Saturday, 17 March 2018

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Karachi, Sat March 17, 2018

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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ederal Board of Revenue Member Customs Muhammad Zahid Khokhar has stated that he has ordered the chief collector Karachi to investigate the scam of misuse of green channel facility at the Port Qasim and report back to him.

During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, the FBR Member Customs disclosed that China Tax Administration has agreed to provide the data of exports to Pakistan through their ports and borders. In this regard, he said that the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) agreement between China and Pakistan will be implemented from the next month. The Pakistan Customs has been showing tremendous per-

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formance for the last many months and its revenue has increased more than 27 percent. He said that that he is quite optimistic that the department will achieve the revenue targets of the current Qinancial year (20172018). He said implementation on Electronic Data Interchange agreement is big success of Federal Board of Revenue, and the EDI system will start functioning from 2nd April. He warned that the importers, who were involved in under-invoicing and mis-declaration or were involved in replacing the goods in connivance with a few black sheep of the department, would have no room for malpractices after 2nd April. He said that after the implementation on EDI the issues of mis declaration and under invoicing will be solved. He said we have estimated but it is not Qinal Qigure that FBR can get Rs.150 to 200 billion in terms of additional revenue.

Zahid Khokhar orders probe into misuse of green channel facility at PQ

Customs Export recovers evaded duties, taxes of Rs 13.58m from defaulter cos

FBR lauded for all time higher revenue collection of Rs4 tr by end of fiscal year

Philippines seizes hundreds of smuggled animals

Customs Intelligence seizes smuggled hashish, electronic items, medicines

Zahid Khokhar has stated that he has ordered the chief collector Karachi | SEE PAGE 01 |

Customs Export has recovered evaded duties and taxes of Rs 13.58 million | SEE PAGE 02 |

FBR was lauded for setting new historical records by achieving ever higher revenue | SEE PAGE 05 |

Authorities seized on hundreds of exotic animals smuggled into the Philippines | SEE PAGE 07 |

Customs I&I has seized a huge quantity of contraband items including hashish | SEE PAGE 08 |

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FIA offload passenger at Lahore airport Saturday, March 17, 2018

National

LAHORE: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Immigration offloaded passengers at the airport.

According to FIA spokesman, the passenger Mehboob s/o Mehtoob resident of Lahore was travelling to South Africa by a flight number EK625.

During immigration clearance, his South Africa work permit affixed on page No 10 was found fake. On which the passenger was offloaded and is being sent to FIA/AHTC Lahore for further legal action.

Customs Export recovers evaded duties, taxes of Rs 13.58m from defaulter cos

Sales of locally assembled vehicles go up by 15 % ISLAMABAD

KARACHI

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WAQAR AHMED ANSARI

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he sales of locally assembled vehicles and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) have witnessed 15 per cent increase in February this year as compared to same month last year. Local auto manufacturers have sold a total of 22,654 units in February this year as compared to the 19,686 units that were sold in February last year. This increase may be attributed to strict import policy that government implemented to decrease trade deficit and imports. The statistics issued

by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) on Tuesday revealed that sales of LCVs increased by 41 per cent year-onyear for February 2018 as 3,627 units of LCVs were sold in February this year as compared to 2,467 units in February 2017. Hilux sales increased by 33 per cent as well to reach record sales numbers. Pak Suzuki saw most sales among top three automobile giants in Pakistan. This growth is mainly because of increased sales of Suzuki Mehran and recently upgraded Suzuki Wagonr. Suzuki sold 1,000 more units of Mehran in February 2018 as compared to February.

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he Customs Export has recovered evaded duties and taxes of Rs 13.58 million from defaulter companies which were issued with notices to pay the outstanding dues.

Sources told Customs Today that during the scrutiny of the import data, it was revealed that M/s Super Handicrafts availed undue benefits and concessions by importing different consignments by misusing the SRO 568 through Examiner Yahya Khan on August 17, 2017. Sources said that the company was allegedly involved in tax evasion of Rs 6 million. Investigations was continue, after detecting the tax evasion; the Customs Export issued with a final notice on February 22, 2018 to deposit the evaded amount within 14 days.

After receiving the notice, the management of M/s Super Handicrafts Karachi deposited the evaded amount in the official account of the Customs Export on 7th March, 2018. On the other hand, the management of the M/s Mughal Traders also cleared outstanding amount of Rs 7.58 million of taxes and duties. Sources told that M/s Mughal traders also availed undue benefits and concessions and avoided paying taxes according to the customs bylaws.

The Customs Export authorities served on it a final notice on Feb-

ruary 16, 2018. After receiving the notice, the management of the M/s

Mughal traders deposited the evaded amount of taxes today.

