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Vol 1 Issue No. 210

Karachi, Wed October 21, 2015

ISLAMABAD

SAJID IMTIAZ

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he annual volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is around $2 billion which can be increased to $5 billion by streamlining procedures and maintaining the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK).

This was stated by

Collector Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar Qurban Ali Khan in an exclusive interview with Customs Today. He said that new qualiSied staff will be inducted to the department by the end of second quarter of the current Siscal year.

Khan said that volume of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) was diminished as most of its part has been diverted to Iran due to uncertainty in the region. He hoped that successful military operation in

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Federal Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) will change the scenario as a secure route will be available for business communities of both countries. He said that arrangements were also made to shift over electronic data interchange with Afghanistan.

In order to facilitate the local businessmen, Peshawar Customs and Pakistan Railways are working to make functional the Azakhel Dry Port that is the demand of the KP traders.

Two names under consideration for new FBR chief

Chief Accounts Office of Appraisement implementing austerity measures

Dastgir highlights benefits of relief package for farmers

KP new Azakhel Dry Port to be operational in four months: DC Amin

Private sector asked to explore investment opportunities in DTH services

Dar would appoint the District Management Officers (BS-21)Tariq Pasha | See pAge 02 |

The MCC Lahore Appraisement Chief Accountant Office has been successfully | See pAge 03 |

Khurram Dastgir Khan has highlighted the benefits of govt’s relief package | See pAge 04 |

DC Model Customs Peshawar, M Amin, has said that the new Azakhel Dry Port | See pAge 12 |

PEMRA has invited businessmen to explore investment opportunities | See pAge 09 |

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Sialkot Excise impounds 70 non-duty paid vehicles Wednesday, October 21, 2015

National

SIALKOT: As many as ten special vigilance teams of Excise and Taxation Department impounded as many as 70 non tax paid luxury vehicles , besides, confiscating the original documents of 450 other vehicles dueto the nonpayment of their token taxes, during a special crackdown launched against them. According to the senior Excise and Taxation officials , the E&T teams launched a vigorous crackdown against the non tax paid and without registration number vehicles in the areas along the main GT Road, Chan Da Qila, Kanganiwala By Pass, Aziz Chowk, Sialkot Road By Pass, General Bus Stand Gujranwala , Wazirabad , Kamonki and surrounding areas.

Two names under consideration for new fbr chief

fbr appoints two accountants at karachi Ir Tribunal

ISLAMABAD

KARACHI

ZulfIqAr kunbhAr

ShAhID MInhAS

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inance Minister Ishaq Dar would appoint the District Management OfSicers (BS21) Tariq Pasha or Rahmanullah Wazir as a new chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) by replacing Tariq Bajwa, it is learnt.

Sources said that the Sinance minister has taken this decision following the proposal of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to enforce the reforms agenda and meet the revenue targets.

They added that lawmakers of ruling party have suggested the appointment of Tariq Bajwa as the secretary Sinance, besides appointing the new chairman of the FBR. Sources also added that if ofSicers of BS-21 will be posted as chairman FBR, ofSicers of BS-22 of FBR i.e Shahid Husain Asad posted as secretary in other departments.

Meanwhile, ofSicer of BS-22 of FBR Lutfullah Virk is going to complete his service and will be retired on October 30, 2015.

Meanwhile, The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued show cause notices to a collector of Pakistan Customs Services (PCS) and 10 commissioners of the Inland Revenue (IR) for not deciding the appeals on time. Sources said that the FBR has issued notices to Collector

ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday has appointed two Accountants at Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) Karachi to resolve cases related to sales tax.

According to notification number 2461-IR-I/2015, issued by Secretary (Mgt-IR-I) Uzma Munir, Ahmed Saeed Siddiqui, (IRS/BS-21) has been posted at ATIR, Bench-I, Karachi whereas Dr. Manzoor Ahmed Memon, (IRS/BS-21) has been posted at ATIR, Bench-II, and Karachi. According to notification, the services of Masood Akhter Shaheedi, (IRS/BS21) have been placed to ATIR, BenchII, Lahore. The notification further added, ‘In pursuance of Law, Justice & Human Rights Division Islamabad’s Notification No.F.1(42)/2003-A-IV, dated 14.10.2015, the services of the following BS-21 officers of Inland Revenue Service, are placed at the disposal of Law, Justice & Human Rights Division, Islamabad, as Accountants (BS-21) in the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR), on deputation basis with immediate effect, for a period of three years or till they attain the age of superannuation or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Customs Karachi ZulSiqar Malik as he had failed to decide 19 appeals on time while notices are served on 10 IR commissioners, including

Commissioner IR-Appeal Regional Tax OfSice-I (RTO) Karachi Fazal Muhammad, for not deciding 79 appeals, Commissioner RTO-III and IV

Karachi Nazir Ahmad Shoro for not settling 1,356 appeals, besides issuing notices to Commissioner of RTOI and II Lahore, Syed Nadeem Hasan.

Court seeks final challan in smuggling case of 34 ton poppy seeds KARACHI

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he Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling on Monday directed the investigation ofSicer to submit Sinal challan in a case pertaining to smuggling of 34 tons of poppy

seeds to Malaysia.

Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi gave this direction while hearing the bail conSirmation plea of suspect Sarfraz Mirani. The counsel for the suspect requested the court to direct the IO to submit Sinal challan in the case.

According to the prosecution, the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation seized around 34 tons of poppy seeds from

two containers on August 11, 2015. The poppy seed was being smuggled to Malaysia under the garb of sea salt from Karachi Port. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against exporter Asif Malik of Shah Plastic Industries, his business associate Syed Hassan Ali Gillani, clearing agent DJ Connections’ proprietor Tanseel Ahmed Dar, and his employee Muhammad Hafeez and Sarfaraz Mirani.

