Wednesday, 1 November 2017

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Karachi, Wed November 1, 2017

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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pecial Assistant to Prime Minister for Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan has said that the government is fully committed to promote tax culture and ensure transparency in revenue collection by adopting international standards of governance.

He stated this while addressing to the group of participants of national security and war course, during their visit to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) ofOice.

Akhtar said that the government accession to the (OECD) Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance is proof of its commitment to tax matters. The government will continue its reform agenda and retain key economic targets and main-

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tain macroeconomic stability, reduce Oiscal and external vulnerabilities and promote growth supporting reforms.

He expects that Pakistan GDP to growth at an average 6 percent during next Oive years.

He further said to control the corruption FBR reducing contact between tax collectors and the tax payers. He said we are satisOied with growth in revenue collection by the FBR and appreciate the measure taken to achieve Oiscal prudence in the Oirst quarter.

Federal Board of Revenue is struggling hard to increase the tax to GDP Ratio through broadening the tax base system this is the only way the Pakistan can move forward and we can leave the menace of debts but unfortunately no person want to pay taxes at his part. It is responsibility and national duty of each and every Pakistani citizen if he have taxable income then he must pay his share in taxes.

Collector Jadoon focuses on external audit of previous FY2012-13 & 2014-15

Appraisement East collects Rs39.8 million as duties & taxes

DC Adjudication Shahzad Ranjha issues ONO in NDP goods case

Investors, industrialists get special incentives in GB SEZ: CM

MCC Peshawar’s Customs Stations perform brilliantly by exceeding targets

Collector Dr. Saeed of MCC Islamabad focussed on the external audit | See pAge 02 |

Appraisement East has generated Rs39.08m of customs duty, sales tax | See pAge 03 |

DC Customs Adjudication Shahzad Liaquat Ranjha has issued ONO | See pAge 04 |

CM GB said special incentives would be given to investors and industrialists | See pAge 11 |

The MCC Peshawar has done a brilliant job in the current month of October | See pAge 16 |

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FBR imposes restriction on import of 581 food items Wednesday, November 1, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue has imposed restriction on import of 581 food items in order to reduce import bill during the current fiscal year.

The FBR issued a statutory regulatory order (SRO) 1067(I)/2017 in this regard to implement the restriction.

The government made amendments to Import Policy Order, 2016 and imposed condition on the goods to be approved by Ministry of National Food Security and Research and approval from animal quarantine department.

Islamabad

collector Jadoon focuses on external audit of previous FY2012-13 & 2014-15

ISLAMABAD

ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report

tArIQ DerYA

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal Member Ziauddin Wazir has reserved the decision on a customs reference, seeking release of seized mobile phones. Appellant M Younas, through the case, had challenged an announcement made by adjudication of Collectorate of Customs, Islamabad about seizure of mobile phones. The bench reserved decision of the case after hearing the counsels arguments. The bench had plenty of hearings on the matter in recent weeks. Earlier the bench had dated in office hearing of the matter after initial arguments. The department on the day had sought time from the bench, hence hearing was adjourned. At least six mobile phones first confiscated by the customs authorities at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad. The petitioner had brought the mobiles into Pakistan through airport which MCC had declared illegal and in violation of regulations adopted for carrying mobiles phone in luggage. The MCC authorities had confiscated the mobile phones at the airport and subsequently decided not to release them as the petitioner had violated the rules while returning to Pakistan.

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ollector Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon of Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad focussed on the external audit of the corresponding Financial Years 2012-13 and 2014-15.

This was said by Additional Collector Nisar Ahmad Phullerwan, Additional Collector Air Freight Unit (AFU) Islamabad.

He told Customs Today that, during the past Oinancial years, the audit reportws wre neglected, but now Collector Model Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad is mainly focussing on the external audit.

To maintain the audit report, the collectorate is preparing audit reports of Islamabad Dry Port, Air Freight Unit and State Ware House situated at G-10 Islamabad, he added. There have been lapses in the audit reports of FY2012-13 and FY2014-15. The Additional Collector stated that the veriOication status of the audit report has been clear now and 90% paras will be settled before the end of the current month.

Answering a query, he told CT that the audit report, maintained by the Directorate of Patrolling and Customs Audit, has been worked out under the Auditor General of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad generated surplus revenue of Rs708.02million

tribunal reserves verdict on plea seeking release of mobile phones

against the proportional revenue target of all duties and taxes during three months and 15 days (1st July to 15th October) Financial Year 2017-18. According to details explained by Acting Additional Collector Shahid Jan while talking to Customs Today that, during above said period, the collectorate earned Rs4337.49million as all duties and taxes while it was assigned a proportional revenue target of Rs3629.47million under all heads.

During the 1st of July to 15th of October, the Islamabad Collectorate received an increase of 19.51 percent growth against the assigned revenue target and the collectorate showed 28.92% growth against the revenue collection during the same period of corresponding FY16-17. Shahid jan stated that the collectorate collected Rs257.48million surplus revenue against the allocated proportional target of all duties and taxes during initial 15 days of October Financial

year 2017-18. The collectorate was earmarked Rs511.40million revenue target for initial 15 days of October FY17-18 against the collection of Rs788.88million as all taxes. In that way, the Islamabad Collectorate increased its collection by 50.35% against the allocated proportional target and the collectorate showed the growth of 71.59% against the revenue collection during the same period of corresponding year 201617 as all duties and taxes.

Ihc postpones hearing of customs references

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ISLAMABAD

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he Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dated in ofOice the hearing of a customs reference Oiled by Collectorate of Customs, against M/s Al Haj Enterprises after parties submitted record about the case.

The IHC bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz and Justice Mohsin Akhtar heard the case. The bench had issued notices to the re-

spondent for taking part in the proceedings and submission of record during last hearing.

The bench also heard the case being contested by M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited’s case. The bench dated in ofOice hearing of the case following brief arguments by the counsels. M/S Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited had Oiled the case challenging an announcement made by the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR)-through which it had sustained decision announced by

the department’s adjudication pertaining to the show cause notice issued to M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited for outstanding tax recovery. Through both the references, M/s Al Catel Lusent Pakistan Limited had named chief commissioner Inland Revenue, LTU, assistant commissioner Inland Revenue Withholding, LTU, commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals), LTU, and Federation of Pakistan through the chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as respondents in the case.

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SHC seeks rejoinder on petition filed by M/s Essatex Industries KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs authorities to file a rejoinder on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Essatex Industries against seizing of a consignment of polyester and viscose of various kinds on the charges of tax evasion.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner filed a reply and counsel for the customs department sought time to file a rejoinder, therefore, the court adjourned the matter for October 2017.

customs court sends suspect on remand in currency smuggling case

Wednesday November 1, 2017

Karachi

Appraisement east collects rs39.8 million as duties & taxes

KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

ustoms Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent a suspect namely Murtaza son of Mustafa to customs department on physical remand, who was booked for attempting to smuggle contraband foreign currency worth Rs 3,717,300 from Dubai to Karachi. During the hearing, the investigation officer produced the suspect before the court and informed that a team of the AntiSmuggling Organization intercepted Murtaza at Jinnah International Air Port Karachi and searched his bag. He informed the court that during the search, the customs authorities recovered UAE Dirham 1,05,500 and Saudi Riyal 25,000 from his possession.

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citizen moves Shc for release of toyota Mark X KARACHI

M B rANA

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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed customs authorities to submit comments on a constitutional petition filed by Muhammad Usman, seeking release of his Toyota Mark X bearing registration number BEN-684 seized by customs officials. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, was hearing the petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that officials of the customs department intercepted the vehicle and the diver was asked to produce the legal documents. He said that the driver produced all documents, but the officials seized the vehicle without any lawful reasons.

Being aggrieved, he moved the Customs Appellate Tribunal which directed the customs department to release the vehicle.

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KARACHI

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he Customs Collectorate of Appraisement East has generated Rs39.08million of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal exercise duty during 21 days of October.

Sources told Customs Today that the Customs Appraisement East collected Rs12.98million as customs duty, Rs 10.54million of sales tax, Rs7.78million as income tax and Rs6.36million of federal excise duty during 21 days.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Customs Collectorate of the Appraisement East received Rs24.97million of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal exercise duty during the Oirst 14 days of October including Rs8.78million as customs duty, Rs7.85million of sales tax, Rs4.56million as income tax and Rs3.78million of federal excise duty. If we talk about nine days, so Customs Collectorate of the Appraisement East has collected Rs12.564million of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal exercise duty during the Oirst nine days of October including the collection of Rs3.23million as customs duty, Rs4.354million of sales tax, Rs2.2million as income tax and Rs2.78million of federal excise duty during the Oirst nine days of the current month.

