaratne told media after destroying the goods. When asked about the possibility of using the items instead of destroying, the spokesperson said most of the items are inferior goods and rejected for consumer consumption.

He said the items are cheap imi-

tations of original brand name items and made of cheap plastics and cancer-causing chemicals. “We have seen the explosions of these low-quality mobile phone parts.

This makes a big impact on health,” he said. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Customs requests the public to submit complaints about importing goods violating the intellectual property rights.

Surge in china’s aluminum exports seen causing little disruption in Asia

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he recent rise in China’s aluminum exports has had a limited impact on the Asia market to date due to the moves that participants made to protect their businesses after a similar surge in 2015, market sources said Friday.

London Metal Exchange aluminum prices traded higher than Shanghai Futures levels in December, prompting Chinese plants to export aggressively over the past two months. A

similar situation emerged in the Qirst half of 2015, which signiQicantly impacted the Asia market. This time, few market participants in Asia are feeling the direct impact of the increase Chinese exports, as they are able to compete more effectively, trade and producer sources said.

S&P Global Platts surveyed two producers and Qive trading Qirms this week on the impact of China’s increase in exports. –CB Report

audi Arabia’s announcement of a US$2 billion (Dh7.3bn) cash injection, bringing hope of relief for citizens struggling with high prices in a country that imports most of its food. The economy of the Arab world’s poorest country has been pushed to the brink of collapse by a civil war that began with the takeover of the capital by Iranbacked rebels in September 2014.

The government has been unable to pay salaries for more than a year, and the rial has more than halved in value against the dollar, leaving Yemenis unable to afford food staples and bottled wat. The Yemeni currency rose 16 per cent against the dollar on a day after Saudi Arabia announced a massive cash injection in the central bank in response to a plea for help by Yemen’s

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Japan accord to boost brown coal renewed commitment by Australia and Japan to pursue opportunities in coal, gas and hydrogen has fuelled hopes of increased trade and renewed momentum for Victoria’s brown coal-to-hydrogen ambitions. Following annual bilateral talks in Tokyo late last week, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japan’s Shinzo Abe pledged to further work to develop regional coal and LNG markets and on hydrogen energy supply as Japan wrestles with its transition to cleaner energy amid divisions over the future of nuclear power. Their accord is expected to promote the use of Japanese technology for smaller LNG import termi-

uS tightens rules on middle East air cargo

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WASHINGTON

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he United States has ordered more stringent inspections of air cargo from Qive Middle East countries, citing a June 2017 attempt in Australia to bring down a plane as evidence that extremist groups continue to target civilian

aviation. The Transportation Security Administration said Monday it had ordered seven airports in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to provide advance data on US-bound air cargo to US Customs and Border Protection for vetting before the cargo is loaded. The agency did not cite any new speciQic threat for the move.

“The persistent threat to aviation

president and prime minister. As the value of the rial goes up, the living conditions of Yemeni citizens will change for the better,” the Saudi information ministry said. Yemen’s rial stood at 215 to the dollar in early 2015 but had dropped steadily to about 500 against the dollar this month. On Thursday, money changers across the country – including in the rebel-held capital Sanaa and the government bastion of Aden – reported the dollar trading at between 420 and 450 rials.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s state grain buyer SAGO said on Thursday it was seeking to purchase 960,000 tonnes of barley in a large international purchase tender. The barley is sought from global suppliers for delivery in February and March, SAGO Governor Ahmad Al Fares said in a statement, conQirming earlier Saudi media reports. The offer deadline is Friday, Jan. 12. Sago is seeking a total of 16 shiploads, each of about 60,000 tonnes, European traders who had seen the tender told.

calls for the world to raise the baseline on global aviation security across the spectrum,” it said. “These countries were chosen because of a demonstrated intent by terrorist groups to attack aviation from them.”

