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ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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odel Customs Collectorate Islamabad surpassed the collection target by Rs34.95million Customs Duty against the assigned target for February Financial Year 2016-17.

According to Collector Dr. Arslan, MCC Islamabad’s performance was quite well during February. During February FY2016-17, the

collectorate generated Rs441.95million Customs Duty whereas it was assigned the target of Rs407.000million during said period. The collectorate collected Rs344.10million CD during the corresponding year 2015-16.

The MCC generated surplus amount of Rs59.09million Customs Duty against the assigned target during January FY2016-17. The Islamabad customs collectorate is assigning high revenue collection targets of CD as compared to past months (July to January FY16-17). The MCC

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surpassed the allocated target for January FY 16-17 with the collection of 112% and the collectorate was given the target of Rs479million CD for above said month whereas the collectorate earned Rs538.09million Customs Duty (CD). The collectorate received Rs110.75million more CD than the earmarked target of Rs427.34million during the same corresponding period of FY2015-16. It may be remembered that the Islamabad collectorate has been surpassing the CD targets for the last seven months (July to February FY2016-17).

DG Valuation issues reference values for Granite slabs, washing machine parts

Govt to facilitate auto manufacturers to increase export: Jatoi

PM Nawaz asks China’s co to invest in PNSC, shipyard

ASO seizes another illegal godown of skimmed milk near Railway Station

Collectorate’s auction fetches Rs6.41 million to treasury: Aniqua

DG of Customs Valuation issued the reference values for Granite slabs worked | SEE pAgE 02 |

PAPS, and Production Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi has said that the government | SEE pAgE 03 |

PM has invited the China Shipbuilding Companytoinvestincollaborativeprojects | SEE pAgE 04 |

ASO has seized another skimmed milk worth millions of rupees at a godowns | SEE pAgE 14 |

MCC Islamabad held a public auction of various kinds of confiscated goods at state | SEE pAgE 16 |

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ASO impounds non-duty paid Honda car worth Rs 700000 Tuesday, March 7, 2017

National

FAISALABAD: The Faisalabad Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has impounded a Honda Accord car worth Rs700000 during a routine road checking involving customs duty and taxes valued Rs390000.

Collector Zulfiqar Ali Chaudhary received a tip-off that some non-duty paid vehicles are plying on roads.

He formed a special ASO team to check these vehicles. An ASO team intercepted a Honda car with registration No: LZS-380, model 1996, in golden colour near Dhudiwala, Jaranwala Road, Faisalabad.

Dg Valuation issues reference values for granite slabs, washing machine parts

FAISALABAD

KARACHI

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Faisalabad has seized foreign origin (F/O) miscellaneous items in Faisalabad city.

The market value of the seized parts is Rs1.5m involving customs duty and taxes of Rs117903. Collector Customs Faisalabad Choudhary Zulfikar Ali received a tip-off regarding the smuggling of foreign origin items. Soon after receiving the information, he constituted a raiding team comprising Saeed Akhtar Joiya (Superintendent), Inspectors Safdar Ali, Muhammad Ashraf, Liaquat Ali, Israr Ahmad and Muhammad Abdullah (Sepoys). The team seized the smuggled goods and one nonduty paid vehicle worth Rs420000 under Customs Section 157 of the Act-1969. The ASO team intercepted a Hyundai Shehzore with registration No: 6-4334 loaded with New F/O Compact Disc Player (140-Nos ), F/O Cutlery Kitchen knives (290 Dozens) and F/O Geometry (1700Nos ) made in China. The team asked the accused, identified as Muhammad Imran, a resident of Faisalabad, to produce legal documents regarding the possession of the items but he failed.

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation issued the reference values for Granite slabs worked beyond simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even, washing machine parts and vascular/display chiller.

According to details, the Directorate General is populating Valuation 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 Granite slabs worked beyond simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface falling under PCT heading 6802.9300 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side.

The Directorate found that the VDB values of Granite slabs worked beyond simply cut or sawn with a flat or even surface are Granite slabs worked beyond simply cut or sawn with a flat or even surface China origin US$0.40 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the Directorate General also issued Valuation Ruling for washing machines parts. The Directorate General found that the customs values of

faisalabad ASo seizes goods & vehicle worth Rs1.5 million

washing machine parts are plastic pulsator/drain pump/spinning drum/base plate/twin tub/electric cable gasket/spin tub/captive washer/combi nut/door glass China origin US$3.50 per kilogram, drain valve assembly China origin US$35 per kilogram, plastic inlet

hose China origin US$8.50 per kilogram, assy printed circuit board parts China origin US$15 per kilogram, suspension rod complete China origin US$20 per kilogram, control penal system/pully/V-Belt China origin US$28 per kilogram and water level switch China origin

US$18 per kilogram.

Another Valuation database issued by the Directorate General is vascular/display chiller.

The Directorate General found that the customs values of vascular/display chiller China origin US$1.50 per liter.

Slackness over cpEc projects irks govt T

ISLAMABAD

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The government threatened actions over slackness in implementation of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and asked provinces and agencies to follow standard templates for inclusion of future projects and new areas in the bilateral framework.

“The timely completion of ongo-

ing projects in the energy sector is top priority of the government and it will not tolerate negligence of any kind,” said Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal while presiding over a meeting to review progress of CPEC projects.

A participant said that the minister did not like vague and incomplete responses to various timelines and deadlines set for some projects.

He said speciVic actions with their implementation timelines should be available while reviewing their

progress. “Besides power generation projects, transmission and distribution schemes be implemented, so that the system can meet future needs,” he directed. The minister stressed that energy projects under CPEC should be made environmental friendly by using modern technology and according to the international laws and their environmental impact assessment studies should not be delayed.

The minister also asked the provincial governments to follow

standard templates for submission of project briefs and documents for inclusion in the long term (up to 2030) CPEC framework by the governments of Pakistan and China. An ofVicial explained that these guidelines were critical as the two governments graduate the $54 billion framework from Virst two phases – early harvest and priority projects – mostly covering transport, energy and mass transit to the long term areas of agriculture, science and technology, climate or other areas. The provinces had al-

ready been given an overview of the future programmes in line with decisions of the 6th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) late last year in Beijing. The provincial governments have now been asked to submit their comments latest by March 9 for sharing it with the Chinese side so that formal agreements could be signed on March 31. He said CPEC projects already in the pipeline relating to energy, Gwadar, motorways and other sectors would be completed in the targeted time frame.

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Peshawar AFU receives Rs8.06m all duty taxes during 15 days ISLAMABAD: The Air Freight Unit Peshawar earned Rs8.06million all duty taxes and surcharges during the initial 15 days of February Financial Year 2016-17.

During above said period, the AFU generated Rs2.56million Customs Duty and collected Rs0.36million miscellaneous surcharges. During the same period, the AFU earned Rs0.1million Redemption Duty on imports.

During 1st to 15th of February FY2016-17, the AFU received Rs2.34million Sales Tax whereas the AFU collected Rs0.37million Sales Tax on Imported items and the AFU also got

Saturday March 7, 2017

National

Ihc reserves decision on tax references filed by m/s Al catel, m/s Biafo

govt to facilitate auto manufacturers to increase exports: murtaza Jatoi

ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad High Court reserved a decision on a couple of tax references during the fourth week of February filed by M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited and M/s Biafo Industries. The IHC Bench, comprising of Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard the matter filed by M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited. It had filed the case against the LTU Islamabad. Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of the LTU including Commissioner Inland Revenue, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue and Commissioner Inland Revenue.

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Shc suspends notice for recovery of income support levy KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended the impugned notice for recovery of disputed income support levy on a constitutional petition filed by Dewan Muhammad Yousaf Farooqui. Hearing the petition, a two-member bench, headed

by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, also issued pre-admission notices to the tax department and deputy general of Pakistan and directed them to file their respective comments for March 09, 2017. During the hearing, counsel for petitioner stated that the officials of the tax department issued a notice dated 01/02/2017 under Section 5 of the Income Support Levy Act-2013 for payment of income support levy for the tax year 2013.

He further submitted that a large number of petitions are already pending with this court.

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ISLAMABAD

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hile inaugurating Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS), Federal Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi has said that the government will support local manufacturers to increase export and help them grow to capture international markets.

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has organised a two-day Pakistan Auto Show (PAPS 2017) which is being held from March 3 to 5, 2017 here at the Expo Center. Welcoming the international exhibitors who participated in this show, the minister said that this exhibition truly depicts the potential of the Auto Engineering Sector of Pakistan, which has played a major role in the economic growth of the country in recent years. This is evident from the phenomenal growth in the auto sector, which once again crossed the barrier of 218,000 automobiles in the previous Vinancial year, he added.

