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PAKISTAN’S FIRST INDEPTH NEWSPAPER ON CUSTOMS
Daily
Vol 1 Issue No. 202
Karachi, Tue October 13, 2015
LAHORE
M HAYAT
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he Customs central region collected Rs 3,450 million of customs duty during the Rirst three months of the Rinancial year 2015-16, ofRicial data reveled here. According to details, Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs 1852 million against the target of Rs 1939 million while MCC Preventive Lahore gathered customs duty worth Rs 628 million against the target of Rs 742
Price Rs. 14.00
million during the period under review. Similarly MCC Multan collected Rs 860 million customs duties against the target of Rs 1006 million while MCC Faisalabad collected Rs 108 million during the three months of FY 2014-15 against the target of Rs 285 million during the three months of FY 2015-16. The central region for the Rirst time performed excellent FY 201415 by not only achieving the target but also exceeding it by 1 percent. The sources said that the four collectors of the central region under the supervision of chief collector of customs Rozi Khan Burki evolved to further improve the performance during FY 2015-16.
Customs sets up special desk to facilitate importers, clearing agents
Hyderabad ASO seizes smuggled items worth Rs6m in September
Charter of Economy essential for stability: Minister Ishaq Dar
FBR to freeze bank accounts of 200 big tax defaulters soon
CASA-1000 to start electricity supply to Pakistan by 2018: Envoy
The Pak Customs has established a special desk to collect applications | SEE PAGE 02 |
The ASO Hyderabad has confiscated smuggled items worth Rs 6.04 million | SEE PAGE 03 |
Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that a Charter of Economy | SEE PAGE 04 |
The FBR has tightened noose around chronic tax defaulters for concealing | SEE PAGE 12 |
All issues related to Central-Asia-SouthAsia transmission line project Industry. | SEE PAGE 09 |
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Rawalpindi Excise challans 160 vehicles Tuesday, October 13, 2015
National
ISLAMABAD: Excise and Taxation Rawalpindi’s motor branch challaned at least 160 vehicles on Friday on non-payment of token tax. According to the sources excise has started operation against the defaulter vehicles and has deployed extra officials on the roads. The sources said that director of the region has directed the officials to check the documents of every vehicle and established more pickets in the city, besides urging the vehicle owners to pay the taxes in time.
Customs sets up special desk to facilitate importers, clearing agents
Faisalabad Excise forms teams to recover property tax from defaulters FAISALABAD
NAEEM SHEIKH
KARACHI
AFTAB CHANNA
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he Pakistan Customs has established a special desk to collect applications and complaints of the importers regarding import-related issues at Chief Collectors ofRices at the Customs House, it is learnt. The new desk has been established at the 8th Rloor of the Customs House which will receive and collect applications from the importers and clearing agents for their issues related to the Model Customs Collectorate MCCs Appraisement West and East. According to sources, the desk will work during the ofRice hours with designated ofRicials at the counters to facilitate the importers. Soon after the desk receives applications, the same are transferred to the section concerned where it is addressed so that the issues of importers could be resolved on urgent basis, sources added. Meanwhile, The Pakistan Customs has launched the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with the Afghan Customs for the transportation of Transit Trade with the neighboring country. The move would eliminate misuse of concessionary regime under Free Trade Agreement and the Rinancial leakages by under-invoicing
he Excise and Taxation Department Faisalabad’s property tax branch has formed special teams to recover tax from the defaulters in order to meet the assigned target. Sources said that Faisalabad region has collected Rs 41 million in wake of property tax during the last month and the tax was collected from different regions including Chak Jumra, Jaranwala, Tandlianwala, Samundri and Dajkot. On the other hand, Faisalabad Excise has achieved target under the head of entertainment duty during last month which was Rs 1.5 million. It had collected Rs 800,000 during three days of Eid. The sources added that new motorbikes have been distributed among the employees following the directions of Director Ahamad Saeed to expedite the recovery process. Excise offered five per cent discount over the payment of property tax by October 1 but the deadline in this regard has been extended up to October 31 to facilitate the taxpayers.
and misclassiRication. The board had advised veriRication of suspected CertiRicates of Origin directly through the Commercial Missions of Pakistan abroad; discouraging mis-classiRication of goods to obtain concessions and extending beneRits only to goods
which strictly matched the description provided in respective SROs. In respect of 13 tariff lines the import value declared before Pakistan Customs was in excess of $829 million that that recorded by China Customs as export value to Pakistan. This is indicative of possible mis-
classiRication of those goods which attract higher rates of duty but are cleared as goods attracting lower rates. It is mentioned here that Pakistan Customs had been working on to have EDI with China, Afghanistan and other countries so that the revenue leakages be plugged in.
Rs 21m evasion: SHC restrains PCS from taking action against suspect KARACHI
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he Sindh High Court (SHC) has restrained the Pakistan Customs from taking any action against a developer allegedly involved in evasion of Rs 21.581 million through mis-declaration and
claiming exemption from payment of customs duty and general sales tax on import of solar led street lights. A division bench of the SHC gave this restraining order on the petition Riled by Mirza Jamil Baig, who moved the court seeking directives for the customs authorities to exempt duty and tax on his consignment of solar led street lights. The court directed Pakistan Customs’ counsel to ensure Riling of
comments by the respondent authorities before next hearing. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that his client was awarded a contract for installation of solar lights in municipals and towns of Sukkur by Sindh’s Rural Development Department. Subsequently, he had imported a consignment of 1,060 solar led street lights and got the consignment cleared, getting exemption from duty and general sales
tax as imported items fall within category of renewable source of energy and therefore, the government had exempted duty and tax on their import. He said that the petitioner imported another consignment containing 4,120 solar led street lights and Riled general declarations along with a certiRicate of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) regarding exemption from duty and tax.
