April 1 layout 1

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Karachi, Sat April 1, 2017

ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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ember Inland Revenue Policy Dr Muhammad Iqbal has left for Dubai to take part in week long consultations with the International Monetary Fund, while Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad will leave for UAE on April 2. The Rinance minister will join the Pakistan delegation in the Rinal stage of consultations with the IMF. The chairman and his team will give detail brieRing to the IMF

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ofRicials regarding the current situation of revenue collection.

According to the FBR sources, the chairman is worried about tax collection performance. It is important to mention here that performance in taxation will be specially reviewed in the meeting while on the other hand shortfall in revenue has increased to Rs 190 billion at the end of the ninth months of the current fiscal year. The FBR team will also inform the IMF officials regarding the process of implementation of tax reforms but the facts are that the government has not performed better on the tax reforms front.

DGValuation revises customsvalue of tooth pick low-end brand in paper packing

Pak-Bahrain economic partnership to grow under CPEC: Dastgir

Belt and Road initiative to strengthen Pakistan-China ties

Customs Central Region collects Rs6483m sales tax

Soap manufacturers’ issues to be resolved amicably: Zahid Khokhar

DG Valuation revised the customs value of tooth pick (low-end brand in paper | See pAge 02 |

Dastgir has said Pak and Bahrain would grow economic partnership under CPEC | See pAge 03 |

PM Shaukat Aziz has said that relations between Pakistan and China had stood | See pAge 04 |

Customs Central Region has collected Rs6483 million sales tax during the month | See pAge 14 |

Member Customs Zahid Khokhar has met soap manufacturers and assured them | See pAge 16 |

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Khushab FIU seizes non duty paid speakers during road checking Saturday, April 1, 2017

National

FAISALABAD: The Field Investigation Unit of Khushab has confiscated smuggled container worth Rs 6,425,000 involving duty and taxes amounting to Rs2,927,999 during road checking. According to details, the Field Investigation Unit (FIU) Khushab team following the directions of Deputy Director Riaz Hussain constituted different teams to foil smuggling attempts in the region.

The FIU team during road checking impounded a trailer bearing registration no: TLX-190 loaded with container no. OOLU-961399-4 near Sindh Punjab check post National Highway Kot Sabzal.

Dg Valuation revises customs value of tooth pick low-end brand

FAISALABAD

KARACHI

NAeeM SheIkh

wAQAr AhMeD ANSArI

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he Anti Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Mianwali has seized non duty paid Toyota Corolla worth Rs 12,55,680 involving customs duty and taxes amounting to Rs6,55,680 under the Customs Act 1969. As per details, Additional Collector Muhammad Saeed Asad received information regarding non duty paid vehicles. He formed a team comprising Superintendent Chaudhary Sardar Muhammad, Muhammad Umar Bhatti, Azhar Hussain Jafari, driver Riasat Hussain, sepoys Muhammad Ashraf, Faiz Ahmad, Riaz Ahmad and Muhammad Yousaf. The team noticed a vehicle bearing registration no: AAM-303 (Quetta) parked near Lasani Restaurant and no one has came forward to claim the ownership of the same. The vehicle was found unlock and personally examined in presence of the staff and found nothing available in it. The ASO team impounded the vehicle under Section 168 of the Customs Act-1969. Superintendent ASO Mianwali forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication.

Collector Muhammad Sadiq has appreciated the performance of the Mianwali ASO which foiled various smuggling bids in the region.

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he Directorate General of Customs Valuation revised the customs value of tooth pick (low-end brand in paper packing) through Valuation Ruling No 1101/2017 under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

According to details, the Customs values of tooth pick (low-end brand in paper packing) were circulated vide VDB letter No.136 dated 30.12.2016. It was deemed expedient to issue a Valuation Ruling hence an exercise was conducted to determine Customs values of tooth pick (low-end brand in paper packing) in line with current price trends in the international market.

Meetings with stakeholders were scheduled on 02-03-2017 & 14-03-2017. All participants were requested to submit invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value, websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained, copies of contracts made/LCs opened during the last three months showing the value of item in question and copies of Sales Tax Invoices issued during last three months showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate that the ben-

Mianwali ASo seizes non duty paid toyota corolla

efit of difference in price is passed on to the local buyers.

No one appeared for the scheduled meeting nor any documents were received from any stakeholders which shows that the importers are disinterested in proceedings and values are considerably higher than their declarations and by keeping themselves absent, they may have created an alibi for being unheard.

Meanwhile, The Directorate Gen-

eral of Customs Valuation has revised the customs values of hot and cold water dispenser through Valuation Ruling No 1098/2017 under Section 25-A of the Customs Act, 1969. Customs values of hot and cold water dispensers were determined under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, vide Valuation Ruling No.910/2016, dated 15-08-2016 and were revised vide Order-inRevision No. 258/2016 dated 19-

10-2016. The Valuation Ruling required revision in line with the prevailing prices in the international market. Therefore, this directorate general initiated an exercise for determination of customs value of water dispenser.