The momentum will continue in the current year as well, he said and hoped that the auto industry will gear up to the new challenges ahead of them and wish them all the success in meeting these challenges.

While talking about the auto policy, he said as a consequence of the new auto policy announced by the gov-

ernment last year, many international automotive companies have decided to set up assembling plants in Pakistan. “The mega China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) includes projects for setting up of industrial zones and power generation plants along the entire route of the corridor which have already attracted direct foreign investments into our country,” Jatoi added. Meanwhile, PAAPAM Chairman Mashood Ali Khan welcomed the minister and thanked him for ap-

“The mega china pakistan Economic corridor (cpEc) includes projects for setting up of industrial zones and power generation plants along the entire route of the corridor which have already attracted direct foreign investments into our country,” Jatoi added

govt asked to ban setting up of sugar mills

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ISLAMABAD

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www.customsbulletin.com he National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Textile Industries recommended to the government on Friday to ban establishment of new sugar mills, especially in cotton growing areas.

The recommendation came at a time when the cotton acreage has shrunk by 22 per cent over the past 10 years because of low yields, according to the textile ministry.

Another major reason for the downward trend in cotton growing is better returns in growing sugarcane because of policy incentives offered by the government for the crop. The country aims to cultivate cotton on 3.2 million hectares annually 72pc (2.6m hectares) in Punjab, 27pc (600,000) in Sindh and less than 1pc in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Unlike cotton, the government’s support for sugarcane crop has helped increase its cultivation by

14pc. The price of sugar has also gone up to Rs68 per kg in 2016 from Rs31 in 2005-06.

The price of sugar in the domestic market is 80pc higher than the international market.

Moreover, the number of sugar mills went up from 56 in 1995-96 to 84 in 2015-16. Of them, 45 mills were in Punjab, 32 in Sindh and eight in KP. Almost 70pc of the mills are located in core cotton zones of the country, especially in Punjab.

plauding auto industry’s role in improvement of national economy. “Auto manufacturing is a fully documented industry that ranks amongst the top three taxpaying industries in Pakistan. However, the industry’s performance and growth is being threatened by a few issues that can be solved if the government shows more vigilance and commitment to the policy prescribed in the ADP 2016-2021 and execute investment plan accordingly,” he added.

nAB to establish training academy ational Accountability Bureau (NAB) has planned to set up Training Academy for NAB officials here on pattern of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB said on Saturday that the purpose of establishing the Training Academy would meet training requirements of all ranks of NAB officers/officials on modern lines with stateof-art techniques and technology.

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NESPAK secures business worth Rs 8.1 billion Tuesday March 7, 2017

Business

MULTAN - Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Multan is going to launch a special drive to make the recovery of pending bills of Rs1.4 billion from defaulters in the district.

This was disclosed by WASA Director Admin Mian Abdul Ghafoor while talking to journalists here on Sunday. He said the recovery campaign would be started during which connections of defaulters would be disconnected without any discrimination.

He said that proper plan had been made to bring WASA out of financial crisis. He said the department was also striving hard to improve services for public facilitation.

pm asks china’s companies to invest in pnSc ISLAMABAD

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rime Minister Nawaz Sharif has invited the China Shipbuilding Company to invest in collaborative projects with Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and Karachi Shipyard and take advantage of the liberal economic policies of the country.

During the meeting with China Shipbuilding Company Chairman Xu Ziqiu, who called on him Friday, the prime minister said that Pakistan’s investment policy has been designed to provide a comprehensive framework for creating conducive business environment for the attraction of Foreign

money market: Bank deposits rise KARACHI

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he government raised Rs387.47bn from the auction of Pakistan Market Treasury Bills of various tenors held last Thursday, smaller against the received bids of Rs473.03bn. It however, exceeded the auction target of Rs350bn. The cut off yields remained unchanged. Of the total raised amount, six month T-bills fetched the highest Rs197.06bn at a cut off yield of 5.98pc, followed by three month T-bill Rs187.57bn at 5.94pc, and 12 month T-bill Rs2.83bn at 5.99pc.

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Direct Investment (FDI). “Pakistan’s policy trends have been consistent, with liberalisation, de-regulation, pri-

vatisation and facilitation being its foremost cornerstone. We have adopted a very liberal and investor’s

friendly investment policy which provides no restriction on remitting capital, proVits and dividends,” PM Nawaz said. He further said that the government has seriously focused on improvement in agriculture, industrial and services sectors. “In this connection, a number of public sector development programmes have been initiated. Economic outlook of Pakistan has altogether changed in the last four years, which is being acknowledged globally. InVlation is continuously on downward trend, whereas stocks, foreign exchange reserves and home remittances are on the rise”, the prime minister stated. The meeting was also attended by China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Board of Investment Chairman Mifta Ismail and other senior ofVicials.

Assets of Islamic banks double from Rs837 billion to Rs1.6t A

KARACHI

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ssets of Islamic banks have doubled in the last four years and the apex regulator is now considering amending laws and giving tax relief to enable them to issue sukuk and real estate investment trust. “The assets in Islamic banking {in Pakistan} have doubled from 2012 to 2016, jumping from Rs837 billion to Rs1.6 trillion, now accounting for 11.7% of the total banking assets,” Securities

and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) said in a handout on Saturday. There is an even stronger growth of Islamic assets in the non-bank financial institutions (NBFI). Their market share is now approaching 33% from only 14% in 2012. Islamic finance body drafts new standard for centralised sharia boards.

“Two reasons that help explain this growth are demand from customers and enabling regulations by the SECP and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP),” it said.

Speaking at a seminar at SECP’s

head office, Usman Hayat, head of the Islamic Finance Department at the SECP, explained that developing Islamic capital market is a priority of the regulator. “The SECP has recently conducted two consultation sessions with market participants to facilitate issuance of sukuk and real estate investment trust (REIT),” he said. “The SECP is analysing industry proposals and it shall consider making appropriate amendments to the relevant regulations, further reducing the cost and hassle for both issuers and investors.

SEcp reports mR Securities to int’l securities regulators ISLAMABAD

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he Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has reported MR Securities, the Lahore-based stockbroker involved in financial fraud, to international securities regulators through the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

SECP has also urged the Financial Monitoring Unit to initiate action against the said broker under the Anti Money Laundering Act, 2010.

There is a trend among Pakistani financial fraudsters to run abroad, assuming that they will not be on the radar of the securities’ regulator of the host jurisdiction. The owners of defaulting brokerage houses such as Ace Securities, Stock Street, and MR Securities are all believed to be hiding abroad.

The SECP’s reporting measures will help discourage securities’ fraud and tighten accountability of the culprits. “The SECP will continue to report to international regulators if any stockbroker found involved in securities fraud in Pakistan,” said SECP Chairman Zafar Hijazi. The SECP is a member of the IOSCO, the international body that brings together the world’s securities regulators and sets standards for the securities sector.

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Industry profile: circular debt cycle KARACHI

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ircular debt’, or the unpaid bills of the country’s power sector, is back with a vengeance to haunt the Nawaz Sharif government less than four years after it had paid off previously accumulated bills of Rs480bn of private and public power producers and their fuel supplier. The current unpaid power sec-

tor bills had piled up to Rs414bn by the middle of last month in spite of a substantial decline of around 50pc in global oil prices over the last three years. Even the government strategy to heftily raise electricity prices and enforce blackouts for up to eight hours a day to keep power generation at the lowest possible level despite availability of capacity to “minimise system losses and theft to slow down accumulation of the debt”, appears to have failed to

work. With the power purchaser showing no sign of making the overdue payments, at least 13 IPPs were said to have started the process of invoking sovereign guarantees for their bills recovery With the power purchaser showing no sign of making the overdue payments, at least 13 independent power producers (IPPs) were said to have started the process of invoking sovereign guarantees for their bills recovery by the end of last week. The

last time private producers had called sovereign guarantees was in June 2014. They withdrew the notice later on the assurance of the government and payment of part of their overdue bills. According to the Central Power Purchasing Agency’s own record, the government owed Rs253.60bn to IPPs, including Hubco and Kapco, and Rs160.80bn to public sector Gencos by February 17.

These numbers do not include payments owed to Wapda for hydel gen-

eration and power producers’ billing of around Rs20bn for January. The power sector debt mainly consists of unpaid capacity payments and late payment on interest (LPI) owed to producers in addition to the cost of the fuel used by them to produce electricity. “The size of the power sector’s unpaid bills would have exceeded Rs500bn if global oil prices had remained at the May 2013 level,” argued the CEO of a private power company.

