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Karachi, Wed May 17, 2017

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad attended seminar on private sector credit and growth in tax revenue and held a meeting with Lahore Tax Bar Association delegation. The seminar was arranged by Allied Bank Limited (ABL) at a local hotel and a large number of participants were present on the occasion. Addressing the participants the Chairman FBR stressed the need of the growth of private sector for the sustainable economic growth and development. The chairman was of the view that growth in private sector credit plays important part in development and also enhances tax revenue due to the positive effect of the rising economic activities in an economy. Meanwhile the chairman

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held meeting with delegation of Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) and assure the ofRice bearers of LTBA of resolution of the issue concerning delays in the registration of NTN and registration. The chairman FBR Dr Irshad also assured the delegation of making audit procedures simple and for cancellation of the registration permission by chief commissioner was made mandatory. The chairman also urged the lawyers to contest only the genuine tax cases as no country can be run without tax revenue. The delegation was led by LTBA president Qamaruz Zaman Ch while vice president Shahbaz Sidique, Finance Secretary Rana Mubashar, Secretary Irfan Haider Shah, ex-President Ferhan Shahzad, Monum Sultan, Athar Naveed Kiani, Mirza Mubashar Baigh, Farooq Baig, Chief Commissioner Khawaja Adnan Zaheer, Chief Commissioner LTU Zulqurnan Tirmazi, Chief Commissioner Nadeem Rizvi and other were present.

DG Customs values of silicone dioxide, iron oxide revised

PR to install weighbridge at Islamabad Dry Port: Amanat

CPEC, OBOR are all about “shared prosperity”: PM Nawaz

Customs ASO intensifies drive against smugglers, impounds 3 NDP cars

Peshawar ASO seizes non duty paid goods Rs1.85b in last six months

DG Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of silicone dioxide and iron | See pAge 02 |

ThePRwillinstallaweighbridgeattheIDP aftertheannouncementofnextbudget | See pAge 03 |

PM Nawaz said that the OBOR & CPEC were all about shared prosperity | See pAge 04 |

Customs ASO seized Rs 75 lacs three illegally imported cars in connection | See pAge 14 |

The Customs ASO Peshawar in last six months seized smuggled items of Rs1.85 b | See pAge 16 |

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Sialkot Excise recovers Rs1.6b from chronic defaulters Wednesday, May 17, 2017

National

SIALKOT: As many as 110 special recovery teams of Excise and Taxation Department have recovered Rs.1.6 billion from the chronic defaulters in shape of diﬀerent taxes during the ongoing special recovery campaign launched against the chronic defaulters in Gujranwala division’s all the six Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahaud Din, Haﬁzabad and Gujranwala districts here. According to Excise and Taxation Director Ahmed Saeed, the teams have recovered Rs1.6 billion from the chronic defaulters in shape of (Rs.760 million as property tax, Rs.556 million motor tax, Rs.585 million recreation tax, Rs9 million excise duty and Rs50 million as professional tax).

customs values of silicone dioxide, iron oxide revised

fBr assigns rs1660.71 million collection target to Quetta QUETTA

KARACHI

wAQAr AHMeD AnSAri

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he Federal Board of Revenue (MCC) assigned Rs1660.71million all duty taxes’ collection to the Model Customs Collectorate Quetta for May of Financial Year (FY) 2016-17. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) assigned Rs238.00million collection of Withholding and Income Tax to Model Customs Collectorate, and the FBR assigned Rs811.00million Sales Tax. The MCC Quetta has been assigned Rs18.00million Federal Excise Duty and it has been assigned Rs593.71million Customs Duty. The sources said the MCC Quetta was assigned Rs1398.00million All Duty Taxes during April FY2016-17 whereas the Quetta Collectorate exceeded its assigned collection target of All Duty and Taxes with the collection of Rs1400.00million during April 201617. Elaborating the revenue earned during April FY-16-17, the sources said the Quetta Collectorate generated Rs557.00million revenue against the assigned target of Rs513million Customs Duty. The MCC Quetta received Rs597.00million Sales Tax while the collector said the collectorate collected Rs33.00million against the assigned target of Rs15.00million Federal Excise Duty.

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he Directorate of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of silicone dioxide and iron oxide vide Valuation Ruling No.1151/2017. Silicone dioxide and iron oxide were selected for determination of customs values due to vide variation in declared and assessed values. An exercise was initiated to determine the customs values of the goods for uniform applicability. Customs values of silicone dioxide (non-pharmaceutical grade) under PCT 2811.2200 of China/India are Rixed at $1.10/kg, of Germany at $1.70/kg. Customs values of iron oxide red under PCT 2821.1010 of china 1.06/kg. Customs values of iron oxide yellow under PCT 2821.1010 of china 1.30/kg. Customs values of iron oxide yellow (Bay Ferrox grade) under PCT 2821.1010 of china 1.67/kg. Meanwhile, The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of gasoline water pumps (low end brands) through Valuation Ruling No 1150/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969. According to details Directorate General notiRied VDB values of Gasoline Water Pumps (low end brands) vide VDB letter No. 139 dated 30-122016. Meanwhile, this Directorate

General also initiated an exercise for determination of customs values gasoline water pumps (low end brands) under Section 25-A. Importers had been requested to furnish invoices of imports during last three months, showing factual values as well as the websites, names and E-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in

question through which the actual current value can be ascertained. The importers were also asked to submit copies of contracts or LCs which opened during the last three months, showing the values of the item in question as well as the copies of sales tax invoices issued during last four months, showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to

substantiate that the beneRit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers. No documents were submitted in this Directorate General on or before the said scheduled meeting.However, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lahore submitted a written request that the customs value of said product shall not be Rixed higher than US$ 2/Kg.

ASo impounds smuggled air-compressor & Hino truck T

FAISALABAD

nAeeM SHeikH

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he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) Sargodha has impounded a foreign origin aircompressor and a vehicle. The appraised value of the smuggled items is Rs02.8million involving duty and tax worth Rs330994. Sources told Customs Today that the ASO received a tip-off through Collector Muhammad Sadiq that

smuggled air-compressor is being smuggled into the country without paying custom duty and taxes. The ASO team, comprising Superintendent Choudhary Muhammad Sardar, Inspector Malik Atif Mumtaz, Bashir Ahmed and Sepoys Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Mansha, Muhammad Amin and Muhammad Imran, started checking of vehicles near Wegowal Toll Plaza, Khushab Road, Sargodha. During the checking, the ASO intercepted a Hino truck with regis-

tration No: SGJ-4646 (Sargodha) loaded with foreign origin air- compressor weighed 2600 kg with tyres. The ASO asked the accused driver, Abdul Rehman son of Abdul Ghaffar, to provide documents regarding the possession and transportation of above said items but the driver failed to prove anything legal. The ASO team seized the items under Section 168 of the Customs Act-1969 in violation of section 2(s) 16 and 18 of the Customs Act-1969. The ASO arrested the accused driver and for-

warded the case to Customs Adjudication department. Meanwhile, The Anti Smuggling Organization has seized 9-pieces of foreign origin auto parts in Faisalabad city. The market value of the seized auto parts is Rs414225 involving customs duty and taxes Rs105731. Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector Muhammad Usman received information regarding the smuggling of foreign origin auto parts. Soon after receiving the information he constituted a raiding team comprising

Superintendent Dilawar Hussain, Inspector Tanveerul Haq, Khalid Ashraf Noor, Ali Zahid and Muhammad Hayat, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Yasin sepoy. The ASO team conducted raid near Jhang Road and seized different HTV hub 8 hub 8 stud without tube CWP and HTV hub CWP and hub. That foreign origin auto parts were being transported from Lahore to Faisalabad through Jeway Abbas and Co, New super Diamond good jhang road Faisalabad.

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Deputy Collector Usman Tariq reshuffles staff and duties FAISALABAD: The Customs Collectorate Deputy Collector Usman Tariq has assigned new duties and reshuffled eight customs employees, including one deputy superintendent and seven inspectors with immediate effect. Sources told Customs Today, that deputy collector issued a notification no: IIA(Admin)/16/2016 and assigned duty of Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Shoaib at Law branch in addition to his existing duties, while three inspectors including Habib Mayo, Anjum Sheraz, Asif Hussain has been transferred from Bond section to Faisalabad International Airport in shift-B and shift-A.

customs foils bid to smuggle iphones, ipods, laptop from Malaysia

Wednesday May 17, 2017

National

pr to install weighbridge at islamabad Dry port: Amanat

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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ustoms Preventive authorities deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport authorities foiled bid to smuggle 25 i-phones, two laptops and seven ipods from a passenger coming from Malaysia. Sources told Customs Today The customs airport authorities impounded the illegally imported cell phones and other goods from a passenger Khalid Hussain. The authorities upon suspicion intercepted the passenger and found seven iPod’s, 25 iPhones and two laptops. Sources said that the passenger was carrying Samsung, mobiles and other items which were impounded as the passenger failed to show legal import documents.