Smuggling major hurdle in Pak-Afghan trade S

LAHORE

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muggling is obstructing the legal trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, therefore, this issue should be tackled through rationalizing and removing the tariff barriers. This was stated by Secretary General of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI) Faiza Zubair while talking to LCCI Acting President Khawaja

Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil and Executive Committee Members here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Tuesday. Awais Saeed Piracha, Fahim-ur-Rehamn Saigol and Lala Pervez were also present on the occasion. Fauzia Zubair said that smuggling should be eliminated with iron hands as it was equally destructive for the both countries.

She said that regulatory duty imposed by Afghanistan on Pakistani goods was 400 times more than RD

imposed by Pakistan on Afghani products. She said that mutual trade could not grow in the presence of such duty structure.

She added that there was a need of an Export House for check and balance of the quality speciQications of export goods of both countries before full payments to overcome trust deQicit. She said that Afghan Businessman loved to work in Lahore.

They needed progressive support of Lahore Chamber for work here. There were some hotel reservation issues

in Lahore, asserting that a comprehensive proposal from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was required about bilateral trade problems and their solutions in Afghanistan and central Asia. She viewed, “Economically and socially we can resolve the political issues of the two countries. That is why we are going to arrange a grand combine meeting of all Chambers of Pakistan very soon to discuss the export issue of the countries.” On this occasion, LCCI Acting President Khawaja

Khawar Rashid said that bilateral relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan were very important for the peace and development in the region. If the relations between the both were not good due to some internal or external reasons, it directly affectef their bilateral and transit trade. He said that Pakistan was the best option for exports and imports for Afghanistan. He mentioned that in 2010-11, the total volume of Transit Trade was $3.8 billion which was exceeded to $3.5 billion in 2015-16.

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ISLAMABAD M FAIZAN www.customsbulletin.com

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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), was lauded for setting new historical records by achieving ever higher revenue collection in the current Qiscal year. FBR is going to achieve the all times higher Rs 4 trillion revenue target by the end of current Qiscal year. While addressing closing session of “Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit 2018” here Adviser on Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail said that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was going to achieve the all times higher Rs 4 trillion revenue collection target by the end of this Qiscal year. It will be more than 19% increase than the revenue collected in the Qiscal year. “This is why Pakistan’s economy has gained stability because of numerous measures taken by the incumbent government in last Qive years. This year growth rate is 6% and we have target of 7% growth rate for the upcoming Qiscal year” he added.

“We will conclude the current Qiscal year within 5% Qiscal deQicit limit and reduce it down to 4.5% next year and even 5% deQicit is reasonable in a Qinal year of any elected government. Furthermore, 6% GDP growth rate will be achieved this year de-

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Saturday, March 17, 2018

spite projections by international Qinancial institution for GDP growth rate at 5.55.6%.” he added He said that the government would not introduce any new tax in the next year budget and yet achieve at least 0.3% increase in tax-to-GDP ratio with additional revenue of about Rs120 billion based on 10% increase in inQlation and growth rate and by bringing into tax net about 300,000-400,000 fresh taxpayers.

He said that FBR was co-opting with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for a potential 700,000 taxpayers and an exercise was currently in place to ensure that at least half of them come into the tax net next year.

He went on saying that on the recommendations of the FBR, the government would reduce individual tax rates and exempt from income tax annual income worth Rs1 million because tax rate on annual income of Rs400,000 at present was unrealistic and a burden on poor segment earning Rs30-40,000 per month. They would continue to Qile tax returns. He ruled out a reduction in other tax rates like 17% General Sales Tax (GST), saying that was not a consideration. He said that the government has decided to take on board all major political parties for the upcoming budget ahead of the general elections. The gov-

ernment has already held Qirst round of consultations with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders Syed Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rahman and the budget schedule had been agreed upon.

It is pertinent to note here that the two- day Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit is Pakistan’s most prestigious and well-attended business summit, which features 20 international speakers including distinguished professors from Ivy League Universities and global CEOs. The theme for this year’s summit was “Disrupting the Future” where innovators, leaders and future thinkers will come together to present their ideas. The event was organized by Martin Dow in collaboration with Nutshell Forum and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms and was attended by business delegations from China, GCC and other regional countries.

The Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit provided a dynamic mix of individuals; a gathering of vibrant strategists, business thinkers, policy makers, innovators, ministers and parliamentarians. The summit allowed leading business Qigures from around the world to present their ideas and effective business strategies in a discussion to address leadership and business concerns crucial to today’s world decision makers.