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ISLAMABAD

TARIQ DERYA

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two months training has been imparted to the newly recruited sepoys of the Customs Department of North Region. The training was concluded on March 3, 2017 after certiVicates’ distribution.

According to details, Member (HRM) of Federal Board of Revenue Rozi Khan Barki, Chief Collector North Ms. Sarwat Tahira Habib, Collector Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad Dr. Arslan and Additional Director Directorate of Training and Research Customs Dr. Sadiqullah Khan addressed the participants.

Dr. Sadiqullah Khan told Customs Today that it is the Virst major recruitment has been conducted in two decades. The sepoys were selected through National Testing Service (NTS), he said adding that two months physical training was given by the FC KPK and the spe-

cialized academic trainin torate of Training & Rese He told that the academ upon three aspects includ ing, development of soft a that keeping in view the v professional skills includ law, procedure, drafting a procedures.

He said that the soft sk ing, general behavior, pu portance of discipline wh imparted computer pra and specialized modules learning, drug interdictio He further said that tr use Web Based Clearan Transit Trade Manageme that the induction of thes sepoys will enhance the

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

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ng was given by the Direcearch Islamabad. mic training emphasized ding professional trainand digital skills, adding vision of department the ded basic knowledge of and introduction of ofVice

kills comprised team buildublic service delivery and imhereas the trainees were also actices i.e. apps utilization s of the UNODC through eon and enforcement. rainees also learnt how to nce System (WeBOC) and ent System (TTMS), adding se newly recruited trained e enforcement mechanism.

rised comp s l l i k blic sof t s ior, pu d that v i a a s h e n ala eral b of D r Ars tance g, gen r n i o d p l i o bu and im re a l s team livery es we e e d n i e a c ser vi the tr apps e re a s es i.e. h c i t w c e a the pr lin les of discip puter u d m o o c m ted lized impar rug specia d n ing, d a n r n a o e i l t a nt ugh e utiliz rc e m e c t h ro o f D n o e n u and ic tion interd

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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

moody’s report on pakistan economy

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ccording to a report issued by international ratings agency, Moody’s Corporation, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will spur economic activities in Pakistan and has projected the economic growth at 4.9 percent during the current fiscal year. However, the report also cautions the worsening law and order situation in the country as suicide bombing suddenly increased in recent weeks.

The country has been experiencing low economic growth for the last one decade but the corridor project is working as a driving force to boost economic activities and increase industrial production. The report hopes a strong banking system of the country will also help increase growth in next fiscal year.

Another rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has also issued the ratings based on various factors at B with stable outlook. It claims that the three years extended facility programme of the International Monetary Fund has brightened the economic outlook of the country with pushing up the annual growth in gross domestic product up to 4.7 percent in the previous financial year from 3.7 percent in just two years ago. The IMF programme is regarded as the cause of broad gains despite low scores on the World Bank governance indicators and compounded security hazards. The independent sources project the growth at five percent for 2016-17.

The government expects around $4 billion foreign investment in three industrial zones to be established along the economic corridor.

However, the country is facing dwindling cash flow from the expatriate Pakistanis from Gulf States and the rest of the world. But the middle class in the country is appearing as a new engine of growth. New housing societies have not only encouraged the real estate sector to spur business activities, but also pushed the industrial sector to work overtime to meet the demands of the housing sector. However, Fitch fears the current account deficit could further increase due to various unavoidable factors.

Again the projects and plans related to the economic corridor will push the economic activities due invest from Chinese companies.

As a matter of fact, the foreign media and rating agencies are reporting positive indicators of the country’s economy, but they also caution rising incidents of terrorism.

It is, therefore, imperative to take stern action against terrorists and their perpetrators.

Industrial park at pSm A

LAHORE

DR AfTAB AfZAL

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ccording to newspaper reports, the government has decided to allocate 1,500 acres of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) land to set up an industrial park as part of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor.

The steel mills, set up with the help of former USSR, is the jewel of the nation and an asset, but it has become a victim of political expediencies. Due to rise of centrifugal forces in the absence of a firm writ of the government, the asset has now turned into a liability, which consumes billions of rupees taxpayers’ money annually. Earlier during

the Pakistan People’s Party government, an effort was made to sell it allegedly at throwaway prices, but the Supreme Court intervened and stopped the sale process. Now the government has decided to set up an industrial park and the prime minister has reportedly approved the allocation of land. However, there are several legal and constitutional liabilities which needed to be fulfilled before going ahead for the new venture.

Reports suggest that the prime minister could take up the matter with the Privatization Commission. However, modalities are needed to be worked out and finalized. Earlier, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had promised with the International

Monetary Fund that a new board of directors will be appointed for the mills in professional manners, but currently only four members of the board are on board out of 12.

The mills is the largest industrial complex of the country, but incurs billions of rupees losses despite earning a handsome profit annually. But corruption, mismanagement and lack of will are the biggest hurdles which prevent its conversion into a profit making entity. The reports suggest that losses and liabilities of the steel complex reached Rs 200 billion during five-year term of the Pakistan People’s Party government until 2013. The total liabilities reached Rs 415 billion

by December last year. The

losses are continuing without any let up and the money spent on the unit is money lost. The land mafia and corrupt elements within the government and political elite have always seen the precious land as an easy bait to grab it. However, in a mess of corruption, it is hoped that a clean and constitutional procedure will be adopted to set up the industrial park. The government should reclaim the land grabbed by various private agencies and influential individuals who have no regard for the welfare of the nation. The economic corridor is a hope for the nation and this hope should not die down. The political interference should be immediately stopped in the mills.

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Total Produce expands US business WASHINGTON: Sometimes companies disclose news of juicy acquisitions on the same day as results announcements to paper over the cracks of weak trading. That wasn’t the case at Total Produce (TOT), which increased its stake in Canada-headquartered fresh fruit and vegetable distributor Oppenheimer by 30 per cent alongside an encouraging set of full-year numbers. The Irish distributor registered a 4 per cent rise in like-for-like revenue growth, driven by steady volumes and, more importantly, higher average prices. Asking customers to pay extra for its fruit and veg was enough to offset challenging conditions in the Netherlands and the damaging implications of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. The referendum result created economic uncertainty and sterling weakness, two factors that management reckons weighed on UK volumes.

my karachi-oasis of harmony to start from April 7 KARACHI

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hairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and Former President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Siraj Kassam Teli has announced that preparations were in full swing for staging 14th My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony Exhibition 2016 in a vivid and lively manner, which will start on 7th April 2017 and will conclude on 9th April 2017 at Karachi Expo Center.

Addressing a press conference at KCCI Auditorium on Wednesday, BMG Chairman appreciated the overwhelming support by the media to My Karachi Ex-

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hibition since its inception in 2004 which has resulted in making this mega event an icon for not just Karachi Chamber and the Businessmen Group but also for all the Karachiites. “The success of My Karachi exhibition can mainly be attributed to the non-stop support by the media since 2004 which helped a lot in effectively promoting this event”, he added.

Vice Chairman BMG Haroon Farooki, President KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President KCCI Asif Nisar, Vice President KCCI Muhammad Younus Soomro, Chairman of Special Committee for My Karachi Muhammad Idrees, Former Presidents KCCI AQ Khalil, Mian Abrar Ahmed, Haroon Agar, Abdullah Zaki, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra and Younus Muhammad Bashir, Chairman of Special Committee for Small Traders Majeed Memon and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present on the occasion.

Chairman BMG further said, “My Karachi title was particularly chosen for this exhibition as we, the business and industrial community.

Tuesday March 7, 2017

Chambers

federal ombudsman to resolve public complaints on priority basis O

ISLAMABAD

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fVicers from as many as 83 federal government departments have been allowed to exercise powers of Federal Ombudsman in order to resolve the public complaints of mal administration related to their concerned department positively within 15 days, disclosed Federal Ombudsman Salman Farooqi.

He was addressing a function in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here today which was also attended by the ofVicers of Federal Ombudsman Secretariat in addition to the local business community. He said that ofVice of the Federal Ombudsman is present in Faisalabad since long and efforts have been made to make it more effective and service oriented.

Continuing, Salman Farooqi said that earlier the appeals Viled with Federal Ombudsman OfVice were resolved in months. However, now the Federal Ombudsman has voluntarily decided to dispose of these complaints within seven days. He said that in 2014, the appeals were de-

cided in 60 days while in 2016 the scope of Federal Ombudsman was expanded to 130 districts and 500 tehsils across the country. “This arrangement was made in only those districts and tehsils where there were at least ten or more than ten complaints”, he added.

