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PakISTaN’S fIRST INDEPTh NEwSPaPER ON CUSTOMS

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Karachi, Thu March 2, 2017

ISLAMABAD

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uhammad Zahid Khokhar, (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-21), has been transferred from Chief Collector, (Enforcement) Karachi and posted as Member Customs FBR (HQ) recently.

Zahid Khokhar performed his duties as Chief Collector (Enforcement) Karachi for almost 1 and a half year and took several bold steps to increase the revenue and arrest the menace of smuggling.

As Customs Enforcement-South Chief Collector, Muhammad Zahid Khokhar directed all its collectorates, including Preventive, Quetta, Gwadar and Exports to work in close liaison

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with law enforcement agencies, which are striving to bust smuggling activities in the country. He always asked the ofTicials of all Tield formations to conduct meetings with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Pakistan Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Security Agency (MSA) and other law enforcing agencies in order to evolve an effective strategy against smuggling activities conducted through sea and land routes.

Under his supervision, the collectors of Gwadar Customs and Hyderabad Customs took effective measures in order to curb smuggling of contraband items in their regions. They adopted strict policy and vigilance to impound hundreds of non-duty paid vehicles. Gwadar Collectorate also took solid steps to curtail smuggling of contraband items and Iranian petrol and diesel.

DG Valuation revises customs value of vehicles above 1800 CC

Rs22,358.433m for timely completion of CPEC related projects recommended

Senate Committee approves Public Private Partnership Bill with amendment

PCA detects duty, tax evasion of Rs1,035,786 by M/s National Tent House

‘Quetta collectorate has acute shortage of human & material resources’

The DG of CustomsValuation revised the customs value of vehicles above 1800 CC | SEE PagE 02 |

Ministrysucceededingettingbudgetary proposalsrelatingtothePSDPoftheministry | SEE PagE 03 |

Senate Standing Committee on presided over by Saleem Mandviwala | SEE PagE 04 |

Directorate of Customs Post Clarence has summoned M/s NationalTent House | SEE PagE 14 |

The Customs Collectorate of Quetta has zero presence of customs in the whole Sibi | SEE PagE 16 |

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Iran lifts ban on import of Pakistani kinnow: Khurram Dastgir Thursday, March 2, 2017

National

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Agriculture of Iran has lifted ban on import of Pakistani kinnow, Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan on Monday said.

The minister, in a statement said this year, fast progress will be made in trade between Pakistan and Iran. The minister said the relaxation in export of kinnows is given by Iran before the expected visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for attending ECO summit in Islamabad. There was great demand for Pakistan kinnow in Iran and it was good step to lift the restriction three weeks before Iranian national festival of Nouroze, he noted.

He urged the Pakistani exporters to take benefit of this great opportunity.

Dg Valuation revises customs values of vehicles above 1800 CC

MULTAN

KARACHI

IMRaN aLI

waQaR ahMED aNSaRI

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ustoms Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Office has seized huge quantity of noncustoms paid iron and steel during their action. The net value of the seized goods and vehicles is Rs.6 million. According to details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation received credible information from their informer that a truck may transport huge quantity of iron and steel material from Multan region. Deputy Director Abdul Mueed Kanjoo constituted a special team of Customs Intelligence comprising Superintendent Fareedud din Masood, Inspector Malik Nasir, Intelligence Officer Amjad Pervaiz, Inspector Umer, Inspector Zafar Iqbal Bhatti to intercept the truck to foil any attempt of smuggling. Field staff of Customs Intelligence and Investigation deputed at various locations to enhance monitoring of coming goods. During patrolling of the Customs Intelligence staff, they intercepted a truck bearing registration number JV -1795 near Sher Shah Road Multan. Customs Intelligence staff asked the driver to produce the relevant import documents of the loaded goods and vehicles to prove its legal possession.

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation revised the customs value of vehicles above 1800 CC, Japan origin through Valuation Ruling No: 1051/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to details, the Custom Values of vehicles above 1800 CC, Japan origin model 2009 to 2013 were determined under section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, vide Valuation Ruling No, 655/2014 dated 28-03-2014 and amendment/addendum dated 14-04-2014.

A representation was received from the custom appraisement East that existing valuation ruling pertains to Japan origin vehicles of model years 2009 to 2013 and Japanese vehicles of Model 2014 to 2015 are being imported with different speciTication therefore values of the same may be determined.

Therefore, an exercise was conducted to determine the custom values of the subject vehicles for made year 2014 and 2015 under section 25 A of the custom act 1969, to reTlect the prices prevailing in the International Market.

Sources said that, meetings were held with stakeholders including representatives of M/s Indus Motors, M/s Suzuki Motors and the representatives of All Pakistan Motors

Multan Customs Intelligence seizes non duty paid iron & steel worth Rs6m

Dealers Association (APMDA) Karachi to obtain stakeholders inputs of valuations of Vehicles above 1800 CC Japanese Origin, OfTicers From MCC, Appraisement East, West also attended the meeting. The local assemblers including M/s Indus Motors private limited were of the view that new models of Japanese origin

vehicles may be acquired from Manufacturers price guide book showing MSRP and value may be determined after allowing 20% discount in MPRS in lieu of local taxes consumption taxes and commission and others charges. The Valuation Method provided in the Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, were followed. The

transaction value method under subsection (1) of section 25 ibid was found inapplicable because sufTicient information was not available as per law, Identical/similar goods valuation methods provided in Sub-Sections (5) & (6) of Section 25 ibid furnished unreliable values and wide variation in the declared Values.

Pakistan, azerbaijan for increasing economic ties P

ISLAMABAD

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akistan and Azerbaijan agreed to increase efforts for attaining the optimum level of economic cooperation and the two countries should set the goals of concluding agreements of preferential tariff and trade, investment, energy and other areas for the purpose.

The understanding was reached during a one-on-one meeting be-

tween Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev who landed here earlier on the day to attend the 13th ECO summit. On his arrival at the PM House, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received the foreign dignitary at the main entrance. Both the leaders shook hands and proceeded for oneon-one meeting.

The prime minister welcomed the Azerbaijan president to the ECO summit and thanked for the hospitality extended to him during his last visit

to Baku in October. Both the leaders reviewed the decisions taken during the prime minister’s visit and expressed satisfaction at the progress of implementation of those decisions.

The two leaders underscored that Islamabad Declaration and ECO Vision 2025 were important documents and would offer a roadmap for the success of the organization and common prosperity of the entire region. The two sides noted that trade Tigures did not reTlect the potential existing between the two states in terms of eco-

nomic cooperation and decided to create more opportunities for increase in trade and economic activities. They hoped that economic relations between the two countries would grow in the near future. Prime Minister Sharif appreciated Azerbaijan’s continued support on Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Azerbaijan’s invaluable role in OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on Azerbaijan’s stand on Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The presi-

dent of Azerbaijan expressed his pleasure on attending the ECO summit and thanked the prime minister for the hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. Ilham Aliyev thanked the prime minister’s continued support on the NagornoKarabakh region. He also expressed concerns over the escalation of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir and reiterated Azerbaijan’s support for the exercise of the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Sialkot FIA beefs up security at airport to stop human trafficking SIALKOT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Region has increased the security at the Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) to stop human smuggling and checking of arrival and departure of foreigners.

Deputy Director FIA Gujranwala Region Sheikh Khalid Anees has deputed Inspector FIA Malik Waqar Awan at the Sialkot International Airport with 12 constables. The deputy director has instructed the inspector to keep an eye on all the passengers. He also directed the inspector to check the arrival and departure of foreigners rather than to only check their documents.

Thursday March 2, 2017

National

PCa lodges seven fIRs against import of prime movers

Rs22,358.433m completion of CPEC related projects recommended

ISLAMABAD

M faIZaN

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he first time-ever in the history of Directorate General Post Clearance Audit, Federal Board of Revenue, since its creation, the directorate general has lodged seven First Information Reports (FIRs) under Section 2 (s), 16,32,79, and under clauses 8,14,77, 82 and 89 of Section 156 (1) of the Customs Act1969 against five importer construction companies and their owners in the cases of import of prime movers.

The FIRs have been received in the special Customs Court Rawalpindi.

According to the sources, the directorate general post clearance audit has lodged the criminal reports against unscrupulous elements.

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Dg Valuation issues reference values for cloth hangers KARACHI

waQaR ahMED aNSaRI www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for cloth hangers made of PVC. According to the details, Directorate General Customs Valuation has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that subject goods falling under PCT headings 3926.9099 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. This Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted marketinquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations.

