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M HAYAT

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eb Hai Azhar has assumed charge of Chief Collector of Customs Central Region after relinquishing her charge as director of customs Intelligence and Investigations Lahore. As per details Zeb Hai Azhar assumed the new charge as Chief Collector of Customs Central Region on Thursday. Central Region comprising of four collectorates including Collectorate of Customs Preventive La-

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hore, Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Lahore, Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad and Collectorate of Customs Multan.

Zeba has been working on various posts in the customs department and enjoys good reputation in the departments. She has proved instrumental in enabling various collectoartes and directorates to increase collection of sales tax, customs duty, withholding tax and other taxes. Sources said that Zeb Hai Azhar has already started holding meetings with the customs staff and ofXicers of the Central Region in order to overcome smuggling and increase revenue to meet the Xinancial year target.

Crackdown on drug pushers recovers big quantity of ICE

Additional Collector Saima Aftab adjourns hearing of two cases

Pak-China industrial cooperation to boost local industry: Ahsan

Central Region surpasses customs duty target, collects Rs 3,889m in Feb

DG Valuation issues reference values for cocoa & tomatoes paste

Commander Kharkhano check-post Jamshed launched a crackdown on drug | See pAge 02 |

TheCustomsAdditionalCollectorSaima conductedthehearingoftwosmugglingcases | See pAge 03 |

Ahsan has said that industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China | See pAge 04 |

Customs Central Region has surpassed customsdutytargetsetforthemonthofFeb | See pAge 14 |

DG of CustomsValuation issued reference values for cocoa paste and tomatoes paste | See pAge 16 |

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Govt to establish Export Processing Zones in Sindh Tuesday, March 14, 2017

National

ISLAMABAD: Over thirty schemes are being carried out in the different areas of Sindh to increase per acre crop production and boost agriculture sector in the province.

These schemes will be completed at a cost of Rs five billion, Radio Pakistan reported.

Under the plan, solar pumps are being provided to farmers on fifty percent subsidy, whereas training and research facilities are also being modernized.

The plan also include establishment of Export Processing Zones in Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushero Feroz, Khairpur and Ghotki to facilitate the farmers and growers.

crackdown on drug pushers recovers big quantity of ice

HYDERAVAD

PESHAWAR

ASLAM AnJuM QureSHi

irfAn BAHADur

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he Model Customs Collectorate’s Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sukkur Division impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Surf modelled 1998 without registration worth Rs01.2 involving duty and taxes of Rs01.5 during a crackdown in Ghotki,Sukkur division.

According to details, Collector Agha Shahid Majeed Khan received a tipoff about a non-duty paid and without registration vehicle in Ghotki. He immediately constituted a special team under the supervision of Additional Collector Rahmatullah Vistro.

The ASO team started searching vehicles near Ghotki and intercepted a Toyota Surf without registration modeled 1998. The team asked the driver to show documents regarding the legal import and possession of the vehicle but he failed to do anything asked for by the officials.

The ASO team impounded the vehicle and registered a case against the accused under the customs bylaws.The ASO team deposited the impounded vehicle into the Sukkur State Warehouse and forwarded the case to the customs adjudication for further proceeding.

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Commander Kharkhano check-post Jamshed Afridy on Monday launched a crackdown on drug dealers on the directives of Assistant Political Agent Jamrud Zia-ur-Rehman at Khyber Agency and seized huge quantity of ICE. He said these drug smugglers have earned a bad name for the region. They bring drugs from cross the border by hiding them in the daily used goods such as fruits, cloths and utensils.

The ICE is a drug mainly imported from Afghanistan and Iran while the numbers of dealers are increasing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) against which crackdown operation has been launched.

As the ICE been is supplied to different regions of KP and a large number of students have started using the ICE, he added.

Several dealers were arrested from Kharkhano check-post among whom Ishtiaq Khan was held with high quality and large quantity of ICE, he added.

Jamshed Afridy further said that Khasadar Force has also arrested drug smugglers from Wazir Dand areas of Jamrud and ICE drug was seized. Commander Kharkhano check-post said tehsil Jamrud serves as a gateway to Khyber Agency for

Sukkur ASo impounds nDp Toyota Surf valued rs 1.2

transporting goods and livestock.

Talking to Customs Today, Assistant Political Agent Jamrud Zia-urRehman termed the business of drugs an anti-state activity to earn a

bad name for country. He praised the working duty hours of customs force with law enforcement agencies at the Torkham Gate.

He added that the smugglers

cause a loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer and it is our mission to eliminate the business of smuggling and drug trade from Torkham division to rest of Pakistan.

fBr, pSX discuss tax proposals for 2017/2018 F

KARACHI

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) have discussed tax proposals for budget 2017/2018 at a meeting. The meeting was attended

by Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue, Dr. Muhammad Irshad Khan, Chairman, FBR, Zafar Hijazi, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Com-

mission of Pakistan (SECP), Munir Kamal, Chairman, Pakistan Stock Exchange, Nadeem Naqvi, Managing Director, PSX, brokers and senior ofXicials of FBR. Abdul Qadir Memon, Member, PSX presented tax proposals of the capital market for Xiscal year 2017/2018.

In its major proposals, the PSX proposed abolishing withholding tax on bonus shares issued by listed companies. Presently, listed companies are required to withhold Xive percent tax on the bonus shares to be issued.

The stock exchange recommended extension in period for tax credit in

case of new listing on stock exchange.

The PSX informed that presently tax

credit had been allowed to new listing for a period of two years, which was very short period. Therefore, the stock exchange demanded that the period should be enhanced to Xive years. Regarding capital gain tax, the meeting was informed that last year CGT was imposed at 7.5 percent on shares sold any time beyond two years. The stock exchange recommended that this period should be restricted to Xive years and after Xive years there should not be any tax on disposal of shares.

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Govt to resolve problems of businessmen, traders on priority: Zubair KARACHI: Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair has said that the government would resolve the problems of traders and business community on priority basis.

He was talking to a delegation of traders at the Governor House here on Friday. The Governor said that the government is well aware of the problems of businessmen, traders and industrialists. He stated that issues such as rebate and customs duty pertaining to the federal government and being the representative of the federation he would take steps for their resolution. Zubair informed that the government would soon initiate projects for infrastructure development.

punjab approves four uplift schemes cost of rs8,630,585m

Tuesday March 14, 2017

National

Additional collector Saima Aftab adjourns hearing of two cases

LAHORE

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he Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved four development schemes of various sectors with an estimated cost of Rs8,630,585 million. These schemes were approved in the 58th meeting of PDWP of current fiscal year 2016-17 presided over by the P&D Chairman Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan. P&D Provincial Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Planning & Development Board members, provincial secretaries concerned and other senior representatives of the relevant provincial departments also attended the meeting.

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ATir to hear tax matter filed by M/s pakistan oil fields ISLAMABAD

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he Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) will hear a tax matter filed by M/s Pakistan Oil Fields on Tuesday (today). ATIR Account Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti would hear the case. M/s Pakistan Oil Fields had challenged a decision announced by Regional Tax Office of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) before the tribunal. According to details, M/s Pakistan Oil Fields had challenged a recovery notice issued to it under the head of outstanding income tax by the RTO, Islamabad. This case, filed by M/s Pakistan Oil Fields, was heard by the bench for the first time and adjourned. The bench was hearing a matter remanded back to tribunal by the Islamabad High Court with directions to decide fate of the matter lawfully.

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FAISALABAD

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he Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Saima Aftab conducted the hearing of two smuggling cases worth Rs20,06,321. These cases were forwarded by Customs Intelligence and Investigation.

Sources told Customs Today that additional collector heard a case Xiled against M/s H.S. International Limited which is allegedly involved in smuggling of knitted fabric loaded on the container and trailer.

Sources said that Additional Collector Saima Aftab also heard case of Muhammad Hussain and other person named as Kamran involved in smuggling of motor oil along with vehicle. The party evaded customs duty and taxes worth Rs20,06,321 .

During hearing customs counsel said that container was being used for transportation of smuggled goods and was plying on road without payment of duty taxes. The Customs Intelligence team seizes items according to customs rule and regulations. After conducting hearing of cases, Additional Collector Customs Adjudication adjourned all cases until next dates. The ADC directed all relevant parties to make ensure their appearance during next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, The Deputy Collector Customs Adjudication Asma Hameed has issued Order-in-

Original (ONO) in favour of AntiSmuggling Organization Faisalabad.