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Excise pensioners still await 10pc increase KARACHI: The Excise and Taxation Department’s retired employees are still waiting for 10 percent increase in their pensions. According to the sources, the Sindh government has stated in 2015-16 budgets to increase the salaries and pensions of government employees, but nothing has been done for the pensioners. Therefore, pensioners of ET are worried for not getting their 10 percent increase. Sindh government has not issued the notification of retired employee’s increment while on the other hand increment notification of regular employees has already been issued.
DC Yawar Nawaz deploys three inpectors at AFU, BBIAP ISLAMABAD
SHAHID MINHAS
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odel Customs Collectorate (MCC), Deputy Collector headquarters Yawar Nawaz Islamabad has issued an office order to deploy three inspectors of the customs collectorate as duty/vigilance officers in the field. According to the notification, three inspectors, Akhtar Zaman, Muhammad Hassan and Shahrukh Butt, have been deployed at preventive division, Islamabad dry port and AFU import and BBI Airport Islamabad to work as duty/vigilance officers. Sources further told this scribe that these officers will work in different shifts, while they would not enjoy any holidays during this job.
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FIA Red Book: Islamabad tops with 34 human smugglers ISLAMABAD
SHAHID MINHAS
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ith 34 human smugglers in Red Book of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Islamabad is on the top of the list, it is learnt here. According to details, 124 human smugglers’ names are included in the sixth edition of the Red Book of FIA, while their income has been recorded at $32 billion. Sources said that 34 human smugglers including a lady human trafficker named Shazia Aziz belonged to Islamabad and 33 human traffickers belonged to Gujranwala division. Karachi is at third position as it has 23 people involved in human trafficking business, while 10 people belong to Lahore, three belong to Quetta, two to Faisalabad and a smuggler belongs to Multan. Sources also added that Red Book has pictures and other details of these human traffickers.
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Tuesday October 13, 2015
National
Hyderabad ASO seizes smuggled items worth Rs 6m in September HYDERABAD
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he Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Hyderabad has conRiscated smuggled items worth Rs 6.04 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 5 million in September 2015. The ASO team following the instructions of Collector Model Customs Collectorate Dr Ahmad Mujtaba Memon conducted a number of raids to thwart the smuggling bids in the region. The ASO team impounded a nonduty paid Toyota Vigo double cabin vehicle bearing Registration No. KT640, 222 cartons of foreign origin cigarettes, 4,080 crates of Rani juice, 165 cartons of chocolates, 4,924 kilograms of polyester fabric and used auto parts. The ASO team comprising Deputy Superintendent Syed Saleem Shah, Senior Inspector Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, Inspector Waqar Ahmed Baig ShaRi, Mohammad Jamali and others participated in the raids during September 2015. Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate Hyderabad has generated Rs 39.9 million through auction of Iranian diesel and other smuggled goods. These goods were seized by the Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) on the instructions of Hyderabad Collector Dr Ahmed Mujtaba Memon. According to details, the ASO team – under the supervision of Ad-
ditional Collector Umar ShaRique – conducted raids in different areas to conRiscate smuggled Iranian diesel, vehicles and other goods. The raiding team consisted of Senior Inspector Abdul Ghafar Shaikh, Inspector Khair Mohammad Pathan, Inspector ShaRi Mohammad Jamali, Inspector Waqar Ahmed Baig, Mushtaqe Ali Lakho and other ofRicers. The team successfully impounded an unregistered Toyota Prado and seized miscellaneous goods, including thousands of litres
ASO team impounded a non-duty paid Toyota Vigo double cabin vehicle bearing Registration No. KT640, 222 cartons of foreign origin cigarettes, 4,080 crates of Rani juice, 165 cartons of chocolates, 4,924 kilograms of polyester fabric
Customs determines values of furnishing cloth MULTAN
IMRAN ALI
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irectorate of Customs Valuation determined the customs values of imported curtain and sofa cloth after review. According to details, Directorate of Customs Valuation issued the Ruling No 765/2015 after revisiting the
previous Customs values of imported curtain and sofa cloth. The market value of the imported curtain and sofa was far different from the market and Customs has taken a positive step as the customs values of curtain and sofa cloth are being brought at par with the velvet. According to current review in the customs values of furnishing fabrics would discourage mis-declaration of velvet, which was being imported on a large scale in the garb of furnishing cloth i.e. curtains and
sofa cloth. It may be recalled that as per the relevant valuation ruling velvet is assessed for duty and taxes at $4.40 per kilograms while furnishing cloth was assessed at $3.20 per kilograms. On several complaints received from Customs Intelligence and Investigation and Appraisement West that velvet was being mis-declared and revenue was lost. Directorate of Customs Valuation formed a committee to conduct market surveys and research.
of Iranian diesel. The conRiscated items were then presented for open auction at the Hyderabad Customs’ State Warehouse. The auction was conducted under the supervision of Hyderabad Customs (HQ) Assistant Collector Samiullah along with Deputy Superintendent/In-charge of Hyderabad State Warehouse Sanaullah Soharwardi, Inspector Saleem Ajmari, Inspector Allauddin Kaim Khani and Hawaldar Mohammad Hussain.