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ISLAMABAD

M aRShaD

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he Ports and Shipping Ministry succeeded in getting budgetary proposals relating to the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) of the ministry and attached departments for the Tinancial year 2017-18 approved from the National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping. The budgetary proposals recommended to the Finance Ministry and Ministry of Planning Division that Rs22,358.433 million, requested by Ports and Shipping Ministry under Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) should be given for projects related to Gwadar and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The committee also gave its nod of approval for the ongoing projects.

The committee met here with Ghulam Mustafa Shah in the chair to discuss and scrutinize the budgetary proposals relating to the Public Sector Development Program (PSDD of Ministry of Ports and Shipping and its Attached Deportments for the Tinancial year 2017-18.

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bezinjo along with higher ofTicials from the ministry briefed the committee about the upcoming plans and development projects for the next Tiscal year. They also apprised the Standing Committee on PSDP for the

year 2017-2018, however the committee expressed reservations on the pace of the works project related to Gwadar and CPEC. But the Federal Minister and his team members re-afTirmed the commitment toward the CPEC projects and provision of electricity and water for Gwadar. They told the committee that two new projects related to CPEC were going to be launched very soon.

Briefing was also given on proj-

ghulam Mustafa Shah in the chair to discuss and scrutinize the budgetary proposals relating to the Public Sector Development Program (PSDD of Ministry of Ports and Shipping and its attached Deportments for the financial year 2017-18

SECP announces nine brokers as defaulters

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ISLAMABAD

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www.customsbulletin.com ecurities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has declared nine brokers as defaulters. Chairman Zafar Hijazi has said that out of which 100 percent payments have been made to claimants of four brokerage houses and 77 percent payments have been made to other claimants he said while addressing a joint press conference along with the PSX Chair-

man, Muneer Kamal, and the PSX Managing Director, Nadeem Naqvi, at the SECP head ofTice on Tuesday.

He further explained that a total 3,453 complaints were received against these nine defaulting brokers out of which 2,453 (76.8 percent) complaints were settled completely. In this regard, Rs689million have been paid to the claimants.

He also stated that 100 percent payments were made to small investors who have invested up to Rs100,000. “These payments have

been made from the recoveries from defaulting brokers as well as from the investor protection fund,” he added. The chairman said that the investor protection would remain the prime objective of the regulator. He said the regulator would ensure complete compensation to small investors.

The SECP chairman said that the prime responsibility of the regulator is to secure the small investor, bring transparency and ensure growth of the capital market.

ects related to Marine Fisheries Department, Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Pakistan Marine Academy and Marine Biological Research Laboratory.

After detailed and heighted discussion between the members and ministry sides, the Committee recommended the amount of Rs22, 358.433 million requested by the Ministry may kindly be given for the timely completion of projects related to Gwadar and CPEC.

ILO to help organise aJk Trade Unions International Labour Organization (ILO) has assured to the Trade Unions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to develop plan for stronger role for the promotion of trade in the region. ILO organized a capacity building workshop for the existing Trade Unions of AJK in Mirpur in collaboration with Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF), said a press release.

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Federal Cotton Committee to meet on March 6 Thursday March 2, 2017

Business

ISLAMABAD: Federal Cotton Committee (FCC) will meet here on March 6 to review arrangements of cotton crop cultivation during the upcoming crop season (2017-18) across the cotton growing areas of the country.

Officials of federal ministries including national food security and research, textile industry and planning and development will attend the meeting, said Cotton Commissioner Dr Khalid Abdullah. He said the representatives of other stakeholders including Federal Seed Certification Department, meteorological office, Indus River System Authority and Zari Tarqiati Bank Limited.

Senate Committee approves PPP Bill

sideration on “The Limited Liability Partnership Bill, 2017” as it sought detailed view point of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on the bill in its next meeting.

Ministry of Finance and higher authorities of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also briefed the committee on the re-payments against foreign debt since June, 2013 to January, 2017.

The committee expressed its satisfaction on the reply of the authorities concerned. The meeting was attended by Senators Ayesha Raza Farooq, Kamil Ali Agha, Osman Saifullah Khan, Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari and Saud Majeed besides senior officers of the Ministry of Finance and SBP.

ISLAMABAD

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he Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, presided over by Senator Saleem Mandviwala, has approved “The Public Private Partnership Authority Bill, 2016” with certain amendments.

The bill was passed by National Assembly to provide regulatory and enabling environment for private participation in provision of public infrastructure and related services through fair and transparent procurement.

During the meeting, however, the committee deferred further con-

Tax exemption for Cos investing in SEZs LAHORE

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ocal and foreign companies who wish to make investments and set up industries in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be exempted from taxes, Minister of State and Board of Investment (BoI) Chairman Dr Miftah Ismail said on Tuesday.

Addressing the business community at the regional office of Federal of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said the government was also reviewing relaxations given to China under the Pak-China Free Trade Agreement as exports to Beijing are a mere $2 billion against imports of $18bn.

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high energy prices hampering export growth says, ajmal farooq P

FAISALABAD

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TEA Chairman Ajmal Farooq has said that extreme cash Tlow crunch and high energy prices are hampering the export growth and adversely impacting the industry. He said exports are falling consistently both in value and quantities and yrged the government to immediately intervene to check the drastic downfall in exports. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, he termed severe liquidity crunch

and high energy prices as major cause of export decline. They appealed the government to rescue the ailing textile industry as extreme cash Tlow crunch has squeezed the Tinancial streams and breading liquidity jerks. Massive working capital of textile exporters has been held in sales tax, custom rebate and income tax refund regime increasing the Tinancial stress and textile exporters are unable to enhance their export turn over. He condemned the government’s indifferent attitude towards the Punjab-based textile industry as it is facing a serious blow

of non-viability due to the high cost of doing business.

Industries in Punjab are compelled to use high priced RLNG; whereas industries in other provinces are supplied system gas at reduced tariff, he added.

He demanded the government to bail out textile industry and exports from Tinancial crisis by immediately releasing of stuck-up amounts in refund regime. He further demanded to supply gas to the industries on equal prices across the board enabling them to retain their competitive edge in international market.

Nepra approves Rs3.23 per unit cut in tariff KARACHI

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he National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved Rs3.23 per unit reduction in power tariff, for the Ex-Wapda Distribution Companies, for January under monthly fuel adjustment formula. The Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA) in its petition had proposed Rs1.62 per unit reduction in fuel based power tariff for January over the reference fuel charges of Rs9.8670 per unit. However, during the public hearing, presided over by Nepra Chairman Tariq Saddozai, the authority decided to reduce power tariffs by Rs3.23 per unit. The Nepra chairman showed concern over running of inefficient plants in violation of merit order. He also questioned the provision of gas to the inefficient power plants and running the efficient one on diesel. It also decided to write to the power ministry and the petroleum ministry to provide natural gas to plants on the basis of their efficiency and economy to avoid unnecessary burden to the consumers. The authority showed disappointment over the delayed and poor accounting practices by the CPPA and distribution companies.

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Engro foods, PSDf join hands to initiate dairy project ISLAMABAD

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ngro Foods and Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) signed ‘The Big Push Project’ aiming to create an eco-system within the dairy sector where over 9000 farmers were trained in modern animal husbandry practices, with a focus on increasing milk production and incomes.

To provide complementary services such as health and nutrition, the programme would also train micro entrepreneurs in livestock extension skills, village milk collection skills and artiTicial insemination skills, a statement Wednesday said.

To create milk potential and enhance skills within the sector, the programme would also train labourers in medium sized farms as supervisors. The programme would be implemented in 60 villages

across Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and Bahwalnagar which had been identiTied as some of the poorest districts in the country.

It was envisaged that this intervention would result in improvement of milk yield and quality thus beneTiting small farmers with better prices and increasing livelihood. To monitor the impact of this project and to support government policy formulation through evidence based data, PSDF had engaged the Centre of Eco-

nomic Research Pakistan (CERP), headed by lead academics Dr Asim Khawaja from Harvard University and Dr Ali Cheema from LUMS. Speaking at the ceremony, CEO Engro Foods Hans Laarakker, a part of the global Dutch giant Royal FrieslandCampina (RFC) said, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF). He said dairy development and helping small dairy farmers was a key focus of our company and it en-

sured our consumers get high quality and nutritious milk. “With the Big Push Project, we aim to train 9,000 plus farmers in modern animal husbandry practices, 550 micro entrepreneurs in entrepreneurship skills, and 150 farm laborers from medium sized farms. This will contribute signiTicantly to the development of small farmers in the region and reTlects our dedication to develop the dairy industry in Pakistan with the government of Punjab”, he added.

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Thursday, March 2, 2017

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MULTAN

IMRaN aLI

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ewly transferred Collector Saud Imran has assumed the charge of his new responsibilities at Model Customs Collectorate Multan.