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Smugglers attack Multan Customs Intelligence team MULTAN: Accomplices of a notorious smuggler allegedly attacked Customs Intelligence and Investigation Multan teams for seizing the truck. According to details, notorious smuggler Haji Sadiq Achakzai and his mates attacked the Customs Intelligence and Investigation (CII) team near Vehari Road to release their seized goods. Investigation team has seized the smuggled goods worth Rs 11 million from Sadiqabad region during a crackdown a few days ago. Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation has seized miscellaneous goods, including 500 tyres of the various brands, imported parachute cloth of 3250 kilograms and 600 motorcycles.

customs’ Air freight unit seizes 312 smuggled mobile phones KARACHI

AfTAb chAnnA

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he Model Customs Collectorate MCC Preventive’s Air Freight Unit (AFU) has seized more than 312 pieces of smuggled cellular phones at the Jinnah International Airport during September 2015. According to sources, the AFU under the supervision of Additional Director MCC Preventive Khalid Hussain Jamali intercepted a number of passengers and checked the invoices of the cellular phones they were carrying.

And, it was found that the passengers were carrying these cellular phones without having any valid purchase receipt or invoices.

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Tax evasion of Rs 6.7m: Hudebia Engineering Mills gets stay order LAHORE

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udebia Engineering Mills gets stay order for 30 days from Commissioner Appeals in Rs 6.7 millions tax evasion case.

The directors of Hudebia Engineering Mills approach to obtain stay order.

Commissioner Appeals after hearing the case issued stay order in this regard.

Earlier Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Regional Tax Office (RTO-I) detected secret bank accounts of Hudebia Engingeering Mills and recovered Rs 1.3 million from the bank accounts of the company. As per details, Regional Tax Office (RTO-I) freeze the bank accounts of Hudebia Engineering in tax evasion of Rs 6.7 million. Source told to Customs Today that FBR had sent a number of notices to the directors of Hudebia Engineering (Pvt) but they did not pay tax liability, after that the Board took the action and attached the bank.

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Wednesday October 21, 2015

National

Shahid Mehmood ensuring austerity measures at lahore Appraisement Chief Accountant Officer Shahid says refunds, rebates disbursed on a priority basis; dept focusing on reconciliation of CD with utmost care to pass on final revenue figure to FBR LAHORE

M hAYAT

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he MCC Lahore Appraisement Chief Accountant OfSice has been successfully implementing austerity measures taken by the Finance Ministry and the collectorate extending its full corporation in this regard while rebate and refunds of the trader parties sanctioned by the collector are being issued on priority basis after pre-audits.

Reconciliation of the customs duty is another area where the work is being done with utmost care to pass on a Sinal and authentic Sigure to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). This was stated by the MCC Appraisement Lahore Chief Accounts OfSicer Shahid Mehmood during an exclusive interview with Customs Today here. The work policy of Chief Accounts OfSicer is to revolves around three major points including facilitation to client and general public by efSicient service delivery and good behavior, zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices and ensuring implementation of relevant rules and regulations while discharging ofSicial duties. He said that Chief Accounts OfSice plays an

advisory role on Sinancial and accounting matters for the collectorate besides prepares budget and gets its approval from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). In this regard, the Chief Accounts OfSice is following the austerity measures of ministry of Sinance and the collectorate is also taken on board in this connection.

The credit goes to outgoing collector of Customs Appraisement Muhammad Zahid Khokhar who helped us a

Department facilitating clients through efficient service delivery and good behavior, ensuring zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices

Islamabad customs transfers 15 officers ISLAMABAD

ShAhID MInhAS

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he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Islamabad has issued notices for transfers and postings of 15 employees.

According to details, Customs Islamabad has posted Deputy Collector Anser Anees at AFU Islamabad,

Assistant Collector Amanat Khan at Dryport Recovery Cell while Assistant Collector Dr, Tahir Iqbal Khatak

has been post as representative at Customs Appellate Tribunal. Moreover Assistant Collector Sadia Usman has been transferred from Dry port Islamabad and posted at MCC headquarter Islamabad. As per further details, six employees has been posted in Directorate Customs Intelligence and Investigation Rawalpindi including Deputy Superintendent Rasheed Saeed and Inspector Ghlam shabir transferred who was from Benazir Bhotto International Airport (BBIAP) Islamabad.

lot to implement these measures in letter and spirit. Answering to a qurry he added that the Chief Accounts OfSice also disburses rebate and refund in accordance with the rules and regulation but the Chief Accounts OfSice has a very small amount of rebate and refund to disburse. Major part of the refund and rebate disbursed to the traders’ parties by Chief Accounts of the Preventive collectorate.

Multan ASo seizes 90 cartons of grease, oil he Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized smuggled grease and Mobil oil during a raid. As per details, the ASO team raided the warehouse of a transport company in Multan City and recovered 40 cartons of grease and 50 cartons of Mobil oil. The ASO team headed by Inspector Abdul Samad along with four other officers has taken part in the raid.—CB Report

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Rs 24m abiana recovered during Rabbi season 2014-15 Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Business

MULTAN: The special teams of Irrigation Department have recovered more than Rs24 million water rates (abiana) from farmers during the Rabbi season 2014-15.

According to official sources, teams recovered water rates over Rs 24 million from growers in four districts of the Multan zone.

Over Rs1.8 million water rates were recovered from Multan, Rs one million from Lodhran, over Rs 13 million from Vehari and over Rs 7.6 million from PakPattan during the Rabi season 2014-15 from July to Oct-2015.

kSe sheds early gains; 100-index drops 57pts to reach 33910 KARACHI

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he Karachi stocks Tuesday lost the early gains, by shedding 56.58 points to close at 33910.17 points level. The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100 index closed lower with the total volume of 90,493,940 shares. The market witnessed the highest trading level of 34040.51 and lowest 33898.13 respectively. Total volume traded in the

Dastgir highlights benefits of relief package for farmers

market was 170,273,000 shares with 350 total traded companies out of

Incomplete ‘Sports goods Test lab’ still awaits govt attention

LAHORE

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ederal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan has highlighted the benefits of government’s relief package for farmers and said that the package would not only help farmers earn more but also contribute to the national economic development.