Meanwhile, Collector Model Cus-

toms Collectorate of Appraisement West Shahnaz Maqbol has taken notice of delayed clearance of consignments at Karachi International Containers Terminal (PICT) and directed the additional collectors and deputy collectors to take actions against those ofOicials who are involved in delaying the examination and assessments of the imported consignments. Sources told Customs Today that some importers and traders met the collector at her of-

customs collectorate of Appraisement east received rs24.97million of customs duty, sales tax, income tax and federal exercise duty during the first 14 days of october including rs8.78million as customs duty, rs7.85million of sales tax, rs4.56million as income tax and rs3.78million of federal excise duty

customs Adjudication-II recovers rs 7.12m

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KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

he Customs Adjudication-II has issued six show cause notices and three Oinal notices during the month of October and recovered Rs 7.12 million.

Sources told Customs Today that the Customs Adjudication-II sent a Oinal notice to a defaulter company, M/s Iftikhar Morasi Carpets, and recovered Rs 1.18 million from M/s Mohsin As-

sociates. Sources said that M/s Iftikhar Morasi Carpets was found involved in the tax evasion. The company imported fancy carpets in the month of September and used wrong PCT heading. After careful investigations, the Customs Adjudication-II sent the Oinal notice to the company, asking it to clear the outstanding amount of Rs 2.2 million. Sources told that another company M/s Mohsin Associates. cleared a consignment of German made hard electric wires on 22nd August and evaded tax amount of Rs1.18

million, after investigation Customs Adjudication sent a show cause notice on September 4 but the company failed to clear the outstanding tax amount. On that time Collector Customs Adjudication-II Muhammad Javed sent Oinal notice on September 28. After receiving Oinal notice, the company deposited the amount of Rs1.18 million. Sources told that newly transferred Collector of Customs Adjudication-II Tahir Qureshi will issue some notices to the different defaulters companies in near future.

Oice and informed her about the issues and problems being faced by the importers at the terminal during the examination and assessment of imported consignments.

The importers were of the view that the examination and assessment ofOicers at the terminal were adopting delaying tactics, which is ultimately increasing the cost of doing business as they have to pay extra charges in terms of demurrage and detention charges.

Special FIA cell closed down special cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that probed into mega corruption scandals has been closed down. The special investigation unit directly reported to the FIA director general. After the cell’s closure, around 50 cases that it was working on will be transferred to zonal officers.

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LHC extends stay order in case of services tax on lawyers Wednesday November 1, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) heard the case regarding the extra services tax on lawyers. Court has extended the date of stay order till 22nd November.

According to the details, Justice Shahid Kareem of Lahore High Court (LHC) heard the appeal filed by the Barrister Muhammad Ahmed Quyoom in which the counsel for appellant argued that the service tax on the lawyers cannot be imposed but the department has imposed the services tax on the practices of the lawyers that is illegal and he appealed the court to suspend the services tax on the lawyers.

court approves 14-day judicial remand of accused in money laundering case LAHORE

M IMrAN MehAr

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has granted a 14day judicial remand of the accused held in a currencies’ smuggling case.

An accused Faisal Hussain was arrested by the Customs Preventive authorities at the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore. The customs authorities, during a search of his luggage, found a big numbers of currency notes in his baggage.

Accused Faisal Hussain was trying to smuggle currencies of Rs2 million. The customs authorities found Dollars, Euros, Pounds and Pakistani currency in his luggage.

The customs investigation team had presented him before the cus-

NBp’s After-tax profit up 9.6% YoY meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) of National Bank of Pakistan (Bank) was held on Friday at the its Head Office in Karachi in which the BoD approved the financial statements of the Bank for nine months period ended September 30, 2017. A statement of the NBP said that the operating income of the Bank for nine months period amounted to Rs. 61.3 billion (Sep 16 : Rs. 60.2 billion), while net interest / mark-up income for the nine months period amounted to Rs. 38.3 billion being 2.4% lower than Rs. 39.3 billion of Sep 16, the non-interest / mark-up income recorded a 10.0% growth and amounted to Rs. 23.0 billion (Sep 16 : Rs. 20.9 billion). It said that aftertax profit for the nine months was 9.6% up Year on Year (YoY) and amounted to Rs. 14.7 billion (Sep 16: Rs. 13.4 billion), translating into earnings per share of Rs 6.91 as against Rs. 6.31 for the similar period prior year. –CB Report

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toms court for getting his physical remand to investigate more on the issue that was granted by the court.

After the completion of the remand, customs team had presented him again before the court and asked it to send him to jail.

The customs preventive arrested the accused who was attempting to smuggle the currencies from Lahore into Europe. The customs has registered a case against the accused and launched an investigation as well after conOiscating the currencies.

The case was lodged against him under Pakistan Customs Act 1969.

Meanwhile, The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling has approved a two-day physical remand of the accused apprehended in vehicle and clothsmuggling case. Accused Muhammad Muneer Khan was arrested by the customs intelligence authorities from Lahore.

Dc Adjudication Shahzad issues oNo in NDp goods case LAHORE

M hAYAt

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eputy Collector Customs Adjudication Shahzad Liaquat Ranjha has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) 05/2017 by declaring seizure of non duty paid goods as legal.

According to details, Customs ASO intercepted auto parts lying on road near Lakshami Chowk, Lahore. On query the person standing nearby the said auto parts identified himself as Muhammad Jamshaid son of Muhammad Shafi Chisthi Sabri. During examination the ASO team found 700 pieces of Denso Toyota Lexus, 25 pieces of car shock absorber, clutch cover, pad kit disk break part.

On demand the above said owner failed to produce any legal documents regarding possession

and transportation of these auto parts. Customs ASO seized the auto parts and after registering a case forwarded the matter to Customs Adjudication for further proceedings. Customs Adjudication issued several show cause notices to the above mentioned owner to ap-

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pear and explain his position but he failed to appear before Customs Adjudication. After his failure Deputy Collector Customs Adjudication Shahzad Liaquat Ranjha issued ONO No. 05/2017 by declaring the seizure of auto parts as legal.

Lhc reserves verdict of appeal filed against customs tribunal hears 17 cases enhancement of commissioners in Secp he Customs Appellate Tribu- Intelligence and Investigation La-

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he Lahore High Court (LHC) has heard the intra court appeal Oiled against enhancement in number of commissioners in Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Court has reserved verdict.

Two members bench of LHC headed by of Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case of enhancement in number of commissioners in Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) that was challenged in the Lahore High

Court (LHC). In his appeal, the counsel for appellant argued that the number of commissioners in SECP has been enhanced from four to seven. He said that the number was extended during the tenure of former Chairman Zafar Hijazi. Ahmed said that Hijazi took this step to protect the alleged corruption of the Sharif family. The SECP did not take approval from the federal cabinet, he said. He appealed before the LHC that illegal raise in the number of commissioners may be declared null and void and court. –CB Report

nal (single & double) bench heard 17 cases on Wednesday and adjourned all the cases to different dates and reserved the verdict of few cases.

According to the details, division bench-II comprising Member Judicial Omer Arshed Hakeem, Member Technical Imran Tariq, heard eleven cases, including Nimra Textile versus Customs Faisalabad, Mir Alam Khan versus Customs Faisalabad, Hijvery Traders versus customs Lahore, Master Link versus Directorate of

hore. On Wednesday, the same bench heard cases filed by Dad Muhammad versus Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Multan, Customs Lahore versus Faisal Ijaz Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Lahore versus World Wide Scientific, Customs Lahore versus M/s Kashif Azhar. Furthermore tribunal hears customs Lahore versus Muzakir Shah, Arshed Sualah versus Customs Lahore, Husnain Trading versus customs Faisalabad and Customs Lahore versus Khuram Azhar. –CB Report

FBr grants zero-rated furnace oil, diesel supply to textile unit

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LAHORE

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) has granted zero-rated supply of 3,400 metric tons furnace oil and 5,000 litres diesel on monthly basis to a textile unit.

In a notification issued on Wednesday, the FBR allowed M/s

Ibrahim Fibers Limited to purchase furnace oil and diesel oil under SRO 1125(I)/2011 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance of the notification.

The FBR said that monthly zero-rated supply of furnace oil and diesel oil shall not exceed the mentioned quantity. Further the furnace oil and diesel oil shall only be consumed in the manu-

facture of goods in SRO 1125(I)/2011. The boilers and generators for which furnace oil and diesel oil have been purchased shall be installed at the declared manufacturing premises of registered person. The textile unit has been allowed to purchase furnace oil from Attock Petroleum and Hascol Petroleum and diesel oil from Attock Petroleum and

Pakistan State Oil. The FBR directed chief commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) Lahore to monitor purchase and consumption of furnace oil and diesel oil requiring the registered person to furnish monthly statement of zero-rated purchases and consumption in order to verify/prevent misuse of zerorated facility.