According to details, Federal Board of Revenue has transferred BS-20 Officer Saud Imran to Model Customs Collectorate Multan few days ago He has been transferred to Multan in place of Collector Sarfraz Ahmad Warraich. It is important to mention that Collector Sarfraz Ahmad Warraich nominated for four months training course of National Management which will held at National School of Public Place in Lahore.

The post of collector at the Model Customs Collectorate Multan was vacant after Collector Sarfraz departed for Lahore to attend his training course. Collector Sarfraz Ahmad Warraich served almost three and half years at the Model of Customs Collectorate Multan.

The Federal Board of Revenue has selected one of the most competent officer for the vacant post of collector at Multan Customs to accomplish their revenue tasks.

Multan Customs is the second largest revenue collection Collectorate in Pakistan after Karachi and Collector Saud Imran has assumed his responsibilities as collector after returning from National Management Course.

Collector Saud Imran will utilize his vast experience spend in various departments of the Federal Board of Revenue to boost revenue of Multan Customs for achieving assigned revenue collection tasks.

He has also visited Regional Tax Office Multan to discuss tax collection matters with Chief Commissioner Dr. Zulqarnain Trimzi.

Meanwhile, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Office seized huge quantity of foreign origin dry coconut during intelligence based operation.

According to details, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan Range Office continued their anti-smuggling campaign in the region against smuggled goods by intercepting dry coconut consignment near Sadiqabad region.

Customs Intelligence received credible information from their sources regarding transportation of the dry coconut consignment through jurisdiction of Multan Range Office.

Deputy Director Abdul Mueed Kan-

joo of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan constituted special team under the supervision of Superintendent Fareedud Din Masood to foil attempt of smuggling from their territory. Customs Intelligence deputed their staffs to intercept any smuggling attempt after receiving information.

It is necessary to mention here that Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan enhanced the monitoring of the transported goods to capture smuggled goods from the Sadiqabad route. During monitoring of goods coming from various areas Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sadiqabad has seized a consignment of foreign origin dry coconut which was loaded on the container.

Customs Intelligence asked the driver to present import documents of the loaded goods to prove legal possession of the goods and driver produced the import documents of the loaded goods to satisfy Customs intelligence unit.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation has found the submitted import documents irrelevant after the physical examination of the Dry Coconut. Dry coconut consignment was transported from Quetta to Faisalabad

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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

growing acceptance of Islamic banking

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study paper issued by the International Monetary Fund has devised guidelines for the government to promote financial stability and develop Islamic banking system in the country by establishing a policy framework and environment. The fund is apparently interested in seeking a role in the Islamic banking in various Muslim countries. The Islamic banking system has a growing acceptance in various Muslim and non-Muslim nations and the international financial institutions, including the IMF, seems to be weighing options to find a role in it. According to the bank, the Islamic banking prevails in almost 60 countries of the world but there are also challenges for the financial experts and government authorities to maintain workable cooperation between the western interest-based financial system and the interest-free Islamic banking. Islam is the staunch enemy of interest-based economy and out-rightly rejects exploitation of human beings on the basis of money and all other things. It is also a test case for the country like Pakistan, which has been established in the name of Islam and its government is morally bound to establish corruption-free society. The Islamic banking system covers all the aspects of financial matters, including operations, balance sheet structures and risks which can be different from the conventional banking. The study paper emphasized the need for putting in place an environment in the first place to promote financial stability under Islamic banking.The aspects covered under the system included legal, prudential and financial safety nets as well as countering the financing of terrorism and liquidity management frameworks and money laundering. According to the paper, the senior officials of the fund admit that the Islamic banking presents an opportunity to enhance financial intermediation and inclusion and mobilise funding for economic development. However, the officials also are also wary of the complexities, challenges and risks for regulatory and supervisory authorities under the Islamic system.No doubt interest-free financial system is a something which is difficult to understand by the non-Islamic financial experts because it gives a severe blow to exploitation of human beings in any sense.

Islam advocates for fair trade and fair transactions of money without putting any extra burden on the beneficiaries.

Opportunities for Chinese investors A

LAHORE

DR afTaB afZaL

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ccording to newspaper reports, Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khalid has told a group of 76 Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of business opportunities in Pakistan, especially in the textile and garments sectors.There is no doubt that Pakistan has a huge and developed textile and garments industry, but it could not fully utilize its potentials.

Pakistan is a safe destination for foreign investors, especially it is a promise land for Chinese investors due to close government-togovernment cooperation. Both the countries are already engaged in various development and infra-

structure projects, and cooperation in the industrial sector will not only be useful for the entrepreneurs but also for the Chinese government which wants to shift its economy from small industry to heavy industry. There are dozens of industrial and export processing zones in the pipeline as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and full involvement of the Chinese investors in the industrial sector will be beneTicial for the two countries.

Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the countries have jointly launched a number of projects in energy, roads network, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.

The provincial governments are also planning to provide best business environment to Chinese investors and are building roads net-

works and other infrastructural projects.It is now up to the Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of enormous business opportunities offered by the provincial governments in the country. The general opinion of Pakistanis about Chinese is very good and around 100,000 Chinese nationals are already working in various development projects. The government is taking extra measures for the security and wellbeing of the foreign workers. The advice and invitation of the ambassador is one thing, and giving it to a practical shape is another. Apart from China, businessmen from many other countries are also willing to come to Pakistan, but ofTicial rigmarole comes as the biggest hurdle in the way of investment. There are huge markets in

Europe, Asia and Africa for the Pakistani products, but no serious effort has been made to explore new export markets. Pakistan’s exports have been on downward trajectory, and instead of exporting the value added goods, the government is encouraging the export of fruits and other food items. A country of 200 million people, Pakistan itself is a good food market and spends millions of dollars annually on the import of meat and vegetables from India, China, Iran and Afghanistan.

The policymakers should concentrate on creating industrial surplus, launch capacity building programmes for government ofTicials and encourage and facilitate local businessmen to launch joint ventures in collaboration with their Chinese counterparts.

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Russian economy to grow 2% this year MOSCOW: Russia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is due to return to sustainable growth in 2017, according to Economic Development Minister Maksim Oreshkin. “The recent data about freight turnover, electricity consumption and other things which we see at the beginning of the year are quite positive. All this indicates that the economy has returned to growth and we will see a good performance this year,” said Oreshkin on the sidelines of the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi. “Our updated forecast will be ready in late March. We currently expect about two percent growth by the end of 2017. That is, we expect very good dynamics in the economy. We see that investment activity has increased,” he added.

The current forecast from the Economic Development Ministry implies 0.6 percent growth this year if the oil price is $40 per barrel.

LCCI urges fBR to stop raids in markets LAHORE

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cting President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan has demanded of the Federal Board of Revenue not to treat business community as criminals and stop conducting raids at the markets as it is creating harassment amongst the business community. While talking to a delegation of Pakistan Automobile Spare Parts Importers & Dealers Association (PASPIDA) here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that the business community is the major source of revenue for the government but

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the Federal Board of Revenue is busy to squeeze them. “Tough reportedly tax officials have agreed to suspend raids for one month but this is not the solution. No such action should be taken without taking concerned chamber and association on board”, the LCCI Acting President added. He said that importers of Automobile Spare Parts are already paying 100% advance sales tax at source even before sales therefore such raids should not been conducted as such measures are disturbing honest taxpayers. He said that unfortunately concerned Chambers and associations are also not being taken into confidence before taking such ultimate actions in the markets. The LCCI Acting President said that Federal Board of Revenue would not be able to meet its revenue target set for the year 2017-18 if anti-business measures like raids on business premises are not stopped. He urged the Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to immediately stop the FBR from this practice that is pushing the tax payers to the wall besides denting the reputation of a business-friendly government.

Thursday March 2, 2017

Chambers

Envoy invites kCCI to participate in Nepal Investment Summit A

KARACHI

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mbassador of Nepal Ms. Sewa Lamsal Adhikari has invited the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to participate in the forthcoming Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to be organized in Katmandu on March 2017. Exchanging views with KCCI ofTice bearers during her visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the Nepalese ambassador added that the Investment Summit was being organized to promote Nepal as the investment destination for the next decade which will showcase investment opportunities especially to large scale investors who were keen to explore opportunities in new destinations.

President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President Muhammad Younus Soomro, Honorary Consul General of Nepal Mushtaq K. Chhapra, Commercial Attaché of Nepal Prashant Thakur and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present on the occasion.

Nepalese Ambassador urged the

Pakistani Business and Industrial community to invest in different sectors of Nepalese economy, particularly the hydropower sector which has the potential to offer lucrative opportunities whereas major facilities are accorded to the investors in Nepal.