Anf peshawar apprehends three drug pushers PESHAWAR

nADir kHAn

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he Anti-Narcotics Force of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seized 2290 gram heroin and hashish and arrested three smugglers from various areas of Peshawar and Nowshera. Sources said the ANF Peshawar arrested Muhammad Gul, a resident of Peshawar, while he was riding a motorcycle near Nowshera Kalan, Nowshera, and recovered 900 gram of heroin from his possession. In another operation, the ANF Peshawar during a routine checking at the Peshawar Airport apprehended a passenger named Ilyas Hussain, a resident of Mardan, and recovered 990 gram heroin concealed in his bag. The accused intended to board for Sharjah by Shaheen Ariline Flight No. NL792. In addition, the ANF Peshawar recovered 400 gram hashish from Niamat Gul, a resident of Nowshera, who was held while travelling in a passenger van near Motorway Toll Plaza Peshawar.

ISLAMABAD

TAriQ DerYA

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he Pakistan Railways (PR) will install a weighbridge at the Islamabad Dry Port (IDP) after the announcement of next budget of Financial Year (FY) 2017-18. The weighbridge will cost Rs4.00million. The IDP was assigned a hard revenue target of Customs Duty for March and April FY16-17 but the IDP not only chased it but also surpassed both abovementioned months’ targets. The IDP surpassed the revised CD target with collection of Rs333.874million against the assigned target of CD with an amount of Rs331.00million for April FY1617. This has been stated by Assistant Collector Amanat Khan while talking to Customs Today during an exclusive interview. He said the customs and PR are on the same page towards bringing the Islamabad Dry Port to international standards. After many rounds of meetings and correspondence with the PR, the PR Rloated a tender and one party won it. The tender winner company is looking for site for construction of the weighbridge on the premises of dry port. He said the importer community working via dry port Islamabad is happy to hear this news because when importers will get facility under one roof then their time and money will be saved. Even the PR can get a

handsome amount after the installation of the said facility, he assured. Answering a query about the CD collection during April FY16-17, he said the IDP generated Rs333million CD whereas the IDP did Rs221million during the same period of corresponding Financial Year 2015-16. The IDP was assigned an actual target of Rs310million CD for April FY16-17. He said the IDP entertained 257 dutiable Goods Declarations (GDs) during April while

Answering a query about the cD collection during April fY16-17, he said the iDp generated rs333million cD whereas the iDp did rs221million during the same period of corresponding financial Year 2015-16

Sargodha ASo impounds nDp Jimny jeep

SARGODHA

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www.customsbulletin.com he Customs Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has impounded a non duty paid foreign origin used Siera Jimny jeep worth Rs12,00,000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs6,16,440. Sources told Customs Today, that Deputy Collector Rana Falik Shair received information regarding a non duty paid vehicle on

which he formed a team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Muhammad Sardar, Inspector Bashir Ahmed, Inspector Ansir Saleemi, Inspector Mehar Ameer Ali, Sepoy Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Iqbal, Hafiz Nasir Ahmed, Shafqat Mehmood and Muhammad Mansha. The ASO team established various check posts on the roads and started checking of vehicles. During checking, the team intercepted a Saira Jimni jeep bearing registra-

tion no: BA-3274 near Session Road Sargodha and asked the driver Zia Ullah son of Gul Sher to produce documents regarding the import of the vehicle. But the driver failed to provide the same. Upon his failure, the ASO team impounded the vehicle under Section 2(S), of the Customs Act 1969 read with SRO 566(1)2005 Section 16, 18, of the Customs Act, 1969 and registered a case against him. The seizure report has been sent to the adjudication authority for further legal actions.

the IDP cleared 298 containers during said period. Replying to another query, he said the dry port collected surplus additional amount of Rs245.771million during the Rirst three quarters of Financial Year (July to March) 2016-17 against the assigned revenue target under the head of Customs Duty. The dry port received Rs2454.451million during said period against the assigned target of Rs2208.78million CD.

fiA arrests 15 accused he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested 15 accused deported from Turkey at the Sialkot International Airport here. According to Divisional Deputy Director FIA Khalid Anees, the FIA has started investigation after registering a case against them.

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Complete projects by end of fiscal year, WASA MD tells officials MULTAN: Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Multan Managing Director Rao Muhammad Qasim has directed the officials concerned to complete all ongoing uplift projects in the city by the end of current fiscal year. He issued the deadline for using funds of ongoing projects under the annual development programme (ADP) before June 2017. He directed the recovery staff to ensure recovery targets of fiscal year 2016-17 at any cost.The WASA MD expressed these views while presiding over a meeting called to discuss budget expenditures and preparations for the upcoming budget.

Wednesday May 17, 2017

Business

cpec, oBor are all about “shared prosperity” BEIJING

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rime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were all about shared prosperity, beginning a new era for humanity and vowing progress and prosperity in the poor regions. “Work has already begun across Asia and Africa on infrastructure, industrial cooperation and new platforms of technology. Financial Rlows have found their way to some of the least developed parts of the world. These outcomes are knitting nations and regions into economic

no import of indian garlic, soya bean LAHORE

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he ban on import of Indian garlic and soya bean is suspended since four months due to its poor quality and some political development between the two countries. According to sources of Customs Today, one reason of fall in trade is the rising tension between India and Pakistan after a Pakistani military court sentenced Kulbhushan Jadhav to death on the charge of spying. This has really hit the trade between the neighbouring countries through the Attari-Wagah land route near Amritsar.

networks and inclusive neighbourhoods that transcend borders,” the prime minister said addressing the second session of Leaders Roundtable as part of the two-day Belt and

Road Forum for International Cooperation. Prime Minister along with the a total of 29 heads of state and government here to attend the high proRile event, were driven to

picturesque Yanqi Lake to attend and address the event themed ‘Connectivity Cooperation for Interconnected Development.’ He said the core of the OBOR initiative was connectivity and longterm development, especially in developing countries. He apprised the gathering that OBOR was in fact the beginning of a new era for humanity, which has brought to poor regions in the belt-road countries, spectacular opportunities to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty and under-development. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the railroads, highways, ports and airports that were being built were redefining economic landscapes within countries and regions. “Hinterlands are being connected with coasts.

revenue Division proposes rs14.298b for projects in upcoming budget T

KARACHI

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he Revenue Division has proposed Rs14.298 billion budgetary allocations for its 41 projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the upcoming Rinancial year (201718). The proposed allocations included Rs12.768 billion for new projects the division has proposed for inclusion in the upcoming budget, ofRicial sources said. Among the new projects, the

Revenue Division has proposed Rs10,500 million for development of integrated Transit Trade Management system (ITTMS) under Asian Development Bank (ADB) Regional Improving Border Service Project. The Asia Development Bank would be providing aid of Rs10,000 million during the upcoming year, the sources said. The total cost of ITTMS projects has been estimated at Rs31,626 million with foreign exchange amount of Rs26,049 million. The Revenue Division has also proposed Rs1,743 million for project for security im-

provement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim for installation of three Rixed and one mobile scanner. The amount would include Rs1,703 million as foreign exchange component and would be completed with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). An amount of Rs200 million have been proposed for establishment of Inland Revenue ofRices all across the country while Rs150 million each would be utilized for construction of Model Custom Collectorate at Gawadar and construction of Regional Tax OfRice at Islamabad.

Bank of china to start operations in pakistan KARACHI

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ank of China, world’s fourth largest bank, will start its operation in Pakistan with initial investment of $50 million with aim to penetrate through opening branch network. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in a statement has announced that it granted license to Bank of China the second Chinese bank to launch its financial operation in Pakistan. The SBP said that the Bank of China will commence its business in branch mode after meeting other regulatory requirements. The Bank of China is a subsidiary of China Central Huijin, investment arm of the Government of China. The Bank of China is not only operating in the Chinese main land, but its footprints have reached to 50 countries. Nineteen of those countries are located across Chinese “One Belt One Road” initiative. At the end of 2015, the Bank had a total of 11,633 institutions including 644 in overseas markets. The Bank of China is the 4th and 5th largest global bank in terms of Tier-1 Capital and total Assets respectively. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The bank will initially bring $50 million to fulfill the Minimum Capital Requirements of SBP.

pASSco procures 700,000 metric tonne wheat ISLAMABAD

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akistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) has so far procured about 700,000 metric tonne of wheat during the current procurement campaign across the grainproducing areas of the country. The Corporation had been assigned a task to procure about

900,000 metric tonne of the wheat during crop season 2017-18 in order to fulRill the domestic requirements of the staple foods as well as to keep the strategic food reserves of the country, said an ofRicial of PASSCO. He said that about 572,000 metric tonne of wheat procured from the Punjab as the government has established 205 procurement centers across the province in order to facilitate the growers to sell their produces at ofRicial Rixed rates,

he added. Meanwhile, he said that during the current campaign so far about 95,000 metric tonne of the commodity was procured from the Sindh province as 15 procurement centers were also established there to save the farmers from the exploitation of the middleman and providing them the proper price of their output. About 33,000 metric tonne of the wheat were procured from the Balochistan Province where 8 centers were established

to procure the commodity, he added. In order to smooth and transparent distribution of sacks, the corporation in collaboration with provincial land revenue departments had conducted Rield survey and remove the bogus registration of about 2.5 million acres of land. He said so far about 850,000 metric tonne of sacks (8.50) million bags were distributed among farmers with the help of land revenue department and sacks distribution was still in progress for fa-

cilitating them to pack and store their output in a suitable environment. In Punjab about 716,000 metric tonne of sacks (7.16) million were distributed, where as small scale growers were on the top priority of the distribution list, he added. Meanwhile, in Sindh about 110,000 metric tonne of sacks (1.10) million have been distributed and 34,000 metric tonne of bags (0.320) million were provided to farmers of Balochistan, he added.