A meeting with stakeholders was held on 09-03-2017. Importers had been requested to furnish invoices of imports during last three months showing factual value.

ANF arrests drug trafficker from Islamabad airport T

ISLAMABAD

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he Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested a drug trafficker from Benazir International Airport and recovered 970-gram drugs from his possession.

Sources said that the ANF carried out a search operation at the airport and recovered drugs from the possession of accused when he was leaving for Saudi Arabia by a

private airline. The officials of ANF said that the suspect hailed from Charsadda.

ANF officials took the suspect into their custody and shifted him to an undisclosed place for further interrogation.

Meanwhile, Anti-Narcotics Force witnessed a record year of seizures in its history under command of Director General Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah in 2016.

The ANF seized 215 metric tonnes of narcotics and 25.11 met-

ric tonnes of precursor chemicals, worth $3,759.56 million in international market. The seized drugs included 50,103.036kg opium, 6,231 morphine, 16,593.024kg heroin, 138,061.738kg hashish, 4.394kg cocaine, 3,869.996kg amphetamine, 131.670kg methamphetamine, 1,230x ecstasy tablets, 32,790x psychotropic tablets, 22,274kg acetic anhydride and 2835kg sulphuric acid. As per record, in year 2016 total of 1305x cases were registered and 1556x

accused arrested. In 24x Intelligence Based Coordinated Operations (IBOs), 47x accused were arrested. ANF Conducted 6787x operations against proclaimed offenders/absconder in which 193 were arrested, 230 reported dead and 38 deleted through court orders.In 2016, total of 1470.24 hectares poppy was destroyed in KP, Sind and Balochistan in collaboration with local administration.

About 350.021 metric tonnes of different types of drugs/precursors/

controlled substances were burnt valuing over $4,305 million in international market. During the corresponding year, 34x foreigners (mostly Nigerians, Zambians & Afghanis) were arrested and 74.226kg drug was seized. Total 41x drug traffickers organizations (DTOs) were busted (38x local and 3x international). In 2016, ANF deposited Rs48.64 million in national exchequer collected from auction of 143x seized/confiscated vehicles.

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Trade exchange with Egypt crosses $182m ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Pakistan in Cairo, pointing out that the trade relations with Egypt were not reflective of the historical relations between the two countries, said the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Pakistan in the first ten months of 2016 was around 182 million dollars. According to Al Watan newspaper of Egypt, he was talking to the Pak-Egyptian business Council which included meetings between Egyptian and Pakistani businessmen at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador said that the Pakistani exports to Egypt hit 83 million dollars during the period JanuaryOctober 2016 mainly of yarn, textiles, paper, frozen shrimps.

reference filed against M/s Dawlance for recovery of rs15.1m

Saturday April 1, 2017

National

pakistan-Bahrain economic partnership to grow under cpec

KARACHI

M B rANA

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he Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-I, Large Taxpayers Unit, approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) challenging the impugned judgment of the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-I over recovery of Rs15.1million in respect of Sales Tax from M/s Dawlance Private Limited. The counsel for applicant stated in his special customs reference application that during the audit of the records of M/s Dawlance Pvt Ltd Karachi, it was observed that the registered person has unlawfully claimed and adjusted the amount of input tax of Rs15.1million against the invoices issued by the suppliers who have subsequently been inactive/blocked by the federal government.

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eu lauds Nawaz Sharif for reopening torkham border PESHAWAR

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he European Union (EU) has welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for reopening the Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan to facilitate the Pak-Afghan Trade Transit Agreement. Pakistan and Afghanistan share huge volume of transit and trade activities as there is no shipment available in Afghanistan to stream a trade line with regional and international countries like China, Europe, America, Dubai and several other multinational exporters in the world. The statement by EU on Tuesday about the reopening of trade activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan appreciated the decision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in good gestures. A large section of Afghanistan’s trade is carried out using Qasim Port of Karachi.

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ISLAMABAD

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inister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan has said Pakistan and Bahrain would grow economic partnership under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through mega projects of regional connectivity.

The government had laid the foundation of economic engagements with Pakistan and Bahrain, which would be converted in 21st century economic partnership for increasing the TRADE AND INVESTMENTopportunities, Khurram Dastgir Khan said while addressing the Second Pakistan-Bahrain Business Opportunities Conference along with Minister for Commerce and Industry of Bahrain Zayed Rashid Alzayani and business leaders. from both countries He said, “We get excellent support and cooperation from Bahrain government. Bahrain is now going through economic reforms envisioned by current leadership.”