FBR decides to blacklist sales tax defaulters he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to blacklist sales tax defaulters by the end of current year. Sources of FBR told Customs Today that a new mechanism is being introduced to enhance ratio of compliance. The new mechanism will empower FBR to blacklist all those defaulters who are not submitting their tax returns for fiscal year 2014-15.–CB REPORT
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21m metric tonnes of citrus being produced from 450,000 acres in Punjab Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Business
SARGODHA: About 21 million metric ton citrus is being produced from over 450,000 acres of land in the province. This was revealed by Secretary Agriculture Sheharyar Sultan while addressing the participants of a meeting during his visit here at Citrus Research Institute. He said that out of the total production, district Sargodha was producing almost 1.1 million metric ton from over 224,000 acres. He said that agriculture was backbone of the country’s economy and the government was taking steps to bring improvement in this sector and making the farmers prosper.
Two Malaysian government critics charged with sabotage KUALA LUMPUR
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alaysia has charged two staunch government critics for sabotaging its banking and Rinancial systems. Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Mathias Chang are being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) Khairuddin Abu Hassan is the former ruling party United Malays National Organisation (Umno) divi-
JI again opposes CPEC route CHARSADDA
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sion chief while lawyer Mathias Chang is a close aid of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Speaking at a news conference in Putrajaya on Monday (Oct 12), Dr Mahathir lashed out at the prosecution, calling the move an abuse of power to stiRle dissent and renewing the call for a no-conRidence vote in parliament in a bit to remove Prime Minister Najib Razak. "SOSMA is meant for terrorists, Khairuddin and Mathias are not terrorists, they merely reported (Najib’s) deeds to the government and also foreign governments involved in money laundering,” said Dr Mahathir. Khairuddin and Mr Chang are accused
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liament resumes on Oct 19. He said he hopes to do so by banding together several Umno elders including former ministers Tengku Razaleigh and Sanusi Junid, Umno Vice President ShaRie Apdal and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Both Muhyiddin and ShaRie were sacked from the cabinet after they openly criticised Prime Minister Najib, who chairs the advisory board of 1MDB, over allegations that as much as $US700 million had been transferred into his personal accounts. "It’s up the Prime Minister, I think he is a smart man, he understands what’s the situation and hears the voice of the people.
Charter of Economy essential for stability: Ishaq Dar
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he one of the biggest Islamic political party in the country, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has once again opposed the route of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) JI provincial chief Prof Muhammad Ibrahim, addressing the party workers at the Markaz-e-Islami, has vowed to resist change in the CPEC route. He urged the government to ensure transparency in the execution of the mega project.
of travelling abroad to lodge reports with investigators over alleged money laundering in connection to debt ridden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Khairuddin vowed in court to press on with his campaign. "We will Right Najib until the end. I will make sure Najib's hands are in handcuffs,” he was quoted as saying by the Malaysiakini news portal. Khairuddin and Chang are expected to appear in court on October 26 and could be jailed up to 15 years if found guilty, according to media reports. Dr Mahathir, the former mentor turned critic of Prime Minister Najib Razak, also stepped up his calls to remove the Malaysian leader when par-
ISLAMABAD
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deral Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that a Charter of Economy, agreed by all political parties is essential for economic stability and sustained growth in the country. The minister said this while addressing a press conference along Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Lead-
ers of MQM Dr Farooq Sattar, Senator Tahir Hussain Mushhadi and MNA Kanwar Naveed Jamil. Dar said that political stability is must for achieving economic prosperity in the country. He said the MQM has agreed to withdraw their resignations from Provincial, National Assemblies and Senate within a couple a days. The successful dialogue between the government and MQM was a good development for democratic stability in the country. Meanwhile, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has constituted a 7-member oversight committee to imple-
ment tax reforms, proposed by the Tax Reforms Commission (TRC). The committee will be headed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan. The Rinance minister constituted the committee after holding a long meeting with members of the TRC, while TRC Chairman Masood Naqvi, members Ashfaq Tola and Abid Shaban also attended the meeting. Through an administrative order, the government had constituted the TRC in September last year with a mandate to review the taxation system and FBR’s administrative structure.
KSE 100-index recovers 341pts, up 1.01% amid massive buying KARACHI
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he Karachi Stock Exchange benchmark 100-index gained 340.67 points or 1.01 percent to reach 34183.85 points and volume of 117,808,950 shares on Monday. Till midday, the benchmark KSE-100 index started week with mammoth 356.51 points, crossing 34000 psychological barrier to reach 34199.69 points level. Last week, average trading volumes remained thin to 175 million during the week (-1.7 percent WoW). Foreign investors also continue to remain net sellers with net outflow during the week clocking in at $19.3 million. During the outgoing week, mutual funds and individuals were net buyers of $14.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively, while foreigners were net sellers of $20 million, taking the total YTD 2015 foreigners’ net selling to $195.8 million.
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Opec sees oil demand growth, hopeful for market balance in 2016 KUWAIT
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il demand will grow and non-Opec supply is due to contract, Opec secretarygeneral Abdalla Salem El-Badri said, hoping to see a more balanced market in 2016.
The oil industry’s “best days are yet to come” as demand will grow to 110 million barrels a day by 2040, El-Badri said at a conference in Kuwait City on Sunday. The gap in crude oil supply and demand is due to close in the third quarter of 2016, Mohammad Ghazi Al-Mutairi, chief executive ofRicer of state-run Kuwait National Petroleum Co., said at the same event. “At Opec, we are hopeful that the industry will see a more balanced oil
market in 2016,” El-Badri said. “We have recently seen a contraction in production from some non-Opec producers and an uptick in demand growth.” Brent crude, a global pricing benchmark, slipped 8.2% this year and tumbled 41% in the last 12 months. The contract closed Friday at $52.65 a barrel in London. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), led by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab produc-
ers, have kept the group’s production target unchanged to maintain market share amid growing output from non-Opec producers. Opec and non-Opec ofRicials are to meet at an expert level in Vienna later this month to discuss the market. Opec’s decision to keep its output target at 30 million barrels a day is the “ideal solution” to rebalance the market and support prices, Kuwait oil minister Ali Al-Omair said at the conference.