Talking to different delegations of local prominent personalities in Gujranwala.

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which 133 were up 187 were down and 30 were unchanged. Technology

& Communication was the top traded sector with total traded volume of 22,328,500 shares. It was followed by Cable & Electrical Goods with a total traded volume of 15,650,140 shares.

The three top traded companies were TRG Pak Ltd with a volume of 14,749,500 and price per share of 37.35 (1.09), Jah.Sidd. Co with a volume 11,382,500 of price per share of 21.35 (0.43), Pace (Pak) Ltd. with a volume 9,243,000 of price per share of 7.16 (0.19). The top three advancers were Ferozsons (Lab) XD with price per share 866.93 (41.28), SanoSi-Aventis with price per share of 671.97 (31.57) and The Searle Com.

SIALKOT

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he fate of the mega project “Sports Goods Testing Lab” is in doldrums as it has been awaiting the attention of the government officials concerned for the last seven years. The building meant for this project has been abandoned, presenting a glaring example of the official negligence. The

unattended building has become a safe haven for poisonous snakes.

The Punjab government had started the project with an aim to build a testing laboratory of international accreditation. The idea was envisaged by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) to facilitate the local industry by providing it the facilities of international testing standards at local level.

The need for a comprehensive and international accredited testing facility related to sportswear and sports goods in Sialkot had

been identified by the sports goods sector stakeholders on a number of forums. Sportswear testing laboratory was also identified by the SCCI sub-committee on sportswears during the working on Sports Goods Sector Strategy by SMEDA in 2005.

The Commerce and Investment (C&I) Department had procured eight kanals land at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and civil works was started in financial year 200809. This project was set to be completed by June 30, 2009 at a cost of Rs. 250.535 million.

Farmers laud huge reduction in fertiliser prices LAHORE

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armers have lauded the government’s relief package for them, under which the prices of fertiliser were reduced.

The small farmers highly appreciated the reduction in prices of Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and Nitrophos fertilizers and termed it a great relief for them. A small farmer,

ShaSiq Hassan from Sahiwal, told APP that credit went to the PML-N government which for the Sirst time in history of the country announced unprecedented the farmer relief package. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government had announced a subsidy of Rs 20 billion in the package for providing fertilizers to farmers at low prices. Rs500 have been reduced on per sack of Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and Rs 218 on per sack of Nitrophos. He said

reduction in prices will not only reduce the cost of production but also help in increasing per acre production and strengthening the national economy. Agriculture experts also hailed the step and said that with the grace of Almighty Allah it would definitely bring betterment for farmers.

The package was aimed at introducing progressive agriculture on scientiSic lines, reducing production cost of crops and make small farmers prosperous, they added.

1,275km roads constructed, rehabilitated in five years ISLAMABAD

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he National Highway Authority (NHA) constructed and rehabilitated about 1275 km roads in the country during last five years.

Of the total, the Authority constructed and rehabilitated 70km roads in Punjab, 235km in Sindh, 124km in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 846km roads in Balochistan, an official of NHA told APP Monday. The authority plans to embark on various programmes for construction of new roads, bridges and improvement of existing infrastructure and launched some projects through public private partnership and is seeking local as well as foreign firms for investment.

The NHA official said that the NHA had completed three major river bridges during last five years, three major bridges on the Indus river while one each was under construction on the Ravi and the Chenab. He said that the NHA had already constructed three segments of Motorway Network viz M-1 (Peshawar-Islamabad), M-2 Islamabad-Lahore) and M-3 (Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad) on a new corridor bringing remote areas on mainline and boosting economic activities.

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ajid Yousfani, Collector of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement East, says that the collectorate en-cashed bank guarantees worth Rs 1.80 billion of the importers of iron, steel and raw materials under the head of regulatory duty after winning different cases from courts. The recovery has been made during the Sirst quarter of the current Sinancial year i.e. 2015-16.

In an exclusive interview with Customs Today, the collector said the federal government imposed regulatory duty on the import of iron, steel and iron raw materials however, the importers approached Lahore High Court and Sindh High Court obtaining stay on the levy while getting cleared their consignments. “The Lahore High Court gave stay to the iron importer Crescent Steel and Mughal Steel while the same case was contested before the Sindh High Court with para wise replies that resulted the decision in favor of Pakistan Customs to collect the regulatory duty on the import of iron and steel.

After that decision of the Sindh High Court, the importers of iron and steel approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan by their counsel Munir A Malik while the Pakistan Customs was represented by senior lawyer Khurram Raza

who restrained customs authorities while taking any coercive measures action the importers, Majid Yousfani added. With this the importers withdrew the cases and the Pakistan Customs en-cashed some Rs 1.8 billion out of which only Rs 400 million was under recovery phase and it would be recovered very shortly, MCC Appraisement East Collector said.

Furthermore, while talking about the import of 17 containers of substandard wheat from Ukraine, Majid Yousfani said a parliamentary panel recommended to blacklist two Slour mills for importing substandard wheat from Ukraine in connivance with customs ofSicials and Pre-Shipment Inspection Agency (PSI) besides banning them from importing any agro-commodity in future. The sub-committee of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research tasked to examine the whole process of substandard wheat imported from Moldova, Ukraine and its clearance by the custom authorities without acquiring the Plant Protection Release Order (PPRO) issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, submitted its interim report to the committee, the Collector adds.