TSA also pointed to Australian security ofQicials’ foiling of an advanced plot by three men with ties to the Islamic State group last June to bring down an aircraft with an improvised

nals in the region that would open up new supply opportunities for Australia’s expanded band of gas exporters.

In coal, the agreement paves the way for an extension of Japan’s push in Asia, including coal-dependent south-east Asia, to use its technology for cleaner, high-efQiciency, low-emissions (HELE) coal power plants that could be fed by high-grade Australian product. “The construction and operation of an expanding HELE Qleet through Asia is helping to underpin coal export opportunities in north Asia and beyond – including south-east Asia, which is a growing market for our coal with trade valued at close to $2 billion. –CB Report

explosive device. “The incident in Australia that occurred this past summer was an ominous reminder for TSA and all of our aviation partners, to include cargo carriers, that we need to continue our efforts to keep our skies secure,” TSA said. Last year US counterterrorism chief Nick Rasmussen said the Australia plot “shows that terrorists are aware of security procedures.

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Suez Canal offers significant toll discounts to tanker shipping CAIRO: The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) always pay attention to its users best interest, and has recently take more steps towards being the most competitive compared to other routes.

Considering the new changes in world economy , the global shipping market conditions, and in line with the SCA flexible marketing policies, the SCA has issued a new circular stated that 1) Crude Oil Tankers coming from ports of the US Gulf, Caribbean area heading to: a) Ports West of Indian subcontinent starting from Karachi to Cochin shall be granted a reduction of 45% of the Suez Canal normal tolls. b) Ports located East of Cochin shall be granted a reduction of 75% of Suez Canal normal tolls.

Shipping activity at port Qasim il tanker Maersk Tacoma carrying 42,020 tonnes Diesel oil arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim.

Berth occupancy was observed at the Port at 35% on Sunday where a total of six ships namely, CMA CGM Nermada, Safmarine Ngami, Morninghstar, Tamar, Bulk Electra and UACC Riyadh are currently occupying berths to load/offload Containers, Rice, Steel Coil, Soya Bean and Palm Oil during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 90,743 tonnes, comprising 35,548 tonnes import cargo and 55,195 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 3,397 containers (TEUs), (492 TEUs imports and 2,905 TEUs exports) was handled at the port. Container Vessel Safmarine Ngami sailed out to sea at night hours, while two more ships, CMA CGM Nermada and UACC Riyadh are expected to sail. A total of five ships MSC Maria Elena, MSC Pilar, Express Black Sea, Bunga Lucrna and Torm Estrid carrying Containers, Chemicals and Diesel oil are expected to take berths at Container Terminal, Engro Terminal and Fotco Terminal

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Ports & Shipping

cosco ports seals fresh concession accord with port of Zeebrugge NEW YORK

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resh from taking over APM Terminals’ stake for 35m euros in September, Cosco Shipping Ports (CSP) is consolidating its position in the Port of Zeebrugge with the sealing of a concession for the container terminal and tying up with Ocean Alliance partner CMA CGM, who is taking a 10% stake in the terminal.

The agreement for the concession terms for CSP Zeebrugge Terminal was signed in Brussels with CSP vicechairman and Md Zhang Wei and Port of Zeebrugges chairman Renaat Landuyt respectively representing, the company said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the MoU between CSP and CMA CGM was signed by Zhang and CMA CGM ed Farid Salem. No Qinancial details were disclosed. Congratulating the parties on the new opportunity to work together, Belgium’s vice prime minister and minister for work, economic affairs and

consumer affairs, responsible for foreign trade Kris Peeters said: “Cosco Shipping’s decision once again proves that, with its open economy and central position in Europe, Belgium is the ideal place for logistics investments.”

He noted that during the Qirst nine months of 2017, Belgium’s exports to China increased by 20%, reaching 6bn euros, making the Asian giant an increasingly signiQicant trading partner. Peeters added that the opening last year of a direct train connection

between the port and the Chinese city of Daqing is another example of growing trade Qlows. “The continued presence of Cosco Shipping in Zeebrugge contributes to strengthening Belgian-Chinese trade and the international position of the Port of Zeebrugge,” he said. Chinese ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing said: “The launch of Belt and Road initiative between China and Belgium in 2014 has laid a solid foundation for today’s signing ceremony.