He told that from this year, a new system for the complaint resolution has been introduced under which the ofVicers from different federal government departments are picked and

allowed to exercise the powers of Ombudsman to resolve the public complaints. He told that FPCCI, Federal Ombudsman and Tax Ombudsman had inked a MoU under which the ofVicers of Ombudsman Secretariat visit FPCCI ofVices in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar to redress the complaints of business community on the spot. He told that full time grievance commissioners have also been appointed to resolve the complaints. He told that he is ready to

Dubai chamber explores potential to boost trade with Eurasia

T DUBAI

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he Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently organised a number of briefings to highlight trade and business opportunities that Eurasian food exporters can offer companies in the UAE. Hosted on the sidelines of Gulfood 2017, the brieVings were held over the course of two days, while the events were attended by 350 delegates from the UAE and Eurasia.

Delegates and speakers included Ms. Ketevan Bochorishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Georgia, Mr. Igor Brylo, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Belarus, Mr. Dzhambulat Khatuov, First Deputy Minister of

Agriculture, Russia, heads of various investment promotion agencies, senior Dubai Chamber ofVicials, representatives from Dubai Municipality, and the emirate’s business community. Presentations during the event focused on new opportunities for UAE-based businesses to strengthen and expand ties with food producers and exporters in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Dubai Municipality informed delegates of food import packaging and certiVication standards and requirements within Dubai. Sessions were followed with business-to-business meetings where delegates discussed prospects for future partnerships and cooperation. In his welcome speech, Mr. Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Vice President – Commercial Services, Dubai Chamber, stated that

Eurasia is a region of strategic importance to the emirate, adding that the Chamber has stepped up its efforts in recent years to enhance relations with Eurasian countries through its international ofVices and trade missions. “Eurasia possesses enormous agribusiness potential to contribute to the UAE’s food security. The region includes many markets that yield high quality produce, and there is plenty of scope to expand trade with this part of the world,” said Mr. Nasib. Mr. Nasib highlighted Dubai’s strategic position as a trade link in the GCC’s food chain and a major re-exporting hub for the region, adding that its excellent logistics infrastructure and supportive business environment make it a preferred market for food exporters around the world.

appoint an ofVicer to visit FCCI and resolve their complaints there and then if space was provided to him. Earlier, in his address of welcome SVP FCCI Rana Sikandar Azam underlined the importance of the dispensation of justice and said that our judicial system needs radical improvements as the existing system is neither in accordance with the Islamic principles nor it ensures immediate dispensation of justice at the doorstep of the complainant.

Bank of canada channels Al gore ank of Canada Deputy Governor Timothy Lane got one thing right in his speech about climate change to a Montreal finance and sustainability conference Thursday. That was when he said of the Bank of Canada: “We are not experts on climate science.” Unfortunately, he then proceeded with a speech bizarrely entitled “Thermometer Rising Climate Change and Canada’s Economic Future”. It was long on climate alarmism and short on useful commentary about the financial implications for Canadians of carbon pricing, which one would think the Bank of Canada would be concerned about. What, for example, are Lane’s views on Canada imposing a national carbon price in the absence of one in the United States, our largest trading partner. –CB Report

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Faisalabad FIA arrests accused manufacturers of spurious medicines Tuesday March 7, 2017

National pcA forms two audit observations against m/s colgate(pak) Ltd KARACHI

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FAISALABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested accused involved in manufacturing and selling of spurious medicines.

Sources told Customs Today that Federal Investigation Agency’s team conducted a successful raid along with Drug Inspector at Alfateh Shopping Mall Pharmacy Kohinoor Road and sealed un-registered drugs shop namely Centrum Silver.

The team recovered huge quantity of fake and forge medicines during the raid on the above mentioned compound.

Additional collector Beelam serves notice on alleged smuggler C

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he Directorate of Post Clearance Audit-PCA has made two audit observations against M/s Colgate-Palmolive (Pakistan) Limited under Section 26 and 32 of the Custom Act-1969 for evasion of duty, taxes amounting Rs45,60,423 and Rs9,41,19,123, respectively. According to details, the PCA authorities, during the scrutiny of import data of M/s Colgate –Palmolive (Pakistan) Limited, found that the said importer with active connivance of clearing agent M/s Qazi Anwar-Ul-Hasan has imported various consignments of “Colgate brand tooth-brushes under PCT Heading 9603.2100 and also cleared the goods at lower values than the values determined by the Directorate General of Customs Valuation Department. It has also been observed that the importer was intentionally involved in evading the legitimate duty/taxes with mala fide intention to deprive the government from its legitimate revenue.

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16 Afghani held without travelling documents

rontier Corps (FC) rounded up 16 Afghani nationals during operation near Nushki town. According to FC spokesman, these Afghani nationals were apprehended without traveling documents in the operation

by FC personnel. They would be handed over to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further interrogation after initial inquiry.

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ustoms Adjudication Additional Collector Beelam-urRamzan has issued a show cause notice to an alleged accused in a non-duty paid engine oil case involving Rs1.181million.

Faisalabad Customs Intelligence and Investigation, following a tipoff, impounded a used vehicle near Guttwala Toll plaza loaded with engine oil packed in a container.

The team asked driver Muhammad Imran Ali to show documents regarding the legal import of goods but he could not produce the same.

Therefore ofVicials impounded the engine oil under the customs bylaws and forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication for further legal action.

Now Additional Collector Bee-

lam-ur-Ramzan issued a notice to accused on the violation of Section 10-A 89(1) and 156(1) of the Customs Act-1969. However the adjudication has directed the ac-

cused to file a reply on the next date of hearing. The seizing agency has also been directed to file a reply in the case.

The adjudication authority also

directed Customs Intelligence Deputy Director Muhammad Riaz Hussain to attend the hearing on scheduled date along with the relevant record.

Sialkot Excise issues notices to 10000 tax evaders T

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he Excise and Taxation Department , while tightening its circle around its chronic defaulters, has issued the Vinal recovering notices to around 10000 defaulters in Gujranwala division’s all the six Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahaud Din, HaVizabad and Gujranwala districts, besides, issuing their arrest warrants ,advising the defaulters to ensure the early clearance of their prolonged pending arrears within two weeks otherwise, their properties would be locked up and auctioned with the help of the local courts after this Vinal deadline given them, in this regard.

According to the senior officials, the Excise & Taxation Department has already constituted as many as 100 recovery teams in Gujranwala division for recovering more than Rs.2 billion in shape of property, professional and other taxes in the fiscal year 2016-17 as well.

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Customs Preventive foils bid to smuggle 1kg heroin at Karachi airport KARACHI: In a prompt action, a team of Customs Preventive has successfully recovered 1 kilogram heroin from the possession of two passengers at Karachi airport. The market value of the drug in international market is Rs 10 million.

According to details, in pursuance of a tip-off, the staff of the Pakistan Customs Preventive intercepted two suspects for search and demanded travel documents from them for verification.

During the search, the officers found suspicious material in bags of the passengers. The passengers were taken to the customs area where a complete search was carried out.

The officers found heroin from the luggage of the passengers named Imran and Majid.

Shc orders to decide appeal of m/s umer within month KARACHI

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has dismissed a constitutional petition filed by Jahanzaib son of Muhammad Umer, proprietor of M/s Umer seeking restraining order against impugned demand notice for recovery of Rs 119,503,880 in respect of advance tax issued by deputy commissioner Inland Revenue E&C Unit-I, Zone-III, Large Taxpayer Unit-II. During hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi directed the commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-V) Karachi to decide the appeal of the petitioner within four weeks. During the hearing, both side’s

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counsel concluded their arguments, after final arguments, court dismissed the petition and observed in its order that, “provision shows that every taxpayer, whose income was charged to tax for the latest tax year or latest assessment year under the repealed ordinance, shall be liable to pay advance tax for the year in terms of this section, whereas, there is no provision in the income tax ordinance, 2001, whereby, operation of the provisions of section 147 could be suspended merely, the view of pendency of an appeal before appellate forums, prima-facia, the impugned notice issued in terms of section 147 of the income tax ordinance, 2001 in the instant matter, does not suffer from any illegality, hence, cannot be interfered by this court at this stage, we do not find any substance in the instant petition, which is devoid of any merits and the same was dismissed”.

However, court also directed the commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals-V) Karachi to decide the appeal of the petitioner within four weeks.