The sub-committee during its three separate meetings presided over by its convener Malik Shakir Bashir Awan recommended that responsibility may be Sixed on M/s Al-Noor Dall and Flour

Mills, Hyderabad and M/s Thara International for spread of Kernal Bunt, Striga, Sumt and quarantine pest in the country.

The committee also instructed Pakistan Customs to comply with the quarantine and Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) regulation in cases of import of wheat/food items and avoid release of such items through green channel of the Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) system. Pakistan Customs may not allow any commodity of plant origin without PPRO to protect human health, he went on to say.

According to Majid Yousfani, the committee also recommended that Department of Plant Protection (DDP) may not allow re-export of food items unSit for human consumption in their inspection letter. The DPP should initiate disciplinary proceeding/enquiry against the ofSicers concerned who issued the release order for 17 containers declared unSit for human consumption by H.E.J Laboratory of Karachi University.

It was also recommended that the Ministry of Commerce should not allow re-export of sub-standard wheat and other food items if found harmful for human consumption. The Chief Collector Customs should not allow release of 17 detained containers of wheat fund unfit for human consumption by the H.E.J lab Karachi, the Collector added while quoting findings of the committee.

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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

Agreement with russia

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fter a major breakthrough in the form of China, Pakistan Economic Corridor, the government has successfully persuaded Russia to help build a gas infrastructure project in the country.

The Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Project is also in the pipeline and the work on it will be resumed in the near future. The government has also signed a deal with Qatar to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the country. A project to construct Turkmenistan-AfghanistanPakistan-India is also in the pipeline to bridge the gas shortage. Pakistan has been in the grip of severe energy crisis for the last two decades which has adversely affected industrial sector of the country, pushing the economy down to the lowest ebb. According to statics, the total demand of gas in the country is 8 BCFD against production of 4 BCFD and the government has to opt for load-management to ensure gas supply to different sectors. Punjab faces acute gas shortage in winter after gas supply to industrial, fertiliser and CNG outlets remains suspended while 3 days-a-week gas is supplied to the industrial sector and CNG outlets in Sindh.

Though Punjab’s share in gas production is only 5 percent, it consumes 44 percent of the national gas.

Keeping in view the situation, Pakistan and Russia have signed an agreement, envisaging the construction of 1,100 kilometer gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore for transportation of imported LNG. The project will be completed at a cost of $2 billion. Under the project, at least 12.4 billion cubic feet LNG per annum will be transported to Punjab half of which will be used in fertiliser and industrial sectors and another half will be diverted to a power plant to generate 3,600 megawatt of electricity. The government has already started construction of the first LNG terminal at Port Qasim with a capacity of handling 600 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of LNG to be completed in 2017 and another terminal with a capacity of 500 MMCFD of gas will be completed by 2018.

Now what the industrial stakeholders fear is the rampant corruption in the country which can affect the quality of work and increased cost of the project. The government will have to ensure that no red-tape should come in the way of these projects which could transfigure the energy landscape of the country. The government should also ensure that all the proposed projects are completed within its tenure as the slow pace of work not only increases the cost of the projects but also delays the chances of economic prosperity.

Middle class in pakistan P

LAHORE

Dr AfTAb AfZAl

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akistan has long been in the list of lower middle income countries and is in a process to break the barriers of poverty and enter the club of the developed nations.

Instead of taking extrovert approach, as most of the developed nations do, the economy of the country is introvert. Pakistan is remarkably an industrial country with strong cottage industry. It produces goods and services worth billions of rupees annually but the local made products are mostly consumed in the local market. The growth of population has worked as a catalyst to give impe-

tus to the development of cottage and subsidiary industries. Most of the manufacturers have little or no access to the world markets and they are obliged to sell their goods and services in the local markets at the cheapest rates.

A global Sinancial services company, Credit Suisse, in its Global Wealth Report 2015 reveals that Pakistan has the 18th largest middle class population in the world consisting of over 6.27 million individuals. The middle class consists of 14 percent adults worldwide, holding 32 percent of wealth. However, the share of middle class adults in Pakistan is 5.7 percent in the adult population of 111 million. The middle class consists of 108.7 million individuals in China, 91.8 million in the United

States and 62 million in Japan. The share of middle class in India is 3 percent and Australia 66 percent.

In the United States, the Credit Suisse considers an adult part of the middle class having wealth between $50,000 and $500,000.

However, threshold for Pakistani middle class is $14,413 due to lower per-capita income and lower prices of commodities in the country as the Credit Suisse uses the Purchasing Power Parity set by the International Monetary Fund to derive equivalent middle class wealth in local terms.

The report says that a Pakistani adult can be considered part of the middle class having wealth between Rs 1.5 million and Rs 15 million with 104 rupees a dollar conversion rate. According to

Credit Suisse, Pakistan’s GDP is $495 billion which was $170 billion in 2000, showing an annual growth rate of 7.4 percent in 15 years.

The government is trying to broaden tax net without realizing the ground realities. More industrial growth and services will automatically generate more revenues and more taxes. But the government is obliged to take coercive measures to meet the IMF targets and that also without offering any incentives to the business community.

A taxpayer is treated with respect, honour and dignity in every government ofSice in developed societies, but he is harassed and even demoralized at the ofSicial and private levels in Pakistan.

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Rely on loans can prove to be a threat to N-programme: PEW ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani economic watchdog has raised concerns over the government’s continuous rely on loans, which can affect the country’s nuclear programme.

Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) President Dr Murtaza Mughal, in a statement, said that fiscal irresponsibility, mismanagement of resources, sliding exports, shrinking tax base and lack of reforms continue to push the government to rely on loans, which can prove a threat to the nuclear programme.

Those who are crediting themselves for economic miracle base of foreign loans are committing mistakes because these loans must be repaid by someone and the masses would suffer ultimately, he said.