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Iran’s imports from Europe on Rise ran says its imports from Europe have significantly risen during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21, 2017. Tehran imported $32.5 billion worth of goods from Europe, which shows a 17.5 percent boost in comparison with the same period in the previous year, reported the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) on its website. According to the TPO, during the same period Iran’s non-oil exports to Europe dropped by more than 1 percent, reaching $28.5 million. Elaborating on these figures, TPO said exports of Iran’s gas condensates, petrochemical and agricultural products dropped and exports of manufactured goods remained unchanged while Tehran sold more carpets and raw minerals to European countries during the said period. TPO reported that Iran’s imports from its biggest European trade partner, Germany, dropped 29 percent while imports from Belgium increased twofold. –CB Report

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ABp South wales ports see strong growth in 2017 respectively on Monday, while M.V Beks Cenk scheduled to load Rice and Steel Coil is due to arrive at PQ on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Five ships MSC Maria Elena, MSC Pilar, Express Black Sea, Bunga Lucrna and Torm Estrid carrying Containers, Chemicals and Diesel oil were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal and FOTCO Oil Terminal respectively during last 24 hours, said a report issued by Port Qasim Authority (PQA). Berth occupancy was observed at the port at forty seven percent on Monday where a total of eight ships namely, MSC Maria Elena, MSC Pilar, Express Black Sea, Morning Star, Tamar, Bunga Lucrna, Bulk Electra and Torm Estrid are currently occupying berths to load/offload Containers, Rice, Steel Coil, Soya Bean, Chemicals and Diesel oil. –CB Report

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BP’s network of Qive ports in South Wales handled 12.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2017 thanks to major investment in infrastructure and ongoing commitment to delivering the highest standards of customer service. 12.5 million tonnes of cargo were handled at Newport, Cardiff, Barry, Port Talbot and Swansea with strong growth in both traditional and emerging sectors, serving South Wales and the wider UK economy.

Year-on-year growth was seen in several commodities. Fertiliser to support agriculture and aggregates for manufacturing were 14% up on 2016, whilst animal feed leapt by some 54%. Recyclables increased by 72% and scrap metal, both exports and imports, doubled in vol-

ume compared to the previous year, registering a rise of 108%.

BP South Wales stevedores handling timber at North Dock, Newport. / Image: Associated British Ports ABP South Wales Director, Matthew Kennerley, said: “Our Qive ports are continuing to see strong growth hanks to the investment we have been delivering in enhanced infrastructure and facilities. This has helped both new and longstanding customers to further develop and grow their businesses.

“Our ports in South Wales are vital strategic assets of national importance. Strong growth across our ports is not just success for ABP and our customers, it’s success for the Welsh economy. “Every year our ports contribute £1.4m to the economy and support 15,000 jobs. We are committed to continuing to invest to support our customers, enabling that contribution to grow. We’re excited about

the growth that our investment promises to deliver in the year ahead.” ABP South Wales welcomed several new businesses to their ports throughout 2017. Notably, in September 2017, Swansea Dry Docks Ltd (SDL) reopened the Swansea’s drydock facilities on a long term lease and welcomed its Qirst vessel following an extensive upgrade of facilities. This long term commitment by SDL will provide a boost to the local economy

in terms of skilled employment and increased demand for specialist materials and services. The growth seen in the handling of project cargo in 2016 was built upon in 2017 as the port of Swansea continued to support the renewable energy sector by handling wind turbine components for local projects. The port handled all components for the Brechfa Forest Wind Farm project, a 28 turbine project based in Carmarthenshire. Investments were also made into key pieces of infrastructure to ensure the future stability of ABP’s South Wales ports and the surrounding area. In August 2017, the refurbishment of Green Park in Port Talbot was completed. This 18 month major renovation project represents an investment of £2.7 million

by ABP South Wales. It will provide huge beneQits to the River Afan in terms of improved water management and increased water security for TATA’s Port Talbot steel works.