She was of the view that although the trade volume between Pakistan

and Nepal was currently not at a satisfactory level but the situation can be improved as the two countries have tremendous potential in the areas of trade, tourism, investment and cultural promotion.

Sewa Adhikari stressed the need to exchange business delegations for enhancing trade and promotion of investment opportunities between

Qatar Chamber of Commerce to resume EU-gCC fTa talks

A DOHA

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fter negotiations were stalled in 2008, private sector leader Qatar Chamber is hoping that talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council would resume to further develop EU and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) economies, an ofTicial has said.

Qatar Chamber vice chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari made the statement before 200 participants of a networking session between Qatari businessmen and their EU counterparts at the chamber’s headquarters yesterday.

“I’d like to seize this opportunity to express that Qatar Chamber

hopes to resume talks on the EUGCC free trade agreement, which has been suspended in 2008. Indeed, there is a real desire and keenness in the GCC to Tind common bases that will help resume these negotiations for the beneTits of EU and GCC economies,” al-Kuwari said.

Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, Lucie Berger, head of Trade Delegation of EU to the GCC, explained that EU member states present in the meeting included Spain, Portugal, Romania, Germany, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the UK. She said the participating EU companies specialise in sectors like renewable energy and energy

efficiency, construction, real estate, health, education, sports, tourism, and food and agriculture.

“The EU is the number one trading partner for Qatar. The GCC, as a whole, is our fourth export market and Qatar is the third largest economy for the EU in the GCC after Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In terms of import, Qatar is almost similar to the UAE,” she said. Al-Kuwari said Qatar-EU total trade volume reached $18.1bn in 2015. Major Qatari imports from EU countries include vehicles, rolling stock, tools and equipment, electrical machinery and equipment, articles of iron and steel, optical photographic cinema graphic, plastics and its products, iron and steel, and fresh or chilled vegetables.

Nepal and Pakistan. “We will fully facilitate such delegations from Karachi Chamber in this regard”, she added. She opined that agriculture and tourism were the main areas where both countries can collaborate but the logistics issues, lack of communication and proper marketing were some hurdles in the expansion of trade.

Businessmen strongly condemns suicide blast in Lahore he Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has strongly condemned the suicide attack in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore during the protest demonstration of druggists and chemists in which 13 people lost their precious lives and around 70 people got injured. ICCI termed it an act of barbarity against the innocent people.

Khalid Iqbal Malik, President, Khalid Malik Senior Vice President and Tahir Ayub Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the suicide attack was executed at a time when the law and order situation was improving and business activities were reviving in the country. –CB Report

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Smuggled 5,000kg garlic worth Rs02m impounded Thursday March 2, 2017

National Peshawar dry port generates Rs362.85 taxes during 15 days of feb ISLAMABAD

TaRIQ DERYa

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ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Islamabad confiscated a huge quantity of smuggled garlic valued Rs02.00million. The garlic was being carried from Azad Kashmir (Mirpur) and smuggled into Rawalpindi. The total quantity of seized garlic was estimated 5,000 kilogram.

According to details told by newly appointed Assistant Collector Preventive Majid Hussain Gaad that the ASO squad intercepted a vehicle on Pindi-Motorway and seized the garlic loaded vehicle. It was the 2nd biggest seizure intercepted during the month of February FY2016-17.

aTIR seek case details from LTU on plea filed by M/s huawei Technologies A

ISLAMABAD

NaEEM ULLah TaRIQ www.customsbulletin.com

he customs dry pot Peshawar collected Rs362.85 million all the duty taxes during February 01 to 15th of February FY2016-17.

According to details told by Additional Collector MCC Peshawar Fazle Samad that during above said period, the Peshawar dry port generated Rs113.85million customs duty while the dry port earned Rs3.72million miscellaneous duty taxes and surcharges during the initial 15 days of February FY2016-17. The dry port got Rs12.60million redemption duty on imports and collected Rs0.82million redemption duty on exports. The dry port collected Rs143.50million sales tax during the initial 15 days of current month of February FY2016-17 whereas it received Rs24.45million sales tax on imports during the same period. The Peshawar dry port generated Rs63.91million additional income tax during above said period.

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Usage of dry ports surges by 60 percent ax evaders have escalated usage of dry ports as the concerned authorities have taken strict measures against them. As a result of the said activity, work load on dry ports of Islamabad, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Sambrail has swelled by 60 percent.

Similarly, 60 percent reduction in submission of documents of goods declaration has been witnessed. According to details, national exchequer is suffering loss in billions in terms of revenue collection as wicked practices of underinvoicing, miss-declaration and forgery are at their peak whereas, disappearance of containers filled with goods before reaching dry ports has now become a routine practice. –CB Report

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single bench of Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) on Tuesday directed the counsel from Large Taxpayers’ Unit to submit details on departmental hearing of a tax matter Tiled by M/s Huawei Technologies.

ATIR Account Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti was hearing the case remanded back to the tribunal by the Islamabad High Court. M/s Huawei Technologies had contested show cause notices issued by the Tield ofTices of Federal Board of Revenue. According to details, M/s Huawei Technologies had challenged recovery of issued to it in head of outstanding income tax by the LTU, Islamabad.

M/s Huawei Technologies had

submitted the department had issued the demand for the tax year 2013 in head of income tax under provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of LTU including commissioner Inland Revenue, commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) and Appellate Tribunal Inland Rev-

enue (ATIR) were made respondent in the case. The bench had adjourned hearing the matter last week. This case was remanded back by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Both the appellants had challenged different show cause notices issued by the board’s field offices during recent months. M/s Huawei Technologies prayed that the assessment order issued by the LTU officer was illegal, unlawful and without legal grounds.

The appellant had submitted before the court that the impugned order was issued under mala Tide 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.

Collector takes notice of delayed clearance at kICT C

KARACHI

S R khaN

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ollector Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement West Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi has taken notice of the delayed clearance of consignments at Karachi International Containers Terminal (KICT) and directed the additional collectors and deputy collectors to take actions against those ofTicials who are involved in delaying the examination and assessments of the imported consignments.

According to details, a delegation of the importers and traders met Mr Qureshi at his ofTice and informed him about the issues and problems being faced by the importers at the terminal during the examination and assessment of imported consignments. The importers were of the view that the examination and assessment ofTicers at the terminal were adopting delaying tactics, which is ultimately increasing the cost of doing business as the they have to pay extra

charges in terms of demurrage and detention charges. The Collector Appraisement West assured the importers’ delegation that their grievances would be redressed

shortly adding that the Collectorate would ensure best possible facility to the trade according to rules and regulations. Subsequently, the Collector-Dr Farid Iqbal Qureshi held a

meeting of the additional collectors and deputy collectors and asked them to ensure smooth Tlow of clearance of the imported consignments at terminal.

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Multan customs monthly auction fetches Rs15.44m income MULTAN: The Model Customs Collectorate Multan has generated Rs15.44million income through auction of impounded vehicles and goods.

The Multan customs has organized a monthly auction of February at the Customs House for generating of revenue. The Model Customs Collector Multan has offered 12 confiscated vehicles for public sale of which 10 were successfully auctioned.

There were two vehicles rejected during the auction including Toyota Hiace vans due to fewer bids offered from their average price. Toyota Crown got the highest auction of Rs1.625million. All the 10 auctioned vehicles were sold for Rs11.23million.

fBR raids various kP industries; confiscates records PESHAWAR

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eputy Director Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Mohammed Tariq Khan raided various industries registered with the Industrial Association Peshawar and took industries’ records into possession for investigation at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The provincial government officials were informed by the Director KP Economic Zones about the recent development by the FBR to investigate and issue notices to industries registered under the tax net regulations. Director Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Adeel Rauf and Adviser to Chief Minister KP

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government Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani visited the Frontier Foundry at Hayatabad to meet the members of Industrial Association Peshawar. Efforts were made to remove hurdles for setup of industries in Khyber Pkhtunkhwa province by the KP government but industrialists were mistreated and their documents were also taken into possession by the FBR due to which several industries stopped working. He termed the raids part of investigations. Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani announced a committee which includes Provincial Minister for Trade Abdul Karim, Senator Nouman Wazir, Senator Mohsin Aziz, Provincial Finance Minister Ghulam Dastagir and Ghazanfar Bilour along with others. The committee will discuss the issues of tax and revenue including registration with the FBR. The president of the Industrial Association Peshawar said the FBR needs to investigate the parameters set as economy is run due to taxes paid by these industries.

National

Customs recovers Rs0.966 million from M/s friends trading Company T

FAISALABAD

NaEEM ShEIkh

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) recovery branch recovered Rs0.966 million in the wake of differential amount from Faisalabad based company M/s Friends Trading Company.

Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector recovery branch Rana Falik Shair started a survey for the recovery of outstanding taxes.