Mughal said the government has secured loans amounting to Rs 2.7 trillion from local banks while raised $500 million from the international market through bonds despite opposition by the experts.

govt lauded over pipeline agreement with russia prominent forum for the country’s business community Monday lauded the government for inking a pipeline deal with Russia.

Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) President Mian Zahid Hussain, in a statement, said that the recently signed agreement to transport LNG from Karachi to Lahore awould settle energy crisis in the province while reviving energy-hungry industrial units. He said that the deal will pave way for huge investment by Russian companies in various sectors including oil and gas. He said that interest rates are at the lowest therefore Pakistan should not waste time to sign more infrastructure agreements with Russia as private sector is unable to initiate massive projects. Mian said that getting optimum benefit from pipeline would require setting up more LNG terminals.—CB Report

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Tajikistan seeks to enhance trade ties with pakistan ajikistan’s envoy in Pakistan Sherali S. Jononv asked the Gujranwala business community to divert their business activities towards Tajikistan , besides, asking the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to ensure the early visit of Gujranwala trade delegation to Tajikistan for exploring mutual bilateral trade and investment enhancement opportunities with a view to improve the existing mutual trade volume between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

He stated this while addressing an important meeting of local business community during his visit to Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry here. Tajik Ambassador stressed the need of to enhance people-to-people and business-tobusiness interaction between Pakistan and Tajikistan.—CB Report

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Wednesday October 21, 2015

Chambers

private sector asked to explore opportunities in DTh services ISLAMABAD

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akistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has invited businessmen to explore investment opportunities in the forthcoming Direct to Home (DTH) service which was a digital satellite distribution platform for delivery of television channels directly to viewers/consumers without the need for any intermediary. The invitation was extended by Wakeel Khan, Director General, PEMRA while giving presentation on DTH services to the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said PEMRA intended to grant up to three non-exclusive DTH distribution services licenses to provide a wider choice to the Pakistani people as an alternate mode of delivery of satellite TV channels through satellite. He said this service was state-of-the-art in broadcasting and distribution technologies with number of advantages

including enhanced channel carrying capacity, better quality of picture & sound, value added services and other features.

Wakeel Khan said DTH has a lot of market potential for investors as with only 2 million subscribers, the service was expected to earn annual income of Rs.12 billion. He hoped that DTH will contribute to more revenue generation, employment generation and speedy return on in-

vestment. He said it was a good opportunity for businessmen to diversify their business by investing in this new service. In his welcome address, Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciated the initiative of PEMRA for introducing DTH service in Pakistan and hoped that it will prove quite successful and beneSicial both for investors and viewers.

Dubai Chamber eyes strong trade ties with Japan

D DUABI

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ubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry received a high proSile ofSicial delegation from Hokkaido Prefecture, the second largest island of Japan, during their recent visit to promote bilateral cooperation and investment ties between Dubai and Hokkaido businesses. The ofSicial delegation, headed by H.E. Harumi Takahashi, Governor of Hokkaido Prefecture, was received by H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber, who extended the Chamber’s support to the visitors seeking stronger trade ties, especially in the area of food production and tourism. H.E. Hisashi Michigami, Consul General of Japan in Dubai, accompanied the delegation. In his welcome address, H.E. Al Ghurair, said: We assure the

Japanese delegation of our full cooperation in supporting all your promotional endeavours seeking enhanced trade relations with Dubai.

“The emirate offers a fertile investment environment to Japanese companies looking to make it a base to reach out to clients in the region and the world over,” he said.

H.E. Al Ghurair further stated that over the years, Dubai Chamber has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with key Japanese business partners as the country is the 8th largest trading partner of Dubai and bilateral ties between the two sides is growing at a steady rate.

“Dubai’s non-oil trade with Japan was AED 40.8 billion last year. This is up 14.2% on the AED 36.6 billion recorded in 2013 and we hope this positive trend will continue. Currently, there are 124 Japanese partnership and ownership companies registered with Dubai Chamber and

operating in the emirate and there is scope for more to join in,” he said.

“As your region is rich in fresh produce, it can serve as our region’s food basket while Dubai, which is a gateway to the markets of the Middle East offers access to many key emerging markets of the world. Our strong land, sea and air connections as well as our expertise in transshipment and logistics makes us a leading hub regionally and internationally,” added H.E. Al Ghurair.

Thanking Dubai Chamber for its support in the past and in hosting the present delegation, H.E. Takahashi stressed on Hokkaido’s investment potential in tourism and the food industry which she said is now emphasising more on halal food to attract Arab tourists. H.E. Takahashi and H.E. Hisashi Michigami, Consul General of Japan in Dubai, invited Dubai Chamber ofSicials and members of the business.

He said thousands of people were earning livelihood through cable service and hoped that DTH would create multiple beneSits for the economy as it will generate more economic activities, create thousands of new direct and indirect jobs, attract private sector investment and FDI in electronic media, trigger growth of manufacturing sector and generate more revenue through taxes and regulatory fees.

IMf pushing pakistan into debt trap: Shahid butt atron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt said IMF is pushing Pakistan into a debt trap. Debt-fuelled growth is to push country into a severe crisis as government is paying inadequate attention to exports and expanding tax net, he said.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that foreign exchange reserves were less than five billion dollars in September 2013 which were pushed up to fifteen billion dollars with the help of Saudi grant of $1.5 billion and IMF loans. The downward trend in oil and commodity prices also helped a lot otherwise reserves would have been at a level of 10 billion dollars.—CB Report

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US Customs seizes $1m in hard drugs in southern Arizona Wednesday October 21, 2015

World

PHOENIX: Three Mexican nationals and two U.S. citizens were arrested in separate smuggling attempts in southern Arizona last weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said. The seizures also netted 115 pounds of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. On Monday, officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing told motorist David Espinoza-Maldonado, 23, of Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, to prepare for further inspection. A CBP narcotics-detection dog alerted to drugs in the center floor console. Officers found more than 20 pounds of heroin worth in excess of $285,000. On Saturday, officers at the Mariposa crossing referred a vehicle driven by Frida Catalina Ibarra-Mendez, 39, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection. A CBP detection dog alerted to drugs in a front wheel well. Officers said they found more than 32 pounds of meth worth nearly $97,000.

french customs seizes 7 tonnes Scottsdale Air Customs of cannabis worth £15 million sees 53% increase in

immigration use past year

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NEW YORK

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rench Customs ofSicials have seized seven tonnes of cannabis with a street value of €20 million euros (£15 million pounds) in the back of three vans parked on a boulevard in the chic 16th arrondissement of Paris.