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ISLAMABAD

tArIQ DerYA

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ahira Sarwat Habib, Customs Chief Collector North Region, has contributed a lot to bring about customs administrative and automation reforms. The North Region earned surplus revenue of Rs1268.74million of all duties and taxes during Oirst July to 25th of October Financial Year 2017-18 against the assigned revenue target for the Oirst four months of current Financial Year 2017-18. Moreover, the North Region surpassed the allocated proportional target (1st July to 25 October) FY17-18 under all the heads with Rs1905.26million.

According to details given by Chief Collector North Sarwat Tahira Habib while talking to Customs Todayduring an exclusive interview.

She added that the North Region showed satisfactory performance during said period. She said the North received Rs12183.06million under all the heads during said period while it was earmarked proportional target of Rs10277.80million whereas it was assigned Rs10914.32million of revenue target under all the heads during the Oirst four months from July to October FY17-18. The North Region posted 18.54% increase against the allocated revenue target while it showed 23.01% growth of collection against the same period of corresponding Financial Year 201617. The North generated Rs9904.19million under all the heads during the 1st July to

icy in 1993 from University of Southampton UK. She did her masters in Journalism in 1983 from University of Punjab Lahore.

She explained that she got trained from Brussels in 2013 on Key Speaker at the World Customs Organization Women in Leadership Workshop, NWSC at National Defence University Islamabad 201213, WCO Container Control Programme at Brussels 2011, International Visitors Programme from Board Enforcement Programme USA 2011, Execn utive Leadership Development millio 6 0 .

3 218 d 1 o i s Programme from CAREC Instir r e p d e d re c e i v ng sai tute Singapore 2011, Financial i h r t u l r d a o s N ad tion e r h o Analysis for Non-Financial Exp e o h r p all t arked ecutives from University of re a s m e under r h a e w was lion l i t i California, Berkley USA 2009, m e f l 0 i o .8 n wh 10277 millio IPR Enforcement and Global s 2 r 3 . f 4 o 1 ads International Intellectual Propt a rg e t rs109 the he igned l s l s a a r erty Rights Academy USA 2009. s e y l d u n J u it wa m get She also got various trainings t h s f ro ue tar r mon u reven o from Beijing, Jordan, Sri Lanka f t s r 8 fi 1 7the and Tokyo. er FY1 during octob

25th of October FY16-17.

She asked all the Collectorates of the North Region, which comprises Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot and Gilgit-Baltistan, to nominate focal-persons so as to coordinate amongst all said collectorates to cope with the trafOicking of smuggling. She told CT that she also asked above named collectorates to seed up their efforts for exceeding the earmarked revenue target for the next quarter (October to December) Fy17-18.

Regarding her academic and professional qualifications, the chief collector informed Customs Today that she got masters in Public Pol-

to

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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

Issue of food insecurity

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s all is not well with the economy, the danger of food insecurity is another pressing issue which is looming large in Pakistan. The country is facing food shortage despite the fact that Pakistan has started producing bumper crops of all major food products and commodities after years of gap. However, economists believe there is a need to invest in research to increase production. According to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the country has produced good wheat, rice, sugarcane and maize crops despite shortage of water in many areas.The urbanization process has drastically cut short the area of cultivation.There is a need to bring more land under farming and also there is a need to development new seed varieties and adopt modern farming techniques to increase per acre yield. The government encourages the export of food items which is also an area of concern for economists.

The businessmen want larger-scale export of food items instead of value added goods.

The Federal Committee on Agriculture has set a higher target of production for major and minor crops for the current fiscal year.

However, water shortage could have negative impact on the production volume.

The committee expects 7.3 million tonnes production of rice, 81.4m tonnes sugarcane and 5.3m tonnes maize during the current fiscal year and measuresare being taken to increase the area of cultivation.The expectations for higher yields are rational as some new high-yielding varieties are getting popularity among farmers.

Incidentally, the output of wheat crop recorded a modest increase of 0.5 percent during the current fiscal year despite shrinkage in the sowing area. The committee has set the wheat production target at 26.46m tonnes for 2017-18, which is up from 25.75m tonnes during the previous year. However, it is expected that average yield of wheat will be 2.96m tonnes per hectare from next year, up from 2.84m tonnes this year.

The government should encourage the production of value-added food items which have great demand within the country and concentrate on industrial production.

uS threats to pakistan T

LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

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he tough talks of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his brief visit to Pakistan should be an eye-opener for Islamabad which has so far meticulously handled its relations with that country. The threats emanating from Washington since Donald Trump took over as the president has further drifted apart the two countries and in the words of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, a trust deOicit prevails between the two countries and tons of ice has frozen the bilateral relations which would take time to melt. It is all the fault of the past rulers who bowed to the US pressure

and had accepted every demand whether reasonable or unreasonable. They had failed to stand up on their feet as leaders of a respectful nation and were used to give rosy welcome to Af-Pak envoy, who deemed themselves as viceroys. The term Af-Pak itself was insult to the Pakistani nation, but the past rulers crossed all limits of shame. The spineless leaders did whatever the US demanded them to do and the situation now has reached a point where the new US administration has started claiming Pakistan as its colony. The new US administration issues orders like a boss and none others but we Pakistanis have given them the opportunity to act in the manner.

Pakistan has also been held hostage to the international Oinancial institutions most of which work and operate under the inOluence of the United States. But the time has come the leadership should come out of the hibernation and set a new tone of its foreign policy to play its role in the international diplomacy.

It is time to learn from two close friends of Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, which have kept themselves away from all kinds of the US pressure and their foreign policy is based on national honour and dignity. The Pakistani economy is resilient and US could not do much to damage it in the new world order which is not devised by Washington but is a product of circumstances. The European Union, Russia, and several

others countries have successfully adopted independent foreign policies and have refused to toe the line of the United States. Still Pakistani nation does not want any confrontation with the United States, but is not ready to own its failures in Afghanistan where it has installed its puppet government and has military bases to Oight Taliban.

Pakistan has already lost over $100 billion to its economy and 100,000 souls, but instead of appreciation for the sacriOices, it is being threatened. The leadership should now make it clear to the United States that diplomatic relations could be curtailed to minimum levels or even could be broken if this kind of threats continued to be hurled from Washington.

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FBR reduces sales tax on import of finished textile, leather goods ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has reduced sales tax on imported finished goods/articles of textile and leather from 17% along with 2% value addition sales tax to 6 percent sales tax along with 2% value addition tax on both at import and its subsequent supplies stage.

The FBR issued SRO 1070(I)/2017 to amend SRO 1125(I)/2011 and said that supply of such items the sales tax rate would be six percent.

Similarly, the sales tax at 17 percent plus two percent value addition tax on import of finished goods of carpets, sports and surgical sectors. Their supply thereof will charge at 17 percent sales tax.

pcA Directorate uncovers tax evasion

by Arsalan hosiery

National

Dar reiterates pakistan’s commitment for improving regional connectivity

KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

he Directorate of Customs Post Clearance Audit has detected duties and tax evasion of Rs3.58million allegedly by M/s Arsalan Hosiery, it is learnt. The official sources told Customs Today that M/s Arsalan Hosiery imported two consignment of shirts , tee shirt and other articles under the PCT Heading 2578.2309 and got cleared from Port Qasim Karachi vide GDs No SK-76435 on January 17, 2017 by paying customs duty at 12.45 percent after claiming the benefit of SRO 699/2007. However the subject goods are correctly classifiable under the PCT 2658.2304 attracting customs duty at 20 percent and income tax at 12 per-

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cent. Thus, by way of mis-declaration of classification, M/s Arsalan Hosiery evaded/short paid Rs3.58million.

Therefore the importer has violated the provisions of Section 32 (1) (2) & (3A) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 3, 6 & 8 read with Section 38 of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 152 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 punishable under clauses (1) and 16 of Section 156(1) of the Customs Act-1969, Section 33(5) of the Sales Tax Act-1990 and Section 148 & 182 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and Section 7A of the Sales Tax Act1990 read with chapter X of the Sales Tax Special Procedure Rules-2007 (Special procedures for payment of sales tax by the importers) and under relevant provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. Accordingly, an audit observation was issued to Arsalan Hosiery for explaining and clarifying as to on what basis they have avoided/evaded the taxable duty and taxes.

Wednesday November 1, 2017

ISLAMABAD

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inance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar has reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program to improve connectivity in the region.