He formed a special team under the supervision of Superintendent Muhammad Mukhtar, which also included Inspector Muhammad Faizi Raza, Amir Bajwa and UDC Abdul Sattar and others.

Sources said during scrutiny of outstanding dues cases it was revealed that Rs26,28,547 is still outstanding against the above said company. Customs authorities directed the management of the company to deposit evaded amount of taxes and duties at the earliest to avoid stern action. After receiving the notice the management of M/s Friends Trading Company deposited all the outstanding amount.

It is necessary to mention here that Customs authorities already expe-

dited their efforts to recover outstanding amount from defaulters companies.

Meanwhile, The Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has conTiscated smuggled cloths valued Rs200000 involving duty and taxes of Rs58448. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Dr ZulTiqar Chaudhary received a tip-off re-

Thursday March 2, 2017

garding the smuggling of foreign origin cloths. He formed a team, comprising Deputy Collector Rizwan Khan, Superintendent Saeed Akhtar Joiya, Inspectors Khalid Ashraf Noor, Mehmood Ahmed Dogar, Sepoys Ali Zahid and Muhammad Khalid Dogar, Afzal Hussain, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Ashraf and Liaqat Ali, to foil the bid.

Sialkot Customs earns Rs570300 duty thru LCL in seven months SIALKOT

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot generated Rs570300 customs duty from the Sialkot International Airport Limited through export of Less Container Loading (LCL) consignments during seven months of current Fiscal Year 2016-17.

The Sialkot Customs earned Rs240000 sales tax and Rs180000 income tax during said period. The sports goods, surgical, musical instruments, leather garments, gloves and other items were exported through Sialkot airport.

Sources told Customs Today that more staff is urgently required for the Air Freight Unit (AFU) to facilitate the import and export by air. They informed the reporter that although office has been set up at the airport yet no steps have been taken so far for the appointment of the staff. Deputy Collector Waheed Anwar Abro told Customs Today that the LCL cargo from the Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) is much better. He said the exporters of Sialkot and other districts like Gujranwala and Gujrat are cooperating with the MCC Sialkot to promote their LCL cargos by the SIAL.

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adjudication issues ONO against owner of NDP cloth

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FAISALABAD

IQRa ShEhZaDI

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ustom Adjudication Deputy Collector Asma Hameed has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) in favor of Customs Intelligence and Investigations.

According to details, customs staff intercepted a vehicle loaded with foreign origin Cloth near Rajba Road, Lal Mill Chowk Faisalabad.

The driver of the vehicle who was identiTied as Muhammad Yasin son of Noor Muhammad (owner of cloth) failed to produce any documents about possession of the smuggled foreign origin cloth.

After his failure customs authorities impounded the vehicle and referred the case to Customs Adjudication authorities. Muhammad Anwar served with a show cause notice in which he was asked to explain the reasons that why his foreign origin smuggled cloth should not be conTiscated for violation of section 2(S) read with SRO 566 (1) , section 16&18 of the Customs Act , 1969, section 3 of Sales Tax Act and as to why penal action be not taken against him under the law .

On the other hand, Intelligence OfTicer Mian Muhammad Umer Bhatti appeared from the petitioner side but no one was appeared from the respondent side. The case de-

cided on the basis of the facts and material available.

Deputy Collector Asma Hameed after reviewing all the stated facts/documents of the case declares the seizure of above mentioned cloth as legal.

Meanwhile, Custom Adjudication Deputy Collector Asma Hameed has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) in favor of Customs Intelligence and Investigations.

According to details, customs staff intercepted a vehicle bearing registration no. TKB- 875 loaded with different goods near Rajana Road, Kamalia.

The driver of the vehicle who was identiTied as Muhammad Anwar son

of Hazrat Muhammad and the second person named as Asad (owner of goods ) failed to produce any documents about possession of the vehicle and different goods .

After their failure customs authorities impounded the vehicle and referred the case to Customs Adjudication authorities. Muhammad Anwar served with a show cause notice in which they were asked to explain the reasons that why his vehicle and different goods should not be conTiscated for violation of section 2(S) read with SRO 566 (1) , section 16&18 of the Customs Act , 1969, section 3 of Sales Tax Act and as to why penal action be not taken against him under the law.

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Oman govt withdraws customs duty on bank notes Thursday March 2, 2017

World

MUSCAT: A new customs duty of 0.5 per cent on bank notes imported by exchange houses and banks was withdrawn by the government within four days of introducing the same, after money exchanges submitted a memorandum to the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).

Hamoud Sangour Al Zadjali, executive president of the Central Bank of Oman, told the Times of Oman that “everything is normal now.”

In fact, the customs department had decided to introduce customs duty on imported bank notes on February 13, which jacked up the value of foreign currencies (against Omani rial) sold by money exchanges for a few days as the exchange houses were passing on the additional burden to customers.

BD Customs gets back 2 duty-free french bonds trading falls on crisis fear cars used by world Bank PARIS

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DHAKA

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he World Bank’s Bangladesh ofTice has handed over two cars used by its staff to customs ofTicials after investigations started on 16 such cars owned by the global lender’s staffers.

Bangladesh Customs Intelligence chief Moinul Khan said an ofTicial of the Dhaka ofTice has turned over an SUV and a sedan.

They were brought in to the country under the Privileged Persons (Customs Procedure) Rules 2003 that allow ofTicials of the donor agencies to import cars without paying any duty if permitted by their mission head.

“It’s clear from the turning over of these two vehicles that they have abused the duty-free facility,” Khan said adding that “We will keep an eye on the World Bank over what

Q4 2016 Taiwan IC revenue increase 14.4% YoY ccording to the TSIA survey showed that Q4 2016 Taiwan IC revenue as a whole (including design, manufacturing, packaging and testing) totaled NT$644.2 billion(US$19.9B), down 2.3% on-quarter and 14.4% increase on-year. TSIA’s report indicated that Q4 2016 Taiwan IC revenue were NT$159.8B in design (US$4.9B) (down 10.4% on-quarter and 0.6% drop on-year), NT$360.6B in manufacturing (US$11.2B) (up 0.5% onquarter and 23.2% growth on-year, with NT$313.8B (US$9.7B) in foundry, 0.5% rise on-quarter and up 29.1% on year, and NT$46.8B (US$1.4B) in memory, 0.6% increase on-quarter and down 6.0% on-year), NT$85.8B in packaging (US$2.7B) (0.9% rise on-quarter and up 11.9% on-year), and NT$38.0B in testing(US$1.2B) (1.3% increase on-quarter and up 15.5% on-year). –CB Report

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measures they take on the rest of the 14 cars.” OfTicials have to inform the customs authorities about the process of handing over their cars while leaving Bangladesh. They also have to provide the passbooks issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) against the cars.

According to customs officials, 16 World Bank officials brought as many cars of different models in 2006, 2007 and 2009. They have

left the country but had not provided the required information on their cars. Initial investigation revealed that they had handed the cars to persons who are not considered as privileged ones, without paying the duty as per the rules.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) wrote to the World Bank country director asking for details of the 16 vehicles.

world Bank helps Jordan, Lebanon cope with Syrian refugee crisis

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epresentative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, Mireille Girard, Tuesday, said the World Bank extends direct assistance to Jordan and Lebanon to help them cope with burdens arising from the Syrian refugee crisis. She said in an interview that “Syrian refugees are not to blame for the lower economic growth rates in the region, but the war itself as it pushed exports and tourism revenues down”. Girard added: “At the

beginning of the crisis, there were around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon; making up almost 25 per cent of the country’s population, but the number dropped to one million refugees now.” She noted that the UN body has been working with the Lebanese authorities to take measures to re-start a registration process of Syrian refugees since that would help the UNHCR have a better understanding of their conditions and propose appropriate solutions. –CB Report

rench bonds are being traded at volumes not seen since the eurozone crisis as the tumultuous presidential election race has divided investors over whether France will deliver the world’s next populist upset.

Hedge funds in New York say investors are becoming increasingly concerned at the possibility that farright candidate Marine Le Pen, whose National Front party has pledged to pull France out of the euro, will win when voters go to the polls in late April.

“It’s hard to see Le Pen win, but no one’s trusting the polls after Trump and the Brexit referendum,” said Said Haidar, chief executive of Haidar Capital Management in New York. On average, about €16bn of French government bonds has been traded each

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ICC to boost afghan economy he International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Thursday inaugurated its new branch in Afghanistan in an attempt to boost the economic development programs in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CEO Abdullah Abdullah said the purpose of the ICC branch ofTice in Afghanistan was not to rival with other institutions in the country. It was instead a move is to boost the private sector; attract foreign investment and seek solutions to the problems currently facing the business community in Afghanistan. “We are not satisTied with our performance when it comes

Iraq’s foreign reserves down to US$49b

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BAGHDAD

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raq’s foreign currency reserves recorded a drop to US$49 billion, a decline triggered by falling world oil prices, according to the central bank governor. Central bank governor Ali al-Allaq said in a press conference at the bank’s

main office that the reserves rely on financial revenues from petroleum sales.