He said Bahrain had important geographical location, situated as gateway for six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries also provide excess to all countries. This conference was milestone for revival of TRADE AND INVESTMENT ties between Pakistan and Bahrain as well enhancing conRidence level between the business community of

both countries. The minister vowed for government to support and facilitate the private sector from Pakistan and Bahrain to build long term investment and trade ties.

He appreciated the business growth of Al Baraka Bank in Pakistan that had grwon from four branches to 240. The minister lauded the people of Pakistan for showing resilience against terrorism, adding that now country was coming out of the dark days of ter-

the minister lauded the people of pakistan for showing resilience against terrorism, adding that now country was coming out of the dark days of terrorism

AtIr directs counsels to submit final arguments

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ISLAMABAD

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www.customsbulletin.com bench of Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) has directed counsels from M/S Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company to prepare for final arguments in a case remanded back to the tribunal by the Islamabad High Court. ATIR Accountant Member Dr Ghulam Mujtaba Bhatti heard the case.

M/S Shalimar Recording and

Broadcasting Company had contested the show cause notices issued by the field offices of the Federal Board of Revenue.

According to details, M/S Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company had challenged recovery of issued to it in head of outstanding income tax by the LTU, Islamabad.

M/S Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company had submitted the department had issued the demand for the tax year

2014 in head of income tax under provisions of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of LTU including Commissioner Inland Revenue, Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) and Appellate M/S Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company prayed that the assessment order issued by the LTU officer was illegal, unlawful and without legal grounds.

rorism. He said because of the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the maintained peace in Balochistan, Karachi and other areas of conRlict to provide better environment for development and prosperity of the country. He said by mid of year 2018, Pakistan would come out of the energy crisis.

Dastgir said many foreign companies, including the Netherlands investment group would invest dairy sector in Pakistan.

FIA arrests human trafficker he Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has apprehended an alleged human trafficker. According to an FIA spokesman, a travel agent, Ashraf Ali Siddiqui, was arrested after a deportee, Waseem Ahmed, was taken into custody for a probe. Ahmed told the FIA that his travel agent had demanded Rs1,700,000 to send him to Canada for permanent settlement.

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PTDC to strengthen coordination with provinces for promoting tourism Saturday April 1, 2017

Business

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will strengthen coordination with provinces to promote tourism in country.

After devolution,it is very important to establish joint plan of action for promoting tourism at international level. High ups of PTDC held number of meetings with provincial governments’ officials for joint venture. An official of PTDC said that it was our shared responsibility to promote tourism industry. He said that Managing Director PTDC was visiting provinces to discuss various ideas,adding that he recently visited Azad Kashmir,Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Belt road initiative to strengthen ties ISLAMABAD

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ormer Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that relations between Pakistan and China had stood the test of time and the two countries were now looking forward to deepening that relationship under the Belt and Road Initiative of China, Gulf Today reported.

Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade

McB Bank reports profit of rs21.89b LAHORE

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routes. “The two countries have maintained a close friendship, based on mutual respect, peace and harmony and their relationship is not against any third country,” Aziz told China Daily on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan

wApDA secures unprecedented local financing of rs144b for Dasu project

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he 69th Annual General Meeting of the shareholders of MCB Bank Limited was held on March 2017 at Pearl- Continental Hotel Lahore under the chairmanship of Muhammad Ali Zeb. The chairman informed the members that the bank continued with its strong performance on account of low cost deposits base, significant uptick in advances, controlled operating expenditure and significant contribution from nonmarkup income.

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province. The forum is a non-proRit organisation that hosts high-level conferences for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other continents to share their vision on the most pressing issues in the region and the world at

large. It is modeled after the World Economic Forum.

Aziz said the two countries had already cooperated closely on multiple infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and would do so on more projects in future. The Belt and Road Initiative had strengthened the links between China and Pakistan in areas of telecommunication, transport and digitalization, he added.

He lauded services of the Chinese president, a great leader who was doing what it took to move China forward. Meanwhile, government and business leaders attending the annual conference agreed that the Belt and Road Initiative was doing a key job in restructuring the global production value chain amid profound changes in the world. “

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MIRPUR

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n yet another significant development, the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) secured Rs.144 billion for Dasu Hydropower Project by signing an agreement of local debt financing with a consortium of major local banks led by Habib Bank Limited (HBL).

This is by far the biggest single loan agreement for any public sector entity in the history of Pakistan,

WAPDA officially announced on Wednesday. The agreement signing ceremony was held at WAPDA House today. WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain ®, HBL President Nauman Dar, National Bank (NBP) President Saeed Ahmed Khan and representatives of other banks in the consortium signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations. WAPDA Member (Finance), Member (Power) and senior officers of WAPDA and the banks also attended the ceremony, says media release issued by WAPDA to the local media here

Wednesday evening.