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irectorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has shown tremendous performance during the current year. According to the details, the ASO impounded non-duty paid luxury vehicles, Iranian origin diesel, foreign cigarettes as well as hashish along with other contraband items worth billions of rupees in different raids. The sources in the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) informed Customs Today that the ASO officers seized contraband items in different raids worth Rs 2,603 million during 105 days of the current year. On the directive of the Director General of Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Shaukat Ali and under the supervision of the Director

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

ASO Tahir Qureshi as well as Deputy Director Sadia Sadaf, a campaign was started against the culprits involved in the heinous crime of smuggling, the source said. On the secret information and with the help of informers several raids were conducted across the city during which expensive cellular phones, non-duty paid luxury vehicles, Iranian origin diesel, foreign cigarettes, Indian

ludes ms inc e t i d an oreign ntrab esel, f i The co , d n i ashish n orig tka, h u irania g n ndia ensive ttes, i nd exp a s cigare t a o h rs50 peed b f wort o high s s e n r pho n cellula millio

gutka and hashish was busted, added the source. As per details of the apprehended items forty luxury non-duty paid vehicles including BMW, jeep, Land Cruisers, and Toyota Surf of worth Rs1353 million along with other busted vehicles are in the raids. The contraband items Iranian origin diesel, foreign cigarettes, Indian gutka, hashish, high speed boats and expensive cellular phones of worth Rs50 million also apprehended during the current year. In the mega seizure against the smuggling of narcotics the ofRicers of the Anti Smuggling Organization has busted huge quantity of hashish weighting 1.5 tons. The seized hashish worth 1200 million rupees in international market, added the source. Hailing the performance of the Anti Smuggling Organization (AS0) the Director General of Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) Shaukat Ali has directed the ofRicers to further gear up the action against the smugglers to curb the smuggling from the country spoiling the name of the Pakistan.

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eDiToriAL

potentials of pak-iran trade

ccording to newspaper reports, the consul general of Iran has expressed the desire to enhance trade between Pakistan and Iran up to $5 billion per year. In an official meeting of the Pak-Iran Joint Chambers of Commerce, he informed that efforts are being made to set up a joint banking system to boost trade activities. Earlier, the State Bank of Pakistan had signed an agreement with central bank of Iran to establish a mechanism to facilitate financial transactions between the two countries. A system of formal banking channels will not only facilitate economic cooperation between the two sides, but will also pave the way for Iran to join China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistan and Iran are not only two brotherly neighbouring countries, but also intermingled with historical, cultural and linguistic strings and both should have joined hands to set up a practically and viable trade mechanism for the benefit of the two countries. It is unfortunate that the leadership of Pakistan could not extend a hand of cooperation to Iran as a big country. Instead of finding any positive and common grounds to enhance business and trade, the Pakistani leadership blindly followed the cue given to it by Arab countries in the Gulf. As a matter of fact, Pakistan should have cordial relations both with Iran and Arab countries and a balanced approach is the only option. At a time when business is the priority for every nation, relations with one country should not be maintained at the cost of the other country. Iran is an immediate neighbor and both Pakistan and Iran can benefit from each other through trade, business and economic cooperation. It is also highly unfortunate that both the countries, despite close affinity, could not established banking channels to stimulate trade activities. The lack of official channels boosted illegal trade between the two countries. Iranian diesel, petrol, ceramic items and plastic granules are frequently smuggled into Pakistan and the customs department has to assign extra staff and spend hundreds of man-hours to control this menace. If legal trade is increased, it will not only bring positive changes on diplomatic fronts, but will also bring financial gains for the two countries. The European Union has established a mechanism to promote legal trade within the countries and the same system can be adopted here.

importance of Belt and road forum summit C

LAHORE

Dr AfTAB AfZAL

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hinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his desire to push forward the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in line with Beijing’s one belt one road programme. Welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his delegation,the Chinese president also expressed satisfaction over bilateral relations and cooperation in the regional connectivity projects. Both sides have signed various agreements and memorandum of understandings to enhance cooperation in trade, business and infrastructural projects. At least three agree-

ments worth billions of dollars were signed to enhance economic and technical cooperation to improve facilities at the Gwadar port and construct East Bay expressway. The prime minister assured the Chinese leadership of the country’s support to the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative and congratulated the Chinese leaders for hosting the meeting of Belt and Road Forum.The heads of 29 countries are participating in the forum which is a way forward to promote links between Asia, Africa and Europe underpinning billions of dollars investment in infrastructure projects. Nawaz said that the participation of a large number of world leaders in the meeting testifies China’s growing

stature in the international community. The road projects is regarded as a win-win position for all and it is the right step towards regional prosperity. According to newspaper reports, Indian leaders are under pressure to send a high level delegation to attend the summit as regional connectivity is in the interest of all the countries. It is hoped that India will stop opposing the connectivity projects which are in the interest of all the nations. Pakistan has also been convincing the western nations to take benefits of the investment opportunities in Pakistan. Some German companies have already expressed interest in various CPEC projects and in the special economic zones.The

members of the Munich Chamber of Commerce have sought a list of Pakistani entrepreneurs to establish joint ventures in various industrial and infrastructural projects.China has been persuading the German companies to collaborate with Pakistan in developmental projects in power, infrastructure and technological sectors. At a time when the whole world is turning into a global village and the countries are joining hands to fight poverty, illiteracy and diseases, the SAARC region is still lagging behind various economies due to traditional rivalries among the member states.The Indian leadership is stubbornly keeping a haughty posture which is not in the interest of its own people.

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Dubai gold drop continues, 24k priced at Dh149.25 DUBAI: Gold edged up on bargain-hunting after dipping to a seven-week low earlier in the session and as the euro strengthened after pro-EU candidate Emmanuel Macron won the French presidential election. Dubai gold was priced at Dh149.25 for 24k, a slight drop from last week. 22k gold is priced at Dh140 in the city. Spot gold rose 0.3 percent to $1,230.88 per ounce as of 0401 GMT, after touching 1,224.86 earlier in the session, its lowest since March 17. US gold futures were also up 0.3 percent at $1,230.60 an ounce. The euro hit a six-month high against the dollar on Monday after centrist Macron comfortably won the French presidential election, defeating Marine Le Pen, a far-right nationalist who threatened to take France out of the European Union. “Leading into the election, with many polls predicting Macron’s victory, we saw safehaven buying easing into end of last week.

fcci delegation returns from Hannover germany FAISALABAD

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rade delegation of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) headed by FCCI Vice President Engineer Ahmed Hassan returned on Monday from Hannover Messe 2017 trade fair held from in Germany. In a statement issued here,, FCCI Vice President said that Hannover Messe is one of the world’s largest trade fairs, held every year in Germany. This year, the fair had around 225,000 attendees and 6500 exhibitors from all over the world, exhibiting manufacturing and energy technology, he added. He said that round about 33 engineering companies from Pakistan participated in the fair, as well as two educational institutes, with

the cooperation of Engineering Development Board (EDB). He said that leading engineering and technology companies from around the world displayed their latest industrial technology at the fair. The fair provided an opportunity to Pakistani engineering companies, to display their products in the global market, while learning about the latest global trends. He said that Pakistan is lagging significantly behind other countries in the areas of engineering and industrial technology. The world is rapidly moving towards 4th generation industrial technology, whereas our industry is still employing 1st and 2nd generation equipment. He emphasized the use of modern industrial technology and gave the example of European countries like Germany have been able to maximize industrial productivity and eﬃciency, leading to higher exports.