According to details, a team of the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted a bus bearing registration no. FSA- 4055 loaded with with tyres and tubes. The smuggled vehicle was brought into country without payment of customs duty and taxes through unauthorized way. The Customs team arrested the driver of the vehicle Muhammad Shahid to produce doc-

The customs intelligence team seizes items according to customs rule and regulations. After conducting hearing of cases, Additional collector customs Adjudication adjourned all cases until next dates

TDAp organises pak-Belarus Business forum

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ISLAMABAD

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www.customsbulletin.com he Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in collaboration with Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) organised the Pakistan-Belarus Business Forum on Friday. Vitaly Vovk, Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus, Andrey Ermolovich, Ambassador, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Pakistan, Valery

Labum, Director General Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with business delegates attended the forum. TDAP Secretary Inamullah Khan represented the TDAP in the Business Forum. Welcoming the delegates, the TDAP secretary highlighted the fact that the current trade volume does not correspond to the true potential of bilateral trade between the two countries. He emphasized on the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers which is essential for trade facilita-

tion. The objective of the forum was to identify real opportunities for raising bilateral trade. In this regard, a technical session was arranged by TDAP wherein Oleg Dashuk, Deputy Director of the National Investment Agency of Investment and Privatisation gave a presentation on “Investment opportunities and Doing business in Belarus�. From the Pakistani business side, M/S Siddiqsons, M/S Herbion and M/S Pyramid also made presentations during the session.

uments regarding import of vehicle and goods . But he failed to produce the lawful proof. The particular of the vehicle and goods were checked on the website and found not tallied. The incharge of PRAL Customs Dry Port Faisalabad has informed that the vehicle having number no. FSA -4055(cut & weld) imported in the country. Seizure report along with enclosures is being submitted to adjudication authority for adjudication.

Spi rises 0.66 percent eekly inflation for the combined income group went up 0.66 per cent for the seven-day period that ended on March 9 mainly because of an increase in prices of essential food commodities. Measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), weekly inflation went up for the second consecutive week after recording a decline in preceding weeks.

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Economics of oilseed imports Tuesday March 14, 2017

Business

In a rising tide of protectionism, the international market does not hold much promise for a surge in exports. The evolving immigration policies in the West and the Middle East seen to signal an approaching decline in workers’ remittances which finance much of the widening trade gap. With dollar earnings unlikely to pick up fast in the immediate future, policymakers need to look for ways to contain the import bill. The foreign exchange needs, for development spending in a growing economy, require every dollar earned be well spent.

‘pak-china cooperation to boost local industry' ISLAMABAD

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inister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said that industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China would result in promotion of local industry and production capacity.

In a statement on Sunday, the minister said promotion of industrial development is the fourth key pilar of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and due to industrial cooperation, the Chinese industries would be shifting to Pakistan rather than other countries.

The establishment of Chinese in-

five year plan for olive crop SIALKOT

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he Punjab government has chalked out a five year plan for the promotion of Olive crop on scientific basis in the province. Official sources told APP on Sunday that under the plan special attention will be accorded on scientific cultivation of olive crop for attaining yielding results. Under the plan, the government will provide free of cost 2 million plants to the selected growers in Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Khushab districts which are potential areas for olive cultivation in Punjab.

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dustries in Pakistan would also help in eradicating unemployment in the country and boosting skill development, he added.

He said the local industrialists would also get a massive investment opportunities due to the establishment of the industrial zones in the country.

The Chinese industry is not a threat to Pakistan’s industrial sector but it would provide the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance capacity, he added. He said Pakistan-China industrial cooperation would make Pakistan a center of production in the region.

Meanwhile, The CPEC project has the potential to change the country’s economy. However, viewed in the current global rejection of elite economics, some areas need to be addressed so its impact beneXits a broader segment of our society. Ecological: One estimate often heard is that of 7,000 long haul container trucks passing, every day, through ecologically sensitive areas, such as those of Gilgit Baltistan.

These will spew an estimated annual 36.5m tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, equal to 25pc of Pakistan’s current overall emissions.

Surprise oil price cut: how Saudis foiling sweet uS flood T

KARACHI

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he oil is light, sweet and tempting, with a lot of it made in the US Saudi Arabia’s trying to keep it away from the biggest crude buyers. The Middle East producer cut the pricing for some of its April oil sales to Asia, surprising customers who were expecting an increase that was signalled by the structure of the market. That shows it’s trying to lure buyers toward its lighter and less sulphurous crude varieties at a time

when similar-quality grades are rushing to the region from the Americas, Europe and Africa. ‘Sweet’ crudes with less sulphur are typically costlier than dirtier ‘sour’ oils because they can be more easily processed into valuable products such as gasoline. With its latest pricing, the premium of one of Saudi Arabia’s lightest grades to its heaviest has shrunk to the smallest since July 2015. This is the producer’s latest effort to defend sales in Asia -- a region that’s already largely spared from its output curbs — as Middle East prices strengthen and make supply from

elsewhere relatively cheaper. “This came as a complete surprise to the market,” said Tushar Tarun Bansal, director at industry consultant Ivy Global Energy in Singapore, referring to the Saudi pricing cut. “This is a signal from the Saudis that they are serious about market share and pricing crude competitively, and would even be open to changing the methodology if the need arises.”The world’s biggest crude exporter cut the ofXicial selling price for its Arab Light crude to Asia by 30 cents to 15 cents a barrel below the regional benchmark for April.

Shell pakistan announces rs6.7b profit after tax KARACHI

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he Board of Directors of Shell Pakistan Limited announced the financial results for the year ending at December 31, 2016.

The company posted an after tax profit of Rs 6,764 million and announced a final dividend of Rs 28 per share in addition to the interim dividend of Rs 6.

Shell Pakistan Managing Director Jawwad Cheema stated, “It has been a remarkable year for Shell Pakistan, both in terms of financial performance and in the value offering to our customers. We delivered a record profit of PKR 6.7 billion, the highest in two decades and a six-fold increase since last year.” Cheema said, “This year we also brought the best of our global fuel portfolio offering - Shell V-Power for the Pakistani customer. This was made possible due to the government's decision to open up the market by deregulating premium fuel, and allowing OMC's to enhance product offering and choices for customers.” He further said that for a continued improvement in performance, it is imperative to have a conducive environment. He added that "Shell looked forward to support from the government in bringing about further infrastructural and policy improvements in the sector that would allow the company.

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Brazilian envoy vows to enhance trade ties with pakistan ISLAMABAD

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mbassador of Brazil Claudio Lins on said that Pakistan and Brazil had huge potential to boost trade and business ties and urged for enhancing the trade volume between both the countries.

“Pakistan's exports to Brazil are just $71 million, which are very low considering that Brazil is the sev-

enth largest economy in the world and both the countries have a huge potential for increasing cooperation in the Xields of sports goods, medical instruments, food items, fertilisers, fruits and vegetables cotton, textile and dairy sector,” said Claudio Lins, while addressing the discussion, organised by English Speaking Union (ESU) Pakistan along with President of ESU, Khalid Malik, here.

Diplomats, academicians, lawyers and well-known journalists

attended the discussion.

The Ambassador of Brazil said that China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was considered the project of huge signiXicance for connecting Pakistan with world market, including European Union and other markets of developed countries. The ambassador further said that the Pakistani economy was stabilising and with the completion of the CPEC, many opportunities for foreign investors will emerge from all around the world, in-

cluding Brazil. He said that Brazilian embassy in Pakistan was ready to facilitate Pakistani businessmen in this regard, and also called for removing the communication gap to give a quantum jump to the mutual trade.

Touching upon the renewable energy sector of Brazil, Lins said that Pakistan could beneXit from Brazil's expertise and the technology being used in the renewable energy sector.

"Brazilian embassy is at your disposal if any Pakistani company is looking

for a right partner in the renewable energy sector," said the envoy. While discussing the areas of cooperation between the two countries, Claudio Lins, said that Brazil met more than 42 percent of its energy needs through renewable sources. He added that his country was ready to share knowledge in this regard with Pakistan. "We are ready to help Pakistan to meet its energy needs via renewable energy resources, like wind, solar and coal" he added.

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ISLAMABAD

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he Federal Service Tribunal (FST) dated in office the hearing of three important service matters and issued directives to counsels involved to ensure their presence before the bench on the next date of hearing.

FST Chairman Justice (r) Sayed Zahid Hussain and Dr Nazir Saeed heard three cases filed by Muhammad Sulaman Javed, Muhammad Nawaz, and Muhammad Shakeel Akhtar.