Speaking on the occasion, WAPDA Chairman said that today hisahistorical day vis-à-vis arrangement of funds for development of hydropower resources in Pakistan.

He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and Federal Ministries for Water and Power and Finance for their support to arrange finances for Dasu Hydropower Project. He said that today’s agreement reflects the confidence of financial institutions on the financial strength of WAPDA.

Anti-money laundering cell launched at Secp ISLAMABAD

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n line with the present government’s agenda of combating money laundering and terrorist financing activities, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has established an AntiMoney Laundering (AML) Cell. The cell would help effectively addressing any potential of money laundering within the capital markets, insurance, the NBFCs and the not-for-profit corporate sector, says a statement The SECP has approved thresholds for various sectors for reporting of investments made in securities markets, the NBFCs and the insurance sector.

The AML cell comprises of senior SECP officers from each supervisory area.

For life insurance products, the defined threshold is the annual premium of Rs 5 million for a single life policy. For SECURITIES BROKERS the threshold shall be Rs 5 million for an individual investor, Rs 25 million for corporate entity and Rs20 million for propriety broker. For AMCs, modarabas and NBFCs, the threshold is of Rs 100 million for corporate entities, Rs 50 million for trusts and Rs10 million for individual investment. No reporting will be required of financial institutions, public listed companies, licensed entities, AMCs, mutual funds, insurance companies.

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Import of soyabean oil reduces by 58.1pc in 8 months ISLAMABAD

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oyabean oil import into the country during Rirst eight months of current Rinancial year reduced by 58.1 percent as compared to the imports of corresponding period of last year.

Soyabean oil import into the country came down from 108.125 metric tons to 38.950 metric tons during the

period from July-February 2016-17, according the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.The country spent US$ 58.201 million on the import of soyabean oil in last 8 months of current Rinancial year to fulRill the domestic requirements of the edible oil as compared the imports of US$ 138.615 million of same period of last year.

However, during the period under review imports of the palm oil into the country swelled by 9.25 percent as about 1,673,121 metric

tons of the commodity valuing $1.184 billion imported. The import of palm oil into the country during first 8 months of last financial year was recorded at 1,779,666 metric tons costing $1.85 billion, it added. Meanwhile, imports of different spices into the country reduced by 5.81 percent as it was recorded at 103,286 metric tons as compared the import of 101,453 metric tons.

During last eight months, spices

worth $89.128 million were imported as compared the import of 94.620 million of same period last year. During the period from July-February, 2016-17, tea import into the country also decreased by 0.8 percent as compared the import of last year. About 145,714 metric tons of tea worth $361.384 million were imported to fulRill the domestic consumption as against the import of 119,362 metric tons valuing $384.313 million of same period of last year. It may be recalled

here that during last eight months food group imports into the country increased by 13.47 percent and recorded at $3.970 billion as compared the imports of 3.498 billion of the corresponding period of last year. On the other hand food exports from the country witnessed 11.79 percent decrease in Rirst eight months of current Rinancial year and was recorded at $2.339 billion as against the imports of US$ 2.652 billion of same period of last year.

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ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Human Resource Management (HRM) Rozi Khan Burki has said that the board has assigned him a task to introduce structural reforms in the tax collection system.

During an exclusive interview with Customs Today, Burki said: “I have proposed that the number of FBR members should be reduced and director generals should be placed under the members like the chief commissioners and chief collectors.

He said that all the FBR members should be upgraded from grade 21 to 22. It is important for better performance. Burki said: “We have very tight and transparent criteria for the training of ofRicers abroad. We advertise on our website and choose the ofRicers on merit.”

He said now everyone can avail the opportunity if he is eligible for the. “We never give priority to anyone and under our policy we have sent 60 ofRicers for training abroad just in nine months,” he said.

He said right now 13 member are working in the FBR headquarters, 11 members are active and two members are inactive because they have no portfolios. He added that there are 26 director generals who are working under the FBR.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

“Does the FBR chairman has time to listen to them and observe their performances I think due to very heavy schedule of the chairman this is not possible for him, therefore, we suggested that all director generals should be under the members and they report to their member concerned and member will brief the chairman. If distribution of work would be like that, than the chairman will get some relief,” he said.

He said, “The chairman does not have sufficient time to supervise the Director Gen-

eral performance, therefore all Directors General are working openly and independently.” There is no regular contact and liaison between the members and DGs they are away to each other’s, usually DGs directly report to the chairman and members of the board also directly report to the chairman office so the situation is difficult for the chairman. He said director general was Grade 21 post while the chief commissioners and chief collectors are also Grade 21 posts, if chief commissioners and chief collectors can work under the members than Directors General should have no objection.