Wednesday May 17, 2017

Chambers

rcci to establish women Business incubation center soon T

RAWALPINDI

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he two member team of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) led by country representative Esam Alqararah called on president Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Raja Amer Iqbal. Esam Alqararah appreciated the role of RCCI in promoting business activities and taking lead in new initiatives. While highlighting the role of UNIDO he said the prime objective was to assist the sustainable development process of industrial sector in Pakistan. He also informed the president of the role and mandate of UNIDO to promote clean and sustainable energy solutions, energy conservation, energy efRiciency and promoting renewable energy resources such as biomass for industrial and other applications. Esam stressed that UNIDO believed in creating enabling policy environment, coupled with deliberate action by government, the private sector, and development practitioners which is necessary to utilize the full potential of women’s

participation in national economy. He assured that UNIDO would continue to collaborate with RCCI in initiatives aimed at industrial and entrepreneurship development. Earlier, President RCCI Raja Amer Iqbal welcomed the UNIDO team and lauded its efforts in capacity building of business institutes and community. He gave a

short brief on RCCI’s key initiatives to promote trade relations and business activities in the country and the region. He said RCCI Women Business Incubation center (WBIC) is in Rinal stage. The purpose of this initiative was to provide women a platform to excel in the Rield of entrepreneurship. President Raja Amer Iqbal expressed

icci shows concerns over campaign launched against centaurus

ISLAMABAD

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed its concerns over what it called the malicious campaign recently launched by some elements against the Centaurus to defame it. The business community termed it a highly unfortunate development as it would discourage the new investment and damage the larger economic interests of the country. In a statement on Wednesday President ICCI Khalid Iqbal Malik, said that the Centaurus is a landmark project that has introduced a new lifestyle and new trend of commercial activities in the federal capital at par with international stan-

dards. But it was highly disappointing that some elements were making efforts to damage its reputation as the icon of Pakistan which, brought billions of rupees as foreign investment. It had provided jobs to thousands of people and is making signiRicant contribution to the economic development as well as revenue generation of the country, he added. He urged that government for taking action against those maRias that were trying to tarnish its image and positive contribution to the country. He emphasized for developing a new mechanism to ensure full protection of the interests of law abiding investors including the Centaurus who have made investment in Pakistan fulRilling all legal requirements. He said Pakistan needed new in-

vestment to complete China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other major development projects. He said protection of such investors was vital to encourage new investment and attract more foreign investment in the country. He vowed that ICCI would raise its voice to protect interests of the project at all relevant forums. Meanwhile, Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) said withholding tax (WHT) on banking transactions should be abolished or reduced in the upcoming budget. The government has imposed additional taxes worth over trillion of rupees since it came to power but WHT on bank transactions has attracted more opposition than any other tax, said Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Patron Shahid Rasheed Butt.

hope that RCCI in collaboration with UNIDO will conduct trainings, and seminars to promote Small and Medium Enterprises in the country. Nadia Aftab program ofRicer UNIDO, vice president Asim Malik, Chairman Women entrepreneurship committee Mahvish Afridi and Secretary General Irfan Manan were also present on the occasion.

pLDDB, women chamber sign Mou unjab Livestock & Dairy Development Board (PLDDB) and Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) Bahawalpur Division here Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower female farmers in livestock and related fields.Both organizations mutually agreed to work together for capacity building of rural female livestock farmers on the development of integrated livestock value chain. PLDDB will conduct training sessions on good livestock practices, cultivation of fodder varieties and to provide subsidized feeding resourcefor registered female livestock farmers. The PLDDB will provide small animals, animal vaccination and fodder seed to registered needy female livestock farmers. –CB Report

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Nadeem takes charge as ACE on promotion to BS-17 ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Nadeem Yusaf, has assumed the charge as Assistant Chemical Examiner on his promotion to BS-17. Muhammad Nadeem, on his promotion vide Board’s Notiﬁcation No. 0932-CIII/2017 dated 20.03.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-16), Model Customs Collectorate, Faisalabad on March 31, 2017 and took the charge of the post of Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-17) at Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Custom House, Karachi on April 3.

Wednesday May 17, 2017

Islamabad robina Athar, customs’ BS-21 oﬃcer, prematurely retires ISLAMABAD

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9 ir oﬃcers promoted to next designations with same pay, scale F

ISLAMABAD

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obina Athar, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-21, has retired from the government service. The officer, the then Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad, having completed 25 years of qualifying service for pension stands retired from government service prematurely with effect from September 5, 2016 on the approval of the Prime Minister. Rubina Athar, the then BS-20 officer, had taken the charge as Chief, FBR (HQ), Islamabad on December 27, 2013. She was posted as Chief Customs wing FBR (HQ). Meanwhile, Ms. Rukhsana Yasmin BS-22 officer of Inland Revenue Service has relinquished the charge of the post of Member (Training), Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad w.e.f 04.05.2017 and assumed the chrge of the post of Member (Taxpayer’s Audit) Federal Board of Revenue (Hq), Islamabad on the same date.

17 Assistant collectors assume charge at karachi eventeen Pakistan Customs Service officers of BS-17 have assumed the charge of Assistant Collector (Probationer) after completing 44th Common Training Programme (CTP). The officers, including Muhammad Ahmed Rizwan, Rabel, Rana Umair Arshad, Saima Rahim, Shehla Saleem Mughal, Azka Zafar Rana, Raissa Kanwal, Sajid Khan, Tariq Hussain, Hameer Khan, Nabeel Siraj, Noor Ul Huda Mallick, Tanveer Ahmed, Farheen Zahra, Maleeka Jafari, Nayab Azhar and Salman Javaid, took the charge of the said posts at Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs), Karachi for the Specialised Training Programme (STP) with effect from April 17, 2017. –CB Report

ederal Board of Revenue has posted nine Inland Revenue Service officers of BS 18-19 against their same place of postings in next designation in their own pay and scale. Kazi Afzal (BS19) has been transferred from the post of Additional Commissioner, Regional Tax Office, Hyderabad and posted as Commissioner Inland Revenue, (Zone-I) (OPS) Regional Tax Office, Hyderabad. Naeem Babar (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy Commissioner, (IR) Regional Tax OfRice II, Lahore and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Regional Tax OfRice II, Lahore. Atif Bashir (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy Com-

missioner, (IR) Regional Tax OfRice II, Lahore and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Regional Tax OfRice II, Lahore. Mushtaque Ali Wagan (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy

Commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi. Malik Waqas Nawaz (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy Com-

missioner, (Zone-VI) Corporate Regional Tax OfRice, Karachi and posted Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Corporate Regional Tax OfRice, Karachi. Ejaz Ahmed (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy Commissioner, (IR) Regional Tax OfRice III, Karachi and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Regional Tax OfRice III, Karachi. Abdul Qadeer Abbas (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy Commissioner, (Zone-I) Corporate Regional Tax OfRice, Karachi and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Corporate Regional Tax OfRice, Karachi. Fouz Khalid Khan (BS-18) has been transferred from the post of Deputy Commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi and posted as Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue, (OPS) Large Taxpayers Unit, Karachi.

Hyderabad ASo impounds contraband goods T

HYDERABAD

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he model customs collectorate Hyderabad’s antismuggling organization (ASO) impounded smuggled goods including non-duty-paid vehicles, cloths, tea, tyres and tubes, autoparts, diesel, motor engine oil and other contraband cigarettes and electronic goods worth Rs28million from Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana-Jacobabad in April 2017. Following the instruction of Hyderabad Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq under the supervision of Additional Collector Rehmatulllah Vistro, the ASO conducted various operations to save the country from inRlation and decline of progress. The customs team impounded different items including four vehicles (u/s 157) valued Rs02.6million, three vehicles (u/s non-duty paid) worth Rs02million, smuggled cloths measured 16,914 yards valued Rs02.1million, foreign origin tea weighed 1,084 kg worth Rs542000,

45 imported smuggled sacks of tyres and tubes priced Rs201000, 672 liter of contraband motor engine valued Rs336000, different foreign origin 13,335 cartons of cigarettes worth Rs08.2million and

other miscellaneous items. The ASO seized 720 liter of smuggled diesel HSD priced Rs35640, foreign origin auto-parts worth Rs11433002 million, contraband 11,694 cartons of cigarettes valued Rs6.58million,

foreign origin149,250 sachets of Indian Gutka worth Rs0.9million, non-duty paid three Toyota vehicles worth Rs3.3million, dinner sets priced Rs1.1million and toiletries valued Rs596400.