Tuesday March 7, 2017

National

kohat Swh earns ‘Linking transit trade Rs18.87m revenue during 20 days with politics not in pakista-Afghanistan interest’ T ISLAMABAD

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fghan Trade Commissioner in Peshawar Mirwaiz Yousafzai has said that linking transit trade with the politics is not in the interest of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and urged Pakistani government to reopen Torkham and Chaman border to ease the miseries of traders on both sides.

The official said trade has been halting for the last several days amid ongoing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

He hoped that Islamabad should review its decision and reopen the border to avoid further losses to traders’ community.

Mirwaiz, speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, said political tension always did affect the trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan therefore trade should not be sacrificed for the sake of politics.

Flanked by All Traders’ Alliance President Haji Rasul Khan and Afghan Transport Owners’ Association President Mohammad Noor Ahmadzai, the Afghan offi-

cial said the SAARC and WTO rules didn’t permit to halt the trade relations between the two countries. Mirwaiz said the closure of border also impacted Pakistan economy.

“We are ready to pay all legal taxes under new policy in the country,” Rasul said. He informed the press that Afghan traders are presently paying 17 percent sales tax, 4.5 percent income tax and

three percent VTA tax to Pakistanis authorities.

Transporters President Rasul said trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan is at the low level. He claimed that owing to ongoing tension, the trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan decreased from $2.5million to $1million as both countries are far away to achieve the trade target of $5billion.

he Kohat State Ware House (SWH) generated Rs18.87million revenue during 20 days (1st February to 20th) of Financial Year of February 2016-17. According to Model Customs Collectorate, the Kohat State Ware House earned Rs1.74million Customs Duty during above said period whereas the Kohat SWH received Rs1.44million miscellaneous duty taxes and surcharges. During above said period, the Kohat SWH got Rs0.47million Redemption Duty on imports whereas the customs station did Rs0.83million Extra Development Surcharge (EDS) while the Kohat SWH collected Rs2.88million Sales Tax. The Kohat SWH collected Rs0.92million tax on imports whereas it did Rs1.96million Additional Income Tax while it collected Rs8.63million AIT on Exports during the initial 20 days of FY2016-17.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad earned Rs8.21million more Customs Duty than the assigned target of initial 15 days of February FY2016-17. According to Collector MCC Islamabad Dr. Arslan Subetgeen, the collectorate received Rs226.00million Customs Duty whereas the collectorate was assigned Rs218.00million Customs Duty during the 1st of February to 15th of February.

Sialkot exporters written a golden history of self-help

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ayor of Sialkot Municipal Corporation Chaudhary Tauheed Akhtar has said Sialkot exporters have written a unique golden history of ‘selfhelp’. He said the industrialists and exporters of Sialkot had set a unique precedent for others by successfully launching a mega project on self-help basis.

He stated this while addressing the participants of a welcoming luncheon ceremony hosted in his honour by the management of Sialkot International Airport

on Tuesday. MPA Ch. Muhammad Ikram, Chairman SIAL Malik Muhammad Ashraf, CEO SIAL Maj-Gen (Retd) Mir Haider Ali Khan, Chairman Air Sial Airline Fazal Jillani, Sialkot exporters’ leader, business tycoon Riazud Din Sheikh and SIAL’s former chairmen and directors also attended the ceremony.

Chairman Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Malik Muhammad Ashraf added that the mega Sialkot airport project is now opening the new vistas of economic development in the country and bringing a boom in the industrial sector. He said it would also help in dou-

bling the annual export from Sialkot from existing exports $ 2billion, thus catering to the need of the Pakistan’s first ever Golden Export Triangle comprising Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts.

Chairman SIAL narrated that the Sialkot international airport has also ensured an easy access of Sialkot exporters to the international business routs, foreign destinations and international trade markets besides leaving very positive, health and pleasant impacts on regional economic growth and human development in Pakistan’s first ever “Gold Export Triangle”.

He revealed that the SIAL management is also planning to establish an international standard five star hotel near Sialkot international airport. He said the SIAL management will also establish an international standard Exhibition Hall/ Display Centre at Sialkot International Airport for facilitating the Sialkot exporters, enabling them to hold the international exhibitions of their export products to attract the foreigners there.

Later, Chairman SIAL Malik Muhammad Ashraf presented a shield to visiting Mayor of Sialkot Chaudhary Tauheed Akhtar.

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UAE inflation up 2.3% in January Tuesday March 7, 2017

World

DUBAI: The cost of living in Dubai and the rest of the emirates went up this year, with the overall inflation rising by 2.3 per cent in January compared to a year earlier. The latest report released on Sunday also noted a .70 per cent rise in the consumer price index (CPI) for January when compared to the previous month. Among the items monitored, the cost of medical care, education and transportation, aside from miscellaneous goods and services, posted the biggest increase. Health-care inflation went up by 5.7 per cent, while education and transportation costs posted a rise of 5 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively.

The price of beverages and tobacco, furniture/household goods and accommodation registered upward adjustments of 2.8 per cent, 2.3 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively.

china arrests 800 in crackdown JS group reports 6% revenue drop for 2016 on underground banking WASHINGTON

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hina’s policy ministry says more than 800 people have been arrested in a crackdown on unlicensed banking operations as authorities try to stem outVlows of money from the country.

The ministry said more than 380 underground banks that handled transactions totaling more than 900 billion yuan (USD 130 billion) were broken up in the crackdown launched last year.

Communist leaders allow informal Vinance to support entrepreneurs but try to stop activity they say threatens the state-run banking system, supports crime or helps people violate foreign exchange controls or other regulations. Expectations the currency would decline in value prompted companies and small investors to move money out

of China starting in late 2015. That prompted Beijing to tighten foreign exchange controls.

Meanwhile, China’s trade deVicit in services narrowed to $20.9 billion in January from $26.1 billion in December, the foreign exchange regulator said on Monday.

January’s deVicit was largely due

to a $19.7 billion gulf in spending between foreign tourists and the Chinese, who splurge more abroad than foreign tourists in China, data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) showed.

China’s trade deVicit in services widened to $260.1 billion last year, from $206.5 billion in 2015.

Australian business Sri Lanka to introduce kpIs for SoEs in line with Imf loan investment ri Lanka will introduce key per- process. As per the cabinet proposal, a slips again formance indicators to Vive state new concept of Statement of Corpoustralian business investment has fallen for the fourth straight quarter as miners continue to cut back, but other sectors narrowly upgraded their spending plans for the year in tentative signs of recovery.Thursday’s figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed investment slipped 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter to A$27.6 billion ($21.18 billion), when analysts had looked for a fall of only 1 percent. The decline was entirely driven by the mining sector where spending fell over 9 percent, even as new investment in manufacturing climbed 3.1 percent.

Importantly, spending on equipment, plant and machinery did edge up in the fourth quarter which adds to expectations economic growth bounced after a shock contraction in the previous quarter. –CB Report

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owned enterprises (SOEs) operating in the island for a period of three years commencing this year, a cabinet proposal states. Enhancing oversight and Vinancial discipline of SOEs was a major concern raised by the IMF in order to grant the Extended Fund Facility. Accordingly, CEB, CPC, National Water Supply Board, Airport & Aviation Services and Sri Lanka Ports Authority will be subjected to the new

rate Intent (SCI) will be introduced on a pilot basis for these major enterprises. It is expected to enhance performance and increase monitoring capacity of public enterprises, line ministries and ministry of Vinance. The key strategy would be encouraging and facilitating these SOEs to be selfefVicient through improved corporate practices, management reforms, innovative Vinancing. –CB Report

cademic retailer JS Group has reported a 6.2% yearon-year revenue drop to £38.1m in its annual results covering the Vinancial year ending 31st May 2016, “in line with expectations” according to the company. Operating proVit was £175,000, down 48% from the previous year’s total of £336,000. The company saw a 75% surge in e-book sales, with ebooks now representing 17% of all book sales; however it also experienced its Virst ever decline in UK Higher Education revenues. UK Higher Education revenues were down 8.3% reVlecting the fact, according to the JS Group, that no new Aspire schemes commenced during the year (Aspire schemes being a cashless bursary solution for the UK Higher Education sector), although a

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Iran’s priciest export at risk ith Iran to its south and Russia to its north and west, the Caspian Sea is not only rich in oil and natural gas reserves, but it is also the world’s primary and largest habitat for the beluga, the most famous of the caviar sturgeons, as well as four other sturgeon species. This ancient fish, often described as a living fossil, has been swimming in the Caspian Sea since the time of the dinosaurs. It is one of the world’s most expensive and highly sought-after seafood, mainly for its coveted eggs. However, the deteriorating condition of the Caspian

Turkey ups gas imports from Azerbaijan

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zerbaijan, one of the main energy partners of Turkey, increased the volume of gas supplies to the country in 2016.