The bench adjourned the hearing following absence of the main counsels from the tribunal. However, the tribunal issued directives to the representing counsels to submit relating documents prior to the next hearing. Muhammad Sulaman Javed had prayed to the tribunal in ensure implementation of its already given decision; Muhammad Nawaz had challenged dismissal from serv-

ices, and Muhammad Shakeel Akhtar had direct the Federal Board of Revenue to alchallenged removal from services. low them to serve on the posts from where Tribunal’s bench had recently they had been asked to spare services. also reserved decision on promotion cases filed by M Iqbal and Habib Ahmed.

Both employees of FBR had submitted complaints regarding their promotion and had asked the tribunal to direct the department on awarding their meritorious scale at the department. Same bench also heard couple of other cases carrynts mplai o c d ing dismissal matter and ade bmitt d had journed hearing. Tariq Tanees su ion an y t o l o p m o em veer and Noreen Safia had the eir pr d i re c t ing th filed these petitions in o d t r l a a g re ibun their which they had pleaded the tr rd i n g a w a asked against dismissal from on ment at the services. The appellants epar t d sc ale s u o i had prayed the tribunal to or merit nt

depar

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Tuesday, March 14, 2017

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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

implications of money laundering

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ccording to a report released by International Narcotics Control Strategy of the US State Department, money laundering is a global phenomenon in which corrupt elements are involved not only from developed but also developing countries. It says that hundreds of billions of dollars are sneaked out of various countries every year through trade-based money laundering schemes and the illicit practice is especially rampant in China, Russia, Mexico and India.

The four countries have emerged as the top sources of illicit financial outflows in the world. The illegal money is mostly generated by avoidance of taxes, bribery and smuggling of narcotics and other contraband items. Pakistan also loses over $10 billion a year in trade based money laundering. At least 33 percent of the country’s population lives below the poverty line but various mafias have sprung up to collect money through illegal means and invest the same in offshore companies.

Taking advantage of the situation, many countries offer lucrative business and invest opportunities for corrupt elements one of which is United Arab Emirates where Indian and Pakistani officials and businessmen have invested billions of dollars in real estate sector. The report reveals that tradebased money laundering is the latest method which is being used to whiten the black money. The trade and the currency mafia are there to offer services to the corrupt elements to safely transfer and stash money abroad by dodging the cumbersome legal procedures and government agencies.

It is the dilemma of some developing countries that the governments have failed to set up financial institutions to regulate the money in a proper manner. India has emerged as the fourth largest source of illicit money in the world where the rural sector lacks formal financial institutions.

This resulted in the emergence of informal financing networks. A study by the Global Financial Integrity reveals that China loses $139 billion, Russia $104 billion, Mexico $52 billion, India $51 billion and Pakistan $10 billion annually. Despite the presence of US forces on the Afghan soil, the country is known as the largest opium producer and exporter in the world where corruption is not a myth but reality.

Matter of real gDp T

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

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he international media depicts Pakistan as a terror-ridden country and its rival India as a rising economic power, but certain indicators show economic performance of Pakistan better than all the other countries in the region.

Pakistan has robust economy but it is marred by mismanagement and corruption. However, even then in certain conditions the economic variables independently move and find their way out. The country is facing statistical blindness as there is visible lack of interest in the improvement of data collection

system. How many years are required to maintain record of profit and loss accounts, imports and exports, the rate of industrial production, the data of agricultural produces and many many other things of the country? The statistical blindness is leading the country to nowhere. When the world media talks about the Indian economy, it regards it as a ‘success story’ and Pakistan as weak economy. However, keeping in view the performance of the stock market, the situation has now begun to change and the international donor agencies have projected the rate of the country nearly 6 percent. Despite all odds, the economic performance of the country is

better than India and Bangladesh. The country needs an effective data collection system to keep an eye on the economic indicators and trends in various sectors of the country.

This is the age of information technology and Pakistan has the best brains of the world which can develop a system to collect and analyze every point of the national economy. The allocation of budget, assessment of gross domestic product as well as audit and accounts of all the departments require a compact, feasible and reliable data collection initiative. The lack of data is a kind of economic blindness, which comes as big hindrance to launch development projects

or curtail expenditures. According to the experts, the size of the economy is much larger than it is often estimated.

There is no dearth of experts to do this job, but lack of interest of the government departments to keep the record of their own account in order is big hurdle in data collection.

No doubt the economy of the country is improving but the government has little share in it. Rather every government department tries its best to pull down every business venture. The census of the country has been due for a long time and if it is done within a stipulated time, it will be the best service to the national economy.

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Japan wooden furniture imports fall 3% in 2016 TOKYO: Japan’s 2016 wooden furniture imports fell around 3% in Yen terms against levels in 2015, ITTO reported.

Overall, wooden office furniture imports were down 6% year-on-year, wooden kitchen furniture imports dropped around 4% year-on-year and bedroom furniture imports also fell but by a smaller margin (-2.3%).

While there is no clear cyclical trend in imports of either office or kitchen furniture, imports of bedroom furniture in 2015 and again in 2016 show a distinct cyclical trend.

In both years in the first half of the year imports drifted down only to begin climbing again in the second half of the year.

kenyan diplomat worried over limited trade KARACHI

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igh Commissioner of Kenya Julius K. Bitok, while expressing worries over limited trade volume between Pakistan and Kenya, advised the business and industrial community of Karachi to seriously focus on diversifying their exports to Kenya in order to improve the meager trade volume between the two countries. Exchanging views with KCCI office bearers during his visit to the Chamber, the Kenyan diplomat added that rice and tea were two main commodities which were traditionally being traded between the two countries but there were a host of

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many other Pakistani products which can not only be introduced in the Kenyan market but also to many other African across Africa via Kenya. President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition Muhammad Idrees and KCCI Managing Committee members were present at the meeting.

Kenyan High Commissioner said that Kenya, being the member of Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa (COMESA), can be used by Pakistani business community to access a huge population of more than 400 million people inhabiting in the COMESA region, which comprises of 20-member states. Kenyan High Commissioner also underscored the need to promote tourism opportunities between the two countries and enhance linkages between Nairobi Chamber and Karachi Chamber which would bring the business communities of the two countries more close to each other and definitely yield positive results.

Tuesday March 14, 2017

Chambers

govt should implement police order 2002 with amendments: Siraj D

KARACHI

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eputy Speaker of Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza, while terming it a ‘good news’, said that the Sindh government has started work devising a new Police Act in order to resolve the policing issues under the existing obsolete Police Act 1861.

Speaking at a meeting during her visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) , Deputy Speaker added that instead of complaining in front of the society about the obsolete Police Act 1861, IG Sindh A.D. Khowaja should have taken up and discussed this issue with the government.

Chairman Businessmen Group and Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli, Vice Chairman BMG Haroon Farooki, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, Former Presidents KCCI AQ Khalil and Abdullah Zaki, Chairperson of Women Entrepreneurs SubCommittee Durre Shahwar Nisar, Chairman of Special Committee for

My Karachi Exhibition Muhammad Idrees and KCCI Managing Committee members attended the meeting.

Shehla Raza further informed that Sindh government was focusing on improving the standard of police department and maximum funds were being allocated in this regard.

There was a time when a petty amount of just 200,000 to 300,000 was given to heirs of the martyrs of police department which has been raised to Rs2 million while the pay

scale of police force has also been improved, she added.

She said that as compared to other provinces, Sindh has devised and implemented some of the best and maximum number of legislations including the recent legislations to deal with domestic violence, under-age marriage, under-age labor and harassment at workplace etc. “We are also working closely with USAID to improve water management, health and education in Sindh”, she added. Commenting on the

grievances being faced by masses due to development work in Karachi, she said that a total of 25 development projects were simultaneously underway all over Karachi city which was the reason for numerous problems being suffered by Karachiites. However, Sindh government was striving hard to minimize the hardships, ensure safety of public and complete all these projects within the shortest possible time, she added. Appreciating the efforts being made by Karachi Chamber to promote the positive image of Karachi city by regularly holding My Karachi Exhibition, Shehla Raza said that it was really heartening to note that Karachi Chamber has continued to regularly hold this event even in such circumstances when the entire city’s law and order situation was at its worst, which makes Karachi Chamber really a true Pakistani, she added. Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President Siraj Kassam Teli, in his remarks, pointed out that the Police Act 1861 was devised by the British rulers some 150 years ago with an intention to control the public but this Act was not valid in the prevailing circumstances, hence it has to be replaced with a new and improved Police Act.