He was addressing the 16th CAREC Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, says a statement received here.

Highlighting the geo-strategic location of Pakistan, the minister emphasized Pakistan’s role as a facilitator for connecting the regions of South Asia and Central Asia, in order to enable efOicient market access, and enhance trade and investment in the region.

The minister said Pakistan supports CAREC’s areas of focus in the sectors of energy, trade and transportation network. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in augmenting these initiatives.

The Oinance minister endorsed the new CAREC Strategy 2030, on behalf of the Government of Pak-

istan. He appreciated ADB’s leadership and efforts for including the areas of cooperation offered by the prime minister of Pakistan during the previous CAREC Ministerial Conference held here in October 2016.

The minister also suggested further steps in this regard.

He emphasized the importance

of collective efforts to enhance regional cooperation and achieve the common goals envisaged under the CAREC Program.

Earlier, President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, inaugurated the ministerial conference. In his address, he voiced his support for regional cooperation and integration,

and assured of all out support to implement the CAREC 2030 Strategy.

It may be noted that the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program is a partnership of 11 countries and 6 multilateral development partners working to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction. The program is aimed at helping Central Asian and neighboring countries realize their potential, by promoting and facilitating regional cooperation in the priority areas of transport, trade facilitation, trade policy, and energy.

The 11 countries partnering in the CAREC Program are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People’s Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The 6 multilateral development partners of CAREC include the Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Monetary Fund, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank.

court adjourns hearing of mega tax evasion case KARACHI

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he Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi adjourned the hearing of case Oiled against suspects Adnan son of Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Junaid son of Abdul Razzaq, who were booked in a case of smuggled/ non-duty paid contraband mobile phones, tablets, LED TVs, satellite dish receivers etc and evaded the duty and taxes Rs 5,35,48,97 to public exchequer.

According to the prosecution, on a credible information, team of Anti-Smuggling Organization intercepted a trailer Shahzore and Honda Vezel Pilot near Mai Kolachi Road Karachi and recovered smuggled/ non-duty paid 14,493 pieces mobile phones valuing Rs14,49,30,000.

2,282 pieces tablets valuing Rs1,36,92,000.76 pieces LED TVs valuing Rs. 11, 40,000. 1,708 pieces satellite dish receivers valuing Rs. 34, 16,000. 81,600 pieces paint markers valuing Rs. 8, 16,000. 970 pieces mobile phones without LCD

valuing Rs19, 40,000. 1,549 pieces mobile accessories valuing Rs. 20,000. 77 pieces TV boards valuing Rs 77,000. 9600 pieces DVD-R valuing Rs. 96,000, total valuing Rs16,61,59,000.

Investigation ofOicer informed the

court that during the investigation, it transpired that bonded carrier M/s Saifur Rahman & Brothers solely responsible for the transhipment of the consignment and with the criminal conspiracy of above mentioned accused and others associates in crime who adopted novel modus operandi and smuggled foreign origin contraband goods under the garb of computer parts which were illegally removal from container while en-route to Sambrial Dry Port for disposal in local market. Directorate General Intelligence & Investigation-FBR Regional OfOice Karachi lodged Oirst information report (FIR) against partners/ director/ proprietor of M/s Saif-urrahman & Brothers, Zeeshan Afzal of M/s K.K Metal Industries, Adnan son of Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Junaid son of Abdul Razzaq and others.

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Imtiaz Ahmad takes charge as Assistant Collector in Hyderabad Wednesday November 1, 2017

National Muhammad Aftab assumes charge as Dy Director of karachi pcA

ISLAMABAD: Imtiaz Ahmad, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, has taken charge as Assistant Collector in Hyderabad.

Imtiaz, pursuing the Board’s Notification No. 2720-C-II/2017 dated 28.09.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Karachi with effect from October 3 and assumed the charge of the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Hyderabad on October 4.

haris takes charge as Addl Director of customs reforms, Automation

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uhammad Aftab, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-18, has assumed charge as Deputy Director, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Karachi. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2720-C-II/2017 dated 28.09.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Hyderabad with effect from September 29 and took the charge of the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Karachi on October 6. Meanwhile, Omer Bin Zafar Chattha, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17, has assumed charge as Assistant Collector.

The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 2720-C-II/2017 dated 28.09.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Assistant Collecto r, Model Customs Collecto rate of Preventive, Lahore with effect from October 3.10.2017 and has assumed the charge of the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Multan on October 10.

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Abdul waris transferred to Lahore rto-II afiz Abdul Waris, presently posted as Assistant Director (Audit), Computerized Risk-Based Evaluation of Sales Tax (CREST), Lahore, has been transferred and posted to Regional Tax OfficeII, Lahore with immediate effect and until further order. If the officer is drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting, said the FBR. Meanwhile, Afzal Mahmood, Cost Accountant (BS-18), has been assigned to look after accounts & budget-related work of the Collectorate of Customs Adjudication, Lahore. The officer, presently posted at Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Lahore, was assigned to look after accounts & budget-related work. –CB Report

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uhammad Haris Ansari, a Pakistan Customs Service ofOicer of BS-19, has taken charge as Additional Director, Directorate of Reforms and Automation (Customs), Karachi.

The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No.2242-CI/2017, dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Additional Collector (BS-19), Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (East), Karachi with effect from August 25 and assumed charge of the post of Additional Director, Directorate of Reforms and Automation (Customs), Karachi on the same date.

Meanwhile, Naveed Iqbal, a Pak-

istan Customs Service ofOicer of BS19, has assumed charge as Additional Collector. Naveed, pursuing the Board’s NotiOication No.2242-C-

I/2017, dated 18.08.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Secretary (BS-19), Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad with effect from

August 31 and took charge of the post of Additional Collector at Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement (West), Karachi on September 6.

Mcc Islamabad generates rs464.93m more revenue during 25 days of october T

ISLAMABAD

tArIQ DerYA

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he Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad earned extra revenue with Rs464.93million of all duties and taxes during the 1st to 25th of October Financial Year 2017-18 against the assigned proportional (1st to 25th October FY17-18) revenue target under all the tax heads. According to details explained by Collector Dr. Saeed Khan Jadoon of Model Customs Collectorate Islamabad that all the customs stations, working under the jurisdiction of MCC Islamabad, showed satisfactory performance during above said period. The Collectorate of Islamabad generated Rs1263.99million as all taxes during initial 25 days of October FY17-18 while the Collectorate of Islamabad was allocated a pro-

portional target of Rs799.06million under all the heads. The MCC Islamabad received revenue of Rs793.66million during the same period of corresponding FY16-17.

The Collector MCC Islamabad told CT that, during initial 25 days, the Collectorate earned Rs427.6million as Customs Duty (CD) against the allocated

revenue target of Rs375.06million of CD. The collectorate collected Rs346.01million as CD during the same period of October FY16-17.

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Surge in import duty may affect trade with Afghanistan ISLAMABAD: Import of fruits and several other edible items has been temporarily halted from Afghanistan due to imposition of 50 percent regulatory duty to curtail rising trade deficit of the country, it was learnt.

The federal government has doubled the rate of regulatory duty on import of fresh and dry fruits and dairy products and a sufficient quantity of fruit is being imported from Afghanistan. Source revealed that the regulatory duty on imported items will push-up smuggling in the country and the government must focus on increasing exports by facilitating local industry to overcome the trade deficit.

court approves judicial remand of alleged currencies’ smuggler LAHORE

M IMrAN MehAr

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he Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has granted a judicial remand of an accused arrested by the Pakistan Customs Preventive, Allama Iqbal International Airport, when they frustrated an attempt of smuggling of foreign currencies into China.

The customs investigation and prosecution team had presented him before the court and asked for the physical remand for further investigation. The Special Federal Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has approved a three-day physical remand of the accused. Customs Court Special Judge Tahir Sabir directed the investigation team to present him be-

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fore the court after the completion of the physical remand for further proceedings. On Wednesday, the customs team had presented the accused before the court and asked the court to send him to jail on the judicial remand. Accused Shahid Waqas was arrested by the customs preventive authorities at the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore. The authorities, during a search of his luggage, found a large number of currency notes. The customs authorities have registered a case against him under Pakistan Customs Act. The attempt of currencies’ smuggling was foiled when a customs team checked the passenger. The customs recovered currencies of 1,500 American dollars and 10,000 Chinese Yuan from accused Shahud Waqas. Shahid Waqas is a resident of Lahore. He was travelling by Shaheen Airlines from Lahore to Guangzhou, China.