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Two human traffickers arrested FAISALABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) teams claimed to have arrested two human traffickers.

The FIA spokesman on said that FIA police had registered cases against Zulfiqar Ali of Chak No 20-RB Nankana and Ghulam Mustafa of Bilal Kot for extorting Rs 1.14 million from Muhammad Shehbaz and Liaquat Ali.

Saturday January 27, 2018

Business

‘govt to welcome proposals from real estate sector’ ISLAMABAD

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ederal Minister for Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan has assured the real estate industry that the government would welcome budget proposals for promoting businesses and generating more revenue for the country.

“The government is not there to merely tax the people and their businesses, but to offer them a levelplaying Qield which can help boost growth of their businesses,” he said while talking to a delegation of Federation of Realtors of Pakistan (Real Estate), which met him here at the FBR House. The delegation led by

car production increases 28.8pc KARACHI

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Realtors Federation’s President Major Muhammad RaQique presented a set of proposals and recommendations to the minister for the uplift of real estate business.

The delegation included members of the federation, including Rana M. Arshad, Israr Ul Haq, M

foreign investment linked with political stability: Analysts

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he production of cars and jeeps increased by 28.84 percent during the first five months of the current fiscal year (2017-18) compared to the corresponding period of last year. As many as 97,036 cars and jeeps were manufactured during July-November (2017-18) against the production of production of 75,314 units during July-November (2016-17), according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

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Aslam Khan Dawar, Javed Khattak, M Ahsan Malik, Shafqat Bandesha, Ch. Ihsan ul Haq, Ch. Tahir Masood, Mian M Naeem, Muhammad Waseem Chaudhry and Muhammad Faizan. Haroon Akhtar Khan assured the delegation that the government sincerely wanted to ad-

dress concerns of the real estate sector as evident from the the recent revision of FBR valuation rates for few localities in six cities of the country in response to a number of representations made to the government in recent months.

He said the government was also exploring ways and means to attract the overseas Pakistanis to invest their hard-earned money in the country. Meanwhile,F ederal Minister for revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan has said the government believed in creating business friendly environment for all business community and wanted to address their genuine problems. “We shall try to resolve the problem of sales tax on foam manufacturers in the upcoming budget and will take further steps to uplift this industry,” he said.

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ISLAMABAD

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Economist Dr Abid Qayyum Sulehri has said that World Economic Forum is one of the most important fora at the world level in which almost all the world leaders participates.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said that by this time, Pakistan will be represented as one of the important countries due to improvement in its economic indicators and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will

surely get beneQit from this opportunity. He said that India will surely start negative propaganda against Pakistan at this level as well. Now the world leaders will not give considerable importance to US President Trump tweets against Pakistan.

He said this is an open forum and our Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will give answer to all the queries. President, Pakistan Economy Watch Dr Murtaza Mughal said that in modern times, economic wars are most prominent and through economy other countries could be defeated easily.

He said Pakistan is the country which is enriched with natural resources and the strategic location also makes it an ideal state in the world. He said the climate of Pakistan is also favorable for almost all the industries. Pakistan is enumerated on 47th position in the forum which is a great success. Dr Murtaza said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a band of friendship between Pakistan and China. China started helping Pakistan at that time when all other countries tried to proclaim Pakistan as a failed state.

Two witnesses testify in nAB references ISLAMABAD

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n accountability court (AC) of Islamabad Tuesday testified two prosecution witnesses in the references against the Sharif family members and summoned two more witnesses to record their statements on Januray 30. AC Judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing of the references related to the Avenfield Property, Flagship Investment and Al-Aziza Steel Mills filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the Sharif family members. Former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and sonin-law Captain (Retd) Muhammad Safdar appeared before the court.