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Customs Court adjourns case of cell phone smuggler LAHORE: The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has adjourned the case of a suspect who was involved mobile phones smuggling case. According to details available to Customs Today, Muhammad Ilyas was nabbed by the customs authorities at Faisalabad International Airport while he was coming back from Dubai through a private airline. During the checking of his luggage, the customs authorities found 400 costly mobile phones hidden in his bags. The worth of the smuggled mobile phones is more than Rs 2 million and he attempted to make a huge loss to the national kitty. Customs Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) team of Faisalabad presented him before the customs court and asked for his physical remand that was approved by the court for 4 days

customs court sends suspect on physical remand KARACHI

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ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent a suspect, Baz Muhammad son of Dost Muhammad, to the Customs Department on physical remand. The suspect is booked for attempting to smuggle 350 tortoises, said to be Central Asian Tortoise or Afghan Tortoise,“Testudo Horsfieldi”worth Rs 1,750,000. During the hearing, investigation oﬃcer informed the court that the oﬃcials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted the suspect, who was carrying tortoises in five wooden crates. He had brought tortoises from Balochistan. He further informed that after formalities, the tortoises were taken into custody and the accused was arrested. He added that the prosecution needs further investigation from the accused for collection

of concrete evidences, therefore, the court may send him back on physical remand. After his arguments, court sent back him to customs department and directed investigation oﬃcer to produce him on next date of hearing along with progress report. Meanwhile, KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi sent an accused, Muhammad Yousuf son of Babu, to Customs Department’s lockup on physical remand till May 09, 2017. He was booked in a case of illegal removal of pay-order worth Rs02.1million. During the hearing, investigation oﬃcer produced the accused before the court and informed it that the pay-order No: 3176009 dated 03/02/2014 amounting to Rs02.1miilion issued by Standard Chartered Bank, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, was deposited against GD of unauthorized importer (s) illegally and Muhammad Yousuf was alleged to remove the mentioned payorder illegally from the securities section of the collectorate.

Karachi

SHc seeks comments from tax dept on petition filed by imperial Metal industries T

KARACHI

M B rAnA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the tax authorities to Rile para- wise comments on a constitutional petition Riled by M/s Imperial Metal Industries seeking restoration of its Sales Tax’s registration blocked by the customs authorities. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the Tax Department sought time for submitting para-wise comments therefore court adjourned the hearing for May 2017. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the business of services and paying all the liabilities regularly, however ofRicials of the tax authorities blocked its Sales Tax’s registration without passing any order or a show cause notice. Citing to Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax OfRice-II as respondents, petitioner pleaded with the court to kindly declare the act of respondents illegal, mala Ride and arbitrary. It also pleaded with the court to kindly set

aside the impugned notiRication and restore its Sales Tax’s registration immediately. Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to tax authorities and deputy attorney general, directing them to Rile their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition Riled by M/s Friends Logistics (Private) Limited seeking restoration of its NTN blocked by the tax department. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar was hearing the petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in lawful business and paying all lia-

Wednesday May 17, 2017

bilities properly, however, Additional Collector of Customs Collectorate of Appraisement West issued notice and blocked NTN of the petitioner without showing any lawful reason and authority. He further argued that due to blockage of its NTN, the petitioner is suffering a huge loss. Citing Collector of Customs Appraisement West, Additional Collector of Customs Appraisement West and licensing authority Appeal as respondents, counsel pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala Ride and arbitrary.

ir Service raids telecom company to recover billions of rupees tax KARACHI

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The Inland Revenue Service (IRS), Large Taxpayer Unit, has raided the office a telecom company for alleged tax evasion of billion of rupees. According to the source, officers of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) served several notices on the telecom company for failing to file tax returns worth billions of rupees for last several months. The company is a leading cellular network provider in the country which did not pay taxes even after receiving notices from the Inland Revenue Service (IRS). Before conducting the raid, the IRS issued directive for freezing the bank accounts of the said company, the source informed Customs Today. The defaulter telecom company had to pay more than four billion of rupees against the tax and now the officers of the Inland Revenue Service are investigating the bank accounts in detail for the recovery of the tax. The sources in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) revealed that the officers of the Ministry of Information and Technology also contacted the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar to intervene and resolve the matter.

Dg Valuation revises customs values of brushes

KARACHI

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of hair brushes, cleaning/washing/sweeping/dusting and similar kinds of brushes and feeder brushes through Valuation Ruling No 1147/2017 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. According to details the customs values of hair brushes, cleaning/ washing/ sweeping/ dusting and similar kind of brushes and feeder brushes were determined under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969, vide Valuation Ruling Nos.1072/2017 dated 07-

03-2017. Some importers Riled Revision Petitions under Section 25D of the Customs Act, 1969, before the Director General of Customs Valuation, which have been disposed of vide Order-inRevision No.328/2017 dated 14-042017. Hence this Directorate General initiated an exercise for determination of customs values of the subject goods. 3. Stakeholders’ participation in determination of Customs values: Meeting with stakeholders was held on 24-042017. The stakeholders were requested to furnish the following documents before or during the course of above said meeting:-A. Invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value. B. Websites, names and E-mail addresses of known for-

eign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained. C. copies of Contracts made / LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question. D. Copies of Sales Tax Invoices issued during last four months showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate that the beneRit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers. The representative of FPCCI and different importers attended the above said meeting. During the meeting importers of different kinds of cleaning brushes, agitating against the previously determined customs values, claimed that the prices of the basic raw material i.e. Plastic Molding

Compound ((PVC) had gone down in the international market and requested that the customs values may be revised downwards in line with international market price trends. However, they could not furnish the corroboratory documents/evidence in support of their contentions. Hence fresh market surveys were conducted to recheck previous Rindings. Method adopted to determine Customs values: Valuation methods given in Section of the Customs Act, 1969 were followed to arrive at Customs Value of all kinds of Hair s. Transaction value method provided in Section 25 (1) was found inapplicable owing reaction in the values being declared to the customs.

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Germany ranks 5th top goods exporters to Iran Wednesday May 17, 2017

World

BERLIN: Germany remained the fifth top goods exporter to Iran during the last fiscal year which ended March 20, 2017 with 2.537 billion worth of exports. Germanys exports to Iran increased by 39.2 percent in the 12-month period, according to the latest statistics released by Trade Promotion Organization of Iran. The country shared 5.8 percent of Iran’s overall imports which amounted to 43.684 billion the last fiscal year. Besides Germany, Switzerland and Italy were the European countries that took place among the top exporters of goods to Iran in the period. Iran purchased 59 percent of its imported goods during the 12-month period from five countries China, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Turkey and Germany.

esher drug dealing crackdown leads to six arrests

Brazil court orders $484m tax charge on petrobras BRASILIA

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LONDON

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crackdown on drug dealing has led to six arrests and seizures of a ‘large’ amount of drugs in Esher this week. Acting on local intelligence, ofRicers from Surrey Police searched homes in Haymeads Drive on Tuesday and Farm Road on Some Class A drugs were seized at the property on Haymeads Drive, along with other drugs paraphernalia, and a 25-yearold woman was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. At the Rlat in Farm Road, Rive men were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and ofRicers seized a large amount of what is believed to be cannabis, as well as other drugs paraphernalia. All six of those arrested have been released from custody but remain under investigation.

german exports, imports reach record heights in March erman exports rose to a new record high in March, but were outpaced by imports to slightly narrow the trade surplus, while factory production dropped slightly, according to two reports Tuesday from Europe’s largest economy. Germany has been oft criticized by the U.S. and others for its large trade surplus over accusations its exports have been profiting from a relatively weak euro, and that the country’s not doing enough to spur domestic demand for foreign goods. Berlin counters that products made in Germany are simply better than the competition. The Federal Statistical Oﬃce said exports hit an all-time high in March, rising 0.4 percent over February to 105.4 billion Euros ($114.9 billion), while imports also set a new record with an increase of 2.4 percent to 85.8 billion Euros in figures adjusted for seasonal and calendar variations. –CB Report

PC James Early said: “This has been a successful operation made possible by the receipt of intelligence on drug activity from a number of sources. We are working hard to proactively tackle drug dealing throughout Elmbridge and I hope residents can feel reassured that we are taking positive action.” Elmbridge Neighbourhoods OfRi-

cers were also in attendance to reassure neighbours and answer any questions. PC Early said: “I would urge people to continue to play an active part in helping us tackle drug issues. If you have information about any suspicious activity or people you think may be involved in drugs activity please contact Surrey Police on 101.”