President François Hollande went to the headquarters of the customs investigations unit in the Paris suburbs to personally congratulate the agents involved in the operation, saying that the haul was one of the biggest ever made in the capital.

The haul came just two days after a new law went into force that lets cannabis users pay an on-the-spot Sine if caught with the drug instead of facing a court appearance.

No arrests were made when ofSicers found the drugs in the boots of the utility vehicles in so-called “Moroccan suitcases” - jute bags lined

nigerian customs vows to strengthen partnership with Son igeria Customs Service (NCS) has vowed to strengthen its partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to help combat the preponderance of fake and substandard goods in the country.

The Comptroller General, NCS, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), during a courtesy visit to SON yesterday, said his visit was to strengthen the synergy already existing between the two agencies, pointing out that SON is one of the key government apparatus to drive economic growth and development.

According to him, the expertise to determine if a good is wholesome for consumption is rested with SON, maintaining that the customs will strengthen its support to SON to ensure that what comes into the country meet the minimum requirements of the Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS). “We have always worked with SON. On assumption of office, we identified key government parastatals that we must create synergies with going forward. —CB Report

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with plastic each containing resin blocks of around 25 kilos (55 pounds). But ofSicials said that the haul was the result of a weeks-long investigation that had already led to the seizure of 320 kilos of cannabis in Bayonne in September and 200 kilos in Rouen earlier this month.

The estimated street value of the seizure is 20 million euros, based on the price of 2,500-3,000 euros per kilo. Last year, around 200 tonnes of illegal drugs were seized customs of-

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Sicers in France, about 157 tonnes of which were cannabis. That was a hike of 84% on the previous year. It says the country now has around 4.6 million occasional users and 700,000 daily consumers.

Possession of cannabis had until last week theoretically been punishable with a year in jail and a Sine of up to 3,750 euros. But courts rarely imposed such sentences and instead often chose lesser punishments such as community service.

Mariposa Customs seizes 20 pounds of heroin fSicers discovered more than 20 pounds of heroin within the center Sloor console of smuggling vehicle.

Mariposa crossing ofSicers seized more than 32 pounds of meth from the wheel well of a smuggling vehicle.

CBP ofSicers at the DeConcini crossing in Nogales seized more than 37 pounds of heroin and some cocaine.

Nearly seven pounds of meth were seized by CBP ofSicers at the Mariposa crossing from the passenger door of a smuggling vehicle.

Nearly seven pounds of meth

were seized by CBP ofSicers at the Mariposa crossing from the passenger door of a smuggling vehicle.

Three Mexican nationals and two U.S. citizens were arrested in separate smuggling attempts in southern Arizona last weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ofSicers said.

The seizures also netted 115 pounds of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. OfSicers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing told motorist David Espinoza-Maldonado, 23, of Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, to prepare for further inspection. —CB Report

cottsdale Airport has seen U.S customs and immigration use increased by 53 percent this past year, since expanding customs hours and adding a second agent.

Expanded customs service began in February 2014 when two additional hours were added each day; service is now available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

When airport ofSicials expanded customs service, the goal was to make Scottsdale Airport more viable as an international business destination. The change appears to be working with 786 aircraft processed from February 2014 through January 2015, up from 513 in the prior 12 months. Pilot Lindsey Stemp with JNL Homes LLC says, “With the expanded hours and days, we have been able to streamline our operations and planning. We clear on average two to three times per month, and thus we have been able to reduce trip times, and operating costs by not having to clear at another port

of entry.”

The bulk of users originate from Canada and Mexico, but Scottsdale serves as a gateway welcoming commerce and visitors into the region and access for outward travel as well.

In fact, there are more visitors coming from other countries, like Peru, Chile, London, Aruba and Egypt.

The expanded service cost $162K, but the airport recovered those costs in about nine months ahead of what was anticipated. Users pay for this service based on the size of their aircraft up to $750 per use.

Airport Advisory Commission and Scottsdale Mayor and City Council fully supported this initiative to provide more amenities to users of Scottsdale Airport. “Scottsdale is constantly seeking ways to offer amenities, convenience and ease of access to encourage international general aviation trafSic through Scottsdale Airport,”says Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane.

“The uptick in customs uses shows Scottsdale’s appeal as a port of entry.”

In turn, these visitors contribute a signiSicant amount to the overall $43.9 million spent by air visitors last year off the airport.

chittagong customs discovers powder instead of copper inside bag

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fter import of cocaine and rough water declaring the import of edible oil, customs authority detected bag Silled power instead of copper import.

The importer declared import of copper from abroad but during the physical inventory of container on

Thursday evening at yard No.7 of Chittagong Port , bag filled powder traced.

The import of powder instead of copper by the importer yet to be ascertained . The delivery of the powder consignment suspended by port authority. —CB Report

philippines customs revenue falls 0.8% to p32.1b in Sept

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MANILA

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evenue collections by the Bureau of Customs contracted in September for a second month in a row as the peso depreciation failed to offset the impact of declining oil prices, preliminary data showed.