“The central bank runs nearly 2000 money exchange offices, 30 money transfer firms and 65 banks, all outlets for foreign currency sales as part of the currency auction, and are sufficient to cover the central bank’s daily dollar sales,” Allaq stated.

day in February — double the €8bn average recorded last year by Trax, a data service provider. The volumes are similar to levels seen during the 2010-12 eurozone sovereign debt crisis, when fears that insolvent member states would trigger the collapse of the currency union dominated markets. French debt is now priced in markets as equivalent to Ireland’s a far smaller economy with a lowlier rated bond. The difference between French and German bonds, judged the safest in Europe, hit a four-year high last week. Late last year, billionaire American hedge fund manager David Tepper also advised investors to bet against French government bonds, describing them as expensive in comparison to Bunds. Klaus Regling, managing director of the eurozone’s rescue fund, said Euroscepticism had become one of the biggest risks in the eyes of the Tinancial markets. “It is important not to give the impression that Europe is in perpetual repair mode,” he said on Thursday at the Munich security conference.

According to the governor, the central bank will be issuing “contractor’s bonds” next March after the bank had paid to contractors in bonds. He said, however, that what he described as “irresponsible statements by a number of officials” had caused the International Monetary Fund to ask for reviewing those bonds.

The current reserve is a decline

in providing facilities to the private sector. We should also facilitate processes within the private sector and the private sector should also work with responsibility and expectations we have,” said Abdullah. ICC ofTicials have pledged to introduce measures to promote the strategic signiTicance of Afghanistan as a main trade corridor in the region and to further the trade and commercial relations between Afghanistan and the world. “We want to connect Afghan investors and businessmen to the world business community through ICC in order to pave the way for international investments in Afghanistan. –CB Report

from last June’s US$53 billion. Iraq has been facing an economic crisis that dictated a smaller budget in light of a fall in petroleum prices to less than US$40 per barrel, as well as the adoption of an austerity plan. Iraq’s 2017 budget, passed in December, is based on an oil barrel price of US$42, but its oil minister said in January the country looked forward a US$65 rate.

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Hungary’s CPI up 2.3 percent in January

World Customs

BUDAPEST: Hungary’s inflation indicator, the consumer price index (CPI), was up by 2.3% in January compared to the same month of 2016, with the highest price rises being observed among motor fuels and other goods, as well as alcoholic beverages and tobacco, according to a first estimate of data by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) today.

Food prices rose in January by 1.4%, within which the price of sugar spiked by 15.3%, pork by 9.6%, cheese by 4.6%, and the p ice of seasonal food items by 3.5%, compared to the first month of 2016. The price of poultry meat fell by 16.4%, and that of eggs by 5%. A higher than average price rise of 6.9% was recorded for other goods, within which consumers paid 15.2% more for motor fuels, the KSH said.

hungary’s real wages up 7.4pc in 2016 eal wages in Hungary were up by 7.4% in 2016, compared to the preceding year, along with a 0.4% rise in consumer prices compared to the same period, according to a first release of data published today by the Central Statistical Office (KSH). Full-time employees’ average gross monthly nominal earnings according to the national concept amounted to HUF 263,200 at corporations employing at least five persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions, the KSH said. Average net monthly earnings excluding family tax benefits were HUF 175,000 by the national concept. In 2016, the rules of family tax benefits changed considerably mainly in the case of families with two children and this had an effect on the amount and change in net earnings, the KSH noted. Taking into account family tax benefits, average monthly net earnings were estimated at HUF 182,200, according to the stats office. Monthly average gross wages and salaries according to the SNA concept amounted to HUF 277,200. –CB Report

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

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

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Cars gather dust at customs as sales decreased

Thursday March 2, 2017

Iran, Malaysia to expand trade ties using local currencies eputy head of Central Bank of Iran stressed facilitating trade transactions by using local currencies, welcoming the interest of Malaysian banks in opening Ringgit accounts for Iranian trade banks. Gholamali Kamyab heading a banking delegation to Kuala Lumpur, held talks with senior managers of trade banks and officials at the Central Bank of Malaysia on Friday. During his meeting with Assistant Governor to the Central Bank of Malaysia Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid, Kamyab maintained that Iranian banks are now connected to the Euro clearing system which allows transactions with European banks, and welcomed joint cooperation with Malaysian banks. Kamyab said that Iran’s current policy is focused on facilitating trade transactions by using local currencies and currency contracts, adding “based on this policy, we warmly welcome the keen interest of Malaysian banks in opening Ringgit accounts for Iranian trade banks.

Malaysian banks can also transfer the funds in Chinese yuan or Japanese yen in case of the Iranian side’s willingness for currency transfer.” The Malaysian official, for his part, voiced interest in transferring currency in yuan or yen, adding “at the moment, Malaysia uses yuan and yen for clearing its trade transactions and within this financial framework. –CB Report

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KHATMANDU

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ore than 3,000 brand new vehicles imported from India have gathered dust at parking yard of the Birgunj Customs OfTice, as sales of automobiles have dropped after banks and Tinancial institutions started tightening disbursement of auto loans. These vehicles, ranging from cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to vans, mostly bound for Kathmandu, have been sitting in the yard for around one and a half months.

But no one has come to collect them, according to customs ofTicials.

Automobile traders often leave

the vehicles in the customs yard whenever sales of vehicles take a dip. These traders prefer to pay demurrage charges and let the vehicles sit in the yard rather than take them to Kathmandu or other cities where cost of leasing land to park the vehicles is high.

Of late, banks and Tinancial institutions have tightened auto lending, as they are facing shortage of loanable funds due to lethal combination of deceleration in deposit growth and higher demand for credit. To prevent this problem from transforming into a full-blown banking sector crisis, the Nepal Rastra Bank has discouraged banks and Tinancial institutions from extending credit to unproductive sectors, such as automobile. Recently, the central bank also barred the banking insti-

tutions from extending more than 50 percent of the value of the vehicle in credit to auto loan seekers– although this provision is yet to come into effect. The drop in vehicle sales has also affected the government’s revenue collection. The Birgunj Customs OfTice failed to meet the revenue collection target in the Nepali calendar month of Magh (mid-January to mid-February). In Magh, only 431 cars, vans and SUVs worth Rs345.5 million were imported from the Birgunj Customs OfTice. The customs ofTice generated revenue of Rs666.9 million from imports of these vehicles. In the previous Nepali calendar month of Poush (mid-December to mid-January), 1,085 cars, vans and SUVs worth Rs970 million had been imported from the customs point.

aBk kuwait announce kD89.4m for financial year 2016

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KUWAIT CITY

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l Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) announced an Operating ProTit of KD89.4 million for the Tinancial year 2016 as compared to KD87.3 million for 2015, a growth of 2.4 percent.

According to details, net Profit at KD32.5 million grew by KD2 million compared to 2015. The Board of Directors have recommended a cash dividend of 11 fils per share

compared to 10 fils in 2015, which is subject to approval of the Bank’s Annual General Meeting and financial regulators.

The Bank’s total assets and loans portfolio remained at KD 4.3 billion and KD 3.0 billion respectively. Total customer deposits rose 16.2 percent to KD 2.9 billion as the Bank aggressively diversiTied its deposit base. Commenting on these results, Talal Mohammed Reza Behbehani, Chairman of Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait said, “We have recorded a positive performance with very solid oper-

ating results, which we are conTident will continue and accelerate.

During 2016, the Bank completed the integration and rebranding of its Egypt acquisition. All 39 branches of ‘Piraeus Bank of Egypt’ have now been rebranded to Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait and the integration of the Bank’s systems and management structure is being completed on schedule.

In line with its commitment to a simpler banking experience, ABK has launched several initiatives in the digital space. The Bank was one

of the Tirst in Kuwait to launch biometric Tingerprint authentication on our mobile banking system, and ‘Touch ID’ has now replaced mobile banking passwords.

The Bank’s Website and Internet Banking have been redesigned with a simpler user experience in mind, and customers can now pay their utility bills online directly from their bank accounts. Callers to the Contact Centre are now identiTied by their phone numbers. More exciting initiatives are underway, to be unveiled in 2017.

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FIA offloads 10 people travelling on fake visas Thursday March 2, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offloaded 10 passengers from a plane attempting to leave the country using fake work permits at Lahore airport.