This time we are four members working in grade 22 including Member Taxpayer Audit Raana Seerat which is most senior than me and after me Member Strategic Planning Nasir Masroor and Yasmeen Rehman. He said that” M” is missing in HRM, because Administration wing is exercising our authority and doing our part of job, now I have decided to take up this matter t in the meeting of Board in h g i yt Council. I has also suggested ve ver a h e e :w r th d o i f and requested to the board a a s i i r e Burk nt crit that Administration wing is e e r w a . p d ro a rans b t performing most of our dua d s r n a ce and ties, therefore the issue of of offi e t g i s n i b n e trai job description and obligaour w rit ise on t r on me tions should be resolved. We e v s r e ad c offi should do work accordingly e the choos to our ofRicial job description.

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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

prospects of $100b chinese investment

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ccording to newspaper reports, a visiting Chinese business tycoon has expressed the hope that China will invest up to $100 billion in Pakistan after the completion of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor and its related projects. Wang Zihai, the president of PakistanChina Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has also said that CPEC will link Asia with Europe and will promote trade and business activities in the region. It is heartening to note that hundreds of small, medium and large scale Chinese companies are already working in Pakistan and more Chinese businessmen are interested in investing in various industries, including electronics, automotive, education exchange programmes, insurance, agriculture, textiles, shoe manufacturing, chemicals, battery recycling plant and real estate.At least $46 billion investment deal between Pakistan and China is the first steps towards a closer economic cooperation and it is hoped that business to business cooperation would push the investment to $100 billion mark in the coming years.The two countries have already signed a Free Trade Agreement but due to lack of awareness, the Pakistani business community could not fully utilized it. Despite being neighbours, there is a long distance between the two countries as far as major cities are concerned along with cultural and language barriers. However, the two nations are committed to go along together in business, trade and investment activities. Pakistan is one of the leading cotton producing country in the world and despite losing one third of its production, it still produces over 10 million bales annually and both Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs can utilize the commodity to dominate the world garments and textile markets. China has already offered up to five percent tariff concession on the Pakistani products. However, smuggling and underinvoicing is the biggest challenge to improve balance of trade.China has signed a $24 billion deal with Bangladesh to encourage Chinese private sector investment in that country.

Reports suggest China is heading towards heavy industry and is shifting its small production units to Bangladesh. Pakistan should also persuade the Chinese government to establish its small industry along the corridor which will further boost economic relations between the two countries.

reforms need of the hour A

LAHORE

Dr AFtAB AFZAL

www.customstoday.com

ccording to a report issued by the Institute for Policy Reforms,the government policies are un supportive of the much need reforms, suggesting urgent measures not only to spur industrial growth but also enable the country to achieve macroeconomic stability.No doubt stimulation of economic activities are key to create jobs and improve living standard of the poor segment of society. The country’s exports have been dwindling for the last four years and trade deRicits are on the rise. In this age of information and technology, the policymakers are unable to even

emulate any economic model and have failed to adjust the economy to a standard level. Despite signing FREE TRADE agreements with various countries, the government has made no effort to lower the economic gap even with its regional peers. It is on the record that a South Korean team visited Pakistan in 60s to study Rive year development plan of Pakistan. They followed the plan and the current per capita income of that country is more than 22 times higher than Pakistan. The government is also facing circular debt crisis, trade deRicits.The government is trying to recover the losses by taking more and more loans.

The policymakers will have to break the routine because busi-

ness as usual is no more a viable option. As the population of the country is growing at a fast rate, visionary policies are required beyond political expediencies. Apparently, population boom is haunting the economy, but human resources are the best resources to stimulate economic activities.

People need houses, clothes and basic amenities of life and these are the basic ingredients of a vibrant economy. According to predictions by international economists, Pakistan’s economy will leave behind the economies of France, Italy and Greece by 2030.

However, the population will also increase to neutralize the effects of the economic boom. Therefore, it is imperative to launch such policies which cover every aspect

of the national economy. Corruption is rampant and money laundering is on the rise. Despite signing agreement with Swiss government, Pakistani government will not be able to bring back the national wealth. However, the government can recover the losses by introducing investment friendly policies.

Though the report of the Institute for Policy Reforms calls for steps to increase domestic savings, in principle consumer market is based on spending and not on savings. The more you spend, more will be economic activities and less you spend, less will be growth. Therefore, policies should devised by talking all the aspects of the economy into consideration.

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Russia cuts oil output by 200,000 barrels a day MOSCOW: Russia has already cut oil production under a deal with OPEC by 200,000 barrels a day, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told CNBC on Thursday. He said Russia is gradually reducing its oil production and plans to reduce its oil output by 300,000 barrels a day by late April. He spoke to CNBC at the Arctic forum currently underway in Russia’s Arkhangelsk. Earlier reports said as of March 25 Russia reduced oil production by 185,000 barrels per day under the agreement with OPEC. Russia undertook to slash oil production by 300,000 barrels per day starting from January 2017 compared with October 2016 or by 2.7%. OPEC decided at its November 2016 meeting in Vienna to limit production to 32.5 mln barrels per day in the first half of 2017, down 1.2 mln barrels per day from October 2016 production levels, with the possibility of extending this limit for the remainder of the year.

