KARACHI, Jan 27 (APP): The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Thursday directed its sub-committee to submit the detailed report on custom-related issues being faced by all stakeholders in the country.
Such directives were issued by the Committee Chairman Faiz Ullah while chairing the meeting here at the Custom House.
“The sub-committee should coordinate with all the stakeholders, including the business community and discuss the issues and submit the report so the recommendations based on it can be forward to different departments for developing better policies to tackle those issues”, he mentioned.
Appreciating the performance of revenue collection agencies, the chairman said about 0.5% of total revenue collection was being spent on the agencies, which was very low, when compared with other countries.
PTI’s MNA Faheem Khan informed the meeting that the new shipping policy would be announced soon, under which a regulatory body would be established to tackle issues related to shipping companies and terminals.
Earlier, Chief Collector Custom Enforcement South Abdul Qadir Memon told the meeting that of total, 83% Goods Declarations (GDs) are being processed through Green Channel without any intervention of Customs and additional 9% are being processed through Yellow Channel without Examination. While of total, 8% GDs are being processed through Red Channel.
Besides, Authorized Economic Operations programme has been launched following best international practices, he told, articulating that Duty Drawback processing and payment has fully been automated with direct disbursement through State Bank.
Memon recounted that major intervention in export facilitation regimes is recently launched Export Facilitation Scheme i.e. merger of previous regimes with increased facilitation, informing that the outreach programmes and awareness sessions for exporters and clearing agents in the shape of seminars are regularly conducted.
Another member of NA body, MNA Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh suggested that 1% duty on warehouse should be reduced to 0.5% and it would support business activities in the country and exports.
On the occasion, Advisor of Sub-Committee of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Ports, Shipping and Multi Model Transport, Muhammad Younus Soomro said that the customs department was facing shortage of staff and government should resolve this issue. On this, Chief Collector Customs Wajid Ali informed that the some officials have been appointed and hoping. issues related to shortage of staff would be tackled.
Another member of KCCI urged the committee to resolve the issue of GDs delays. On which, the Chairman directed the Custom officials to address the issues related to GDs delays.
The meeting was attended by MNA Jamil Ahmed Khan, MNA Faheem Khan, MNA Muhammad Israr Tareen, MNA Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, MNA Ali Pervaiz and officials of Customs.