Turkey’s energy market regulator EMRA reported that Azerbaijan delivered some 6.48 billion cubic me-

ters (bcm) of blue fuel in the reported period, while the volume amounted to 6.17 bcm in 2015.

Turkey imports gas from Azerbaijan via the South Caucasus Pipeline (Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum) and has a contract for purchasing 6.6 bcm of gas from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz gas and condensate Vield annually. Last year, Turkey imported 46.164 bcm of gas, recording a de-

number of new Aspire schemes have been secured for commencement this September, including at York St John University reported yesterday. Overall numbers of students served by Aspire schemes also declined, and the company said there had been a “planned de-emphasis of lower margin products”.

In International HE, the group’s revenues for its business in Botswana increased by 1% on a constant currency basis despite a decline in the number of students at the University of Botswana. Maintaining double digit growth, legal bookseller Hammicks, whose bricks and mortar London Fleet Street store closed in 2015, showed like-for-like sales growth of 12.3%, and secured a new contract secured with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Books sales rallied showing growth of 4.5%, with books as a category accounting for 56% of sales up from 49% in the prior year.

JS Group’s e-commerce channel grew by 19% and accounted for 27% of all sales.

crease of 2.2 bcm as compared to the total 48.266 bcm in 2015. Some 38.72 bcm of the volume was imported by means of pipelines, while 7.63 bcm fell to a share of compressed natural gas (CNG). The share of Azerbaijan in the total volume of gas imports amounted to 13.98 percent. The main decrease was recorded in the gas imported from Russia. The volume decreased

Sea has long been threatening this fish with extinction. For years, environmental researchers and activists in Iran have warned that because of the unclear legal status of the Caspian Sea, which makes it difVicult to manage pollution, overVishing and poaching, the sturgeon will become extinct in the near future.

Esmail Kahrom, an adviser to the head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization, told Al-Monitor, “Extinction in any part of the world is due to two factors. One is the destruction of a species’ habitat or threats to its environment, and the other is poaching. –CB Report

by 2.25 bcm from 26.623 bcm to 24.373 bcm. The imports from Iran slightly decreased from 7.926 bcm to 7.704 bcm. Gas consumption in Turkey, the second country in the world in terms of natural gas demand growth, is projected to hit 46.03 bcm in 2017. Turkey does not possess indigenous energy resources and imports almost 90 percent of crucial fossil fuel.

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Ireland exports €20m of military goods to US DUBLIN: Ireland exported more than €20 million of equipment used in military aircraft and drones to the US in 2015.

The total value of military goods exported by Irish companies fell by 50 per cent to about €43 million over the year. The US accounted for more than half of sales at €23.3 million, of which €20.4 million was related to items used in aircraft and drones. The value of dual-use items exported from the Republic in the same year rose by 30 per cent to more than €1.4 billion. This covers goods, software and technology that can be used for both civilian and military applications or can contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Dubai customs signs mou with unIon coop s part of its efforts to support the message and blessed goals of the Year of Giving, Dubai Customs signed a memorandum of Understanding with Union Coop; one of the biggest consumer cooperatives in the UAE. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Obeid Al Falasi, Executive Director of Human Resources, Finance and Administration at Dubai Customs and Harbi Mohammed bin Thani, Operations Director Manager at Union Coop, in the presence of Khalil Saqer, Director of Corporate Communication Department and Yousef Ozair, Director of IPR Department at Dubai Customs, and Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of Happiness and Marketing and Huda Salim, manager of Communication & social service at Union Coop. Al Falasi commended the role of the Union Coop in providing good quality commodities at affordable rices. The agreement will see the Union Coop print the logos of Dubai Customs campaigns on its bio friendly plastic bags and distribute booklets and brochures at its different outlets to raise public awareness about Dubai Customs. –CB Report

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Bangladesh customs nabs gold smuggler at Dhaka angladesh Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) at Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) International Airport seized gold bars weighing around 3.5 kilogram and arrested one accused in this connection. According to details, Mohammad Adam Ali boarded a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight as a domestic passenger from Chittagong when it landed in Shah Amanat (RA) International Airport from Muscat, Oman.

When the flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the CIID officials identified Adam based on prior information. Searching his body, the CIID team recovered several gold bars, weighing around 3.5 kilogram, which was kept hidden inside his belt in a unique way, said Director General of the CIID Dr Moinul Khan. –CB Report

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uS customs, Border protection to open bids for border wall

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S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will soon be accepting submissions for designs of President Donald Trump’s long-promised border wall.

CBP said in a release Friday the organization intends to begin the submission process on or around March 6 for, “the design and build of several prototype wall structures.”

By March 10, vendors will be required to submit “concept paper” of their prototypes once the process begins. CBP will then evaluate and select prototypes they wish to con-

tinue with by March 20. Chosen vendors will then be required to respond to a full request for proposal, including construction costs, by March 24. CBP expects to consider multiple submissions and announce a decision by mid-April, according to the release. President Trump said Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference that construction on a wall across the U.S./Mexico border was, “way, way, way ahead of schedule,” and that it would, “start very soon.” US Customs and Border Protection ofVicers at the Port of Sasabe arrested a Tucson man Wednesday for attempting to smuggle more than 100 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $53,000 hidden inside mesquite logs.

After a CBP drug dog alerted to a Ford truck driven by the 41-year-

old man, ofVicers found the drugs hidden within a shipment of mesquite Virewood. The marijuana was discovered after ofVicers off loaded the Virewood and split it in half. OfVicers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the subject over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Meanwhile, Customs ofVicers in Arizona, USA said they found more than 100 pounds of marijuana concealed inside hollowed-out pieces of Virewood.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said ofVicers at the Port of Sasabe stopped a Ford truck driven by a 41-year-old man and a narcotics detecting canine indicated something unusual about the shipment of mesquite Virewood in the back of the vehicle.

Tuesday March 7, 2017

Swiss finance department seeks ‘tax proposal 17’ he Swiss Federal Department of Finance said that it is forging ahead with work on a new corporate tax proposal, named “tax proposal 17” (TP17). A steering committee held its first meeting on March 2. It is led by Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer and comprises members from the government and cantons. The group agreed the timetable for TP17. In March, hearings will be arranged with the political parties, cities, and communes, national churches, and associations.

These hearings will determine the next steps to be taken. The new proposal must then be submitted to the Federal Council in June. According to the Finance Department, “The swift implementation desired by all sides in order to maintain Switzerland’s competitiveness leaves a relatively small amount of leeway, but it also offers the opportunity to involve cities and communes in the work from the outset.” It has been less than a month since the Government lost a referendum on the Corporate Tax Reform III package, which would have abolished a range of special tax arrangements for status companies in an effort to meet evolving international tax standards on harmful tax competition. Specifically, the package had proposed the abolition of certain reduced taxation arrangements for holding, domiciliary, and mixed companies. –CB Report

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Afghanistan to be off banking gray list in month

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he Central Bank of Afghanistan, the country’s state-owned bank, has said Afghanistan has addressed all the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and it will be taken off the gray list of the organization within a month.

By been taken off the list, Afghanistan’s Vinancial system will gain credibility in the world and all

banks in the country would be able to deal with international banks in other parts of the world, ofVicials at the bank said. Countries on the gray list of the organization are faced with limitations in money dealings.

The Head of the money dealing reporting ofVice of the bank, Nisar Ahmad Yusufzai, said it took Vive years to comply with the requirements and the bank is now waiting for the FATF assessments of the measures taken.

“Our banks have invested a lot on reforms. They continue their

efforts to install electronic systems to complete the requirements,” Yusufzai said. Meanwhile, members in National Banks Union said further measures should be applied by local banks to come off of the list. “Our trade will improve and expand once Afghanistan is of the FTAF list. Our problems will be solved internationally.

The local banks would be able to do deals with other countries in an easier way,” said Najibullah Amiri, head of the union. Meanwhile, The Taiwan government

upgraded its forecast for the nation’s GDP growth this year to 1.92 percent, from the 1.87 percent it predicted three months earlier, saying that an improving global economic environment and stable crude oil prices might boost exports. The upward revision came after the economy expanded 2.88 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, raising GDP growth to 1.5 percent for the whole of last year, 0.1 percentage points higher than the government’s estimate.

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FIA detains accused travelling on fake visa Tuesday March 7, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested an accused who was travelling from Lahore to Italy on fake documents.