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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

Potentials of Pakistani economy

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ccording to the UN Department of Economic and Social Aairs, financial and investment conditions are favourable in most of the South Asian economies, including Pakistan, due to accommodative monetary policies, low inflation and rising business confidence in recent years. Pakistan has the potentials to become leading economy of the world, but it has been under-performing since inception.

The UN report suggests the economy of Pakistan needs to improve its growth rate and its policymakers should have to lay the foundation for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the medium-term. There is great demand for investment opportunities in Pakistan despite low industrial growth, underperforming agriculture sector and irrational tax rates. The government policymakers have so far failed to devise a uniformed and unambiguous tax system in the country, but still the economic activities are gaining momentum, which are supported by improvement in the energy supplies, development of infrastructure under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and other public initiatives. However, there is a need to lower loan demands which have witnessed visible rise during the first two quarters of the fiscal year 2017-18, especially in the corporate sector. The UN report suggests that the positive growth picture and policy reforms are supporting the private investments in several countries. The world economy passed through a long period of recession and subdued growth, but renewed investment trends, supported by consumer sentiments, have strengthened and pushed up the growth rate in a couple of years. The report says that due to reduced banking sector fragilities in developed countries, conditions of the global investment have improved. As a result, the financing costs remained low in emerging economies, strengthening by the recovery of capital flows and cross-border lending and higher commodity prices. However, a long period of recession in developed countries increased vulnerabilities of various emerging economies, which kept the potential investors at bay, increasing financial risks and borrowing costs.

The economy of Pakistan is at the crossroad where it has to decide which way to go. The political uncertainties are growing with political parties fighting with one another for their vested interests.

Economy amid political chaos T

LAHORE

DR AFTAB AFZAL

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he economy of Pakistan is facing various challenges some of which are self-made and some of the others are inherent. There are external challenges such has constant conspiracies and threats from hostile neighbours on the west and east sides of the country while others are internal, including political brawls within the so-called democratic parties.

However, no procedural attempt has ever been made to resolve anything in the country. Despite positive indicators, the economy is on the downward trajectory where the rising import bill has created a huge trade deQicit. The interna-

tional institutions are closely watching the national affairs and the world rating agencies are painting a bleak picture of the economy. A poor ranking at the ease of doing business index shows the foreign investors are afraid of the wide array of federal and provincial taxes whereas the tax regulations are also difQicult to navigate. The companies, which are interested in the investment, have to face various hurdles from beginning to the end. The problems faced by the investors have nothing to do with the bureaucratic machinery as they draw heavy salaries and perks at the cost of taxpayers’ money without doing anything on their part. The politicians are busy in Qighting with

one another and introduction of reforms and devising businessfriendly policies are not their business. When lethargy prevails in the ofQicial circles, it renders a large part of the ofQicial machinery dysfunctional. As economic woes are multiplying, the demographic indicators are also changing, calling for introduction of institutional, technical and structural reforms at the earliest. The administrative failures have already thrown Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Somalia into the list of failed states and God forbid Pakistan should not be the next in the line. Vietnam has used Chinese model to uplift its economy and China used Japanese model to push itself into the Qirst world countries. Pakistan

has much better position than these countries and only planning and vision of the country’s leadership is required to launch business-friendly policies. If the population of the country is increasing, the workforce capacity of the country is also on the rise. The government policymakers have to follow a role model and devise a Qirm strategy to implement it. The federal budget is going to be announced next month and it is hoped the government will give proper place to investment friendly policies. The government should have to launch capacitybuilding programmes for the ofQicial cadre and devise friendly policies to boost business, trade and investment in the country.

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Thailand must seize moment to ensure growth Saturday March 17, 2018

World

BANG KOK: After several years of anemic growth, the Thai economy is gaining momentum on the back of global expansion that gathered pace in 2017. But this is not the time for complacency.

Instead, it would be prudent to look beyond the favorable cyclical factors and deal with the challenges lying on the path to sustainable long-term growth. In this regard, Thai policymakers need to address four fundamental issues to achieve their stated objective of transforming Thailand into a developed country within the next 20 years.

Philippines seizes hundreds of smuggled animals

Saudi private sector growth picks up slightly RIYADH

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MANILA

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uthorities seized on hundreds of exotic animals smuggled into the Philippines, which is a regional hub in the illicit animal trade.

The cache of some 300 creatures, which included squirrel-like sugar gliders, wallabies, and a threatened species of cockatoo, was one of the nation’s largest wildlife busts.