Dc Mushtaq assure traders to resolve issues on priority basis

fBr asked to broaden tax base by finding new taxpayers

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he Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Wednesday asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to focus on broadening tax base by finding new taxpayers. According to the press release received here, existing taxpayers were already discharging all the obligations therefore they should not be overburdened, President FPCCI, Zubair Tufail said. Business community regularly paid all the applicable taxes including sales, excise duty, income and professional tax, infrastructure development cess and EOBI etc., he added He claimed that FPCCI had been receiving complaints from the existing taxpayers about the attitude of the staff of Inland Revenue. –CB Report

ISLAMABAD

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usiness community is the backbone of the economy and ICT administration would try to resolve their key issues on priority basis to facilitate the growth of business activities. This was stated

by Capt (r) Mushtaq Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner ICT, Islamabad while speaking at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was accompanied by ADC (East) Capt ® Waqas Rashid, AC Secretariat Hassan Waqar Cheema, AC Saddar Bushra Iqbal and others.

Capt. ® Mushtaq Ahmed said that draft bill of new rent law would be returned to the government within one week after its public hearing. He

said the parking issue of markets would be taken up with CDA in next meeting to Xind out its solution. He said raids on food outlets have been stopped and a new grading policy for such businesses was being formulated. He said a seminar on this policy will also be held in ICCI to take input of stakeholders. He said after the approval of policy, joint team of ICCI and ICT Administration would conduct inspection of food outlets to ensure compliance of required standards. He said parade ground has been earmarked for public meetings in Islamabad to avoid problems in markets.

He also issued some instructions to his team at the spot for resolution of many highlighted issues. Speaking at the occasion, Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed

various issues of business community. He said a new draft bill of rent law for Islamabad was forwarded by the government to the ICT Administration for comments. He urged that required action on said draft bill should be taken in consultation with ICCI and this process should be completed soon because the absence of rent law was giving rise to traders’ rent disputes. Meanwhile, The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Wednesday asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to focus on broadening tax base by Xinding new taxpayers. According to the press release received here, existing taxpayers were already discharging all the obligations therefore they should not be overburdened, President FPCCI, Zubair Tufail said.

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FBR receives over 20,000 income tax returns in five days of March Tuesday March 14, 2017

National faisalabad ASo impounds non-Duty paid Toyota Surf FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

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ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue has received more than 20,000 income tax returns for the fiscal year 2016 in just five days of March 2017.

These non-filers used FBR online portal after the launch of Active Taxpayers List (ATL) – 2016 on March 01, 2017.

The number of return filers in the first ATL-2016 was 1.01 million. The updated ATL-2016 as on March 5, 2017 issued on weekly basis on Monday the number of active taxpayers return filers increased to 1.03 million. The FBR has compiled the list of 200,000 taxpayers, who failed to file the return during tax year 2016.

SHc issues notice to piA on sale tax reference filed by commissioner ir T

KARACHI

M B rAnA

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized foreign origin (F/O) Toyota Surf with registration No: LWQ-918 modelled 1976 worth Rs1.5million involving customs duty and taxes of Rs1.2millions. Sources told Customs Today that Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan received a tipoff regarding some smuggling attempts. He formed an ASO team under the supervision of Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya which also included Inspector Khalid Ashraf Noor, Mehmood Ahmed Dogar, Ali Zahid, Driver Muhammad Khalid Dogar and Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Shah Zaib and other sepoys. The ASO team intercepted the Toyota Surf on Jhang Road Faisalabad. The ASO team asked driver named Muhammad Ahsan son of Muhammad Munir, a resident of Peoples Colony Faisalabad, to produce the legal documents of the vehicle but he failed.

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faisalabad fiA arrests notorious human trafficker he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Faisalabad has arrested a human trafficker named Shakoor Ahmed son of Zulfiqar Ahmed. The alleged accused belongs to Chak No: 288/GB,Toba Tek Singh.

Sources told Customs Today that FIA Deputy Director Syed Imam Zaidi and Sub-Inspectors Taimoor Haider and Abbas Bajwa conducted a raid on the den of the accused running an illegal business of sending innocent people abroad after gulling amounts from them. The accused also gulled Rs 350000 from a complainant for sending him to Malaysia. The FIA recovered original Pakistani passport and some copies of other passports from his possession. –CB Report

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notice to Pakistan International Airline Corporation on a sales tax reference application Xiled by the Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-I, Large Taxpayer Unit challenging impugned judgment of the Excise and Sales Tax Appellate Karachi deleting the penalty imposed by custom department.

While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also Xixed the matter for 1st week of April and directed the respondent to ensure Xile para wise comments on next date of hearing.

Earlier, counsel for the applicant stated in its reference application that a custom department issued

show cause notice issued to the respondent under section 11 (1) of the sales tax act, 1990 for violation of section 26 of the sales tax act, 1990 read with rule 18 of the sales

tax rules, 2006 and section 4 of the federal excise act, 2005 and further read with rule of 41A of the federal excise rule, 2005.

According to the applicant, be-

ing aggrieved respondent approached the concerned authority and Xiled an appeal against said show cause notice, however, Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-III) Karachi passed an order in favour of department, therefore, respondent again Xiled an appeal before the Excise and Sales Tax Appellate Karachi which upheld impugned order of the CIR A to the extent of levy of default surcharge, however, the penalty imposed by the ofXicer and maintained by the CIR A is hereby deleted.

Citing Pakistan International Airline Corporation as respondent, applicant pleaded the court may declare that Excise and Sales Tax Appellate Karachi has no jurisdiction to delete the penalty imposed by customs department and set aside its order.

peshawar customs earns rs496.12m wHT T

PESHAWAR

irfAn BAHADur

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Peshawar collected Federal Excise Duty (FED) of Rs496.12millions with a commitment to increase the sources of inland revenues.

The ofXicial MCC Peshawar said the other day that the collection was lower than the target of Rs585.00million but there were various issues and the fall was obvious. He added the MCC Peshawar surpassed Sales Tax (ST).

During said period, the Peshawar Collectorate got Rs602.89million.

The target to achieve ST was Rs554.00million but it had collected more than the assigned target. The ofXicial of MCC Peshawar said that the custom stations located on the main Torkham road need equipment and training.

He termed the old methods insufficient to stop the traffickers of smuggling and traders of noncustom goods. He said many times customs officials were ab-

ducted by the drug smugglers and terrorists living on both sides of the main trade route of Peshawar with Afghanistan. He further said there was need to equip the customs sepoy and custom stations for the reason to

prepare ground for trade after full functioning of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The importance and need of the equipment will be felt to set up new custom stations for surveillance of goods from china to the south

Asian countries. The official said the customs house was shaping to work as major source to generate inland revenues for the country and is reputable institution working to protect cross border trade of goods.

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FIA arrests 10 human traffickers SIALKOT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested 10 human traffickers from Gujranwala division. FIA Deputy Director Khalid Anees said the accused were arrested from Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and Gujranwala district during an ongoing crackdown. Those arrested were identified as Majid, Riaz, Ansar, Muazzam, Kashif and Zulfiqar. Meanwhile, The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Faisalabad has arrested a human trafficker named Shakoor Ahmed son of Zulfiqar Ahmed. The alleged accused belongs to Chak No: 288/GB,Toba Tek Singh. Sources told Customs Today that FIA Deputy Director Syed Imam Zaidi and Sub-Inspectors Taimoor Haider and Abbas Bajwa conducted a raid on the den of the accused running an illegal business of sending innocent people.

Deputy collector Asma Hameed declares seizure of nDp vehicle legal FAISALABAD

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he Deputy Collector Customs Adjudication Asma Hameed has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) in favour of Anti-Smuggling Organization Faisalabad.

According to details, a team of the AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted a foreign origin used Toyota Hiace van bearing registration no. LEI -16-2695.