Sialkot: 4000 female football stitchers to be adjusted soon SIALKOT

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n Sialkot, as many as 4000 jobless home based women workers out of total 16000, most of them the hand stitchers of the footballs, have been adjusted in the other jobs through their micro entrepreneurship development, while another batch of 2000 more such female stitchers would also be adjusted in their new jobs within a stipulated period of a next year. In Sialkot, the soccer balls industry’s as many as 16000 female stitchers, indulged in the hand stitching of the footballs, had been rendered job-

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less due to the change of the trend of the foot balls’ production from hand stitching to the machine stitching about four years ago. Sialkot based soccer balls manufacturers and exporter Prof. Safdar sandal, Khalid Mehmood, Muhammad Iqbal, Ghulam Husain and other said that hand-stitched inflatable soccer balls had historically been the Sialkot’s major product. In recent years the mechanization of the manufacturing process of inflatable balls had drastically reduced the demand for hand-stitched balls. As a result, more and more international buyers were demanding machine-stitched inflatable balls rendering hundreds of thousands of home-based-soccer ball stitchers jobless, they added. These female workers, rendered jobless, were the only source of income of their families and after becoming jobless it had become very hard for them to feed their families as well. Labor policies (National2010 and 2015- Provincial) and law do not legally recognize these workers in the informal sector as “workers’ so they cannot have claims in labor courts to protect their rights.

Saturday April 1, 2017

Chambers

govt should enhance fire emergency measures in industrial institutions T

FAISALABAD

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wo successive incidents of fire are an eye opener and government must enhance the capabilities of the concerned departments and efficiently control any future fire emergency particularly in industrial or commercial institutions, said Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

In a statement issued have he said that Faisalabad is industrial hub of Pakistan. Hence incidents of Rire or outbreak of other emergencies are just natural. He told that industrialists have made adequate safety measures at their factory level but involvement of speciRic government departments become imperative in case of any major emergency.

He said that government, district administration and local bodies’ institutions have failed to fulRill their responsibilities. “It is clearly indicated by un-proportionate numbers of skilled RireRighters and Rleet of Rire Righting vehicles which are also ill

equipped.”, he said and added that government must conduct study for each area and depute proportionate numbers of staff and vehicles that could rush to any troubled spot positively within 10 minutes. He said that in addition of standard sized water tankers and Bowzers, fully loaded small vehicles should also be allocated for each Industrial cluster. He told that being chairman Kurrianwala Industries Association, he had purchased Rive Rire Righting

vehicles which were utilized not only for the industrial belt of Kurrianwala but also for emergencies in other parts of the city.

These vehicles were purchased under the Citizen, Community Board (CCB) with equity of 20:80.

He said that now after the revival of local bodies system, the government should also encourage such public welfare project with Public-PrivatePartnerships. He said that industrialists are ready to contribute their

LccI expresses concern over water scarcity in biggest dams

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LAHORE

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he Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry has shown grave concern on severe water scarcity in the biggest dams of the country and said that this crisis would directly hit the agriculture and power sectors of the country, In a statement issued here, the LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that Pakistan is an agrarian country and cannot afford water dearth at any cost but unfortunately no strategy has been evolved to take this major issue. He said that country is dependent on only two big dams including Tar-

bela and Mangla. It is a matter of concern that water storage capacity of the two dams has been reduced signiRicantly and situation would be more concerning with the passage of time. “Lack of storage reservoirs and wastage are the biggest reasons of terrible water shortage in the country. Ongoing water crisis is a result of putting Kalabagh Dam into dispute while around 12 millions acre feet water wasted to sea during 2016-17 that is equal to the capacity of two big-dams”, the LCCI ofRice-bearers said.

They said that Pakistan can hardly escape from becoming a big desert, unless drastic measures are taken instantly. They said that sufRicient availability of water is must for sustainable development but in Pakistan per capita availability of

water was decreasing because we have water but not enough reservoirs for storage. The LCCI ofRicebearers said that with every passing year, Pakistan is getting close to the brink of mass starvation because of a drastic cut in water availability from 5,000 cubic meters per capita in 1950s to 1000 cubic meters. They said that as per World Bank analysis, our storage capacity has gone down to 150 acre feet. India has improved its per capita storage up to 200 acre feet which will get further better once under-construction dams start operating. They said that these facts call for establishing water reservoirs in the whole country which will enhance the capacity of water storage.

They said that the same reservoirs will come handy in case of low and medium Rloods.

role and undertake maximum projects of public welfare. Provision of necessary Rire Righting gadgets will also helps us in minimizing the Rinancial as well as life losses in case of sudden Rire or other emergency.