Ttwo witnesses – Ghulam Mustafa, regional manager of a private bank, and Aziz Rehan, NAB’s Assistant Director, recorded their statements before the court.

Ghulam Mustafa said he appeared before NAB Rawalpindi on August 22, 2017 along with another bank officer Yasir Shabbir, who presented details of Nawaz Sharif’s bank accounts to the investigation officer (IO). No record related to the Hill Metal Company was handed over to the IO, he informed the court.

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‘Applied agriculture research key to promote cotton industry’ ISLAMABAD

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peakers at a seminar here said that disconnect between Research and agriculture practices, high input cost and implementation of policy decision were major impediments in promoting the cotton industry of Pakistan.

Speaking at a seminar titled, “Need for Revolutionizing the Cot-

ton Industry in Pakistan,” held here, they urged that cotton and textile sector has vital importance in the economy of Pakistan, so efforts should be made to promote it for the economic development and progress. The seminar was organized by Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) with an aim to invite input from all the stakeholders for the promotion of cotton sector of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior

Advisor Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Malik Zahoor Ahmed, said that although the Qigures of cotton sector were depicting a rosy picture, however there was huge disconnect between facts and reality. He said that there was disconnect between the kind of research conducted by agricultural scientists and the agriculture techniques utilized by the farmers in their Qields. He said that there was dire need to put the research on modern lines, saying that

for achieving the objective of economic development, the research had to be taken to the door steps of the farmers. Zahoor was of the view that the research that was of no interest of farmers was futile and the scientists should think over it and produce quality research. “Unless a farmer buys your research, it won’t be fruitful and if the farmer does not buy it, think there is problem in research you have done,” he told the scientists.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Pervaiz

Malik, who was representing All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Punjab highlighted many areas which need improvement for development of cotton sector. He highlighted the issue of competitiveness saying that high gas and electricity rates and input costs were increasing cost of production and despite the GSP Plus status granted to Pakistan by European Union, the textile export potential could not be tapped fully.

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Iran oil exports near 1b barrels in 2017 TEHRAN: Iran export of crude oil and gas condensate amounted to nearly 1 billion barrels in 2017 in a year that OPEC and other producers stepped up efforts to keep a lid on supplies and drain bloated inventories.

The country shipped around 777 million barrels of crude oil and 180 million barrels of condensate last year, averaging 2.62 million barrels a day, Oil Ministry’s news portal Shana reported on Monday.

That breaks down to 2.1 million bpd of crude and 490,000 bpd of condensate. Condensate is an ultra light grade of oil extracted from South Pars, the world’s largest gas field shared between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf. Iran ships out nearly its entire condensate output. The bulk of shipments (62%) were sent to customers in Asia while Europe accounted for 38% of exports. The largest intake came from China, the world’s top oil buyer and energy consumer, followed by India, South Korea and Japan.

LccI terms withholding tax an “economic intimidation”

Saturday January 27, 2018

Chambers

fpccI calls for single digit tax rate to promote business activities

LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry has termed the withholding tax on banking transaction “economic intimidation” for the business community and called for its immediate withdrawal. The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid and Vice President Zeshan Khalil said that withholding tax on banking transactions is doing more harm than good and continuously affecting the business atmosphere in the country.

“Issue of withholding tax is top of the list in the other miseries like disparity in taxation system, dual taxation, high input cost and delay in refunds

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that must be resolved according to the demand of the business community, the LCCI office-bearers said while talking to a delegation of All Pakistan anjuman-e-Tajran, led by Khalid Pervez. They said that business community has rejected withholding tax on banking transactions from the first day but concerned authorities are not ready to realize the ground realities.