According to Sigures obtained by

The STAR, the BOC collected P32.1 billion last month, 0.8 percent down from the previous year’s P32.9 billion and nine percent short of the P41.11 billion goal for the month.

In August, the agency’s collections declined seven percent year-on-year.

“The primary culprit is the lower prices of oil. We beneSit from the declining peso value – which is by the way already rebounding – but not

that much,” Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said in an interview Thursday. For the third quarter, the bureau also missed its target of P111.99 billion as collections only reached P89 billion, down 3.5 percent year on year. From January to September, the BOC’s total haul still grew by 1.9 percent to P267.7 billion. The bureau, however, has a lot of catching up to do as its tax collec-

tions are still 42.7 percent below its nine-month target of P310.42 billion.

Global oil prices have plummeted by more than 40 percent for the past 12 months, averaging around $55 per barrel as against the govt’s assumption of $70 per barrel, which was already revised downwards. Based on Sigures earlier reported by the BOC, lower oil prices translated into P2b in monthly losses.

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Location key in Bundaberg Port plan MARINA: By the sheer grace of its location, the Bundaberg Port is about to become one of the most important in the country. The port, which was to be included in the LNP's privatisation plans, will be the site of a proposed State Development Area, with the Palaszczuk Government hoping to cash in on its position as the northern most port not impacted by the Unesco Great Barrier Reef protection area. Sitting just outside the protected zone, the Bundaberg port is free to be developed without the same environmental restrictions that affect the Gladstone and Townsville ports, but still has easy access to Asian shipping routes. State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said it made the region "very important".

China plans ‘considerable financial investment’ to expand Australian port BEIJING

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Ports & Shipping

plan to finance port of charleston upgrades gets A-plus from ratings agencies SOUTH CAROLINA

hina’s Landbridge Group bought a longterm lease in the Port of Darwin in Australia’s north for 506m Australian dollars (US$370 million), as the country seeks to capitalize on rising Chinese demand for imported food and overseas travel.

The deal comes after China Merchants Group teamed up with Australian fundmanager Hastings Funds Management in April last year to buy the lease on the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales state, the world’s biggest coal export terminal, for A$1.75 billion. “Through our significant investment in the Port of Darwin, Landbridge intends to grow two way trade between Australia and Asia, leveraging Landbridge’s existing port and logistics businesses and firmly putting Darwin on the map for Chinese business,” said Landbridge Infrastructure Australia’s director, Mike Hughes. Under the terms of the agreement, the Northern Territory govt will lease facility to Landbridge for 99 years as territory seeks to put itself at the forefront of Australia’s mining-to-dining transition to boost the economy as a resources boom fades. Mr. Hughes said Landbridge plans to make a “considerable financial investment” to expand the port.—CB Report

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30 ships with foods, petroleum products expected in Lagos hirty ships laden with foods, general cargo and petroleum products are expected to arrive Lagos ports from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced on Monday in Lagos.

The NPA made the announcement in its “Shipping Position’’, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to the document, 12 of the expected ships will arrive at the ports with frozen fish, bulk salt, bulk sugar, and buckwheat. It explained that 10 other ships would sail in with containers, while four ships would sail in with general cargoe.

The NPA said that four other ships would arrive with base oil, petrol and aviation fuel. —CB Report

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he State Ports Authority’s plan to borrow $290 million to help pay for construction of a new terminal at the former Navy base in North Charleston has received good marks from a pair of credit-rating agencies.

Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s gave A-plus ratings last week to the SPA’s planned bond issue — the Sirst of three expected to occur through 2020.

The ratings indicate the SPA’s debt is low risk and the agency has a “strong capacity to meet its Sinancial commitments,” according to the ratings Sirms’ websites.

“Strong ratings from two of the top credit-reporting agencies conSirm that SPA is well-poised to deliver on an aggressive capital plan and remain a top 10 container port, offering the modern facilities, deep water and reliability necessary for

above-market growth in today’s shipping environment,” Jim Newsome, the SPA’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

“These ratings reafSirm the Sinancial industry’s conSidence in our port system’s long-term strategic plan” Newsome said.

The SPA plans to spend $1.3 billion over the next Sive years on projects such as: the future Navy base terminal for cargo containers; strengthening the Wando Welch Terminal’s wharf; upgrading its refrigerated cargo infrastructure; and buy-

ing larger cranes.

Another $521 million in state and federal funds have been set aside for deepening Charleston Harbor to 52 feet so the port can accommodate large containerships that will start moving through an expanded Panama Canal next year.

In addition to the bond sale expected to close this month, the SPA plans to issue $230 million in debt in 2019 and $150 million in debt in 2020 to help pay for the projects. The bond debt will be repaid through future operating revenues.

Greek ports sales to be delayed by a month reece will put off by a month the sale of majority stake in its biggest ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, the head of the country’s privatisation agency said in a newspaper interview published.

Setting a date to submit binding bids for Piraeus and Thessaloniki ports is one of the actions that Athens needs to complete to conclude its first

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bailout review and unlock more funds for its 86 billion euro (63 billion pound) bailout.

“The submission (of bids) for OLP (Piraeus Port operator) will take place on Nov. 30 or early December at the latest,” the head of privatisation agency (HRADF) Stergios Pitsiorlas told the Kathimerini newspaper.

China’s Cosco Group COSCO.UL, Danish

container terminal operator APM Terminals and Philippines-based International Container Terminal Services have until Oct. 30 to submit binding bids for a 51 percent stake in OLP. But Greek government officials told Reuters this month that the early Sept. 20 election had held up work and the deadline would be pushed back by about 20 days. —CB Report

Wednesday October 21, 2015

Anger aboard cruise ship over port stop change in Australia PERTH

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potential Australian passenger mutiny is simmering aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship currently steaming through the Malacca Straits en route to Phuket, Thailand.