The market remains oversupplied and stocks are above their 5year average, El-Badri said. World crude output is at 75 million barrels a day and other liquids add about 18 million barrels a day to global supply, he said. It will take time for oil supply and demand to rebalance, BP Plc chief executive ofRicer Bob Dudley said at the conference. Global demand for energy will grow by a third over the next two decades, he said.
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ISLAMABAD SHAHID MINHAS www.customsbulletin.com
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he Directorate General Customs Intelligence and Investigation Islamabad has seized smuggled goods worth Rs 255 million, registered 108 cases against smugglers, besides arresting eight suspects in September 2015. Deputy Director Headquarters, Khaldunul Haq told Customs Today that during the anti-smuggling driver 37,403 yards of clothe worth Rs 27 million; 2,840 kilograms of tea worth Ts 566,000 and 71 offender vehicles worth Rs 109.3 million were confiscated. He added that over 55,000 liters of diesel valued at Rs 5.9 million, electronic items worth Rs 450,000, smuggled medicines worth Rs 1 million, 3,656 pieces of tyres and auto parts worth Rs 25 million, cigarettes and gutka worth Rs 4 million, engine oil worth Rs 9 million and other items worth Rs 73.3 million were confiscated during the said period.
He added that during this month 108 cases were registered against the smugglers, besides apprehending eight suspects. Meanwhile, The Customs Anti-Smuggling squad of Multan claimed to have seized eight trucks loaded with goods worth millions of rupee. According to custom sources, the anti-smuggling squad raided and seized eight trucks loaded with auto parts, mobile oil, engines and other smuggled items and shifted to dry port Multan. Customs authorities arrested the truck drivers they are being interrogated, the sources added. The sources said that Customs Intelligence and Investigations jacked up anti-smuggling operation in order to arrest the rising smuggling around it. It was also learnt that customs authorities explored new dens of smugglers where they dumped billions of rupees illegally imported goods and items and in next few days mega smuggled items would be seized by Customs Intelligence and Investigations in the area. Meanwhile, FAISALABAD: The Customs Investigation and Intelligence Faisalabad and its Field Investigation Unity
(FIU) Khushab has collectively confiscated smuggled items, including vehicles worth Ts 25.063 million in September 2015, involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 20.20 million. As per details, the Customs Intelligence teams on the instructions of the Additional Director Azmat Tahira detected many case of revenue realisation and conducted raids to curb smuggling in the region. The Customs Intelligence Faisalabad seized 2124 kilograms of ladies cloth, generators, 2,760 kg of cumin seeds, Hino Ranger Truck bearing Registration No. TKA-450, Dumper Truck No. TKJ-347, Mazda Mini Truck No. SBA052 during the September worth Rs 19.20 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 17.28 million. On the other hand, FIU Khushab impounded two vehicles, including Honda City bearing Registration No. DGA-393 and Toyota Vitz No. B-3422, truck No. TLQ-448 loaded with smuggled dates and another truck No. TLE831 with total value of Rs 5.863 million involving duty/taxes amounting to Rs 2.919 million.
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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
Power sector reforms
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ccording to newspaper reports, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has apprehended that implementation of structural reforms in power sector are facing political and legal challenges. In its eighth review under the extended arrangement and on Pakistan’s request to waive performance criteria, the two sides focused their topics of discussions on the issues related to the energy sector, including imposition of power surcharges coupled with allocation of 0.1 percent of GDP in the current fiscal budget to reduce part of the circular debt. Though the government has missed the indicative target at the end-June 2015 on the flow of power sector arrears by Rs 15 billion, it recovered the projected collections and managed to achieve the September target. The fund has asked the government to align the business plans of the power distribution companies with the arrears reduction plan, including a proposal to set a new bench mark for quarterly loss reduction, revenue collection and recovery targets for each DISCO by mid-October 2015. On another note, the Privatization Commission is exploring new ways and means to ensure participation of private sector in thermal power generation besides keeping the option open for privatization of the power sector. The government has also launched a roadshow in the United States to create awareness about privatization of power sector in Pakistan and invited the foreign investors to exploit the opportunities in the energy sector. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have jointly stressed the need for an alternative plan to keep up revenue generation in the electricity sector in case of legal challenges. The government is facing pressure from various donor agencies to enhance power tariff to neutralize the effects of losses in power generation and its distribution. The government has already brought utility bills to new heights and it is becoming harder and harder for common man to make both ends meet. Hundreds of industrial units have been closed down and the worst part of the IMF program is that the power outages and the business climate will continue to restrain competitiveness and growth in the country despite enhancement in the power tariff. The government has started implementing a time-bound strategy to deal with price distortions and other issues with the help of international partners. There is a need to expedite work on the hydropower projects and promote policies to attract local and foreign investment in power generation.