National

Mcc deposits rs10m into national treasury generated thru auction, duties & taxes

Ntc imposes 19.15% additional antidumping duty on chinese steel bars ISLAMABAD

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he National Tariff Commission (NTC) has imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty of 19.15 percent on import of deformed concrete reinforcing steel bars (rebars) into Pakistan from China. According to details received by the NTC, it is to clarify that the duty will be in addition to the 30 percent regulatory duty already in place on import of rebars. It briefed that the difference between local price of rebar and price of imported rebar currently stands at Rs24000 to Rs25000 per ton; therefore the imposition of duty is considered a positive for the sector as it increases the import protection for local producers. It said, however, there is no impact in short term as local producers will find it hard to increase prices given the fragmented nature of the industry. The NTC further added, “A complete pass on is not a possibility, in our view as a total pass on of Rs11000 to Rs13000 per ton will render imports from Turkey feasible which come in at $40-50/ton higher than Chinese rebar, making feasible an increase of only Rs5000 to Rs6000 per ton in local prices.”

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HYDERABAD

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he MCC Hyderabad State Warehouse (SWH) deposited Rs10million into the national exchequer. The amount was collected through auction and duties/taxes during the month of October 2017-18.

These goods were seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO), Customs Preventive Hyderabad, on the instructions of Hyderabad Collector, Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq, under the supervision of Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid.

The collectorate has released the impounded consignments of foreign origin vehicles and non-dutypaid smuggled cigarettes of different brands after receiving the taxable duties and taxes during the month of October 2017-18.

Through auction and following all duties and taxes including customs duty, import duty, sale proceed and fine and penalties, Motamar AlamE-Islami (MI) deposited Rs10.1million of all customs duties and taxes of Rs4.9million as sales taxes, Rs1.5million of federal excise duty, duty on import goods, FED and ad-

Wednesday November 1, 2017

vance income tax and duty of Rs3.8million earned from the smuggling items including cigarettes of different brands during October 2017-18.

Deputy Collector (HQ) Basit Hussain’s team comprised Superintendent Nadeem Ahmed Usmani, Hyderabad State Warehouse In-Charge

Inspectors Alawdin KK, Saleem Ajmeri, Tariq Ghani, Sharif Shaikh, UDC Tikam Das and Havaldar Muhammad Hussain.

MCC Hyderabad Model Customs Collector Akhlaq Ahmad Khattaq and Additional Collector Dr Aamer Nawaz Hamid have appreciated the performance of the team.

Importers up in arms against levy of regulatory Duty

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LAHORE

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akistan FMCG Importers Association staged a strong protest demonstration to press the government for immediate withdrawal of recently levied regulatory duties on different items. The demonstration was led by Chairman Pakistan FMCG Importers Association Anjum Nisar, Vice Chairman Ejaz Tanveer, Aftab Ahmad Vohra and various others. Earlier the association also arranged a seminar on the issue of imposition of regulatory duties and their negative impact on the

national economy.

Participants through unanimously adopted resolutions urged the government to immediately withdraw regulatory duties, lower the customs duties, steps for arresting smuggling and taking representatives of stakeholders on board while formulating policies of any sector.

The resolution said that the government should not have adopted the wrong method of imposing regulatory duties to bridge the gap between import and exports. They termed it as a step which was taken without thorough consideration and con-

sulting the business community.

It further observed that increasing taxes on one segment of the society would not help boosting exports.

However, they apprehended that it might increase smuggling in the garb of Afghan transit trade, multiply hardships for those carrying out import in legal way, and reduce the advance tax which importers deposit in the national kitty, smugglers and their facilitators would pick more courage thus leading to destruction of national institutions.

The resolution also claimed that the FMCG sector was the sec-

ond leading sector of economy after agriculture which would be facing numerous hardships because of the regulatory duties.

Speakers including FMCG Importers Association’s Chairman Anjum Nisar observed that the government should have taken steps to discourage unnecessary import of luxury items but such steps should not cover essential raw materials. They said such raw materials are being used by our export oriented industry. They said that imposition of regulatory duty on raw material for cosmetics and other industry was also beyond wisdom.

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World Customs

Taiwan’s Art Bank program opens in Singapore

TAIPEI: The Art Bank program, initiated by the Ministry of Culture (MOC), started showcasing art painted by Taiwanese artists at the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore and the representative’s official residence in the country. A total of 37 paintings by 29 Taiwanese artists are on show, with 19 works showcased in the office and 18 art pieces displayed at the residence, the MOC said. The exhibition will run for one year, the ministry added. MOC Senior Executive Officer Chang Yu-hsuan said that Minister of Culture Cheng Li-chiun had expressed a desire to elevate the international exposure of Taiwanese art by collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wednesday November 1, 2017

cBp completes construction of border wall prototypes

great eastern profits up 21% to $235.50m in Q3 SINGAPORE

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S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that construction for prototypes of the Border Wall has concluded in San Diego. The prototype construction phase is complete.

CBP will now test and evaluate the Oinished products, provided by industry, to determine which wall design elements meets our needs. This testing and evaluation period will last 30 to 60 days. “Border security contributes to our overall national security and relies on a combination of border infrastructure, technology, personnel, and partnerships,” said acting Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello. “Border walls have proven to be an extremely effective part of our multipronged security strategy to prevent the illegal migration of people and

Malaysia inflation likely picked up to 4.2% alaysia’s inflation likely accelerated for a second month in September due to higher costs for transport and food. The consumer-price index, the country’s main inflation gauge, is expected to have risen 4.2% in September from a year earlier, according to the median forecast from a Wall Street Journal poll of 10 economists. The CPI rose 3.7% in August from the previous year the first acceleration in five months. “We believe the rise in fuel prices were the main factor amidst elevated levels of food prices and other essential items,” Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Islam Malaysia, told The Wall Street Journal. He said inflation was currently considered high by historical standards. Average inflation between 1990 and 2016 was around 2.8%. –CB Report

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drugs over the years. SpeciOically, walls are part of a border enforcement zone, which includes patrol roads, lights and surveillance technology. These border enforcement zones give our men and women of CBP the best possible conditions to maintain a safe and secure border.”

CBP is using an integrated Test and Evaluation (T&E) approach for evaluating the Border Wall’s contribution

to the desired Impedance and Denial Capability. Developmental/technical T&E planning and execution is being conducted by OfOice of Acquisition, Systems Engineering Division, Systems Analysis and Evaluation Branch, and operational/mission T&E planning and execution is being conducted

by Operations Support, Capabilities and Requirements Division, Land Systems Operational Test Authority.

taiwan’s Q3 gDp to post 6th quarter of expansion on strong exports

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aiwan’s economy probably grew for a sixth straight quarter in July-September and at a faster pace, boosted by tech exports on the back of a global economic upswing and recovering consumption. Gross domestic product was forecast to have expanded 2.15 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier compared with 2.10 percent in the previous three months, according to 14 analysts surveyed in a Reuters poll. Ear-

lier this week, the government slightly raised its 2017 economic growth forecast for the third time this year to 2.15 percent from 2.11 percent. Taiwan’s fortunes have brightened this year on surprisingly robust exports helped by the launches of new smartphone models such as Apple Inc’s iPhone and other tech gadgets. In spite of warnings from the government that export growth would slow due to base effects, September. –CB Report

otal sales rose 16% to $306.30m. Great Eastern Holdings Limited’s (GEH) proOits rose 21% YoY to $235.50m in Q3. According to its Oinancial statement, total weighted new sales (TWNS) rose by 16% YoY from $264.70m to $306.30m. GEH said TWNS rose largely thanks to a higher contribution from Singapore’s agency and bancassurance channels. Operating proOit also surged by 18% YoY from $134.50m to $158.60m. This and higher proOit from shareholders’ fund’s investment boosted the group proOit. Meanwhile, Singapore and Qatar have shown that size does not determine a country’s success, President Halimah Yacob said last night.

At a state banquet she hosted for visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim

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Bin Hamad al-Thani, Madam Halimah spoke of the long friendship between the two small states and the similarities that bind them. “The trajectories of growth and development of our two countries show that success does not depend on size,” she said in a speech during her toast at the Istana, noting how both countries have served as dynamic hubs within their regions.

Singapore and Qatar have worked hard to be globally relevant, she said.

They are both active, responsible and constructive members of the international community, business-friendly economies and strong advocates of free trade. And given their shared outlook and common interests, the relationship between the two countries has grown from strength to strength since diplomatic ties were established in 1984, she said. Anchoring this close relationship is the QatarSingapore High-Level Joint Committee, which has spawned 28 agreements across a wide range of Oields, including urban planning.

hk trade deficit widens in Sep ong Kong’s foreign trade gap widened in September from a year ago, as imports grew faster than exports, data from the Census and Statistics Department showed Thursday. The visible trade deficit rose to HK$44.7 billion in September from HK$39.7 billion in the corresponding month last year.