Four suspects were arrested in the raid that turned up animals native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

The haul also included seven red birds of paradise and 26 Moluccan cockatoos, which wildlife monitor IUCN considers to be at high risk of extinction in the wild. Philippine ofQicials put the market value of the conQiscated creatures at US$192,000 (RM749,000), which is more than

Treasury at upper limits of taxing South Africans n addition, there’s an increase in the grants to low income level people in SA as well. That’s the official message out there from the ministry. I think it is a bit more complicated than that. The zero-rated food items have been more or less static since the inception of VAT about 28 years ago. So, whether zerorated items are really scientifically proven to assist the poor is a big question mark. I think there will be a very strong impact on the poor. However, I’m also not saying that the increase was wrong or the incorrect thing to do at the time. Exactly, we needed about R51bn and then it got reduced to about R36bn.

The VAT hike of one percentage point raises about R22.9bn. So, that brought us about two-thirds to closing the gap. I think the stress on the personal income tax and the high corporate tax rate left only VAT to be considered. –CB Report

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all the live wildlife seized by Manila last year. As the global convention on wildlife trade lists the Moluccan cockatoo as a species threatened with extinction, the suspects face up to 12 years in prison if convicted under the country’s wildlife act.

Meanwhile, Rappler Holdings Corporation questioned the for filing a criminal complaint against its two executives for allegedly

evading P133.8 million in taxes.

The BIR last claimed that Rappler had profited from the sale of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to two foreign entities in 2015 and that it should pay income and value added tax (VAT) for the transaction. The BIR had said Rappler is subject to income tax and VAT as the company is a dealer in securities.

China Lilang 2017 net profit rises 13.2% on lower tax rate

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hina Lilang, a menswear manufacturer, said its net proQit for 2017 increased 13.2% from a year earlier, helped by higher revenue and lower tax payment. Net proQit for the year ended Dec. 31 totaled 611 million yuan ($96.37 million), up from 539.9 million yuan a year earlier, the Hong Kong-listed company said in an exchange Qiling.

The effective income tax rate was 15.3% for the year, representing a

decrease of 12.4 percentage points, it said. “One of the group’s China subsidiaries was granted the Advanced and New Technology Enterprise status and entitled to a reduced income tax rate in 2017.” In addition, in 2017, two of its units enjoyed income tax concessions due to their place of incorporation. Revenue was up 1.2% to 2.44 billion yuan from 2.41 billion yuan in the year-ago period, it added. –CB Report

rowth in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector picked up in February after slowing, when a 5 percent valueadded tax was imposed and domestic fuel prices were hiked, a corporate survey showed. The seasonally adjusted Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index edged up to 53.2 last month from 53.0 in January, when it hit its lowest level since the survey began in August 2009. A level above 50 means business is expanding.However, demand remained softer than in the fourth quarter of 2017, prompting firms to cut selling prices last month by the most since the survey began in August 2009.”

Input price inQlation fell to 53.8 in February as the initial impact of a tax and fuel price hike faded, while

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output price inQlation turned negative with a reading of 47.6, a sign that companies might be discounting to keep market share in the face of weak consumer demand.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has long been the dominant force in oil. Now the kingdom must refresh its strategy to reflect a weaker hand and in many ways, a different game. The changing nature of the energy industry the oil production boom in American shale fields, the persistence of lower crude prices, and the rise of natural gas has transformed the geopolitical equation. While Saudi Arabia is a major energy producer, it must compensate for its lost revenue. the US, China and Russia are all circling in hopes of gaining a financial advantage. Russia, smarting from Western sanctions and lower oil prices, is moving to embrace Saudi Arabia for energy deals despite their rivalry in Syria, where the two countries support competing sides.

Iran to buy wheat for flour exports

he Persian Gulf nation has agreed to buy the grain from Russia and Kazakhstan, and total shipments may reach as much as 1 million tons a year over the next Qive years, Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture said. The wheat can only be used to make Qlour for export and a ban imposed in 2016 on wheat imports for domestic consumption remains in place.

“There is unused capacity at Iran’s Qlour mills,” Kaveh Zargaran, chairman of the Agriculture Committee at the Iranian trade organization, said in an interview with

Bloomberg in Moscow.

“Shipments may start at the end of next month, if Iran’s private millers can obtain loans to buy the grain.”

Russia has been shipping out wheat at a record pace this season, as the world’s top exporter ofQloads its biggest ever harvest. Attractive prices for the grain have helped the country grab market share from places like the US and Europe, while Moscow has also been eying up new destinations such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees trade with Iran, said he expects sales to Iran to reach 1.5 million tons a year. –CB Report

UK solar, storage revenue model ‘stacking up’

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LONDON

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he economics of solar-andstorage in the UK are being proven, according to Anesco, the developer of one such project.