Engineer Muhammad Saeed Sheikh also expressed sympathies with the affected industrialists and demanded that government should extend immediate moral as well as Rinancial help to the affectees of the recent incidents of Rire.

punjab’s infrastructure attracting foreign investors ederation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Ishtiaq Baig has said the foreign investors were moving towards Punjab due to better infrastructure and facilities available in the province. He said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had made sincere efforts and provided better infrastructure to attract foreign investors.

He said there was need to focus on other cities so that the investors could avail the opportunities to invest in various sectors. To a question, he said the Central Asian States would benefit from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said Pakistan had successfully conducted the Economic Cooperation Organisation summit and sent a positive message to the world. –CB Report

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I&I-IR Addil Director of Asif’s unavailed leaves cancelled Saturday April 1, 2017

National two Inland revenue officers promoted ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD: The unavailed leaves of Asif Abbas, a Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-19, have been cancelled.

The 29-day leave period with effect from March 21 to April 18 in respect of the officer, presently posted as Additional Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Regional Office, Faisalabad, has been cancelled.

Anwar assumes charge as commissioner-Ir in Sialkot M

ISLAMABAD

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

wo Inland Revenue Service officers have been promoted to BS-18 on regular basis in their group with immediate effect. If the officers, including Khurshid Alam and Asma Siddique, are drawing performance allowance, they will continue to draw the same after promotion. Khurshid Alam will continue to work at his present place of posting till further orders, while Asma will actualise her promotion from the date she returns from exPakistan Leave and joins FBR. Meanwhile, Azhar Hussain Shah, an Inland Revenue Service officer, has been promoted to BS-18 on regular basis. The officer, presently posted as Deputy Director-IR (on acting charge basis) at Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation (Inland Revenue), Karachi, has been promoted to BS-18 in his group with immediate effect.

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r&D-Ir Dg Nadir’s performance allowance restored he performance allowance of Nadir Mumtaz Warraich, a BS-21 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has been restored. The performance allowance of the officer, presently posted as Director General, Research & Development, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad, has been restored with effect from February 27. Meanwhile, Iram Adnan, a BS21 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge of the post of Director General, Directorate General of Training & Research (Inland Revenue). Iram, pursuing the Establishment Division Notification No. 1/104/2015-E-4, dated 20.02.2017 and FBR’s Notification No. 0570-IR-I/2017, dated 24.02.2017, took the charge of the said post in Lahore with effect from March 28. –CB Report

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uhammad Anwar, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR (OPS). The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification No. 0942-IR-I/2017, dated 20.03.2017, relinquished the charge of the post of Additional Commissioner-IR, Large Taxpayers Unit, Lahore with effect from March 24 and took the charge as Commissioner-IR (OPS) (Appeals) in Sialkot on March 27.

Meanwhile, Aijaz Ahmad Khan Yousafzai, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service, has assumed the charge of the post of Commissioner-IR. The officer, in pursuance of Board’s Notification

No. 0784-IR-I/2017, dated 08.03.2017, assumed the charge

of the post of Commissioner-IR (OPS) (Larkana Zone), Regional

Tax Office, Sukkur with effect from March 21.

gwadar customs foils bids to smuggle narcotics A

KARACHI

wAQAr AhMeD ANSArI www.customsbulletin.com

team of Model Customs Collectorate Gwadar has foiled attempts to smuggle narcotics and Iranian brake oil in two raids. Sources told Customs Today that Collector Feroze Alam Junejo received information that some smugglers were planning to smuggle a huge quantity of narcotics in the jurisdiction of Ormara. He constituted an anti-smuggling team under the supervision of Inspector Shabbir Rasool. The team established a check post and started checking vehicles. The team intercepted a Suzuki van bearing registration no.SL-4532.

During thorough checking, the anti-smuggling team recovered eight kilogram of charas which was hidden in secret parts of the vehicle. The anti smuggling team arrested the driver and his companion. The market value of the seized narcotics is Rs 1 million.

During another action, the customs team recovered 200 gal-

lons of non-duty paid Iranian diesel from a vehicle. Collector

Feroze Alam Junejo directed antismuggling team to use all avail-

able resources to curb smuggling in the region.