The deficit increased from HK$35.5 billion in August. Economists had expected a shortfall of HK$38.5 billion for September.

Exports grew 9.4 percent yearover-year in September, faster than the 5.9 percent rise economists had forecast. Similarly, imports advanced

9.7 percent in September from last year, much faster than the expected increase of 5.0 percent. “Looking ahead, the global economic upturn is expected to continue to render support to Hong Kong’s exports in the near term,” a government spokesman said. “However, external uncertainties persist, including the uncertain pace of US monetary policy normalisation and possible policy actions by other major central banks.”

“Besides, the possible rise in protectionist sentiment, Brexit-related negotiations and elevated geopolitical tensions in various regions are also sources of concern.”–CB Report

eu approves €100m in financial assistance for Jordan

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he European Commission, on behalf of the European Union (EU), has today approved the disbursement of a €100 million loan to Jordan under its Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme.

This disbursement marks the

launch of the second Macro-Financial Assistance programme for Jordan with a total worth of €200 million, which follows a Oirst package of €180 million approved in 2013 and fully disbursed in 2015. The disbursement of the second €100 million instalment is expected to take place during the course of 2018, depending on Jordan fulOilling agreed commitments. Commissioner Pierre

Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, said: “Today’s decision to disburse €100 million to Jordan under a new MFA programme demonstrates the EU’s continued support for the country in these challenging times. I look forward to continuing our work with the Jordanian authorities on their reform programme and in securing

a stable, stronger economy for Jordan to the beneOit of its entire population.” Macro-Financial Assistance to Jordan is intended to strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserve position and to help Jordan meet its balance of payments and budgetary Oinancing needs. The Macro-Financial Assistance programme will also support reforms in a number of areas.

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Shipping activity at Port Qasim KARACHI: Three ships C.CPA CGM Indus, M.T Sea Speed and M.T Horizon carrying containers, LPG and palm oil took berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal and Liquid Cargo Terminal respectively on Thursday.

Meanwhile five more ships, CPA CGM Tempanos, Uni Florida, Maran Gas Asclepius, Lion-M and CTG Bismuth carrying containers, LNG, furnace oil and palm oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. Sixty five percent berth occupancy was reported at the port on Thursday where a total of eleven ships namely CPA CGM Indus, CPA CGM Narmada, MSC Algociras, Mu Dan Song, Nicosia Pegasus, Sinar Kulal, YM Miranda, Epic Sardinia, Sea Speed, Horizon and Lahore were occupied at PQA.

cargo turnover of Latvian ports increased by.9% in January-September ulk cargos, which dominated in Latvian ports in January-September this year, grew 14.1% year-on-year to 25.671 million tons.

Handling of coal increased by 27.9% to 14.322 million tons, chemical cargos fell 12.9% to 2.128 million tons, and woodchip cargos rose 13.6% to 1.064 million tons. Reloading of liquid cargos fell 13.6% year-on-year to 13.438 million tons in January-September 2017, with oil products making up the largest amount, or 12.838 million tons, which was a 14.1% drop from the first nine months in 2016. The turnover of general cargos grew 9.2% year-on-year to 8.602 million tons in January-September 2017. These cargos included 3.402 million tons of container cargo, up 16.4%, 2.475 million tons of timber, down 3.3%, and 2.349 million tons

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of roll on/roll off cargo, up 13.7%.

Riga Freeport was the leading Latvian port by cargo turnover in January-September this year, having reloaded 25.491 million tons of cargo, which was 5.1% less than in the first nine months of 2016. The port of Ventspils followed with 16.222 million tons of cargo reloaded in January-September 2017, up 15.5% year-on-year, and the port of Liepaja was third with 4.754 million tons of cargo, up 22.8% from January-September 2016. Skulte led Latvia’s small ports by cargo turnover in January-September 2017, as it reloaded 676,600 tons at a 26% rise year-on-year. Mersrags followed with 319,700 tons, down 7.9%, and Salacgriva was third with 200,100 tons, down 8.9%. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

Wednesday November 1, 2017

port’s yield port of Astoria slapped with increases by 10% $4m breach of contract verdict T WASHINGTON

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jury has awarded $4 million in damages to Param Hotel Corp. in a breach of contract lawsuit against the Port of Astoria over the lease at the Astoria Riverwalk Inn. “The jury’s verdict afOirms the fundamental concept that a deal is a deal,” said Colin Hunter, Param’s attorney. “We sincerely thank the jury for their diligent service on this hard-fought case.” The jury found that the Port had breached a contract by failing to assign the remaining seven years of heavily indebted former operator Brad Smithart’s lease to Param after the Port Commission voted to do so in 2015, with damages of $202,430.

The jury also found that the Port made false representations to Param, with damages of nearly $3.8 million. An individual fraud claim against Port Executive Director Jim Knight was dismissed.

The Port’s attorney, Luke Reese,

said the claims of fraud are subject to caps under the Oregon Tort Claims Act. The cap at the time of Param’s failed deal with the Port was more than $660,000. Clatsop County Circuit Court Judge Dawn McIntosh will decide next week on Param’s claim of speciOic performance of a contract, which could retroactively grant Param the lease it had sought from Smithart. The Port will need to look at everything, including the court’s decision on

speciOic performance, before deciding whether to appeal, Reese said.

Param sued the Port in November 2015 for breach of contract after being rebuffed in attempts to acquire the remaining seven years on Smithart’s lease. The Portland company claimed the Port breached an agreement reached by a unanimous vote of the Port Commission in June 2015 and showed favoritism when it later installed a locally connected company as the new operator.

he Port of Bundaberg is coming off a bumper year and all signs are pointing towards it becoming a bedrock of economic stability in the near future. Gladstone Ports Corporation has released its 2016-17 annual report, showcasing record throughput tonnages, strong revenue and solid profitability. GPC’s three ports, Bundaberg, Gladstone and Rockhampton, handled a record 121.2 million tonnes of cargo, 4.5 million tonnes higher than the 2015-16 financial year for a combined revenue total of $470.9 million. GPC chairman Leo Zussino said trade throughput at the Port of Bundaberg had increased by 10% on the previous year to 567,000 tonnes. Trade through the port was slightly down by 0.6% for sugar exports but new products such as wood pellets increased to 37,000 tonnes and silica sand to 86,000 tonnes. “The focus for the port this year has been to set the foundation for future trade opportunities,” Mr Zussino said. “During the year, the construction of the $19.8 million Bundaberg Port Gas Pipeline and the Knauf Plasterboard facility was completed. –CB Report

LA ports demo clean fuel cell trucks WASHINGTON

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he Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will be getting quieter and greener. Toyota Motor North America, Inc.’s (TMNA) introduces “Project Portal” a hydrogen fuel cell system designed for heavy-duty truck use. The zeroemission class 8 truck proof of concept has completed more than 4,000 successful development miles, while progressively pulling drayage rated cargo weight, and emitting nothing but water vapor.

With testing and development miles completed, Project Portal is ready to go to work. Initial feasibility study routes, moving goods from select Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals to surrounding rail yards and warehouses for distribution, will begin on October 23rd.

It’s estimated the truck’s daily trips will total around 200 miles. These localized, frequent route patterns are designed to test the demanding drayage duty-cycle capabilities of the fuel cell system while capturing real world performance data. As the study progresses, longer haul routes will be introduced.

The initial feasibility study operations will be managed by the TMNA Project Portal team, in collaboration with Toyota’s Service Parts Accessories Operations group and its drayage provider, Southern Counties Express (SCE). Revealed in April 2017, Project Portal is the next step in Toyota’s effort to broaden the application of zero-emission fuel cell technology that can serve a range of industries. It is a fully functioning heavy duty truck with the power and torque capacity to conduct port drayage operations while producing zero emissions. Heavy duty vehicles

make up a signiOicant percentage of the annual emissions output at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Portal feasibility study may provide another path to further reduce emissions. The Project Portal heavy-duty truck concept generates more than 670 horsepower and 1,325 pound feet of torque from two Mirai fuel cell stacks and a 12kWh battery, a relatively small battery to support class 8 load operations. The concept’s gross combined weight capacity is 80,000 lbs., and its estimated driving range is more than 200 miles per Oill, under normal drayage operation.

Meanwhile, The US ports that closed ahead of Hurricane Irma’s landfall are preparing to reopen, but with fuel stores low, many still without power, and roads and rail lines in disrepair, it will be days before shippers see supply chains in Florida and the Southeast totally re-

stored. Already, analysts and transportation providers say the storm, which followed hot on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, could have lasting impacts on truck rates and capacity through January 2018. “It’s not just the Southeast,” Mark Montague, industry pricing analyst at DAT Solutions, said Monday.