Corruption and economy LAHORE
DR AFTAB AFZAL
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ccording to a report issued by the World Bank, Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow around 4.5 percent in 201516. However, other economies in the region are growing much faster than Pakistan like India 7.3 percent, Bangladesh 6.5 percent and Sri Lanka 5.6 percent. In its South Asian Growth report, the World Bank says that the economy of Pakistan is gradually recovering and is expected to grow by 4.5 percent in the current fis-
cal year thanks to low inflation, fiscal discipline, increases in remittances and stable agricultural performance. The pace of growth can be accelerated by improving shortage of electricity, soften the business environment and further consolidation of financial situation. The report says that the South Asia is emerging as the fastest-growing region in the world, with projected economic growth from 7 percent in 2015 to 7.4 percent in 2016. According to South Asia Economic Focus, the performance of economies hinges on solid growth in services, domestic consumption, and a gradual rise of investments while avoidance of any financial turmoil and improvement in external position have given important
policy space to most of the South Asian countries. The condition of the Indian economy is very important as its performance greatly inRluences South Asia as a whole. Due to Improved investment sentiments and resilience to external shocks, the Indian economy is expected to grow by 7.5 percent in Riscal year 2015 and further to 7.8 percent in 2016. Projecting Indian economic growth and its inRluence in the region, the world institutions ignore ground realities as their research and projections are based on the information provided by Indian entrepreneurs. India is spending more than $50 billion annually on its defense whereas majority of its people lives less than $2 a day. India lacks basic amenities of life as
even toilet facility is not available to the people and the country is short of woods for the cremation of its dead citizens.The biggest problem of Pakistan is corruption and not resources. If the government sincerely wants to develop the country, it has to curtail corruption which is the mother of all evils. If corruption is minimized, there will be not dearth of funds for health, education and electricity generation. Police is the main force to maintain law and order and is drenched in corruption which affects its performance as a peace force. The South Asian region needs unity and not divisions and India is the bone of contention which is not allowing the countries to come close to achieve common goals.
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Poultry industry marks World Egg Day LAHORE: With the aim to create awareness among the general public about nutritional value of eggs, the poultry industry is celebrating World Egg Day by organising seminars at different places on Friday. The day is marked every year on the second Friday of October across the world. Rai Mansab Ali Kharl, while addressing a press conference here at Lahore Press Club, said that the first World Egg Day was celebrated in 1996 and since then we have seen a variety of wonderful events taking place internationally, with people enjoying and celebrating the wonderful versatility of the egg.
Flushing Chamber launching ‘lending circle’ NEW YORK
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he Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is hoping that a small but innovative step can prove to be the key to unlock credit for individuals and business owners. The chamber is launching a Flushing Lending Circle, in which they hope to combine customary immigrant practices with modern technology and finance to allow immigrant entrepreneurs to gain access to business capital. “The biggest obstacle to entrepreneurship in our community is the lack of credit,” said John Choe, executive director of the chamber in an email. “The goal of our Flushing Lending Circle program is to help entrepreneurs overcome this obstacle so they can access the mainstream financial system and secure the capital they need to start or grow their business.” In a subsequent telephone interview, Choe said such arrangements might typically include 10 friends or family members. Using $100 as an example, Choe said a group might have 10 individuals who contribute $100 per month, with a different member taking home the pot of $1,000 each month until all have had a chance. While he said the practice is common in immigrant communities from China, Korea, the Caribbean and Hispanic communities, the chamber will work with Chhaya Community Development Center of Jackson Heights and Mission Asset Fund of San Francisco to make sure all payments into the circle are reported to reputable credit agencies. Over time, each member builds up the credit that can be hard to establish. “This problem has been perhaps the biggest hurdle for new immigrant small business owners as they move to this country to pursue the American Dream,” said Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing).
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Tuesday October 13, 2015
Chambers
CASA-1000 to start electricity supply to Pakistan by 2018: envoy ISLAMABAD
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ll issues related to CentralAsia-South-Asia transmission line project (CASA1000) have been addressed and hopefully the project will be materialized soon and start supplying electricity to Pakistan by 2018, observed H.E. Mr. Sherali S. Jononov, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said completion of this project will greatly help Pakistan in overcoming its energy problems. He said Pakistan needs to improve and upgrade its transmission lines network for this purpose. He said energy, trade and investment were the main focus of Tajikistan with Pakistan. He said most of Pakistani products were reaching Tajikistan via Afghanistan and stressed for direct trade between the two countries that would make Pakistani products more cost effec-
tive and affordable for Tajik consumers. He was optimistic that early Rinalization of trilateral transit trade agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan will pave way for enhanced trade between the two countries. He said Tajikistan has established 4 Free Economic Zones with attractive incentive including 4 years tax exemption on investment exceeding US$ 5 million. He emphasized that Pakistani investors
should invest in these zones in areas of interest. They could set up textile and other units in these zones. He said Pakistani investors could get up to 3 years visas for making investment of USD 5 million in Tajikistan. He said a Made in Pakistan exhibition will be held from 29-31 October 2015 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and added that it was a good opportunity for Pakistani entrepreneurs to attend this event to introduce the potential
Bhikki Power Plant to give new lease of life to industrial sector: LCCI
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LAHORE
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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry hoped that 1180 MW Bhikki Power Plant will give a new lease of life to the industrial sector that is in dire need of sufRicient cheaper electricity to enhance momentum of its production. In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Senior Vice President Almas Haider and Vice President Nasir Saeed said that Bhikki Power Plant shows the seriousness of the present regime in resolving the energy crisis being witnessed by the country since decades. They said that it is not a project of
only Punjab, it is a project of Pakistan as electricity produced at Bhikki Power Plant will be distributed across the country through national grid station. LCCI ofRice-bearers said that not only Bhikki but all power projects should be completed at the earliest as Pakistan is one of those countries that are facing serious challenges of energy deRicit. “We cannot survive without sufRicient energy when the neighboring countries are progressing leaps and bounds. If a proper and cheaper energy shortage solution is not made available at the earliest, nothing would able to stop the Rlight of capital to the safer places”, LCCI ofRice-bearers added. They said that unfortunately, we
all are suffering when the country can produce 100,000 MW of electricity for next 100 years through its coal reserves, 50,000 MW of electricity through hydel resources in only Gilgit-Baltistan. LCCI ofRice-bearers said that if government even manages to generate power as per installed capacity, 24/7/365 sufRicient power will be available for all while early completion of power projects in the pipeline would enable Pakistan to export additional electricity to the neighboring countries and earn much-needed foreign exchange. They also hoped that government would also create consensus for early construction of Kalabagh Dam that is a must to avoid hunger and drought in the country.