Passengers are enraged by what they believe is duplicitous behaviour by the captain of the Legend of the Seas and have suggested that he might "walk the plank" before the ship docks in Singapore in four days.

An angry email was received from one of the passengers who claimed the Royal Caribbean and ship's captain deceived them about a scheduled stop in Broome.

Instead, they stopped at Port Hedland, the highlight of which they said, was a bus trip to the local Woolworths.

"Garry" said that like many of his fellow passengers, he booked the cruise as it included the iconic Australian destination of Broome.

"It was to be the highlight of the cruise for most of the passengers," he said.

After they boarded on September 27, Garry said passengers were told the ship would now not visit Broome, but would instead dock at the less picturesque mining hub of Port Hedland.

"No other announcement was made

by Royal Caribbean staff and it appears that most people learnt of the cancellation by 'Chinese whispers' around the ship," Garry said.

The 14-day cruise attracted 1700 passengers and was scheduled to visit two Australian ports and several Asian ones before finally docking in Singapore.

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Dp world divests interest in port of Aden from 2012

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P World could be considering re-entry into the Yemeni ports sector following meetings with Yemini government ofSicials last week. A Yemeni delegation led by Transport Minister, Badr Mubarak Ba-Salma, visited the UAE and Dubai last week to meet the DP World chair-

man, Sultan bin Sulayem, to discuss areas of mutual cooperation to support rebuilding of the country’s economy, the company said.

“We have a close bond with Yemen, with long standing historical and trading ties. It is our honour to offer our advice and expertise in global ports and logistics to contribute to the Government of Yemen’s efforts to rebuild their economy,” ofSicial UAE news agency WAM quoted bin Su-

layem as saying. “We are exploring areas where we can help our near neighbours in their efforts to restore critical marine and trade infrastructure at Aden and look forward to developing our discussions in the immediate future.” In July, a technical team from the UAE arrived in Yemen to set up temporary air trafSic control facilities at Aden Airport and a UAE ship carrying food and medical supplies entered the port there. Aden

lies within the territory under the control of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, whose forces are pitted against Houthi rebels, who were engaged by Saudi armed forces in a campaign which began in March. The UAE has also sent troops to Yemen in support of the Saudi effort. DP World divested its interest in the Port of Aden in 2012 amid rumours that its Yemen partners felt it had not lived up to its contractual obligations.

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Ireland authorities seize cocaine worth €56,000 COBH: Three men have been arrested after €56,000 in cocaine was seized in Cobh today. The drugs were uncovered as part of an intelligence-led, joint operation between the Revenue and the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau of An Garda Síochána. The 800 grams of cocaine with a street value of €56,000 were seized following a controlled delivery. The drugs originated in Johannesburg. Three men aged between 30 and 45 were arrested and detained at Cobh Garda Station under the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and can be detained for up to seven days.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

kp’s Azakhel Dry port to be operational in four months: Dc Mohammad Amin PESHAWAR SAJID IMTIAZ

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eputy Collector Model Customs Collectorate Peshawar, Mohammad Amin, has said that the new Azakhel Dry Port that has both railway and road access, will be made operational for traders after four months. In an exclusive interview with Customs Today, he said that Peshawar Customs collected the highest customs duty from Torkham Border and Peshawar Dry Port during the last Siscal year 2014-15 that was Rs 4.5 billion, adding that target assigned by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under all heads had also been achieved by the department. During the Sirst quarter of the Siscal year 2015-16, the target has also been achieved, he said.

The Peshawar Customs has shortage of staff as no recruitment has been making since 1995, adding that now the FBR has started hiring ofSicers through federal public service commission (FPSC) and national testing service (NTS), which will ultimately improve the

performance of the department, Amin stated. He said that under amnesty scheme, a number of vehicles has been registered, adding that vehicles’ smuggling into

Pakistan has now been minimised through strict enforcement of customs law. “We are in touch with Afghan authorities to solve problems of Pakistani exporters

and importers,” he said, adding that customs facilitation centers were present in all division of the province to address the complaints of the applicants if any. Responding

to a question, Deputy Collector Mohammad Amin said that Urdu translation of Customs Act, 1969 will deSinitely help raising awareness.

Pakistan’s economy improved as forex reserves cross $20b: ICCI chief ISLAMABAD

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ndicators show economy of Pakistan is improving as foreign exchange reserves have crossed the $20 billion mark under the businessfriendly policies of the incumbent government.

Talking to Customs Today, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Atif

Ikram Sheikh said that economic team should continuously consult the trade and business bodies while making policies as recently corporate laws were being revised by the government.

He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will boost business and provide job opportunities in new industries, besides developing the neglected Balochistan.

Shiekh said that ICCI was prosmall traders as it negotiated with government on issue of business closure at 10pm, besides emphasising the need to de-

velop the policy for CNG sector, which were being replaced with shopping plazas because of load shedding and low profit margin.

Responding to a query, he said that line losses should be controlled by the govt, besides establishing new power projects to overcome the load shedding in the country.

Zarb-e-Azb will be completed soon that would improve conditions in Federal Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Shiekh said, adding that secure FATA would help increasing exports and im-

ports to and from Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.

He said that competent staff should be deputed at foreign missions to tap the new markets there and to raise the export target to $50 billion Answering to a question, President ICCI said that new state of the art international airport will be completed by November 2016 where international standards facilities of cargo handling and travelling will be provided to people. He said that cost of airport have increased from Rs 37 billion to Rs105 billion due to mis-plan-

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

ning and maladministration.

Saying that impact analysis of privatization is necessary, Shiekh added that government can improve Pakistan Steel Mills and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) before privatization thus there would be lesser unemployment and better selling price.

Our members have been complaining about extra and hidden rates charges by telecom companies. He said that consumer courts should be activated through awareness, adding that fees of consumer court should be brought at zero level.