The smuggled vehicle was brought into country without payment of customs duty and taxes through unauthorized way. The customs team arrested the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Mansoor Arif Khan son of Muhammad Arid Khan who is a resident of Mohalla

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Abbas Pur tehsil Shahiwal district Sargodha. The customs official asked the driver to produce documents regarding import of vehicle. But he failed to produce the lawful proof. The particular of the vehicle were checked on the website and found not tallied. The incharge of PRAL Customs Dry Port Faisalabad has informed that the vehicle having number no. LEI -16-2695 (cut & weld) imported in the country. Seizure report along with enclosures is being submitted to adjudication authority for adjudication. So it is evidence that as the result of forensic science laboratory, testing report of the vehicle i.e foreign origin used Toyota Hiace van bearing registration no. LEI- 16-2695 , chassis number frame is found cut and welded means original chassis number has been cut away and a bogus chassis number has been welded in the chassis frame. has been found cut and welded During the proceedings, Inspector Asghar Mehdi Naqvi appeared from the petitioner side and no one was appeared from the respondent side.

National

iHc to resume hearing of tax matter filed by M/s Dewan cement

Hyderabad customs earns rs929.554m taxes, duties during feb HYDERABAD

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he Model Customs Collectorate generated Rs929.554million customs duties and taxes during February 2017 against the set target of Rs1234.60million. As per details, the Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad earned Customs Duty (CD), Sales Tax (ST), Federal Excise Duty (FED) and Income Tax (IT) during the above said period. The collectorate earned Rs251.835million Customs Duty (CD) against the set target of Rs 221million.

The collectorate branch was assigned revenue collection target of Rs966million against the allocated Sales Tax of Rs648.666million. It collected Rs3.113million Federal Excise Duty (FED) against the set target of Rs2.6 million. It received Rs25.940million Income Tax during the above said period against the set target of Rs 45million.

The major tax sources were Hyderabad Dry Port, Sukkur and Larkana Divisions, Hyderabad State Ware House Huffaz Seamless Pipe Industries, Crescent Steel, Omni Polymer Industries, Rema Cooking Oil and Pakistan State Oil.( PSO).

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ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) will resume the hearing of a case Xiled by M/s Dewan Cement Limited on Tuesday (today), challenging a recovery claim made

by Xield ofXice of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The IHC bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the matter. M/s Dewan Cement Limited had challenged a show cause notice issued by the Large Taxpayers Unit, Islamabad. The appellant prayed the court to declare the notice as illegal and without any lawful authority and an interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings.

M/s Dewan Cement Limited submitted before the court that the impugned order was issued under mala Xide intentions and had no legal standing or authority and the court may decide on relief which it deemed appropriate in this regard.

It also stated that due legal course was not followed by the department in issuing the order.

M/s Dewan Cement Limited had also prayed the court to decide the case early as the appellant had to

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bear Xinancial complications after the case. The ATIR, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), ofXicers of LTU including Commissioner Inland Revenue, and others were made respondents in the case.

Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court will hear M/s Halmore Power Generation’s tax matter on Friday (today).

M/s Halmore Power Generation had challenged a show cause notice issued by additional commissioner Inland

Revenue, Islamabad. IHC bench, comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb would hear the matter recently Xiled with IHC. M/s Halmore Power Generation had Xiled case against RTO, Islamabad. Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), ofXicers of RTO including commissioner Inland Revenue, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue and commissioner Inland Revenue.

customs values of TV turner & Android TV Box revised

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KARACHI

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs value of TV tuner and Adroid TV Box through Valuation Ruling No 1063/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to the details, Directorate General earlier circulated VDB values of set TV tuner and Android TV Box vide Valuation Data Base No. 123 & 124 dated 09-12-2016. Some importers approached this Directorate General and requested to

revisit the customs values notified vide aforesaid VDB letters.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Islamabad vide a letter dated 20-02-2017 also requested that customs duty of Set-Top-Box be waived off completely till the promotional period of Cable TV network digitalization to encourage digitalization in the country by the cable operators.

Importers had been requested to furnish invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. Websites, names and E-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through

which the actual current value can be ascertained.

Copies of Contracts made / LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question.

Copies of sales tax invoices issued during last four months showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate that the benefit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers. No documents were submitted in this Directorate General on or before the said scheduled meeting.

Method adopted to determine Customs values: Valuation methods given in Section 25 of the

Customs Act, 1969 were followed to arrive at customs values of Set Top Box / TV Tuner and Android TV Box. Transaction value method provided in Section 25 (1) was found inapplicable owing to wide variation in the values being declared to the customs. Identical / similar goods value methods provided in Section 25 (5) & (6) were examined for applicability to the valuation issue in the instant case which provided some reference values of the subject goods but the same could not be exclusively relied upon due to wide variation in declared values of subject goods.

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Turkey, Russia sign trade deal Tuesday March 14, 2017

World

ANKARA: Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım spoke with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday about bilateral trade. Yıldırım and Medvedev signed a decree allowing agricultural exports from Turkey to Russia. Medvedev said a resolution allowing the export of some agricultural products from Turkey to Russia was signed. Other items on the agenda were trade, transport, agriculture and transportation as well as customs, energy and visas.

The Turkish and Russian prime ministers confirmed their resolve to move bilateral relations forward with confident steps in preparation for the Turkey-Russia High Level Cooperation Council’s meeting on Friday, which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend.

russia’s oil output up by indian Aiu nabs gold 400,000 barrels in 2 years smuggler at Mumbai Airport AMMON

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MUMBAI

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he Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) ofXicers, intercepted a man who tried to smuggle 12 gold bars, at Mumbai Airport. Reportedly, the passenger tied the gold bars to his heels with the help of adhesive and two socks. A case has been registered against the alleged smuggler, Thiruppathy Palaniyandy.

Palaniyandy, an architectural supervisor by profession, had acquired the gold from Singapore, where he was employed, and supposed to deliver it to someone in Mumbai. Palaniyandy, whose home town is Sathiyamangalam in Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu, had arrived from Singapore by Air India Xlight AI 343. The gold bars seized from him weighed around 100 grams each. An AIU ofXicial said that Palaniyandy earns Rs 150000

netherlands’ Mylan rebounds with strong Q4 results he full-year and fourth quarter 2016 financial results statement from generics and specialty drug maker Mylan appear to show the company has left its EpiPen troubles behind. The Netherlands-incorporated firm beat analysts’ revenue and profit expectations for the fourth quarter of 2016. Sales were bolstered by strong performance from recently acquired Meda, the Swedish speciality pharmaceutical firm. The company’s share price charged up 7% as investors digested the news. Mylan reported revenues of $3.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2016, up 31% compared to the same period in 2015. Following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the earnings per share (EPS) figure was $0.78, more than double the previous year. Gross profit was $1.3 billion, up from $1 billion. –CB Report

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per month. He admitted that the gold he was carrying belonged to a person named Muru of Singapore and he was going to hand it over to someone in Mumbai.

According to AIU officials, he pleaded with them to not inform his family about the smuggling incident, as they knew nothing about his illegal activities. Meanwhile, Indian Customs officials at the Rajiv

Gandhi International Airport foiled a gold smuggling bid by a passenger from Dubai. The officials seized 379 grams gold concealed in the form of six gold buttons. Based on initial intelligence, the officers of the Air Intelligence Unit seized six gold buttons weighing 379 grams kept in a gas (cylinder) regulator in the baggage of the passenger, a customs officer said.

Strong rand: South Africa eyes to boost Asian imports

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rewry’s Container Insight Weekly has revealed that the strengthening Rand has provided hope to ailing Southern Africa imports from Asia.

The improving demand and capacity management has helped to lift southbound spot rates to 26-month peak after trade experienced Xive straight quarters with year-on-year declines. Containerized imports from Asia to Southern Africa slumped by 7.8% in 2016 to their lowest volume

since 2012, but the IMF expects South Africa’s GDP to rise faster in the next Xive years after increasing by just 0.3% in 2016. The rate of erosion slowed in the Xinal three months of 2016, when container imports dropped by 2.4% Y/Y, versus declines of 7% in the Xirst quarter, 9% in the second and 12% in the third. With weaker comparisons to look forward to in 2017, Drewry predicts that the trade should Xind it easier to register growth once more. –CB Report

Russia increased oil output by 400,000 barrels over the past two years, TASS quoted Energy Minister Alexander Novak as saying on March 6, adding that Russia’s oil and gas sector has weathered the US sanctions successfully. “Despite the sanctions that were imposed on a number of our companies, our oil and gas sector has managed not only to pull through the difficulties, but even to demonstrate upturns. In the past two years, Russia’s oil output has risen by 400,000 barrels,” Novak said at the CERAWeek in Houston, Texas.