“There’s kind of a Olow throughout the country. The prior week Chicago to Denver (spot truck pricing) was up. This last week we saw Chicago to Buffalo was up.” The six major ports, stretching from Miami to Charleston, that suspended operations during the weekend handle one out of every six containers entering and leaving North America, as well as signiOicant volumes of petroleum, diesel, and jet fuel that supply other modes of transportation in the region. Restocking fuel, in the short term, will be a priority throughout the region.

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Soyabean, palm oil improts increase in Q1 ISLAMABAD: Edible oil imports including soyabean and palm into the country during first quarter of current financial year grew by 78.11 percent and 38.53 percent respectively as compared to the imports of the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from July-Sept 2017-18, about 101,094 metric tons of soyabean oil valuing $77.155 million imported to fulfil the local consumptions as compared the imports of 24,485 metric tons worth of $43.297 million of the same period last year.

According to the data of PBS, about 721,097 metric tons of palm oil costing $510.308 million imported in first three months.

Wednesday November 1, 2017

Business

‘Investors get special incentives in gB SeZ’ GILGIT

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hief Minister (CM) Gilgit Baltistan, Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman here on Tuesday said special incentives would be given to investors and industrialists to make investments in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for promoting economic and business activities in the province.

The CM was addressing the Oirst meeting of Special Economic Authority GB held here under his chairmanship where he was briefed by the Chinese Consultants regarding special economic zones in GB. With establishment of SEZ, he

ex-Sindh Ig indicted in corruption case KARACHI

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said economic and business activities would get upward boost besides promoting industrialization in the province. He maintained that state of the art economic zone at par with an international standard would be

setup and federal government has been recommended to provide gas facility through LPG Air-max facility to SEZ. Inexpensive electricity from other provinces would be provided to investors besides special incen-

ANF needs equipment, resources to combat drug trafficking, Senate told

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ISLAMABAD

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inister for Narcotics Control Lt Gen® Salahuddin Tirmizi Monday told the Senate that the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) needed equipment and resources to combat the menace of drug smuggling. Responding to points of public importance, he said cannabis production had been destroyed in 92 kilometre area of the country.

The ANF was facing shortage of staff, he added.

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local accountability court has indicted former Inspector General of Sindh police Ghulam Hayder Jamali and seven other accused in a corruption case. This is being dubbed as the most important corruption case in the history of Sindh police. The accused pleaded not guilty after the court indicted them. On this the court summoned the witnesses on November 8. The accused have been charged of 881 illegal appointments in SRP Hyderabad that caused a heavy blow worth Rs.500 million.

tives to them. The federal government has already announced special incentives for investors interested in installation of industries in the province and special relief was provided on custom duties in exports of machinery for processing industry in Gilgit Balistan. The CM directed the department of Mineral, Industries and Chamber of Commerce GB to make arrangements for holding of awareness seminars for provision of information to investors and traders about incentives given by the federal government on different categories. In this connection, the CM has constituted a highlevel committee comprises of secretaries Oinance, home, water and power and mineral and industries department for evaluation of technical aspect of SEZ.

Meanwhile, Minister for Law Zahid Hamid assured the house that the services of 1000 temporary employees of Census Department would be regularized very soon. The issue was raised by Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar.

Responding to another point of public importance, Zahid Hamid said the prime minister had suspended the charging of withholding tax from the people of GilgitBaltistan till the decision about the status of GB. He said the GB had no representation in the parliament. committee constituted by the

prime minister to Oinalize suggestions about legal status of GB, had already submitted its report, he added. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that no Turk national had been deported.

Turk nationals having valid visas were still residing in the country.

He said 394 Turk nationals were working in various schools in Pakistan. Their visas were expired in 2016. As many as 334 Turk Nationals sought asylum from the UNHCR on expiry of their visas.

Some 122 Turk nationals had already left the country.

rice worth $320.242m exported in Q1 ISLAMABAD

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ice exports from the country during first three months of the current financial year grew by 31.91 percent as compared the exports of the corresponding period of last year. During the period from July-September, 2017-18 around 621,094 metric tons rice exported as compared the exports of 482,445 metric tons of the same period last year, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the period under review, rice worth US$ 320.242 million exported as compared the exports of US$ 242.694 million of same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of“Basmati“rice grew by 2.43 percent and reached at 86,672 tons valuing of US$ 90.31 million in last three months as against 92,321 metric tons worth US$ 88.772 million tons of same period last year, it added. In first quarter of current financial year, about 534,442 metric tons of rice other then basmati worth US$ 299.321 million exported as against the exports of 390,124 metric tons valuing US$ 153,922 million of same period last year, During the period under review, seafood exports from the country registered an increase of 17.64 percent as about 28,488 metric tons of fish and fish products valuing US$ 75.370 million exported as compared the exports of 21,959 metric tons worth of US$ 64.06 million.

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telenor’s fiscal contribution to national kitty touches $339m ISLAMABAD

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ne of the mobile phone operators in the country – Telenor Pakistan has made a Oiscal contribution of US $ 339 million to national kitty through taxes and other regulatory payments such as license fees, frequency fees and numbering fees in year 2015.

The operator, making endeav-

ours to switch over 75 percent network to 4G in coming months by adding a site every hour, has planned heavy investment to further enhance its 4G/Long Term Evolution (LTE) footprint.

The capital investment and role in public Oinancing by Norwegian Group has also touched US $ 179 million mark in 2015.

Chief Executive OfOicer, Telenor Pakistan, Irfan Wahab Khan while enumerating different initiatives

and achievements on Sunday said after company’s 4G license acquisition in June 2016, it has rolled out over 3,000 LTE sites across more than 110 cities. Karachi alone has received more than 600 LTE sites with special arrangements – such as spectrum reframing and dual band usage – made for enhanced user experience of the city’s LTE customers. Recently, he said, “We received substantial investment from Telenor Group for LTE infrastruc-

ture enhancement reiterating our commitment in Pakistan. This investment will enable the company to have additional LTE sites as well as reframe the existing sites.”

Highlighting the other initiatives and services, Irfan Wahab said a digital lifestyle app WowBox which was launched last year has now become Pakistan’s leading free lifestyle app on Google Play Store with one million active users. The App has a whopping 2.6 million au-

thenticated users who can enjoy interactive and engaging content such as daily trending news, sport results, in-built games, free music, lifestyle articles, bundle offers, weather updates and much more.

Moreover, he said under Velocity’s programme startups have reached out to millions of potential customers from 40 million customer base of Telenor Pakistan, connect with more than 30 mentors, and collectively enable them to raise funding.

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China’s pork, chicken imports decline BEIJING: China imported 920,508 tonnes of pork valued at USD 1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2017, down 28.0% and 34.1% respectively from a year earlier, said the China Customs.

Meanwhile, China’s domestic pork production rose 0.7% to 37.2 million tonnes, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The nation’s frozen chicken imports also fell sharply in the nine months, down 23.4% at 329,657 tonnes.

However, imports of beef and mutton products maintained growths, rising 14.7% and 2.9%, respectively, to 502,887 tonnes and 187,812 tonnes.

cDA asked to resolve issues of g-7 Markaz LAHORE

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Chambers

‘punjab govt to provide rs2b interest free loans under weFS’

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delegation of Traders Welfare Association, Sitara Market, G-7 Markaz, Islamabad led by its President Altaf Hussain Shah visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and highlighted the issues of their market for redress. Altaf Hussain Shah, President, TWA G-7 Markaz said that Sitara Market was one of the oldest markets in Islamabad and it needed improved basic infrastructure to promote business activities. He said CDA has carpeted the roads and restored street lights in the market which was laudable.

However, he said that that due to the non-availability of filtration plant and public toilets in Sitara Market, traders were facing problems and

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urged that CDA should provide these facilities in the market. He said CDA should interlink the plazas in G-7 Marakz as people have to take a long round to reach from one plazas of one side to the plazas of other side.

He assured that TWA G-7 Markaz would fully cooperate with ICCI in its efforts aimed at resolving the issues of business community. Addressing the delegation, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that role of CDA was very important in facilitating the growth of business activities and urged that the civic body should cooperate in resolving issues.

He emphasized that CDA should focus on better development of all markets and industrial areas to facilitate the growth of economic activities. He assured that ICCI would strive hard to get addressed the key issues of traders.

Wednesday November 1, 2017

FAISALABAD

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ainstreaming of women is imperative and Punjab government has taken bold and revolutionary steps in this respect including allocation of Rs2 billion to provide interest free loans to women under Women Entrepreneurs Financing Scheme (WEFS), said Hameeda Wahid-udDin Provincial Minister for Women Development.