Meth seizures in new Zealand at a decade high: customs oﬃcials

fRicial Rigures show that combined meth seizures between Customs and the New Zealand Police have increased by more than 20 times in the last decade, with authorities seizing almost a ton of meth last year alone. “There is a simple equation here, as long as there is a demand for meth there will be a supply so let’s Rlip this around and instead of trying to stop the supply of meth we have

to stop the demand,” says Ross Bell, executive director of the NZ Drug Foundation. Over the last decade, meth seizures have dramatically increased in New Zealand. In 2007 nearly 40kg was seized and seizure quantities stayed below 53kg until 2013. Then in 2014 that Rigure more than doubled to almost 100kg and then more than tripled in 2015 to 341kg. However the biggest spike came in 2016. –CB Report

Brazilian tax auditing court ruled state-controlled oil company Petrobras should be charged 1.5 billion Reais ($484.3 million) in taxes over proRits of a Netherlands-based subsidiary, the company said in a Wednesday securities Riling. The so-called CARF court argues Petróleo Brasileiro SA, as the Rirm is known, failed to include the subsidiary when calculating its 2009 income taxes, as well as separate tax on net proRits. Petrobras has not yet been formally notiRied of the decision and may choose to appeal, according to the Riling. Meanwhile, A new trade agreement between Brazil and Peru will facilitate exports. The Economic and Trade Expansion Agreement signed by the two governments, now approved

by the Senate, establishes the reciprocal liberalisation of services and opening of government purchases. With the measure, the Peruvian government’s tenders to buy goods and services will now be open to Brazilian companies, and vice-versa. In the services area, the commitments signed by Peru significantly surpass (in quantitative and qualitative terms) the minimum obligations the country has undertaken before the World Trade Organization (WTO). Brazilian service providers are also now better poised to participate in sectors of great interest, such as information and communication technology, tourism, transport, engineering, architecture and entertainment. In the investment area, the agreement establishes a guarantee of non-discrimination, consolidates the mechanism for prevention of disputes and establishes guidelines for arbitration proceedings.

uk supermarkets ban fresh nZ lamb decision by UK supermarkets to ban fresh New Zealand lamb is bad news for the industry and could turn consumers away from the meat, says Beef and Lamb New Zealand. Supermarket chain Co-op Food, which is the UK’s Rifth largest retailer, is banning fresh New Zealand lamb in response to lobbying from the British Sheep Association. Last year, Marks & Spencer’s made a similar decision to only sell Scottish lamb in its Scottish stores. Beef and Lamb New Zealand chairman James Parsons said the UK and New Zealand lamb seasons complemented each other

and disrupting this balance was not good. He said the number of people choosing lamb at the supermarket could drop if British consumers got lamb that was not in season. “British lamb is a good quality product, but if it’s old season lamb – because they need to now supply fresh lamb for 12 months of the year from the UK – then they won’t get the same quality eating experience and prices will go up for them.” Mr Parsons said the move from the supermarkets was a bit of a stunt and he doubted it would last because there was not enough supply from the UK. –CB Report

fines imposed by Belgian authority for infrabel contract

BRUSSELS

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he Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority imposed a total Rine of 1.8 million euros for a cartel between Rive companies relating to a public procurement organized by Infrabel.

The Rive companies are ABB, Siemens, AEG, Sécheron and Schneider. The investigation was launched in 2013 following a leniency application lodged by ABB. Following this leniency application, ABB was granted a total exemption from its Rine. Other undertakings that also presented a leniency application were granted a reduction of between 30% and 50%. All the under-

takings at stake opted for the settlement procedure, which granted a Rine reduction of 10%. It should be mentioned that four natural persons also applied for immunity, which they have obtained. Indeed, the Code of Economic Law provides Rines for natural persons who take part in a cartel. They can thus also lodge a leniency application to beneRit from an exemption from a Rine.

Those applications are an excellent source of information for the Belgian Competition Authority. The infringement of competition law in this case concerned the agreement to split among each undertaking the calls for tenders organized by Infrabel relating to a public contract. The undertakings had agreed which company would win the tender by Rixing the price of each offer.

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Malaysia, Indonesia to lead defence against EU restrictions MANILA: Malaysia and Indonesia, the world’s top palm oil producers, will lead Asean’s defence against the European Union’s (EU) move to restrict imports of the commodity over claims that the industry is causing deforestation. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this latest threat would aﬀect the livelihood of close to three million smallholders in the two countries (600,000 in alaysia and 2.4 million in Indonesia). “Indonesian President Jokowi (Joko Widodo) gave his strong support to a proposal that Malaysia and Indonesia address this new threat and try to inﬂuence the EU not to enforce this ruling,” he told the Malaysian media before returning home after attending the 30th Asean Leaders’ Summit, here.

Tax benefit helps Valeant post quarterly profit vs. year-ago loss anada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc VRX.N VRX.TO reported a first-quarter profit on Tuesday, compared with a year-ago loss, due to a one-time income tax benefit, and the drugmaker also raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA forecast. The company’s U.S.-listed shares jumped about 13 percent in premarket trading. Net income attributable to Valeant was $628 million, or $1.79 per share, in the three months ended March 31, compared with a loss of $374 million, or $1.08 per share, a year earlier. Net income in the latest quarter included a one-time income tax benefit of $908 million from a noncash internal restructuring that occurred during this time, Valeant said. Revenue fell to $2.11 billion from $2.37 billion. Laval, Quebec-based Valeant has been trying to rebuild its business and regain investor confidence after the company came under investigations over its accounting and pricing practices. –CB Report

World Customs

Border patrol seizes 12 pounds of heroin after chase

indonesian economic growth hikes in Q1 ndonesian economic growth accelerated slightly in the first quarter on improving exports, oﬃcial data showed yesterday, but the outlook for a recovery in Southeast Asia’s top economy is subdued. The economy grew 5.01 percent year-on year in January to March, slightly up from the previous quarter’s 4.94 percent, the Central Statistics Agency said. Exports surged 20.8 percent from a year ago and 1.33 percent from the previous three months, said agency chief Suhariyanto, who goes by one name.The increase came on the back of a jump in the prices of some food exports, such as tea and shrimp, the agency said, while improving conditions in key destinations, such as China and the US, also helped. –CB Report

WASHINGTON

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order Patrol agents in Tucson, Ariz., chased after an illegal immigrant Wednesday leading them to Rind six pounds of heroin worth an estimated $210,000. The bust was part of a busy day that led to four arrests and a seizure of almost $230,000 worth of the drug. The big seizure occurred when agents tried to pull over two cars driving in tandem on a local street in Tucson. One driver in a Ford Taurus was pulled over

but immediately got out of the car and started running. The two men were trying to get to a nearby house in the neighborhood, according to Customs and Border Protection. The suspect had a backpack that he threw onto the roof of a nearby commercial building. CBP was not sure why the suspect would throw the bag but said he might have hoped he wouldn’t get caught with it. “They were just not trying to have that in their possession when they got picked up in hopes that they would not be facing a drug smuggling or trafRicking charge in addition to anything else,” said Robert Daniels, Public Affairs Specialist for CBP’s Arizona sector.

Agents arrested the suspect and found the backpack with six pounds of heroin inside. The second driver in a Chevy pickup truck was arrested without incident. Border Patrol agents learned that they are both illegal immigrants. In a separate incident, agents working an immigration checkpoint southeast of Tucson, found two U.S. citizens in possession of 12 ounces of Mexican brown heroin. The Americans driving in a BMW SUV drove up to the checkpoint and were referred to secondary inspection. A canine alerted agents to the heroin and the agents found $13,000 worth inside the car. Both of the incidents are still being investigated.

Wednesday May 17, 2017

norwegian salmon exports values strong in Q1 2017 orway exported 233,000 tonnes of salmon for NOK 16.1 billion in the first quarter. The volume increase of the salmon exports was 3 percent, but the revenues rose even more. The revenues increased by 21 percent, or NOK 2.8 billion compared to the first quarter of 2016. Norway exported 91,000 tons of salmon with a total value of NOK 6 billion in March. This is a volume increase of 14 per cent and an increase in revenues of NOK 1.2 billion compared to the same month one year ago. The revenue increase is therefore a staggering 24 per cent. Continued growth in demand for Norwegian salmon has contributed to yet another record breaking first quarter for Norwegian salmon, says Paul T. Aandahl. Aandahl is an Analyst on Salmon and Trout in the Norwegian Seafood Council. Despite reduced volumes, the revenue on exports to EU markets has risen by as much as 11 per cent. Consumers are now experiencing increased prices in almost all EU markets This has led to reduced sales volumes. Despite the price hitch in the first quarter, export volumes are still raising sharply to Asia and the US, says Aandahl. Meanwhile, Norway is optimistic of establishing a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia through the European Free-Trade Association (EFTA) by 2018. –CB Report

Australian customs destroys unique plant specimens

CANBERRA

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ustralian customs ofRicials have destroyed two irreplaceable plant specimens that were being loaned to scientists by New Zealand and French institutions, prompting the agriculture department to concede that some missteps had occurred enforcing strict quarantine laws. France’s National Museum of Natural History and New Zealand’s

Allan Herbarium had sent the samples of lichen specimens, which dated back to the 19th century, to Australia to help research, but they were intercepted by customs ofRicers due to inaccurate paperwork. A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said the packages did not give any indication of the intrinsic value of the samples, and the customs ofRicers held onto them for longer than they were required before deciding they posed a potential biosecurity threat and incinerating them. “The department concedes

the unintentional proceeding with destruction of the specimens was premature,” a spokesperson for the Australian government department said in an emailed statement. Meanwhile, The highly complex IT environment that spawned from the merger of the federal Immigration and Customs agencies is to blame for the combined agency failing a cyber security compliance audit, Immigration has said. The agency also argued the ATO and Human Services – the other two big agencies to be audited by the national au-

dit ofRice earlier this year – had a head start over Immigration in their cyber security transformation efforts. The Australian National Audit OfRice (ANAO) audit found that Human Services was the only one of the three agencies to be “cyber resilient” and compliant with all four of the ASD’s top cyber mitigation strategies. Immigration and the ATO had failed to properly implement application whitelisting; patch operating systems and applications; and were not effectively managing their IT supplier contacts, the ANAO found.