They said that though expansion of tax net is need of the hour but government would have to find out new ways to bring the untaxed sectors into the tax net. They said that measures like imposition of withholding tax on bank transactions are not doing any service to the economy as it has been observed that tax collection machinery has no authentic data to specify difference between filers and non-filers.

ISLAMABAD

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hazanfar Bilour, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has called upon the government to introduce single digit tax rate in the forthcoming budget that would help in promoting the business activities and improving tax revenue as well. He was addressing a dinner reception organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in honor of newly elected ofQice bearers of FPCCI. Ghazanfar Bilour appreciated the move of Miftah Ismail, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs for working to bring new taxpayers into the tax net and termed it a right move to improve the tax revenue instead of burdening the existing taxpayers.

He said that government was working to announce a tax amnesty scheme and stressed that the scheme should be across the board.

Ghazanfar Bilour said he has taken up the issue of payment of refunds with the government and informed

that government was working on a new refunds policy through which the refunds would go to the accounts of concerned persons. He stressed that government should establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC all over the Pakistan to promote investment and industrial activities in the country. He said he would soon call a meeting of all chambers and associations to discuss issues and devise a consensus strategy for the consideration of the government. He lauded the role of ICCI in promoting the interests of business community of the region and assured that FPCCI would cooperate with it in resolving key issues of trade and in-

dustry of the Islamabad region.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry congratulated the newly elected ofQice bearers of FPCC. He said that the economy of Pakistan was facing many challenges due to falling exports, rising trade and current accounts deQicits and reducing foreign exchange reserves. He hoped that FPCCI would work on these challenges with the government to transform the weaknesses into the opportunities.

He said FPCCI should prepare policy recommendations for the government in consultation with all the chambers and associations of the

fpccI newly elected members visits RccI RAWALPINDI

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he newly elected president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Ghazanfar Bilour has urged government to take immediate steps for exporter’s refunds claims. Addressing at a reception held in honour of newly elected ofQice-bearers of FPPCI by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said the refunds claims total Qigure has been reached to 300 billion. Exports can only be improved once exporters will get their refunds timely. Normally the whole process took three weeks but unfortunately these claims are pending for the last three years. FBR should stop harassing business community in the name of tax col-

lections. He lauded Government’s recent announcement for lowering electricity and gas prices, however, he urged that the said incentive should be extended to industries other than export industry. FPCCI chief said that we have high cost of doing business in the region and exports can only be enhanced once we have a competitive market.

He appreciated the role of RCCI in promoting business activities.

He said that traders have lot of hopes from him and he will try to meet their trust. He said that his team will work with all chambers to devise a unified strategy to meet the challenges faced by business community. Earlier, President (RCCI) Zahid Latif Khan while felicitating United Business Group on overwhelming success in Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)’s

elections said that Rawalpindi Chamber congratulate the Pattern In Chief United Business Group S.M Munir, Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik and President Elect Ghazanfar Balour on winning the elections and hoped that winning candidates will work for the betterment of the business community and take every possible step to promote Industrial & Trade activities of the Country. He hoped that president-elect Ghazanfar Balour and his group will keep an open door policy for everyone and will work for the restoration of business activities in the country.

He ensured his full cooperation to the winning team for the Rawalpindi Chamber. On this occasion RCCI chief said that all chambers and business community should join hands to address the issues faced by our community.

country. He also congratulated S.M.Munir Patron-in-Chief, Iftikhar Ali Malik Chairman and whole team of United Business Group for achieving 4th consecutive victory in FPCCI elections and hoped that UBG would continue to work for the betterment of the business community of the country. Muhammad Naveed Senior Vice President ICCI, S.M.Munir Patron-in-Chief, Iftikhar Ali Malik Chairman UBG, Zubair Ahmed Malik, Khalid Javed, and others also spoke at the occasion. Representatives of Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Gilgit, Vehari and Quetta Chambers of Commerce & Industry were also present at the dinner reception.

fpccI lauds govt for decreasing electricity, gas prices ewly elected president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Ghazanfar Bilour lauded government’s recent announcement for decreasing electricity and gas prices. Addressing as chief guest in honor of newly elected office bearers of FPPCI by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) he said exports could only be enhanced once we had a competitive market. He appreciated the role of RCCI in promoting business activities. He said traders had lot of hopes from him and he would try to meet their expectations. He said his team would work with all chambers to devise a unified strategy to meet the challenges faced by business community.