Russian companies have managed to build up output volumes, boost efficiency and to bring down the prime costs that stand at $10 to $15 per barrel on average, the

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china to cut steel production he Chinese Government has promised more steps to cut surplus steel production that is straining trade relations with Western countries, and to curb coal production. In a speech to the national legislature, Premier Li Keqiang yesterday said China would eliminate 50 million tonnes of steel production capacity, a move that would help to reduce the Xlood of Chinese exports depressing global prices and prompting complaints by Washington and Europe that thousands of jobs are in danger. Mr Li also promised to eliminate 150 million tonnes of coal production capacity. He didn’t mention other in-

iran, indonesia mull expanding ties

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TEHRAN

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s two developing Muslim countries, Iran and Indonesia have always enjoyed many commonalities. The Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the most distinguished countries in the region is now in a path that Indonesia experienced in

terms of growth in gross domestic product over past few years. The Iranian and Indonesian ofXicials have always expanded their interactions since Indonesian President Joko Widodo took ofXice concurrent with President Hassan Rouhani’s second year in ofXice. The visit by President Rouhani to Indonesia in May 2015 and the reciprocal visit by President Widodo to Iran in December 2016

Russian energy minister said, adding the returns on Russian oil and gas projects were among the world’s highest. “Opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector yield good economic results and have bright investment prospects,” Novak said, adding that foreign investors account for about 25% of Russia’s overall output. “We are open (for cooperation) and want foreign companies to take part in the implementation of projects in Russia,” the news agency quoted him as saying. Novak said Russia’s Energy Ministry sees great interest from American companies on investing in the country. “Naturally, today we maintain contacts with many businessmen and we sense a great interest in Russia,” he said. He also said Moscow was not mulling membership in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) but cooperation with the oil cartel “has proved to be vital and prudent.”

as well as exchange of visits by the two countries’ other ofXicials show their political will to boost their interactions. As one of the main poles of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia, experienced a six percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) between 2008 and 2013 and is considered a newly-emerge economy with vast capacities for cooperating with

dustries such as aluminium in which China’s trading partners complain excess capacity supported by government subsidies is distorting global markets. Mr Li trimmed China’s growth target and warned of dangers from global pressure for trade controls as Beijing tried to build a consumer-driven economy and reduce reliance on exports and investment. He set the target at “around 6.5 per cent or higher, if possible”. That is down from last year’s 6.7 per cent expansion but, if achieved, would be among the world’s strongest, reXlecting conXidence that efforts to create new industries are getting traction. –CB Report

other countries. The capacities and advantages of the two countries will pave the way for broadening of cooperation in different sectors, including trade and energy, and this can eventually accelerate the pace of the two countries’ developments. In an indication of fostering mutual cooperation, Indonesia’s 46-member economic delegation departed Jakarta for Tehran.

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Brazil GDP slips 0.9% in Q4 of 2016 BRASILIA: Brazil’s economy worsened more than feared at the end of 2016, possibly paving the way for bolder interest rate cuts by its central bank.

Brazilian gross domestic product shrank at an outsized quarterly rate of 0.9% in the last three months of last year amid further weakness in consumption and a smaller contribution from net exports. Household consumption fell for an eight consecutive quarter, by 0.6%, doubling the contraction seen over the previous three months, as high inflation and a weak jobs market took their toll. However, imports rose by 3.2%, “signaling that domestic demand will soon stabilize”, Andres Abadia, senior international economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics said.

egypt seeks further trade, investment in Brazil he president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Rubens Hannun, had several meetings in Cairo over the weekend with top-ranking Egyptian government authorities to discuss ways to increase trade, investments and cooperation involving Brazil and Egypt.

According to details, he met with minister of Supplies Ali Moselhy. Arab countries in general, and Egypt in particular, are greatly concerned with food security, as their production falls short of meeting domestic demand, so they must import large amounts of food. “We will work together to find ways to streamline supplies to Egypt. We discussed this matter at length,” said Hannun. He and Abdel Hamid Demerdash, chairman of Egypt’s Agricultural Export Council had spoken on the subject in a meeting last week. At the Saturday meeting, a request was made for the Arab Brazilian Chamber to help Egyptians find food exporters in Brazil so the Arab country may broaden its supplier range. –CB Report

World Customs

Thailand seizes 422 pieces of smuggled elephant tusks

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new Zealand’s wool exports drops 25 percent new report shows that the export value of wool from December to January dropped by 25 percent, and in the past six months it has fallen 10 percent. The figures show the extent of the damage that high exchange rates, Brexit and Donald Trump’s election have had on wool exports. The wool industry has had a tough season so far.

China, which buys 60 percent of New Zealand’s wool exports, vanished from the market after Trump was elected US president. Beef and Lamb New Zealand chief economist Andrew Burtt said the 10 percent drop in export value for the six months to January was driven by currency changes. “Most of that is the huge change in the value of the New Zealand dollar against the currencies in which wool is exported. –CB Report

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BANGKOK

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hai authorities seized 422 pieces of elephant tusks and arrested a Gambian man suspected of smuggling the ivory.

Customs Department DirectorGeneral Kulit Sombatsiri said that the tusks were hidden in a shipment listed as unprocessed gemstones. He said the parcel was examined because items from Malawi are regarded as high-risk for smuggled goods and because an ivory seizure

last year had involved tusks from Mozambique that were similarly concealed. Kulit said Friday’s seizure of 330 kilograms (726 pounds) of smuggled ivory worth around $480,000 was the Xirst in Thailand this year.

Thai customs ofXicials last year conXiscated more than 1,200 kilograms (2,640 pounds) of ivory in nine separate cases.

Meanwhile, Isuzu’s export from Thailand is expected to remain Xlat this year as demand from the crucial Middle East market is set remain slow. Last year, Isuzu’s shipments from Thailand slipped 11% to 160,000 units. Toshiaki Maekawa,

president of Tri Petch Isuzu Sales, the Thai distributor of Isuzu trucks, said that the company expects export volume to be around 160,000 to 170,000 units this year, combining both CBU and CKD units. “Unfavorable circumstances in the Middle East, where economic prospects remain murky and oil prices stay relatively low, will make it tough for Isuzu to grow exports. Isuzu also needs to rely on the Middle Eastern market, particularly for Saudi Arabia where the company controls 80% market share,” he said.

“There are myriad risks from other countries that may affect the country’s vehicle export such as the new economic policies.

January uS exports, imports increase

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WASHINGTON

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otal January exports were $192.1 billion and imports were $240.6 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, through the Department of Commerce. This resulted in a goods and services deXicit of $48.5 billion, up from $44.3 billion in December. January exports were up $1.1 billion from December, and January imports were up $5.3

billion from December. The January increase in the goods and services deXicit reXlected an increase in the goods deXicit of $4 billion to $69.7 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.3 billion to $21.2 billion. Year-over-year, the goods and services deXicit increased $5.1 billion, or 11.8 percent, from January 2016.

Exports increased $13.3 billion or 7.4 percent. Imports increased $18.4 billion or 8.3 percent. Exports of goods increased $1.1 billion and exports of services decreased less than $0.1 billion. The increase in exports of goods

mostly reXlected an increase of $2.1 billion in industrial supplies and materials and a decrease in capital goods of $1.9 billion. Exports of services decreased less than $0.1 billion to $64.1 billion. Imports of goods increased $5.1 billion and imports of services increased $0.2 billion. The increase in imports of goods mostly reXlected an increase in consumer goods ($2.4 billion). The increase in imports of services mainly reXlected an increase in transport ($0.2 billion). Meanwhile, The United States almost tripled the volume of crude oil bought from

Tuesday March 14, 2017

Turkish banks remain well-capitalized S based credit rating agency Moody’s has said that Turkish banks are maintaining their well-capitalized situation and that the recovery of bilateral relations with countries in the region could have a positive effect on the tourism sector in the upcoming period. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Moody’s officials noted that the Turkish economy is expected to grow by 2.3 percent in 2017 and that the growth rate is predicted to rise to 3 percent in 2018. According to Moody’s, the inflation rate in Turkey is expected to stand at 8.2 percent at the end of the year and at 8 percent at the end of the next year. Also, the ratio of the current account deficit to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) might reach 5.2 percent at the end of this year and 5.3 percent at the end of 2017. The credit rating agency’s statement revealed, “Turkish banks maintain their well-capitalized situation. However, the loss of value in the Turkish lira and the economic slowdown have raised new concerns about the banking system.” It was emphasized that these factors may negatively affect the quality of assets, financing costs, profitability and growth potential of the banks. It was also noted that Turkey’s recently improved bilateral relations with countries in the region; especially Russia, Israel and Iraq, could have a positive effect on the tourism sector in the coming period. –CB Report

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Nigeria last year, seven years after it began depending less on the country ‘s crude. This comes as the Shale oil production surged. Latest data from the US Energy information Administration (EID) shows that the country imported 76.9 million barrels of the country’s oil in 2016. From a Xigure of 19.9 million barrels in 2015. When global oil prices started to fall in 2014, from a peak of $115 per barrel, Nigeria witnessed a further drop in the US imports of its crude from 87.4 million barrels in 2013 to a record of 21.2 million barrels.