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2,673 Metro Train aﬀectees granted Rs113.8m tax exemption Wednesday May 17, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced to grant Rs 113.8 million tax exemption to 2,673 people aﬀected by the construction of Orange Line Metro Train. This was disclosed by chairman steering committee for the Orange Train project Khawaja Ahmad Hassan. As many as 2604 persons have been granted waiver of property tax to the tune of Rs 112 million whereas 69 persons have been given exemption in professional tax of Rs 0.93 million, he added. The chief minister has directed the concerned to carry out another survey for providing relief package to the small shop keepers who do not fall in the category of either property tax payers or professional tax payers, with a view to compensate their loss as a result of construction activity in the area he further added.

Hearing against mobile smuggling from china to Lahore adjourned LAHORE

M iMrAn MeHAr

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling adjourned the hearing of mobile phone smuggling case. Earlier, the court had approved the extension in judicial remand of an accused arrested by the customs authorities from the Allama Iqbal International airport while smuggling cell phones from China to Lahore. The Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) team of Customs Lahore had presented the accused, Naveed Bhatti, before the special court and asked for his physical remand for Rive days to investigate further regarding the smuggling. After the completion of physical

customs court hears 17 cases; adjourns most of them he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard 17 important cases and adjourned most of the cases until the next hearings. At least 17 cases of different types, including prearrest bail pleas filed by accused persons, were scheduled for the day. The court adjourned the bail pleas of Azhar, Haseeb, Muhammad Ayub Khan, Shafqat Ali and Shahbaz until the next hearings. The cases, including tax evasion, customs, smuggling and narcotics, were scheduled for the day. A case of Tariq Kazmi, allegedly involved in mobile smuggling, was also scheduled for hearing in which court recorded statements of the parties and adjourned it for next week. The cases of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jhelum were scheduled for the day. –CB Report

remand, the court sent him to jail for judicial trial which was extended again for 14 days. As per sources of Customs Today, Naveed Bhatti was arrested by the Customs Preventive when they seized 170 assorted android mobile phones from his luggage at Lahore airport. On suspicion, the customs authorities intercepted accused, Naveed Bhatti, while he was using green channel. The mobile phones were hidden in the bottles of water which were brought from Saudi Arabia. The sources said the total value of mobile phones has been appraised Rs05million. The customs authorities registered a case against him and further prosecution is still underway. It is pertinent to mention here that due to transfer of Chaudary Hameed Muhammad Khan, a number of cases are getting late for hearing.

ASo intensifies drive against smugglers, impounds 3 nDp cars

LAHORE

M HAYAT

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ollectorate of Customs AntiSmuggling Organization (ASO) seized Rs 75 lacs three illegally imported cars in connection with the ongoing drive

customs Tribunal sets aside ono; remands back case of gul Dawat

he Customs Appellate Tribunal set aside the impugned order in the case of Gul Dawat Syed, a resident of Lower Dir, against the Additional Collector of Customs (Adjudication), MCC Multan, and others. Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Judicial Bench-II, finally remarks that the impugned order is set aside and remanded customs appeal back to the adjudication officer with the direction to pass fresh speaking order strictly in accor-

dance with the law after providing opportunities of hearing to both parties and receiving evidences which they may like to produce. As per details of case, staff of customs intelligence and investigation intercepted a truck loaded with parts and Suzuki Jimmy Sierra Jeep. On physical examination, there are some lack of similarities found on the demand made from customs to driver who failed to produce relevant documents and vehicle with goods seized. –Sajid Nawaz

against smugglers. As per details the ASO of Customs Preventive on instructions of collector Ch ZulRiqar Ali has intensiRied crackdowns against the non-duty paid vehicles in the city. In connection with the new strategy the ASO Lahore seized three non-duty paid vehicles including BMWs and Honda Civics. The ASO team seized the vehicles

from various place in the city including Canal Road, Mall Road and other places in the city. The ofRicials sources said that the cars were seized by the authorities following the owners were failed to produce legal clearance documents. It was added that the vehicles were being run on fake registration and documentations. The non-duty paid vehicles were brought in the city by a few carriers who used provide cars at the doorstep anyone who place order and receive the prices, another sources said. Customs AntiSmuggling team that conRiscated the non-customs paid vehicles included Superintendent Nasir Minhas Sajjad Bukhari, Meanwhile, Collectorate of Customs Preventive Anti-Smuggling Organization team has successfully impounded a non duty paid Honda Civic car which was illegally imported. Sources told Customs Today that ASO authorities received credible information that some non duty paid vehicles plying on roads.

customs Tribunal hears 15 cases

he Customs Appellate Tribunal’s division bench-II (single and double), comprising Judicial Member Omer Arshad Hakeem and Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard 15 cases and adjourned all of them until the next hearing. A single bench of the Customs Appellate Tribunal, comprising Omer Arshed Hakeem, heard Rive cases including Directorate Post Clearance Audit Lahore versus Taimoor Enterprises, Muhammad ShaRique versus directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan, customs Multan versus Rana Muhammad Idrees, Tanveer Hussain versus customs Faisalabad and JP con-

struction versus customs Lahore. On Wednesday, the tribunal division bench-II heard 10 cases of Muhammad Alam versus customs Multan, Zahid Jee Textile versus customs Faisalabad, crescent textile versus Faisalabad, directorate Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus Golden International and Aamir Shehzad versus customs Faisalabad. Furthermore, the tribunal heard customs Lahore versus Punjab Impex, Abid Butt versus customs Lahore, Raza Muhammad versus directorate Multan Unit DG Khan, Union Enterprises versus customs Lahore and Jeelan logistics versus customs Faisalabad. –CB Report

prA to bring 35 more restaurants in its network for ST

LAHORE

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he Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has decided to increase its network in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan. For this purpose, the PRA has shortlisted 35 more restaurants to bring them in the network in coming.

Sources told Customs Today that the PRA has checked almost 35 restaurants in posh areas of the cities also including Lahore which are providing expensive food to citizens and are earning millions of rupees but are not registered for sales tax. These restaurants will increase the revenue of the authority. It is pertinent to mention here that the PRA has increased its revenues up to 35 percent

in the Rirst eight months of the Riscal year of 2016-17 as compared to last year. Restaurant invoice monitoring system will be installed at all the restaurants that are shortlisted by the PRA. Meanwhile, Telenor’s provincial head ofRice was de-sealed by the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) on Friday after a stay order was obtained by the Telenor from the Lahore High Court. On the direction of the LHC,

the appellate tribunal of the PRA has Rixed a hearing on May 9 to review the stay application of Telenor. The Punjab government had sealed Telenor’s provincial head ofRice in Lahore after it was alleged that the telecom company hasn’t paid Rs1.69billion taxes. The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) took the action after its commissioner of appeals rejected Telenor’s plea against the alleged tax default.

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Tanzania port retains 50 Zambian fuel trucks over issue of e-seals LUSAKA: Authorities in Tanzania have refused to release 50 fuel trucks from Zambia for failure to have electronic cargo tracking system seals which Tanzania has started demanding, state media reported on Thursday. The 50 trucks which were supposed to ferry fuel into Zambia are stuck in the Tanzania port city of Dar-es-Salaam after the implementation of the new system by the Tanzania Revenue Authority because they do not have the e-seal for tracking. Benson Tembo, general secretary of the Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia, said it was unfair for the Tanzanian authorities to detain the trucks because the association was not notiﬁed in good time on the requirement, according to the Times of Zambia.

port of columbia launches ‘choose columbia county’ shop local campaign

Ports & Shipping

port of Vancouver Terminal 1 project is inching along

Wednesday May 17, 2017

fY 2017 omnibus appropriations bill will help America’s ports

cross the nation, communities are struggling with slumping retail sales and struggling businesses. Big-box stores and online shopping have changed the landscape, causing community leaders and small businesses to scramble to find ways to compete. As the lead economic development organization in Columbia County, the Port of Columbia is working to address this issue. Last year, the Port worked closely with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce to do just that. The first step for us was to gather information. I worked with a regional economist to determine the amount of retail leakage (money being spent outside of our county). No surprises there: At $3,167 per capita retail spending, we are 45 percent lower