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Court awards imprisonment to suspects in cigarettes smuggling case KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has awarded 18 days imprisonment and fine of Rs 300,000 each to suspects namely Muhammad Ibrahim and Bashir Ahmed on pleading guilty. The suspects were booked in a case of attempting to smuggle non-duty paid foreign origin cigarettes, etc During the hearing, the investigation officer filed a charge sheet against the suspects.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

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gwadar customs seizes huge quantity of nDp goods, narcotics worth Rs28.35m GWADAR wAQAR AhmED AnSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Customs Collectorate Gwadar has impounded huge quantity of smuggled items which included Iranian diesel, Indian silk, Iranian brake oil, computer accessories, electronics items, imported watches, Qine quality of hashish, cameras, chassis, tires and other different non duty paid items worth Rs 28.35 million in the Qirst 20 days of January 2018.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs Collectorate has impounded different type of Iranian Lattha and Indian silk worth more than Rs 9.58 million. Sources told , that on the directives of the Deputy Collector Gwadar Junaid Mehmood , operation against smuggled items and nonduty paid luxury vehicles is going on in full swing and several raids have been conducted during previous month of December and operation of smuggled items will be continue on current month of January.

Sources told that on Saturday morning deputy collector Gwadar constituted a team of Customs AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) under the supervision of Customs Preventive Inspector Mushahid Ali and

others. The team, during a search operation on Gwadar Road, intercepted a truck bearing registration GBK-3725 which was going out of

the city. During the raids, the customs team impounded 30,000 meter Iranian Lattha (packing 25 meter) 5,000 meters Indian silk worth

Rs 9.58 million. The customs team arrested three smugglers who were involved in smuggling and registered an FIR against the accused

persons and started investigations.

It is necessary to mention here that this raid is the 7th raid conducted during the month of January.

Surriya to change Valuation Ruling no: 709/2018 on february 26 KARACHI

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irector General, Customs Valuation, Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to revise the Valuation Ruling No: 709/2015 on February 26, 2018, it is learnt.

Surriya Butt has said the department was reviewing suggestions submitted by various importers to set new

prices of Polyester Yarn. She said some valuations issued in 2015 were being reviewed from the beginning. Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in the international market. Sources told CT that a petition was submitted before the Customs Valuation in which change in prices of Polyester Yarn was requested. Sources said Valuation Ruling No: 709/2015 was issued on 23 January 2015. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on January 15, 2018.

Importers were told to fur-

nish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of the known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained.

Source said in this current month more than six meetings will be held by importers and it is possible that some database also be revised in this current month of January. Meanwhile, Directorate General, Customs Valuation, Director General Surriya Ahmed Butt, has decided to

revise the Valuation Ruling No: 822/2016 on February 8, 2018, it is learnt.

According to the details, Director General Surriya Butt has said that the department was reviewing suggestions from importers to set new prices of Ginger and Garlic. She said that some valuations, which were issued in 2016, were being reviewed from the beginning.

Moreover, the valuations will be set in view of rising prices in the international markets. Sources told that a petition was submitted by the importers to Customs

Published by M S Raza O# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by (Ibne Hassan Oset Printing Press, Shop No. 33 to 36 , Hockey Stadium, Karachi).

Valuation in which change in prices of Ginger and garlic was requested.

Sources said the Valuation Ruling No: 822/2016 was issued on 22nd March, 2016. A meeting was held with the stakeholders on January 12, 2018. Importers were told to furnish the import invoices of the last three months showing factual values as well as websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value could be ascertained.