of their products in Tajikistan market. He said Tajikistan was also working to start direct Rlights with Pakistan that would facilitate bilateral trade as well. In his welcome address, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Tajikistan was the nearest country to Pakistan among Central Asian States, but despite this geographical advantage, bilateral trade was far below available potential. He stressed that both countries should encourage frequent exchange of trade delegations and focus on holding single country exhibitions that would help in identifying all untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said many Pakistani products including textiles, agro-processed food, fruits and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, leather products, surgical & sports goods and others have good potential in Tajikistan market and both countries should focus on building direct road, rail and air links to facilitate the two-way trade. He assured that ICCI would work Tajikistan embassy to promote connectivity between the private sectors of two countries.
Sohaib Saeed elected president of AJKCCI he local business community has elected Sohaib Saeed Chaudhry unopposed as the President Azad Jammu Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 2015-2016. Meanwhile, Raja Khalid Mahmood and Kamal Mustafa were elected unopposed respectively as Sr. Vice President and Vice President of the Chamber for the same period in the elections held here on Friday. The newly-elected Sr. Vice President Raja Khalid Mahmood Khan retained the same office for the second term to serve the chamber. Non of the rival candidates jumped to contest against the newly-elected all three victorious office bearers of the AJKCCI .–CB REPORT
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Dhaka Import-Export officer arrested in bribe case Tuesday October 13, 2015
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DHAKA: A government official has been caught on video, accepting bribes in his office. M Shahidul Haque, Dhaka Controller of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCIE) office under the commerce ministry has been seen smilingly counting illegal payments and even bargaining with businessmen for money in five video clips which were filmed secretly.The clips have been obtained by Prothom Alo. A group of businessmen submitted a written complaint against Shahidul Haque in this regard to the commerce ministry. Taking the complaint into cognizance, the commerce ministry has already formed a probe committee to investigate into the allegations. Importers and exporter.
HK Customs seizes about 3.2m sticks of cigarettes worth $8.5m
Bangladesh Customs confiscates 45 gold bars
HONG KONG
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ong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case of illicit cigarettes yesterday at Lok Ma Chau Control Point. About 3.2 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes were seized from an incoming lorry. The market value of the cigarettes was about $8.5 million with a duty potential of about $6 million. Customs ofRicers yesterday morning intercepted an incoming lorry declared to have 334 cartons of paper bags at Lok Ma Chau Control Point. After thorough inspection, Customs ofRicers found about 3.2 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in another 244 carton boxes. The illicit cigarettes were mix-loaded with other goods and concealed in the rear part of the compartment. The 48-year-old male driver was arrested and the vehicle used for conveying the suspected illicit cigarettes was detained. A Customs spokesman said, “The operation showed the effectiveness of
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the enforcement strategy, especially the escalated enforcement actions against smuggling activities at source. Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement action against all illicit cigarette activities.” Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a Rine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Customs
seized about 12 kilogrammes (kg) of suspected ketamine yesterday at Man Kam To Control Point. The market value of the drugs was estimated at about $1.7 million. Customs OfRicers yesterday intercepted an inbound cross-boundary lorry for examination at Man Kam To Control Point and found 12kg of suspected ketamine concealed inside two vacuum cleaners and two pumps on the vehicle.
Ireland police seize £100K in cocaine in County Down man has been charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply after cocaine worth an estimated £100,000 was seized by police in County Down. Police made the discovery when a van was stopped on the Hillsborough Road in Hillsborough on Friday. The man, 34, is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court
today. Police said the cocaine was “destined for distribution and sale” on the streets of Northern Ireland. “We are delighted to have removed it from circulation,” said Det Insp Alan Pyper. “The Police Service of Northern Ireland is continually working to identify those involved in the supply of drugs and put an end to their deadly trade.”
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith visited MerriRield to talk about an industrial sector that employs roughly 2,400 people in the Brainerd lakes area manufacturing. Smith spoke during Lakes Area Manufacturing Breakfast at Clow Stamping, which drew local government ofRicials, business executives and legislators. – CB REPORT
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DHAKA
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ustoms ofRicials at Bangladesh’s main airport in capital Dhaka on Saturday seized 45 gold bars weighing 45 kg from three passengers from Malaysia, an ofRicial said. SM Sohel Rahman, assistant commissioner of the Customs Intelligence Department, told journalists that “We’ve seized 45 gold bars weighing about 45 kilograms from three persons who landed here from Malaysia by a Malaysian Airlines.” “During the search, they were found carrying 45 gold bars worth about 230 million taka which were attached to their bodies,” he said. The Malaysian Airlines Rlight carrying the suspects landed at the Bangladesh’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 11:40 a.m. local time. Acting on a tip-off, Rahman said the customs ofRicials conducted the raid and found the gold bars.