WASHINGTON

than Walla Walla County and 67 percent lower than Benton County. The Chamber Director, Andrew Holt, then spearheaded a tourism survey designed and evaluated by a thirdparty company. Among the extensive data gathered were the demographics of our tourists, as well the products and services they desire. We also executed and evaluated an informal online survey to determine the spending habits of our residents. Again, no surprise that 75 percent of those surveyed shopped for groceries in Walla Walla and 47 percent shopped online for gifts and collectibles. Tourists and residents were concerned about the lack of variety available and with the days and hours of operation. The Port and Chamber worked to get information out to communicate the importance of shopping local. –CB Report

fg rules out automation at nigerian ports

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ith concrete trucks and cranes converging on the Waterfront Vancouver project, developments are inching along for the Port of Vancouver’s own waterfront development. The port awaits an ofRicial recommendation on its Terminal 1 master plan, a 10.37-acre property near the former Red Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay. Port ofRicials met Thursday with land use hearings examiner Sharon Rice, who reviews similar projects for cities and counties throughout the state of Washington. Rice must issue a recommendation before the Vancouver City Council can vote on the project and development can begin. The recommendation is due May 18. If recommended, the city council could hear the project in June. Port ofRicials said Friday they are expecting a positive outcome. “It went well, we appreciated the opportunity to

WASHINGTON

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he Federal Government has ruled out hopes of entire automation of Nigerian seaports, saying the nation cannot afford to have machines replace humans due to her very large population. This is even as government said that aside the Single Window initiative, every other aspect of Nigerian ports operation will be manually managed. Speaking in Lagos last week during a 1-Day national conference on fasttracking port reforms with the theme: ‘Making Nigerian Seaports World Class’, the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi stated that Nigeria cannot afford to follow the footsteps of world leading port, Port of Singapore, in the area of port automation due to her large population. According to him, “people talk

he American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is applauding Congress for approving the 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which will maintain or increase funding for several programs in a variety of federal agencies that help America’s seaports deliver economic prosperity, create US jobs and benefit local communities. President Donald Trump signed the measure yesterday after it was passed by the United States Senate. The House of Representatives approved the legislation on Wednesday. The legislation is an important milestone in AAPA’s America: Keep It Moving campaign, which informs policymakers, and those who influence policy, about the job-creating power of US ports. The nation’s manufacturers, farmers and other workers count on modern and eﬃcient seaports to move American products to vital overseas markets. “The funding levels in this legislation will benefit US ports by ensuring the federal government continues to contribute its share of capital. –CB Report

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talk with the hearings examiner, and this is part of the process,” said port spokeswoman Abbi Russell. “We do expect to hear a recommendation from the examiner and we look forward to that.” Similar to the Waterfront Vancouver, Terminal 1 imagines a mix of residential, ofRice, retail and restaurants. The property shows four developable blocks bisected by Columbia Way, building up to 355 residential units, 62,000 square feet of retail and 200,000 square feet for ofRice space. The old

about automation, that it is the only way to turn our seaports to world class. I agree with that assertion but don’t think we will get to that point due to our about 170 million population. People need employment, so we cannot afford that. “I was at port of Singapore, and was marveled at the level of automation there. If you stay three seconds at the gate, somebody will come out to ask you what you are doing there. Their seaport is run by just 10 young people. The port is highly automated. “But Singapore has no population that is why they have no workers. That is why they depend on technology. That is why they can afford their entire port system to be automated. I was there and saw things for myself. If you drive in, you won’t see anybody. The only things you will see are machine’s picking and dropping cargoes. If you spend more than 30 minutes at the Singapore

Red Lion Hotel, which closed October 2015 and was partially demolished in March, will be converted into a visitors’ ofRice, port ofRices and continue to house restaurant WareHouse ’23. Plans call for a marketplace there, as well. The easternmost blocks of Terminal 1, which would abut Columbia Street, are both proposed as mixed-use office spaces with ground-floor retail. One block has plans for parking, the other would include apartments.

port, you will be arrested. “There are just 10 young boys operating the entire Singapore Port from a small room via computers. The entire port is fully automated. No presence of any security agency’s like Police, Customs, and others. “That is the kind of seaport we will like to get, but do you know what I told the Singaporean Authority; I said they can afford to have their port automated because they don’t have population. In Nigeria where we have very high population, about 170 million people, we cannot afford that. “We cannot afford to allow machines take over the entire jobs people will do. We need efRiciency at our ports, but we also need jobs for our people. We are going to combine technology and manual operation. That is the way we will be going. We cannot afford entirely automated ports due to our very large population. “The Single

Window we are putting in place will not be manual. It will be technology driven. But every other thing will be manual because we have a very large population that we need to employ. We cannot afford an automated port system like that of Singapore due to our population. They can decide to do that and not have to pay anybody because they don’t have population. We cannot do that. Technology will be combined with manual operation to ensure we have efRiciency at our ports.” Everglades has been involved in a pilot program that allows once-restricted grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay to come into South Florida ports, says Ellen Kennedy, assistant director of communications for Port Everglades. “The program is working well and has been expanded to include citrus from Peru and apples and pears from Argentina,” she says.

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Faisalabad ASO conﬁscates non duty paid diesel engine FAISALABAD: The Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) has conﬁscated foreign origin three units of illegally imported diesel engine without gear box and carrier vehicles worth Rs, 10,50,000 involving customs duty and taxes Rs, 155776. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Muhammad Sadiq received credible information about some smuggling attempts. He immediately constituted team. The ASO team intercepted Suzuki pick-up bearing registration number RIS-1388 near Motorway Salam Interchange Sargodha Road, Faisalabad.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

peshawar ASo seizes non duty paid goods rs1.85 billion in last six months PESHAWAR nADir kHAn

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he Customs Anti Smuggling Organization Peshawar in last six months seized smuggled items of Rs1.85 billion up to 2017 in 43 different crackdowns. According to Deputy Collector Anti Smuggling Organization the organization seized 22 vehicles of Rs480 million, 21 vehicles US/16 worth of Rs300 million, cloth of 111829 yards worth of Rs44 million , currency worth of Rs107920, arms and ammunition worth Rs30,000. The Anti Smuggling Organization also recovered tea of 1492 kilograms of Rs40,779648 tyre and tube worth of Rs1.9 million, auto parts of worth of Rs 20 million, liquor of Rs 912,500, mobile oil of Rs10,22,5500, grease of Rs16,200, gold of Rs10.2 million, fake cigarette of 4600 dandas of worth Rs33.3 million, electronic goods of Rs10.9 million, antiques of Rs1.8 million, pirated CDs of Rs0.9 million. Likewise the organization also carried out raids for illegal scrap and recovered items worth of Rs0.4 million. They also recovered blankets Rs1.3 million transported illegally to Pakistan. Medicines worth

of Rs2.6 million, Pan Parag of Rs3.17 million, Gutka all brand Rs2.4 million, toiletries Rs3.8 million, generators of Rs3.73 million. Besides this they also recovered

mobile phones worth of Rs7.4 million, chars of Rs10.4 million and opium worth of Rs7.3 million. The Anti Smuggling Organization Customs House Peshawar are con-

stantly raiding deferent ware house on ring roads, Karkhano market and Jamrud and making signiRicant recovery of contrabands from these ware houses. It is worth mentioned

here that up to April, the Custom Anti Smuggling Organization Peshawar in last six months seized smuggled items of Rs1.85 billion in 43 different crackdowns.

court grants bail to accused booked in illegal removal of pay-order KARACHI

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ustoms (Taxation & AntiSmuggling) Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi granted an interim pre-arrest bail to accused Mohsin S/o Abul Ghaffar booked in an illegal removal of pay-order in the Securities Section of the Collectorate and misusing payorder worth Rs02.5million.

During the hearing, abovementioned accused appeared before the court along with his counsel and moved an application for prearrest bail. The counsel argued that his client is innocent and was falsely implicated in the case therefore court is requested to grant his pre-arrest bail till final disposal of the case. After his arguments, court granted his bail and observed in its order that “Without touching the merits of the case, ad-interim pre-arrest bail is granted to accused to furnish surety in the sum of Rs200000 each with P.R bond in

the like amount to the satisfaction of this court. The court also directed accused to join investigation if and when required by the investigation officer and appear before the court on the next date of hearing. The court also called the police papers and issued notice to special prosecutor for customs department. According to the prosecution, case was registered against accused in violation of committed a Riscal fraud as deRined under Sections 32A of the Customs Act-1969 punishable under clause 14A of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act-

1969. Case was registered against Complainant by Muhammad Saleem Khan, Appraising OfRicer at Research and Development Section, MCC Appraisement East, Customs House, Karachi. Meanwhile, Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has granted interim pre-arrest bails to two suspects, Naeem Ahmed S/o Shamusuddin and Mohsin S/o Abdul Ghaffar, who were booked for allegedly removing and misusing a pay-order of Rs 2.4 million from the Securities Section of the collectorate. The court also directed the suspects to join the investiga-

Published by M S Raza Oﬀ# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,oﬀ I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

tion if and when required by the investigation ofRicer and appear before the court on the next date of hearing. The court also called the police papers and issued notice to the special prosecutor for Customs Department. During the hearing, above named accused appeared before the court along with their counsel and moved an application for prearrest bail. After their hearing, the court granted their bails and ordered them to furnish surety in the sum of Rs200000 each with P.R bond in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court.