Speaking at the Energy Storage Summit in London, Steve Shine, Anesco’s chairman, explained that

while the company had not proven the case for subsidy-free solar, the business model for its hybrid Clay Hill project was panning out.

“Solar by itself does not pay,” he said stressing that Clay Hill was a hybrid project. “The revenue model is stacking up well and now are going to grow that and prove at a number of other sites. “At Clay Hill we designed it to keep the capital cost as

low as possible and to keep the operational cost as low as possible for the next 20 years,” he added.

Shine also acknowledged that solar’s push to subsidy-free status had been hindered by PV module prices increasing through 2017, that was likely to change after the recent introduction of trade tariffs in the US. Mark Henderson, CIO at GRIDSERVE, stressed that it was impor-

tant to discern between new-build and retro-Qitted co-location.

“On the Qinancial side, when we talk about co-location we are talking about new builds together, not Qitting storage to existing generation sites. That is Qine from a technical perspective, but Qinancially, unless you are going to get the same Qinancier to Qinance the new one [it’s difQicult],” he said.

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Peshawar Custom seizes foreign origin cloth PESHAWAR: The Anti Smuggling Units of Customs House Peshawar raided a Goddam at Kharkhano market and seized foreign origin cloth worth millions of rupees. The raid was conducted after Collector Customs Mohammad Saeed Jadon received secret information. Upon receiving information, Collector Customs directed Deputy Collector Anti Smuggling Unit Obaid Khan who constituted team under the leader ship of superintended Nasir Bukhari.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

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Customs Intelligence seizes smuggled hashish, electronic items, medicines, other goods KARACHI WAQAR AHMED ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

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he Directorate, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Karachi, has seized a huge quantity of contraband items including hashish, Iranian diesel, plastic Dana, and electronic items and so many more things worth Rs10.58million during 13 days of March.

Sources told Customs Today that Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation foiled an attempt of smuggling non-duty-paid surgical items and international medicines worth Rs07million during a special checking on Tuesday.

Sources told Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation Quetta that Muhammad Akram Chaudhary received a tip-off that some smugglers are trying to smuggle surgical items and medicines from Quetta into Hyderabad.

He constituted a raiding team under the supervision of Superintendent Zubair Ali and others. The team enhanced the surveillance on Quetta Highway Balili check-post and started the search of vehicles. During the search operation, the team intercepted a van bearing registra-

tion No: BF-7251 which was going from Quetta to Hyderabad. During

the checking, the customs team recovered 200 sets of surgical items

and medicines worth Rs07million.

The customs team seized all the

goods and arrested two smugglers including a driver.

FIA registers FIR against Haqqani for corruption ISLAMABAD

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ederal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against Pakistan’s former ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani for allegedly misusing secret funds worth $7.2 million while he was in his ofQice in Washington DC – a step that has been regarded as ‘politicallymotivated’ by Haqqani .

According to ofQicial sources, FIA has registered a Qirst information report (FIR) against Haqqani for misuse of secret funds when he was ambassador in Washington DC. The case had been registered last week on the directions of Director General FIA Bashir Ahmed Memon. Haqqani remained Pakistan’s ambassador during the last federal government of Pakistan People’s Party and he was forced to resign from his ofQice in November 2011 weeks after his name surfaced in the controversial Memogate scandal.

The federal government in the

last week of February had informed the Supreme Court that FIA was planning to register a case against former ambassador over misuse of funds to fulQil requirement of the Interpol for issuance of a red notice against him. Additional Attorney General Muhammad Waqar Rana had told this to a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. The apex court had taken the suo motu notice to ensure implementation on an earlier court order asking to bring Haqqani back to Pakistan so that he could face charges against him in the Memogate scandal. On

the other hand, Haqqani , while commenting on registration of the case, said that false charges had been Qiled in Pakistan against him six years ago after his resignation.

“These charges have been manufactured after Interpol turned down an earlier request by FIA under instructions from the Supreme Court for a red corner notice against me,” he said adding that their purpose was just to meet Interpol’s criteria for warrants because Interpol did not get involved in political cases. “I am conQident Interpol and others outside Pakistan will see the absolute lack of credibility in this po-

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litically-motivated exercise aimed at silencing a critic of the Pakistani state’s wrong policies, including its support for jihadi terrorism,” he said. He further said that this case would go nowhere not only because it was without basis but also because Pakistan’s politicised judiciary and law enforcement agencies had no respect or inQluence left outside Pakistan. The Supreme Court on February 15 had issued arrest warrants for Haqqani for breaching an earlier undertaking to appear in person before the court and had directed the FIA to bring him back to the country through Interpol.