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He said the suspects who were identiRied as Malaysian nationals, Hi Wi Cong, Zohari Bin Harun and Mohd Azwan Bin Salihin, claimed that they were only the carriers. Sources said most of the time only the carriers are being caught, but the real smugglers remain behind the scene. Meanwhile, A government ofRicial has been caught on video, accepting bribes in his ofRice. M Shahidul Haque, Dhaka Controller of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports (CCIE) ofRice under the commerce ministry has been seen smilingly counting illegal payments and even bargaining with businessmen for money in Rive video clips which were Rilmed secretly. The clips have been obtained by Prothom Alo. A group of businessmen submitted a written complaint against Shahidul Haque in this regard to the commerce ministry. Taking the complaint into cognizance, the commerce ministry has already formed a probe committee to investigate into the allegations.
UAE to raise contribution of non-oil GDP to 80%
he UAE government plans to increase the contribution of the non-oil sector to 80 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) from the present Rigure of 70 per cent in the next 10 to 15 years, Minister of Economy Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri said. Speaking at the Beirut Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi, Mansouri said the government has a policy of economic diversiRication to reduce dependence on oil to the overall GDP of the country. “We want to increase the contribution of non-oil sector to 80 per cent from the present Rigures of 70
per cent in the next 10-15 years to the GDP. Our target is to reduce the contribution of oil sector to just 20 per cent to the overall GDP,” said Al Mansouri. He said the growth rate recorded by the UAE economy last year was 4.6 per cent and the total GDP was $1.47 trillion. “The country attracted foreign direct investment to the tune of $100 billion in the last ten years. We have become a favoured destination and ranked number one in the Middle East and Arab region in attracting FDI by World Economic Forum. It has a positive effect on the economy.”– CB REPORT
Two Singaporean men sentenced to jail for animal smuggling SINGAPORE
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wo Singaporean men have been sentenced to jail for smuggling two spotted doves and three sugar gliders into Singapore and subjecting the ani-
mals to undue suffering, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) here the other day. Toh Ng Siow, 44, will start serving his three-month jail term on Wednesday, while his son, Toh Han Rong, 20, will begin his two-month jail term on Dec 14. The younger Toh is currently out on bail and his has been impounded. The Immigration & Checkpoints
Authority (ICA) notiRied AVA of the illegal import of animals after inspecting a Singapore-registered car at Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 25. AVA’s investigations revealed that the animals were sourced from Johor, Malaysia. The spotted doves were kept in compressed bird cages in the gap between the car’s rear bumper and car boot. Meanwhile, the sugar gliders were hidden in a
small black pouch, and placed behind the glove compartment. In addition, the men did not provide the animals any food or water. AVA said that the smuggled animals were later seized and sent to the Singapore Zoo and the Jurong Bird Park. The authority also warned against importing or keeping wild animals as pets because they may
transmit exotic animals diseases to humans and other animals. Anyone found guilty of smuggling live animals will face a Rine of up to $10,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months or both. For more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels, visit AVA’s website or download AVA’s mobile app, SG TravelKaki.
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Iran announces date for int’l conference on oil, gas TEHRAN: Iran has announced the three-day oil and gas conference in London in February next year to attract foreign investors awaiting new contract terms to be unveiled next month. Oil majors have expressed interest in returning to Iran as soon as international sanctions linked to its nuclear programme are lifted, but they are currently still barred from signing any deals. A nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, struck in July, is due to be implemented in December or January and a top official said the timing had influenced the London event. The “Iran Oil and Gas Summit Post Sanctions” event in Britain’s capital is scheduled for February 22-24, said Seyed Mehdi Hosseini, head of the country’s oil contracts re-negotiation team. “It is predicted sanctions relief will start from January 2016, so the London conference date is in February,” Hosseini told SHANA, the oil ministry’s news service.
UAE’s oil storage hub of Fujairah taking on established ports UAE
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oing back two decades, the quaint United Arab Emirate of Fujairah, some 130km east of Dubai, started carving out its own unique place in the oil and gas industry under the benign shadow of Abu Dhabi; custodian of the world’s seventh-largest proven oil reserves. Fujairah had what the other six of constituents of the UAE did not – a shoreline on the Gulf of Oman and not the Persian Gulf. Any ships loaded on the latter coastline remained vulnerable to Iranian belligerence and threats to close of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime outlet from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean via which 35% of the world’s oil traded by sea passes. So when the Abu Dhabi government’s International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) gave a nod to Habshan Fujairah oil pipeline project in 2006 conscious of a potential geopolitical flashpoint disrupting oil shipments and congestion in its own ports Fujairah got a shot in the arm it had always craved.
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Another step in Lyttelton Port redevelopment yttelton Port has been showing off the first stage of its $1 billion redevelopment. The port’s ability to continue operating despite the earthquakes has been well publicised, but before yesterday’s guided boat tour there had been few opportunities for the public to witness first hand the extent of the damage the quakes caused. At present, ships carrying logs and fertiliser unload directly in front of the township. The port’s operations manager, Paul Monk, said the plan was to reclaim a further 20 hectares so these vessels could be accommodated to the east of the port.– CB REPORT
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Ports & Shipping
HPA signs new agreement with MUA to extend negotiations CANBERRA
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utchison Ports Australia (HPA) has signed a new agreement with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) to extend until November negotiations over the redundancies of 97 port workers made in August this year. According to the parties’ new agreement, negotiations will be extended until November 16 under the auspices of Anna Booth, deputy president of the Fair Work commission (FWC), which is Australia’s workplace relations tribunal where conciliation proceedings will continue. Under the terms, a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) will be negotiated and made by November 16, date that can be extended by mutual consent. HPA’s
acting CEO Mark Jack admitted in a company statement that critical terms remained at issue, adding that he was realistic a mutually agreeable outcome about the company’s future employment needs at Sydney and Brisbane port operations may not be achievable at all. Jack said:
“We will continue to negotiate in good faith during this extended period and hope that the MUA and its members will cooperate to try to work out a solution in the best and balanced interest of all stakeholders including the workforce, the customers and the shareholders.”