FIA sources said accused Andleeb Hassan was travelling to Italy from the Allama Iqbal International Airport when he was caught for having fake and bogus documents.

On Departure at the Allama Iqbal International Airport by PIA, FIA arrested him on the charges of trafficking and fraud. Earlier, FIA has also offloaded a number of passengers from a flight travelling on fake visas. During a preliminary investigation, the detainees revealed that they had acquired work permits after paying a huge sum of money to a travelling agent based in Lahore.

‘ASo seizes another illegal godown of skimmed milk

RTo-II declares Abdul Rouf mayo as officer of Year 2016

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he Regional Tax OfVice-II (RTO-II) has declared Abdul Rouf Mayo as OfVicer of the Year due to his outstanding performance. He achieved highest revenue collection target during the current Vinancial year 2016-17.

A ceremony was held in Regional Tax OfVice-II to award Abdul Rouf Mayo as OfVicer of the Year in which Chief Commissioner Khawaja Adnan Zaheer and all zonal commissioners of RTOs and Inland Revenue participated. It is necessary to mention here that all zonal commissioners forwarded names of employees who showed outstanding performance in collection of revenue to the chief commissioner RTO-II. After examining different aspects and pro-

customs court hears 17 important cases on Tuesday he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 17 important cases on Tuesday and adjourned most of the cases until next hearing. According to the details, 17 cases of different types, including pre-arrest bail pleas filed by different accused persons were scheduled for hearing on Tuesday. The court adjourned bail pleas of Azhar Mehmood and Shahbaz until next hearing. The cases, including tax evasion, customs, smuggling and narcotics, were scheduled for the day.

A case of Tariq Kazmi who is allegedly involved in mobile smuggling was also scheduled for the hearing. The cases of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jhelum were scheduled for the day. Hearing of pre-arrest bail pleas filed 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. –M Imran Mehar

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cedure, Chief Commissioner Khawaja Adnan Zaheer approved the name of Abdul Rouf Mayo as OfVicer of the Year.

He was also awarded with a shield of best performer. Abdul Rouf Mayo is performing as deputy commissioner in Withholding Zone of RTO-II” On that occasion the Chief Commissioner of RTO-II Khawaja Adnan Zaheer has loud the professional skills of Abdul Rouf Mayo, he said that Abdul Rauf Mayo very young, devoted, hard worker and rising star of Inland Revenue Service.

He said that employees like Abdul Rouf Mayo are real asset of Regional Tax OfVice-II. He expressed the hope that new employees will follow his foot steps in performing their duties.

Deputy Commissioner Rauf Mayo also thanked the Chief Commissioner Khawaja Adnan Zaheer and all other senior ofVicer on the encouragement and said that he will continue to perform with same zeal and spirit for the betterment of the department.

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ollectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized another skimmed milk worth millions of rupees at a godowns near Railways Station, ofVicial sources said. Sources told Customs Today that the customs ASO after receiving a secret information constituted a team consisting Superintendent Mumtaz Ajmal Mian, Inspector Khalid Butt and others led by Assistant Collector Asim Awan and raided the gowdown near Do Moriya Pul near Railway Station.

The customs authorities said that the skimmed milk was dumped in the godown was belonged to a trader of Akbari market, namely Nasir Khan . The sources added that the trader used to supply the Iranian

customs court adjourns hearing of alleged mobile smuggler

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has adjourned the hearing of the accused arrested from Sialkot International Airport.

According to details available to Customs Today, the accused, travelling from South Africa to Sialkot, was checked by the customs ofVicials at Sialkot Airport. The customs team, during the search of the luggage, found 30 costly mobile phones hidden in the baggage of Muhammad Sarwar.

The customs team arrested the accused and presented him before the customs court for physical remand but customs judge denied the request and sent him to jail for judicial trial. Muhammad Sarwar also Viled a petition for his post arrest bail that has also been adjourned because of unavailability of prosecutor of the court. Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 16 cases including pre-arrest bail plea Viled by accused. –M Imran Mehar

originated skimmed milk to the ice cream outlets at The Mall. The sources further reported that the authorities have impounded the milk and seized in the name of state.

A case has been registered and further investigations are under way.

Earlier, the Collectortae of Customs

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Lahore Anti-Smuggling Organization team has seized mega Rs 63 million non-customs paid dry milk from a godown in a rice mill near Muridkay while sample of the milk have been sent to forensic laboratory to know the harmful impact of the milk on human health if there is any.

fIA detains accused in fraud he FIA team has arrested a man for getting money from two persons on the pretext of sending them abroad.

According to the FIA spokesman, Muhammad Ghulam Mustafa, a resident of Sargodha district, received Rs 342,000 and Rs 250,000, respectively from complainants— Muhammad Adil and Razzaq of Sargodha for sending them to Dubai for employment. However, later on, neither the accused sent them abroad nor returned their money. A case has been registered. Meanwhile, The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested an accused

who was travelling from Lahore to Italy on fake documents. FIA sources said accused Andleeb Hassan was travelling to Italy from the Allama Iqbal International Airport when he was caught for having fake and bogus documents. On Departure at the Allama Iqbal International Airport by PIA, FIA arrested him on the charges of trafVicking and fraud. Earlier, FIA has also ofVloaded a number of passengers from a Vlight travelling on fake visas. During a preliminary investigation, the detainees revealed that they had acquired work permits after paying a huge sum of money to a travelling agent based in Lahore. –M Imran Mehar

Survey mandatory to enhance tax net in true sense

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LAHORE

m hAYAT

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ax survey is need of the hour to enhance tax net in true sense and the use of 38-b is also injustice against the traders and industrialists who have already been paying huge taxes which has created an extreme sense of resentment against the

tax authorities. New Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Mohammad Irshad is one of those people who are a precious asset of the country.

These views were expressed by Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry co-convener of standing committee of Finance and Taxation and Lahore Tax Bar Association Former Habibur Rehman Zubari while talking to Customs Today here the other

day. He explained that the tax authorities are tightening screws on the taxpayers who are already in the tax net.

He said that authorities are conducting operations against them under section 38b, 42b and audit, recovery are also being done to collect taxes from them. It is injustice and will not enable the tax authorities to exploit the full potential of the tax collection, he said adding that, the same taxpay-

ers are also Viling returns. Zubari added that such tactics which are on the part of the government would further aggravate the situation and there are reasonable chances that these taxpayers take to the roads and streets to protest against the tax authorities. He said that the tax authorities must have to alter their policies and ensure broadening of tax net by bringing in the net more and non-taxpayers.

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Group faults inspection regime in Nigerian ports ABUJA: The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, (NCMDLCA) has faulted the current cargo inspection processes, which it believed caused a rise in influx of offensive imports like arms and ammunitions. In a petition to the Presidency, the group’s President, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said that of the present inspection process contravenes the global Multi- Layered Security protocol of the World Trade Organization (WTO) safe framework that was adopted by World Customs Organization (WCO). Amiwero said that the process of inspection of imported goods in the country encourages the influx of arms, ammunitions, drugs, counterfeit goods, hazardous waste and human trafficking.

french hARopA ports to hold road show in India n a bid to raise the maritime container trade between French port HAROPA and Indian ports, a powerpacked delegation is visiting India from February 20-23 to hold road shows in four cities across the country.

During the visit, the delegation led by Mr Herve Martel, CEO – Port of Le Havre & President- HAROPA ports will meet customers , trading partners, key port authorities and officials to scout for new prospects and opportunities as also senior government officials to exchange information on various maritime issues with a view to further enhance Indo French Maritime trades. The road show will take place on Feb 20 at New Delhi, Feb 21 at Chennai, Feb 22 at Ahmedabad and conclude in Mumbai on Feb 23. “During 2015-16, India transshipment on HAROPA has increased by over 39% over the previous year. The maritime traffic between the Indian sub-conti-

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nent and HAROPA continues to grow over 5 % (with a significant growth of 7 % with Indian ports (2015vs2016).

All indicators are encouraging and positive for a continuous and prosperous trade relationship India & France,” said Mr Herve Martel, CEO – Port of Le Havre & President- HAROPA ports.