The FIA sources said that 10 people offloaded from the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) Flight PK-898 at the Allama Iqbal International Airport were being interrogated. In the preliminary investigation, the detainees revealed that they had acquired the work permits after paying a huge sum of money to a travelling agent based in Lahore Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has seized a shipment of 15,000 stents.

According to FIA officials, the stents have been imported from Belgium by a pharmaceutical company, Pak Punjab Cardex Medicl System.

NaB chief takes note of complaint against non-payment to investors

PCa detects tax evasion by National Tent house

LAHORE

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M IMRaN MEhaR

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amar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB, has taken cognizance of two cases on the complaint lodged by Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), regarding MR Securities (SMC-Private) Limited (MRSPL) and AWJ Securities Private Limited. The two brokerage Houses registered with SECP have complained about the non-transfer/nondelivery of securities and non-payments of cash to the investors. It has been alleged that MR Securities (SMC-Private) Limited (MRSPL) and AWJ Securities Private Limited brokerage Houses’ Directors/Management have cheated investors at large through fraudulent means.

Customs Intelligence to auction 22 luxury cars irectorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) will hold auction of 22 non customs paid luxury cars worth millions of rupees tomorrow. Sources told Customs Today that the luxury cars that would be put for auction included the cars which were seized by the Customs Intelligence and Investigations car cell on the directions of Director Zeba Hai Azhar. The vehicles would be auctioned in the presence of Deputy Director Ali Zeb Khan and others. The vehicles that will be presented for auction includes Mercedes Benz car, DGA 2003, Mercedes Benz LE 190 ICT 1997, Mercedes Benz, BoX 094 2004, Toyota Premio JK / 834 / ISD, 2004, Toyota Progress car, DGA 27 1999, Honda Accord AG 2003 AGQ 064, Toyota Premio car ALK 932 KHI, BMW car, LEH 13 2317, Toyota Premio car, RU 222, 2002, BMW car, BEC 702 Sindh 2003, Toyota Crown car, BDT 798 2004, Honda Accord AQH 282, 2002 and BMW car 7451 LMZ 86. –M Hayat

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The chairman NAB has taken serious note of the matter and ordered the NAB Islamabad/Rawalpindi and NAB Lahore to conduct an inquiry into the complaint under the NAO1999 following their respective jurisdictions. Earlier, in line with the chairman NAB’s Tirm resolve and commitment to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from the country, the NAB and SECP have created a Joint taskforce, comprising of senior ofTicers of the NAB and SECP, to work expeditiously on corruption cases referred by the SECP to NAB. Meanwhile, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB, visited the NAB Multan to review its performance on the basis of annual inspection conducted by Chairman’s Inspection & Monitoring Team (CI&MT) at the NAB Multan Bureau on Monday. The NAB’s CI&MT team was deputed to conduct the annual inspection of the NAB Multan for the year 2016.

LAHORE

M haYaT

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irectorate of Customs Post Clarence has summoned M/s National Tent House Clifton Karachi in duty and tax evasion of Rs 1,035,786 on the import of tarpaulin.

According to the details, the PCA Lahore observed that the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the SRO (1125)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of Tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is specifically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence was not entitled for such benefit

under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201

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1, dated 31.12.2011. Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount 1,035,786 sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011.

Customs Intelligence recovers non duty Customs Special Court hears 16 cases he Special Court of Customs Framing of charges against Hupaid cloth worth Rs19m near Chamkani Taxation and Anti-Smuggling mayon Rasheed also adjourned for

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he Customs Intelligence and Investigation team on Wednesday recovered 51431 yards (6013 kilograms) of foreign origin cloth during an operation conducted near Chamkani on GT Road here.

Sources told Customs Today that Customs Intelligence received an information that an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of foreign origin cloth from Peshawar to the down country would be made. On the information, the ASO staff of Customs

Intelligence Peshawar intercepted a suspected mini Mazda near Chamkani on GT Road, Peshawar.

Thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 51431 Yards (6013 kilograms) cloth. The goods alongwith vehicles were also been seized. The estimated value of the aforementioned seized cloth and vehicle is Rs19 million. Customs authorities after registering an arrested one person. Further investigations are still under way till Tiling of this report. –M Hayat

heard 16 cases (on Thursday), including pre-arrest bail plea Tiled by accused. According to details, most of the cases were adjourned without any proceedings as the parties and lawyers concerned did not appear in the court.

Hearing of pre-arrest bail pleas Tiled by accused Abdul Razaq and Salman were adjourned for next hearing in coming week.

A case against Shaukat Ali was also scheduled for hearing in which court recorded statements of the parties. Shaukat Ali is on bail nowadays.

next week. Final arguments and statements of the concerned parties in a case of smuggling against Rafique Ali was also scheduled for hearing which is rescheduled for next week.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has imposed a penalty of Rs20000 each to 14 Pakistani citizens. According to details available to Customs Today, about 14 persons were produced before the Customs Court of Chaudhary Aaqil Hussain. –M Imran Mehar

Customs appellate Tribunal hears 23 cases

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LAHORE

SaJID NawaZ

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he Customs Appellate Tribunal heard 23 cases on Wednesday. The members of all the benches from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar heard cases at Lahore bench and adjourned all the cases until next

hearing. Chairman Customs Appellate Tribunal established special benches to decide the cases.

The Customs Appellate Tribunal’s special division bench, comprising Member Judicial Bench-II Karachi and Member Technical Bench-II, adjourned 10 cases Pak Kuwait versus customs Lahore, Plum Qingqi versus customs Lahore, Furrukh Naseem and Malik Zaheer

versus customs Lahore, directorate of Intelligence and investigation Faisalabad versus Safder Ali, Imteaz Ahmed and Amjed Amin versus customs Lahore, two cases of Jamshed Iqbal and Asad Mehmood versus customs Lahore and Arshed Mehmood versus customs Lahore.

Special division bench-I of Lahore comprising Chairman Justice (r) Malik Manzoor Hussain and

Member Technical Zulifqar A Kazmi mheard the cases of Mugahl Iron versus customs Lahore, Wahab Gull versus customs Lahore, Pervaiz Umer Enterprises versus customs Lahore two cases, Pak Star Automobile versus customs Lahore, Pakistan Mobile Com versus customs Lahore, Imtiaz Ahmed versus customs Lahore, Nasir Khan versus customs Faisalabad.

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Port of Baltimore sets new cargo record in 2016 WASHINGTON: The port of Baltimore handled 10.1 million tons of general cargo — a new record — at its public terminals in 2016, a 5 percent increase from the previous year, officials announced Tuesday. In its first six months of welcoming larger container ships transiting the expanded Panama Canal, the port saw a nearly 10 percent increase in container volume at its terminals, due in part to a busy December in which that traffic was up 23 percent from the same month last year, said James White, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration. The first of those larger container ships, the 1,095-foot Ever Lambent from Taiwan, called in Baltimore in July.

Jeffersonville port sets cargo mark he Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville handled more than 2.2 million tons of cargo in 2016, completing the highest three-year total in the port’s history. More than 7.4 million tons have been handled at the port since 2014. The 2016 total marks the third consecutive year the port exceeded 2 million tons of cargo and was the port’s third-highest tonnage since the port opened in 1985. Major cargoes included steel, grain and fertilizer. The annual shipping total was 17 percent higher than the previous five-year average. “The continued strength of the automotive sector along with steady improvement in building construction fueled our solid results in 2016,” said Port Director Scott Stewart. “Add to that the first installment of the infrastructure bonanza in and around the port was also completed in 2016. The December opening of the Lewis & Clark Bridge links southern Indiana to

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Louisville and beyond and greatly enhances the port’s connectivity to the region’s manufacturing sector, including Ford’s Kentucky truck plant in Louisville which is now only 15 minutes away.”