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ICTSI scores against Oregon port labour union nternational Container Terminal Services Inc. reported that it has scored another victory against the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) that has been allegedly disrupting operations of ICTSI Oregon. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, ICTSI said the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ordered the ILWU, ILWU Local 8, and ILWU Local 40 to cease and desist from a variety of activities at Terminal 6 in Portland that violate federal labor laws. These include engaging in slowdowns and work stoppages, and using threats and coercion to disrupt the operations of ICTSI Oregon, Inc. which operates Terminal 6. “We are gratiRied by the NLRB’s ruling, which rejected all of the ILWU’s legal arguments. Hopefully, this decision will bring us one step closer to ending the ILWU’s orchestrated and illegal campaign to undermine the success of Terminal 6 and to convincing the shipping companies to return to the Port of Portland,” said ICTSI Oregon chief executive Elvis Ganda.– CB REPORT
Tuesday October 13, 2015
Port of Los Angeles emissions show dramatic drops in most recent survey LOS ANGELES
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ommunity leaders joined with port officials in San Pedro for a ceremonial “plugging in” of a China Shipping container ship using new, environmentally friendly technology. June 2004 Daily Breeze file photo. The Port of Los Angeles has set new records for reducing harmful emissions from port-related activity, with diesel particulates down an unprecedented 85 percent in the past 10 years and sulfur oxides bordering on total elimination. The latest pollution-reduction figures, contained in a report released Thursday, indicate the port not only has reached its 2014 goals but, in many cases, has hit its 2023 targets. Christopher Cannon, director of the port’s Environmental Management Department, said in a telephone interview Thursday that he isn’t surprised. “Our success has to be attributed to the fact that the port and business industry worked together in a collaboration to find ways to do this,” said Cannon, who began his career with the port in the early days of the pollution fight launched under former Mayor James Hahn in 2001. “There are a lot of very creative people in the business community.” In addition to the 85 percent drop in particulate matter since 2005, sulphur oxides have plummeted 97 percent.
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Port of Singapore incentivises building of LNG-fuelled vessels
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SINGAPORE
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ingapore LNG Ship Incentive graphic – 2015The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has taken another step toward the eventual launch of the LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme (LBPP) targeted for early 2017. It has invited applications from interested companies to tap into a SGD 12 mil-
lion (USD 8.4m) fund, from the MPA’s “Maritime Innovation & Technology Fund” (MINT Fund¹), for the building of LNG-fuelled vessels. The MPA will provide funding of up to SGD 2 million (USD 1.4m) per vessel, capped at two successful funding applications per company. Companies must be incorporated in Singapore, and the funded vessels must be Rlagged under the Singapore Registry or licensed for activity in Port of Singapore for a
period of at least Rive (5) years. MPA has been collaborating closely with partner agencies, industry stakeholders and technical experts, to develop LNG bunkering standards, procedures and infrastructures. On 28 July 2015, MPA announced its Request for Proposal (RFP) for interested parties to apply for the LNG bunker supplier licence that would allow the licencee to supply LNG bunkers to vessels in the Port of Singapore. The ex-
pressed aim of the LBPP is to develop Singapore as a key LNG bunkering hub in Asia. In 2014, Singapore’s bunker industry recorded more than 42 million tonnes in bunkers sales volumes, maintaining her position as the world’s top bunkering port. Meanwhile, The Port of Singapore is inviting interested companies to tap into a $12 million (Singapore) fund for the building of vessels fueled by liquefied natural gas.
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Scotland authorities arrest 4 men for trafficking drugs DUNDEE: Police in Dundee have seized heroin and cocaine with an estimated street value of £160,000. Four men aged between 21 and 41 have been arrested in relation to the September 30 seizure. Two of the men, Kieran Mcanearney, 21, of Ladywell Avenue, and Callum Bertie, 23, of Cliffburn Gardens, appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court. They face two charges of allegedly being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine with others at various locations in Dundee on September 30.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
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FBR to freeze bank accounts of 200 big tax defaulters soon SIALKOT ZAFAR MALIK
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he Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has tightened noose around chronic tax defaulters for concealing the facts about their properties and assets while submitting their tax returns. As many as 200 big tax defaulters’ banks accounts would soon be freezed to recover the arrears. According to the senior FBR ofRicials, that FBR has also jazzed up the pace of ongoing recovering campaign against all the inRluential tax defaulters in Gujranwala Region. They said these chronic defaulters were the millionaires and have not been depositing their taxes for the last several years. The ofRicials added that the FBR also approached the local banks for ensuring the freezing of the bank accounts of more 200 chronic defaulters. The FBR senior ofRicials added that, earlier, the FBR has withdrawn Rs 15 million from the banks accounts of 50 chronic tax evaders in Gujranwala Division and the ongoing drive against tax evaders would remain continued till the recovery of the arrears.
Customs, SBP join hands to plug loopholes in trade transactions ISLAMABAD
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akistan Customs and State Bank of Pakistan have joined hands to ensure proper monitoring of Rlow of money into the country and plug the loopholes in the transactions made for trade. Sources told that both the organizations have taken these steps to align the systems with the new
international standards and enhance speed of transactions with minimum human interaction. Realizing the importance of foolproof trade to facilitate the movement of international cargo through customs, the department has initiated new plans. The sources added that PCS and SBP have agreed to cooperate with each other in the implementation of electronic E-form and international standards in the launch of new automated manifestation framework for the commercial banks operating in Pakistan.
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