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FIA arrests three accused Tuesday March 14, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: FIA Gujranwala/Gujrat on conducted raids in different areas and arrested an agent and two other accused.

According to FIA spokesman, the team arrested the land route agent, Sohail Abbas of Gujranwala, Muhammad Babo of Narowal and Hamayoun of Sialkot were also arrested.

Meanwhile, A man, who was selling Pakistan Super League’s match tickets in black, was arrested in Gulberg by the Federal Investigation Agency. According to FIA Deputy Director Khwaja Hammad, accused Umer Waqas bought tickets in bulk online and then was found selling them. Four tickets of Rs500 were seized from his possession.

fBr to become party in pakistan Tube Mills case

central region collects rs 3,889m customs duty in feb

LAHORE

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SAJiD nAwAZ

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Xiled an appeal for being a party in the case of Pakistan Tube Mills in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Counsel for appellant FBR argued before the court that Pakistan Tube Mills is tax defaulter of Rs0.38billion of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) therefore the court may stop the auction of mills till the tax amount recovery.

The proceeding of the case is already in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on the appeal filed by the Bank of Khyber. Justice Masood Abid Naqvi heard the appeal of the Bank of Khyber against the Pakistan Tube Mills. In the case, the

rTos reluctant to change tax jurisdiction of corporate taxpayers

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he Regional Tax OfXices (RTOs) are reluctant to change the tax jurisdiction of corporate taxpayers even after the relocation of their head ofXices to another region, sources said. A good number of cases were pending with the RTOs, particularly in Karachi, where the concerned ofXicers were delaying the process simply to meet revenue targets, added industry sources.

The Income Tax Ordinance as well as the Sales Tax Act explicitly provide that a corporate entity, whether listed or not, would be registered with the RTO where its head office resides. But still the fate of many cases is hanging in the balance as both the FBR and the field officers are not ready to process their applications. –CB Report

counsel for the Bank of Khyber argued that Pakistan Tube Mills pledged the property to the Bank and got a loan of amount Rs100 million. He argued that already in the case court has issued a degree of Rs100.57million but the company failed to pay their tax liability.

After hearing the arguments from the parties named Bank of Khyber and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Lahore High Court (LHC) has adjourned the hearing for two weeks and called the parties for the Xinal arguments on the said date.

Meanwhile, The Lahore High Court adjourned the hearing of Chudhary Sugar Mills till 20th of February. The LHC also issued an order that learned counsels for the parties are in agreement, so instead of taking up the stay applications, main appeals be heard on a day-to-day basis from 20th of February 2017.

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ustoms Central Region has surpassed customs duty target set for the month of February and collected Rs 3,889 million, registering 15 per cent growth against the proposed target of Rs 3,297 million.

Sources said that the Chief Collector instructed all the collectors of the four collectorates to work hard to achieve the targets for the Xinancial year 2016-17.

The Customs Lahore Appraisement collected Rs 2,177 million during the month against proposed target Rs 1,890 million during the period under review.

Similarly, Customs Lahore Preventive collected Rs 722 million customs duty during the period under review against the set target of

customs i&i teams sent after accused at large in marijuana case

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ustoms Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) department constituted teams to arrest accused who is at large in smuggling case of 400grams of marijuwana, Investigation Wing ofXicial told Customs Today.

According to the sources, during investigations, it was reveled that Muhammad Khan of Lahore, Muhammad Nawaz of Saray Alamgeer Gujrat and Qamar Shahbaz of Gujranwala were also addressed on the parcels of “marijuna’ smuggling case and the I&P has constituted to arrest the accused

parties in the case. The teams have been sent to arrest the accused from their dwelling places on their address.

The accused Muhammad Asam, who is said to be the brother of one other accused, was arrested when he came to receive the parcels. Customs Preventive Lahore General Post OfXice (GPO) seized millions of rupees 400 gram very rare drug ‘Mari Jawana” from a parcel on Monday. The detected the drug from a parcel which was very tactfully raped in a parcel, which was sent from Norway. –M Hayat

Rs825 million.

The Multan Collectorate collected Rs 777 million during the month of February against the target of Rs 424 million. In the same way, the Faisalabad Collectorate collected Rs 211 million during the seventh

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month of Xinancial year against the target Rs 158 million.

Overall the central region collected total customs duty from all the four collectrate worth Rs 3889 million customs duty against the 3297 million during the period.

customs Appellate Tribunal hears 11 cases he Customs Appellate Tribunal division bench-II comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq heard 11 cases and adjourned all the cases until the next hearing.

The Customs Appellate Tribunal adjourned the hearing of 11 cases, including M/s Advance International versus customs Lahore, M/s HaXiz Muhammad Tariq Butt versus customs Lahore, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Faisalabad versus Fakhar Abbas.

On Tuesday, the tribunal heard cases of Hamyun Akber versus Cus-

toms Lahore, Gulistan Textile versus customs Lahore, Abdul Ghafar versus Field Intelligence Unit D.G Khan, Maxi Inch versus Valuation Lahore, customs Multan versus Abdul Rauf. Furthermore, the tribunal heard cases Xiled by Abdul Ghafar versus FIU D.G Khan, Pak Electron Limited (PEL) versus Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore, Sohail and others versus customs Lahore and M/s Master link versus directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Lahore. In all the cases, the representatives of the appellants and respondents appeared before the court and argued in favor of their respective parties. –Sajid Nawaz

customs pcA summons Hitec impex in duty evasion case

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irectorate of Post Clarence has summoned M/s Hitec Impex Karachi South due to duty and tax evasion of Rs840,316 on the import of tarpaulin.

According to the details, the PCA observed that the import clearances

data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years. 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the SRO (1125)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is speciXically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence was not enti-

tled for such beneXit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011. Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount Rs 840, 316 sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due

to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011.

The importer was asked to pay above mentioned short paid amount of duty/ taxes within 10 days of receipt of this letter positively. The importer was told in case they do not agree with the audit observation; they may provide the written clariXication along with supporting documents as well as import documents.

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India’s Chabahar port plan runs into Iran loan application hurdle NEW DELHI: India’s ambitious plan to develop Chabahar port in Iran has hit yet another snag—over what is being seen as an inordinate delay on the part of Iran to seek a $150 million loan from India. Eight months have passed since the loan agreement was signed for the port’s development, but the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) is still awaiting completion of an application from the Port and Maritime Organization of Iran with instructions to disburse the amount. According to the agreement, the contract will be activated from the day that the loan has been disbursed. This comes in the backdrop of strains developing in US-Iran relations after the recent imposition of US sanctions on the West Asian country over its missile programme.

S Lanka’s colombo port ranked among the world’s best 25 ports ri Lanka’s Colombo Port has been ranked among the world’s best 25 ports according to the Alphaliner rankings in 2017, a Ports and Shipping Ministry statement said. In 2016 Alphaliner has ranked Colombo Port at the 23rd place, three notches up from the 2015 rankings. All the ports which are carrying out container operations are included in the Alphaliner rankings. The Colombo Port was ranked at 27th place in 2014 and at 26th place in 2015 in Alphaliner rankings. Colombo Port operated 5.2 million containers in 2015. In 2016 the volume increased by 10.6 percent to 5.7 million containers. Increase in the depth of the route to access the Colombo Port, enhancing the depth of the terminals, expansion of terminals, increase in the number of terminal operations have opened the

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gate for the world’s largest vessels to enter the Colombo Port. These developments have created a positive impact on the Colombo Port and have paved the way to lift up its rank. Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga said the secret behind this victory is the building of good business environment. “Private sector has been engaged in businesses related to Colombo Port in addition to Sri Lanka Ports Authority. In the previous era these institutions were not united. But under the present government we were able to introduce a common business plan for these institutions. Through this new method we have been able to unite these institutions together to develop the Colombo Port while protecting their unique identity. –CB Report