She was distributing certiOicates among the women who have successfully completed Domestic Workers Training Program initiate by Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC) and Oinanced by Women Development Department.

Underlining the importance of women in socio-economic development, she said that Women Development Department was established in 2012 under Punjab Women Empowerment Package.

This policy document is comprised of multiple reforms in legal, administrate and constitutional spheres, she said, adding that it will

also provide new initiatives to safeguard the women’s rights and is expected to transform the socioeconomic status of women by exploiting opportunities currently available to the women folk.

She told that under the economic initiative of this package, the quota for women in Public sector has been enhanced form 5 to 15 percent in addition to extending relaxation of upper age limit up to 3 years across the board to female candidates. Similarly, all contractual women em-

ployees have been allowed to avail one additional chance of transfer to the placement of the residence of their spouse in case of marriage, she added. Continuing, she said that Punjab Day Care Fund has also been established d to support working women by making their work places women friendly on co Oinance basis.

In this connection an initial grant of Rs. 100 million has been provided to the fund for further disbursement.

“It will provide funds under an open proposed mechanism for NPO’s,

‘honest leaders imperative to resolve issues’ FAISALABAD

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onest, visionary and committed trade leaders are imperative to resolve collective problems faced by local trade and industry. This was said by Shabbir Hussain Chawala, the President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), while addressing a ceremony held in his honour

by Malik Shah Jahan Awan of Faisalabad Dyes and Chemical Merchants Association here on Saturday. He termed the FCCI as the mother institution of all trade bodies and said that more than 50 sectors had been given direct or indirect representation in this apex trade body so that they could resolve their issues amicably. He said Faisalabad Dyes and Chemical Merchants Association

was an important trade body of the city and hoped that its members would also elect the best candidates. Sheikh Farooq Yusuf SVP FCCI, in his address, underlined the importance of organisation of trade bodies purely on professional and scientiOic lines so that they could yield positive results. The ceremony was also addressed by Mian Saleem, Ayub Sabir, Engineer Sohail Bin Rasheed, Muzammal Sultan, Khawaja Javed, ShaOiq Ahmad, Mr. Rashid Munir, Farooq Khokar, Ihtasham Javed and Habib Gujjar.

Meanwhile, Shabbir Husssain Chawla President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) has expressed concern over the Regulatory Duty (RD) levied on more than 700 items without any consultation with stakeholders. In a statement issued here today, he termed this trend as the continuity of

one sided and un democratic decisions taken by the government, particularly in connection with economic related matters, adding that it is highly detrimental to the national economy. He said that the business community has no objection on levy of RD on unnecessary and luxury items, but it is a principle stand of the business community including FCCI that government must taken on board the stakeholders before making such important and fundamental decisions which will also have trickling effect on the overall business and industry. He lamented that in the garb of luxury items, government has imposed RD on various dyes & chemicals which are used as basic raw material for the manufacturing of exportable textile products. Among these include organic surface active products, non ionic, pigment thickener and acrylic thickener etc.

NGO’s, CBO’s and public sector organizations”, she added.

Regarding interest free loans for women, she told that Bank of Punjab has announced women entrepreneurship training scheme for loans to undertake commercial ventures.

These include, day care centers, Bakeries, eateries, catering, furniture, interior, designing, boutiques, Oitness gyms, event management, vocational institutes, driving schools, jewelry and clothing and accessories etc. Regarding domestic workers training program, she told that during Oirst phase of this program training will be provided to ten thousand women.

Earlier, Engineer Ahmad Hasan, President District Board of PVTC told that this district contains 7 main campuses which are attached with 12 sub campuses. He told that these campuses are providing training in 31 different trades and are capable of providing training to ten thousand students per annum.

He said that training is being provided in the market driven program and hence the employability ratio of our passed out students is around 74 percent.

SccI for setting up Support Industry in Sialkot resident Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Zahid Latif Malik has stressed the need for setting up “Support Industry” to facilitate industrial sector of the country. He said that in order to cope with future challenges of industrial sector, the government should encourage the businessmen and investors to invest in Support industry which would ultimately lead to import substitution especially raw material used by the local industry. He said that export sector of the country heavily relied on import of raw materials especially from China for further value addition and re-exports, adding that the practice adds to the cost of doing business and was a major contributor towards the increasing import bill of the country. –CB Report

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ASF seizes narcotics from passenger SIALKOT: Airport Security Forces (ASF) claimed to have seized heroin from a passenger at Sialkot International Airport (SIA).

According to Airport sources, the ASF intercepted a passenger Ali Raza who was leaving for Italy from SIA and recovered 1.153 kg heroin from his bag concealed in secret cavities.

Al Raza en-routed from Sialkot to Qatar and than Italy. He belonged to Jaserwala village and used to smuggle heroin abroad. The accused has been handed over to Anti Narcotics Force for further action.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Mcc peshawar’s customs Stations perform brilliantly by exceeding targets PESHAWAR IrFAN BAhADur

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he MCC Peshawar has done a brilliant job in the current month of October as its all customs stations have surpassed the allocated targets of revenue collections, said by Gul Rahman, Collector Customs at the MCC Peshawar, while talking to Customs Today on Monday at the Customs House Peshawar.

The collector customs informed CT about the vitality and use of customs clearing agents and said the agents do a lot of tough work in order to clear vehicles loaded with imports and exports. When Collector Customs Gul Rahman was asked about the recent increase in RD on imports, he responded that the extra RD will let the imports drop and export of regional products will increase. The collector customs added that the imposition of RD will let the Pakistan Customs collect billions of extra revenue from the imports and will increase the chances for regional industry to grow by reaching the markets occupied with the foreign products.

The collector customs further said the burden of work has in-

creased on the Customs House Peshawar for which extra efforts have been made by all the high-ups of the Pakistan Customs to reach every possible option to earn good name

for the Customs House Peshawar.

The collector further informed CT that the Dry Port Peshawar has collected Rs446.99million revenue during Oirst 23 days of October

which have been millions more than the amount collected by the Dry Port Peshawar in previous FY. In the same way, the Bonded Ware House Peshawar generated

Rs154.178million in just 23 days.

The Torkham Customs station received Rs177.20million as CD till October 23 and Rs180.59million of ST in the same period of time.

Additional collector Saeed Asad orders to release vehicle, almonds FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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he Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad has issued Order in Original (ONO) directing the Anti Smuggling Organization for unconditional release of impounded and Hino truck and Iranian origin almonds.

Sources told Customs Today,

the Hino truck with registration no: TKD-990 loaded with almond Iranian 10980 kilograms, almond nuts Iranian 3800 kilograms was impounded by Faisalabad ASO under Section 168(1) of the Customs Act-1969 and the Import and Export Control Act 1950 punishable under Section 156(1)89(i) of the Customs Act. Later, accused Lal Muhammad owner appeared in the adjudication court and said that they are regular importer of dry fruits. The seized goods have been legally imported and were being shifted from Quetta to Faisalabad

through registered transport company or through valid bility no: 2008 dated 2-05-2017. The importers have placed on record original GD No: KAPW-TP-168283 and 14625 showing import of almonds while the representative of the seizing agency although did not challenge the veracity and authenticity of the documents. Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad after hearing the arguments ordered an unconditional release of the seized vehicles and items with issued an ONO no: 22/2017 in favor of the owner.

Meanwhile, The Anti Smuggling

Organization (ASO) Sara-eMuhajir impounded foreign origin used Suzuki Jiminy Sierra jeep in blue colour. The market value of the impounded vehicle is Rs6,34,725 involving customs duty to the tune of Rs2,84,725.

Sources told Customs Today, that Assistant Collector Shah Samad Hamadani received information regarding about some non duty paid vehicles plying on roads. After receiving the information he immediately constituted a raiding team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Muhammad Sardar, Inspector Muhammad Umar, Havaldar

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by (Ibne Hassan Offset Printing Press, Shop No. 33 to 36 , Hockey Stadium, Karachi).

Muhammad Ashraf Khan, Sher Ahmad, Said Rasool and Faiz Ahmad (sepoys). The ASO team intercepted a Suzuki Jiminy jeep bearing registration no: BGD-1245 near Sara-eMuhajir Chowk district Bhakkar and asked the owner of the vehicle namely Ansar Ali son of Munsib Ali to produce legal documents regarding possession of the vehicles. But the owner failed to show any relevant documents. After his failure the ASO seized the vehicle under section 168 of the Customs Act 1969 by adopting the legal formalities section 3 of the Sales Tax Act 1990 and section 148 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.