HAROPA – the Gateway to Europe has the potential to make Indian exports more competitive in the international market, with the bilateral trade between India and Europe and India and France being estimated at about Euro 9 billion, well below potential. “The objective of the road-shows is to reach out to the Indian trade and gather their inputs to better facilitate transit of cargo through a simple, yet rapid, secure, easily accessible and low-cost customs clearance at HAROPA the Gateway to Europe. –CB Report

Ports & hipping

Tuesday March 7, 2017

curaçao ports Authority inks accord with cuba

port of Vancouver commissioners pass resolution in support of new bridge

WASHINGTON

ort of Vancouver commissioners this week unanimously passed a resolution that supports the replacement of the Interstate 5 Bridge. “This is an economic issue for our community, region and the entire West Coast, affecting freight mobility as well as employers, workers and emergency responders,” Commissioner Brian Wolfe said during the meeting. The resolution backs the Washington state Legislature’s effort to designate the replacement of the Interstate 5 Bridge as a project of statewide significance, and it supports the Washington State Department of Transportation using resources to collaborate with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Additionally, the port’s resolution supports the appropriation or transfer of money to start planning, engineering and construction of the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement and related freeway interchange improvements. –CB Report

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uring the Virst half of 2016, the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA), together with Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath, travelled to Cuba to start negotiations for an agreement between the ports of the two countries. The negotiations continued in the month of October of last year and eventually led to an agreement in which CPA and the Port Authority of Cuba, formally called Administración Portuaria Nacional de Cuba (“APN”) have agreed to work closer together. Cuba is in a development process which all the countries in the region should take into account. The maritime industry, including the cruise sector, will surely be affected as Cuba continues to evolve and continues to expand its market. During the talks both APN as CPA have expressed their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences, “which will bring advantages for our port

and community,” said De Castro, Director (CEO) of CPA. “A strategic alliance between the ports of Cuba and Curaçao will offer our harbor the opportunity to explore commercial activities in the region together with the Cuban harbor. The main goal and the starting point for all projects will be common interests for the ports,” said De Castro The next step will now be to draw up an action plan with a list of operations, which will be addressed by CPA

and APN in the coming weeks. A delegation of APN will also visit Curaçao to see the new Port Management System, which was recently implemented

by CPA. Minister Rhuggenaath indicated that Cuba and Curaçao have a lot in common. “Here we must not only look at the commercial area but also the growth opportunities for both countries through the exchange of knowledge, with the aim of complementing and reinforcing each other,” said the Minister.

georgia ports, IkEA to preview electric trucks T

WASHINGTON

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he Georgia Ports Authority was going green long before it was cool – or required. So it only makes sense that the GPA – winner of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2016 Clean Air Excellence award for its innovative programs converting diesel cranes to electric power — would welcome the opportunity to preview electric trucks for on-terminal use. Likewise, Swedish furniture giant IKEA Group – which has stated that its low prices “must never be achieved at the expense of people or the environment” — is looking forward to trying the all-electric tractor in its cavernous distribution center a few miles upriver from the port.

The preview is sponsored by Georgia Power’s “Will it Work?” program – an initiative designed to

get environmentally friendly technologies into the hands of companies that can use them. It will allow both the ports and IKEA to put the jockey truck to use for several weeks to get a sense of how it will perform under normal operating conditions, said Osman Bholat, Georgia Power’s electric vehicle segment manager. “Our goal is to bring the vehicle in, put it to use over a period of time and then give the company real data with which to evaluate its performance,” Bholat said. “For starters, the truck will have to do everything its diesel counterpart does – and do it equally as well. Both of these companies work their trucks hard over two shifts per day. “We’ll be looking at fuel and maintenance labor savings both per truck and across the Vleet.”

Bholat said he expects energy costs to operate the electric truck to be less than a third of a similar

diesel-powered truck, with maintenance costs coming in at less than half. While IKEA has three dieselpowered jockey trucks in its local operation, Georgia Ports has 300 such vehicles on terminal, making it easy to convince West Coast electric vehicle manufacturer BYD that this was a market to explore, Bholat said.

The demo vehicle a BYD Class 8 yard tractor – is expected to arrive the Virst of next month, spend a few weeks at IKEA, then move to GPA’s Garden City Terminal for a month.

Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, BYD Co. Ltd. is the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, in both consumer and commercial/industrial vehicles, and a global leader and innovator in battery technology.

The BYD Class 8 yard tractor utilizes the Virst battery speciVically designed for vehicle electriVication.

With the company’s proprietary iron phosphate technology at its

core, the truck, which is manufactured at BYD’s facility in Lancaster, Calif., is capable of providing 15 hours of operation between charges.

Meanwhile, Mexican ports handled 4.1 million loaded twenty-footequivalent containers in 2016, up from 3.9 million TEUs in 2015, according to Vigures released by the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transport, which oversees the port system. That was slightly better than the 5.1 percent year-overyear increase in 2015. It was also stronger than the 2016 performance of US ports, where the volume of loaded TEUs increased by 3.3 percent over 2016. Mexico also seems to have done better than Canada. Although national Vigures for Canadian ports are not available, laden volumes through four of the country’s largest ports — Vancouver, Montreal, Prince Rupert, and Port Saint John — grew by just over 0.5 percent.

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TRC committee discuss ways to reduce size of undocumented economy ISLAMABAD: Tax Reform Commission’s (TRC) high powered committee Thursday discussed various strategic measures to promote tax culture and reduce the size of undocumented economy in the country.

The meeting of committee was presided over by Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Senator Haroon Akhtar Khan.

Among others, it was attended by Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Dr. Muhammad Irshad, Member TRC committee Syed Masood Ali Naqvi and other members of the FBR board, official sources said.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

collectorate’s auction fetches Rs6.41 million to treasury: Aniqua ISLAMABAD m fAIZAn

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he Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad held a public auction of various kinds of confiscated goods at state warehouse G-11 Islamabad. The collectorate has earned Rs6.41million income through auction. According to Deputy Collector Auction Aniqua, the auction has brought some handsome revenue to national exchequer. The auctioneers had deposited 25% out of total worth of the lots they purchased through auction.

The Customs Department organized the auction of dismantled vehicles and goods. About half of the goods has been sold which comprise cosmetics, ladies fabric, gents fabric, LED TVs, welding rods, split ACs, old and new auto parts, black tea, crockery, iron pads locks, polyester Vloor mats, dismantled vehicles (Toyota Corolla models 1968, 1987, 1988, 1990), (dismantled vehicles as Toyota Hiace model 1990) and other miscellaneous goods. The auction was organized by Alvi Auctioneers under the supervision of customs staff of the MCC Islamabad.

nAB unearths ill-gotten properties worth billions KARACHI

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he National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Karachi, has arrested an ex-police head constable and his son, who is a serving constable, from Hyderabad and unearthed cash, gold and documents of unaccounted for properties worth billions of rupees.

The NAB on a tip-off conducted

raids within the jurisdiction of Latifabad No.9 Hyderabad and arrested two accused namely Muhammad Yousuf and his son Arif Yousuf on Feb 25 and 26 respectively, a NAB spokesman said in a statement here on Monday.

He said Muhammad Yousuf, his house and business place were thoroughly searched wherein properties including cash, gold, and unexplained documents of unaccounted for properties were recovered, whose cumulative worth as per current market value runs in millions. The details of the properties are Cash Rs3.89815 Million,

Irani Riyals 20 million, (Pak Rupees. 64697.99); Cash Saudi Riyals 745 (Pak Rupees 20823.57); Cash UAE Dirham 3405 (Pak Rupees 97187.05); Prize Bonds worth Rs1.21225 Million; Gold Ornaments 39.4 Tolas and Imitation Jewelry (Pak Rupees 2029100), One Rado wrist Watch.

While Bank Accounts and transactions likely to run in billions (Approx. 20 accounts in various Banks, mostly in Soneri Bank where Rs20 million to 70 million cash was deposited over the years in each account. More than 20 Benami Bank Accounts were also unearthed.

Other properties include one marriage hall at Latifabad worth Rs30 million, Sale Deed of a plot in Latifabad worth Rs28 million; Documents of almost 10 plots in Bahria Town, Hyderabad, Surjani Town etc; Documents of 3 shops in Boulevard, Hyderabad, Documents of 5 Flats in Bahria Town etc, Documents of around 6 Houses in Latifabad Hyderabad and Bahria Town Karachi; 120 Payment receipts made for Bahria Town plots; 10 Vehicles physically recovered worth (approx.) Rs14.3 million. The preliminary interrogation has revealed that Muhammad Yousuf was Head

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Constable and terminated from service on corruption charges whereas his son Arif Yousuf is a Police Constable still serving in Sindh Police District Hyderabad. The preliminary interrogation has also revealed that both the arrested accused have been working in connivance with certain government ofVicials and also in capacity of front-men for parking of cash, buying and selling of properties in their names and in the names of other benamidars, on their own behalf and on behalf of certain ofVicials to act as important part of money laundering process.