Ports & hipping

uS west coast ports increase market share in 2016

Tauranga port results reflect improved log exports og exports have recovered strongly following the improved demand over the past year from China, New Zealand’s largest market for logs and sawn timber. The recovery follows a slump caused by excessive inventory in 2015. The healthier China market was reflected in Port of Tauranga’s interim first half results announced this week, which showed log exports from Tauranga had rebounded from the previous corresponding period, increasing 21 per cent in volume to nearly 3 million tonnes. Tauranga is New Zealand’s major log export port, accounting for around one-third of total exports. According to Ministry of Primary Industry data, New Zealand log exports by value increased in the 2016 year by $568 million to a total of $2.5 billion, a jump of 29 per cent on 2015. China accounted for 77 per cent of this increase, with an additional $440m worth of export log sales. South Korea and India accounted for an additional 10 per cent and 7per cent respectively. –CB Report

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WASHINGTON

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S West Coast ports increased their market share in 2016 indicating losses to East Coast and Gulf ports are being reversed. According to the PMSA’s (Pacific Merchant Shipping Association) West Coast Trade Report the year 2016 saw: “U.S. West Coast (USWC) ports increase their collective share of containerized trade through seaports on the U.S. mainland. Outbound or inbound, value or weight, the Pacific ports gained market share last year.” The PMSA report said the USWC containerized import market share by value rose “from 47.4% in 2015 to 49.2% in 2016.” The USWC share by weight in 2016 “jumped from 39.4 % in 2015 to 40.2% in 2016.”

On the export side, the USWC share “rose from 31.7% in 2015 to 34.5% in 2016. Also increasing was the USWC share of the de-

Tuesday March 14, 2017

clared weight of containerized exports from mainland ports, from 35.4% in 2015 to 39.6% in 2016.”

The pace continued in December 2016, “December saw no slackening in import container traffic along the U.S. West Coast.

To be sure, the number of inbound loaded TEUs at the Port of Long

Beach did fall by 8.2% in December from the same month a year earlier, but that was more than balanced by the hefty 22.7% year over-year increase at the Port of Los Angeles. That left the nation’s largest maritime complex with a combined 7.8% year-over-year gain for the month.”

welsh ports could be hit after Brexit J

WASHINGTON

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obs and trade will be lost in Wales if it is easier to move goods into the EU via Northern Ireland than through Welsh ports after Brexit, the Xirst minister has said.

Prime Minister Theresa May has spoken of a frictionless Irish border post-Brexit. But Carwyn Jones said he would not support any deal that made it harder to move goods through Wales. He was speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Supplement programme. Ms May said in January: “We need to Xind a solution which enables us to have as seamless and frictionless a border as possible between Northern Ireland and Ireland so that we can continue to see the trade, the everyday movements that we have seen up to now.”

But Mr Jones said: “If there was a frictionless border… between north

and south, if you were moving goods into the island of Ireland, you would then be tempted to go via Scotland or via Liverpool if we had customs posts and border control in the Welsh ports. “So we need to make sure that goods are able to move between Wales and the Republic of Ireland on the same basis as they are between Northern Ireland and the Republic, or we lose trade and we lose jobs in the Welsh ports.

“What I would not support is any kind of deal where it’s easier to move goods into the EU via Northern Ireland than through the Welsh ports.” Following a summit of British and Irish ministers on Brexit in November, Mr Jones said it was agreed there “should be no hard border” between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.”Access to the single market is the most important issue,” he said at the time.

Meanwhile, The dispute is al-

ready disrupting operations at a number of ports, affecting trafXic in and out of Spain. Stowage association Sageb-Sevasa said as many as 12 ships had been forced to change their navigation plans to avoid stopping at the port of Valencia, where workers are staging a “go-slow” that has reportedly led to a 30 per cent drop in productivity since last week.

Begoña Jimenez of exporter federation Fepex said if the strike goes ahead it will have little impact on the sector as 95 per cent of Spanish fruits and vegetables are sent via trucks. However, Spanish companies have been making steady inroads into non-EU markets in recent years, many of which are reached by sea.

With an already complicated citrus campaign in full swing, there are fears that prolonged action could affect shipments bound for emerging markets such as China, the Middle East and South America.

Stonefruit producers, meanwhile, are warning that unless the situation is resolved, it could affect the new season when it gets underway in June. Miguel Ángel Gómez of Extremadura grower association Afruex told EFE that exporters rely heavily on ports such as Algeciras to ship produce to countries like Canada, South Africa and the UAE. Around 70,000 tonnes of fruit from Extremadura was shipped to foreign markets through the region’s ports last year. According to Fepex, around 600,000 tonnes of fruits, vegetables and flowers were sent to third countries in 2016, accounting for 6 per cent of Spain’s export total. The strike could also disrupt imports of pineapples, bananas and counterseasonal products such as melons. Spanish imports of fresh fruits and vegetables have been rising steadily since the start of the decade.

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ASO confiscates 30 dinner sets worth Rs240000 HYDERABAD: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized foreign origin 30 dinner sets valued 240000 involving duty taxes of Rs153480 during a crackdown in Hyderabad.

Sources told Customs Today that these items were brought to Hyderabad from Karachi.

The sources said that Collector Customs Hyderabad Agha Shahid Majeed Khan received a credible information regarding the smuggling of above said items.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Dg Valuation issues reference values for cocoa & tomatoes paste KARACHI wAQAr AHMeD AnSAri www.customsbulletin.com

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation issued reference values for cocoa paste and tomatoes paste.

The Directorate General is populating Valuation Database Values for different items wherein it was observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reXlect values of the items as traded in the international market.

During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it was observed that cocoa paste, falling under the PCT heading 1803.1000, are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. The Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the Xindings of the market surveys. Therefore the VDB values of cocoa paste are as cocoa paste China origin US$7.80 per kilogram, cocoa paste Ghana origin US$5.50 per kilogram, cocoa paste Singapore origin US$8.70 per kilogram and cocoa paste France/EU origin US$8.70 per kilogram. Meanwhile, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation revised

the customs value of tablets through Valuation Ruling No 1066/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to details, the Directorate General issued VDB values of different brands of tablets vide VDB letter No.

138 dated 30-12-2016, VDB Nos.150, 151, 152 and 153 dated 06-01-2017 and VDB No.169 dated 24-01-2017.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General also initiated an exercise for determination of customs values of tablets of

different brands. Sources said that a meeting with stakeholders was held on 28-02-2017. Importers were requested to furnish invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value, websites, names and E-mail

addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained, copies of contracts made/LCs opened during the last three months.

‘Say no to corruption’ campaign proved successful during 2016 ISLAMABAD

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hairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry Monday said ‘Say No to Corruption’ campaign had been proved successful during 2016.He expressed these views while chairing a meeting held here to review progress on ‘Bureau’s Awareness and Prevention

Campaign’ on ‘Say No to Corruption’. The chairman said the campaign would continue this year too. The Chairman said NAB was mandated to carry out awareness and prevention functions against corruption in pursuance of Section 33C of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) and added under the campaign, NAB had been engaging different governmental, nongovernmental organizations, media and other segments of society. He said as per positive feedback received from various segments of society, ‘Say No to

Corruption’ campaign had been effectively and positively highlighted in print and electronic media throughout the country.

Highlighting the efforts made during 2016 under the campaign, the chairman said ATM machines of all scheduled banks now carry ‘Say No to Corruption’ message across the country while NAB organized a national seminar on World Anti-Corruption Day 2016 at Aiwan Sadr, Islamabad which was chaired by President of Pakistan. NAB also organized a walk at Aiwan-Sadr led by president in which people from all walks of life participated and

joined hands with NAB in its awareness campaign.NAB and Higher Education Commission (HEC) had signed Memorandum of Understanding for creating awareness amongst students of various universities and colleges. Due to this collaboration, over 42,000 Character Building Societies had been established. NAB and SNGPL, IESCO, LESCO, GEPCO, FESCO and K-Electric joined hands to print NAB message “Say No to Corruption” from their platform to disseminate awareness.

IESCO and other organizations had started printing NAB message “Say No to Corruption” on electricity bills

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

and gas bills.NAB, in collaboration with Islamabad TrafXic Police had started printing “Say No to Corruption” on all driving licenses. NAB in collaboration with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had disseminated its message to mobile phone subscribers through mobile phone companies. In collaboration with Pakistan Film Censor Board, NAB’s video message was being aired in all Cinema Houses of the country while Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination also joined hands with NAB to print its message on all cigarette packs.