Shipments of steel were the second highest in port history, helped in part by continued demand in the U.S. auto industry, which sold a record 17.6 million new light trucks and cars in 2016, according to Autodata Corp. The port has a total of 14 companies that process or handle steel, aluminum, lubricants or plastics and support the top six U.S. automakers. During 2016, another steelmaker announced plans to locate at the port. POSCO, a multinational company headquartered in South Korea and the fifth-largest steel producer in the world, is constructing a wire rod processing center with operations expected to begin in August. –CB Report

Ports & hipping

Thursday March 2, 2017

Ennore port set to be showcaused for oil spill

Ports of auckland Round the Bays ramps up fun factor

WASHINGTON

orts of Auckland Round the Bays, New Zealand’s largest fun run and walk, is returning for its 45th annual event on Sunday 5 March 2017. Enthusiasts are gearing up to participate in the iconic event, among them are fitness fanatics aiming to achieve personal goals, those entering in conjunction with fundraising initiatives for charities, as well as participants banding together in family and corporate teams for a fun group activity. Organiser Fairfax Media’s National Event Manager, Brett McMeekin, says: “One of the reasons the fun run continues to be so popular is its iconic setting. The course spans 8.4km along Auckland’s waterfront from the Ports of Auckland to St Helier’s. “The day Auckland runs never gets old. It’s a fantastic way for locals and visitors to come together and celebrate the beauty of Auckland. Adding to this is the feel-good factor of doing something fun and healthy for a good cause”, says McMeekin. –CB Report

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he Environment Ministry is likely to issue a showcause notice to the authorities at Kamarajar port (Ennore port near Chennai), asking why the port should not be penalised for failure to effectively control the fallout of the oil spill last month. The ministry’s zonal ofTice in Bengaluru and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have submitted separate reports on the oil spill, which took place following a collision between two ships early on January 28. Both reports have found that the response to the crisis was not adequate. A ministry ofTicial said prima facie it seemed that the port did not act fast enough, and did not deploy the kind of resources that were required to deal with the crisis.

“The ministry is studying the two reports,” the ofTicial said. “It does seem that the port was wanting in its efforts. The exact course of ac-

tion is yet to be decided but it is very likely that a showcause notice would be served on the port.” While seeking environmental clearances, ports have to submit detailed action plans and commit themselves to creating the necessary facilities and infrastructure to deal with disasters, including oil spills. The Kamarajar Port, which received an environmental clearance for its expansion in December 2014, had also sub-

mitted a similar undertaking.

The report by Environment Ministry’s southern zonal ofTice has said that the port did not fulTil some of these commitments. In particular, the response to the oil spill was delayed because the port authorities thought it was outside their area of jurisdiction. The physical barrier that is supposed to be dropped around the leaking ship to prevent the oil from spreading was also not effective.

govt urged to invest in ports H

WASHINGTON

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ow can Nigeria become a hub of maritime operations in West and Central Africa? It is by the Federal Government backing the initiative of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to develop new port facilities to compete with others in the sub-regions, say importers’ clearing agents. At a forum in Lagos, their spoke-person and Bolas Motors’ Managing Director Sesan Abolarinwa said it was imperative for the government to promote the maritime industry to beneTit from the increasing cargo trafTic across the globe.

New facilities, Abolarinwa said, should be designed by the Ministry of Transport to meet the logistics needs of the industry while anticipating the need for future development. He called on the government

to help in funding maritime researches, saying the sector lacked in-depth investigation due to poor funding. “The maritime industry has experienced an appreciable development in recent years. That development is set to stay.World trade continues to shift global markets and production lines make new demands on transport systems and on ports in particular.

“Ports serve the national interest, supporting the competitiveness of national and regional economies. It is in the nation’s interest that our ports remain able to handle cargo trade and its potential development efTiciently and sustainably.” The maritime industry, Abola-rinwa said, was in dire need of a number of reforms.

“New port facilities would help to bring the industry to international standards. The importers lamented that previous administrations, like most practitioners in the maritime

industry, did not live by the rules guiding the profession, which they said has resulted in a number of problems in the sector. “The maritime industry requires reforms; reform by way of standardising, educating, informing, sanitising the practice and making it global because the mere mention of the words import and export trade means we are not doing it locally but across borders. Therefore, there are set rules, information and knowledge that operators must possess,” he said. The Chairman, Tokunbo vehicle importers, Mr Samson Adebari said the maritime industry has project for rapid and sustainable growth. “Based on this development and the strategic position Nigeria occupy in the industry and the sub-region, for the development of human capital for an enhanced economy, it is expected of the government to train our youths to develop interest in maritime edu-

cation,”Adebar said. Meanwhile, Dixon expects to play a half of Port’s intra-club trial match this Friday ahead of their Tirst pre-season game on February 23. The 26-year-old said he was aiming to improve on his output last year – 30 goals in 18 games.

“I don’t think it was my best season,” Dixon said, adding he was initially surprised at the fan and media attention in Adelaide, after spending Tive years with Gold Coast. “Being in Adelaide, it’s pretty ruthless,” he said.

“You guys (media) love to get on and off us, so do the rest of the supporters.

“It’s very Tierce competition. For myself, it was deTinitely an eye opener.

“I’m a little bit more comfortable with where I am at and looking forward to this season.”pain’s minister of public works has announced sweeping plans for liberalization of hiring at the nation’s ports, which could lead to the loss of 6,500 unionized jobs over the next three years.

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Khasadar seizes 25 kg hashish on Pak-Afghan border PESHAWAR: The Khasadar Force of Khyber agency seized 25 kg hashish of high quality on Pak-Afghan border at Jamrud Tehsil of Khyber agency.

In-charge of Khasadar Force in Begyari region Hawaldar Ghazi Gull signalled a car to stop in a routine checking on Pak-Afghan border but the driver accelerated the speed and escaped from the scene leaving behind his car on the road. Hawaldar Ghazi Gull checked the car meticulously and found high quality hashish worth Rs1.5million which was being smuggled across the border.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

‘Quetta collectorate has acute shortage of human & material resources’ ISLAMABAD TaRIQ DERYa

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he Customs Collectorate of Quetta has zero presence of customs in the whole Sibi and Naseerabad divisions. MCC Quetta is planning to meet the 2nd half revenue collection by enhanced emphasis on antismuggling.

Reactivation/strengthening of check-posts, close liaison with other Law enforcement agencies (LEAs), disposal of seized goods/vehicles and goods worth Rs715million will be auctioned.

Around Rs500million is expected to add during the remaining months of Financial Year 2016-17.

This was stated by Collector MCC Quetta Dr Saeed Khan Jadoon while giving an interview to Customs Today. He said the collectorate of Quetta has vast area of about 1/3 of land mass which has very volatile security environment whereas there is acute shortage of human and material resources. He added that there is about 240 staff/ofTicers for antismuggling while (Strength of Frontier Constabulary (FC) along PakIran/Pak-Afghan border is estimated about 30000. Therefore

presence of customs staff is only on the two border crossing points of Taftan and Chaman.

He said the borders with all three provinces have huge demand for smuggled goods and national antismuggling strategy is also a big challenge because of that fact that cus-

toms staff does half-hearted attempts against smuggling activities.

Regarding the challenges facing

by Quetta collectorate, he said smuggling of POL products from Iran is estimated Rs30billion loss.

He said smuggled goods carried from Panjgoor to Basima to Surab to

Mastung and reached Quetta/Bolan as other route starts from Panjgoor– Naagh-Khuzdar–M8-Larkana whereas smuggled goods also come at Gwadar from Karachi via costal highway whereas smuggled goods come from Basima to Kharan to Noshki–Kanak-Kuchlak–Loralai–

TDaP organises seminar on weBoc

SUKKUR

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rade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) sub regional ofTice has organised an awareness seminar on Web Based One Customs (WeBoc) at the request of Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Agha Qadirdad market Sukkur with collaboration of District

Government Sukkur and Directorate Reforms and Automation (Customs) at Circuit House, Sukkur.

The purpose to organize the seminar was to provide a platform for the exporters of Sukkur region to discuss their issues about WeBoc and Customs Department.

WeBoc has been developed by Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) for federal board of revenue (FBR) and its divisions like customs. It is a web based system for Tiling Goods Declaration (GD) for import and export cargo, which is used by importers, ex-

porters and their Customs Clearing Agents. WeBoc is the standard and mandatory platform for Tiling goods declarations.

The Chief Manager State Bank of Pakistan Sukkur, Deputy Collec-

tor Custom ofTice Sukkur, Senior Manager WeBoc (Operations) Karachi, exporters from Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Khairpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Agha Qadirdad Market Sukkur participated in seminar.

Arshad Hussain, Senior Manager WeBoc (Operations) Karachi presented a presentation on WeBoc and elaborated all aspects of WeBoc in detail. The participants of seminar showed their keen interest to learn more about the WeBoc software to get the maximum advantage from it.

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

Zhob. The other route is Mand–Turbat–Gwadar–Awaran while the next route is Mastung–Kanak–Darkhsha and smuggled items come from Mashkail–Dalbandin–Afghanistan via sea route. He said the POL products are smuggled via Gwadar– Pasni–Lasbella to Karachi.

The representatives from SCCI, KCCI and Agha Qadirdad Market Sukkur discussed their export related issues in detail and appreciated the efforts of TDAP and the Pakistan customs for arranging such a detailed & fruitful seminar.

It was a demand of exporters of Sukkur region was to strengthen the Custom office Sukkur. The Deputy Collector, Custom Sukkur informed the participants of seminar that the demand of exporters has been forwarded to the higher authorities and very soon it will be fulfilled.