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Faisalabad customs earns Rs04m through auction FAISALABAD: The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Faisalabad Auction Committee has conducted an auction of seized smuggled items after the permission of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and generated Rs04million through auction of vehicles and other smuggled goods. Sources told Customs Today that the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) of the MCC Faisalabad has confiscated smuggled items coming from China and Iran by different roads and shifted the same to State Warehouse Faisalabad. The ASO registered cases of impounded miscellaneous goods and referred them to the Adjudication Department for proceeding. After the conclusion of proceedings of cases, the court announced judgment in favour of the Customs Department of the MCC Faisalabad.

collector Adjudication to hear gold & currency smuggling case worth rs64.6m MULTAN

IMrAN ALI

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ollector Customs Adjudication will hear gold and currency smuggling case of worth Rs64.6 million. According to details, Collector Customs Adjudication Mirza Mubashir Baig will precede the hearing of 14 kilograms gold and foreign currency of Saudi Riyals and United Arab Emirates dirhams. It is pertinent to mention that Multan Customs authorities arrested two allegedly suspected females during examination at Multan International Airport and recovered 14 kilograms gold and foreign currency. Both arrested females were identified as Haleema Riaz and Sumaira

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Asif Siddiqui. Arrested females were travelling to Dubai from Multan International Airport and they had attempted to smuggle gold along with foreign currency. Customs Investigation and Prosecution (I&P) has also nominated two more accused in gold and currency smuggling case after completion of their investigation. Nominated accused Asif has taken protective bail from the Lahore High Court in gold smuggling case. Customs Collector Mirza Mubasir Baig will hear the gold and foreign currency smuggling case today for further proceedings. Meanwhile, Collector Customs Adjudication has issued a show-cause notice to Sajida Begum in the seizure case of 72 tola gold and foreign currency.

According to details, Collector Customs Adjudication Mirza Mubashir Baig has issued show cause notice to Sajida Begum to submit her response in the seizure case for further proceedings. It is important to mention here that customs teams arrested Sajida Begum from Multan international airport in February when she was travelling to Dubai.

National

Senate Standing on commerce seek details of external trade accords

Deputy collector usman tariq reshuffles staff and duties FAISALABAD

NAeeM SheIkh

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he Deputy Collector Usman Tariq has assigned new duties and reshuffled 11 customs employees, including one UDC, two drivers, one havaldar, and seven sepoys with immediate effect.

Sources told Customs Today, that deputy collector transferred Muhammad Sarwar UDC to Bond section from Headquarter, while Bashir Ahmed driver attached with deputy collector headquarter and also performed duty in Anti Smuggling Organization, Faisalabad in night shift, Rana Muhammad Ashraf driver was also assigned duty at ASO from Sargodha, Dilawar hussain has been transfer from ASO Faisalabad to deputy collector headquarters. According to the notifications issued by the Deputy Collector Usman Tariq, sepoy Saifullah has been reshuffle from Customs Complex to ASO Mainwali, Abdul Majeed posted at headquarter Faisalabad from Customs Complex, Atta Muhammad sepoy transfer from GPO to ASO Sargodha.

Similarly, Shakoor Ahmed from Dry Port security to ASO Sargodha, Muhammad Javed has transferred from IOCO to Gate Security Faisalabad Customs House.

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ISLAMABAD

M FAIZAN

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hairman Senate Committee on Commerce Senator Shibli Faraz has directed to the Ministry of Commerce that details of external trade agreements provide the Standing Committee, there should be role of Parliament to monitor the external commercial contracts.

Sources told Customs Today that ofRicials of Pakistan Investment Board has informed the committee that Economic and Industrial Zones are exempted from customs duty and tax-free for ten years. The meeting of committee held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Shibli Faraz, attended by the Senators, Ilyas Bilour, Ehsan Naseem, Karim Ahmed Khawaja and the head of the concerned ministries. Chairman committee recommended that commercial secretary, consular, trade secretary in Pakistan embassies abroad should be specialist and experienced in their Rield and they must mastering on foreign languages. Chairman of the committee said that Government only focusing on the textile sector, no opportunity for Rlourishing has given

Saturday April 1, 2017

to the other sectors. He suggested that constitute a task force or a think tank which make a practicable policy for the development of the country, not for personal gain. He said instead of textile sector package should be given to the all sectors in order to meet the signiRicant reduction in exports.

Committee has suggested that

agricultural production area of cotton increased. The current exports of Date to take up to the US$150 million and necessary steps should be taken for the better packing of rice and Date. Committee observed that instead of Financial and Current Account deficit Government showed increased in GDP figures, how is it possible.

FBr collects rs7.72b as non-cash banking transactions

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KARACHI

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs7.72 billion under the head of noncash banking transactions during July-February of fiscal year 2017 as compared to Rs8.04 billion it collected in the same period of the last fiscal year, showing a decline of four percent.

During the corresponding period, non-cash banking transactions by non-filers of income tax returns sharply dropped 28.5 percent to Rs193 billion. Noncash banking transactions by

non-filers, falling under an extended scope of withholding tax

rate, amounted to Rs270 billion in the July-February period of

2015-16.

The government, through Finance Act 2015, introduced a new section 236P into Income Tax Ordinance 2001 under which a 0.6 percent withholding tax rate was imposed on a non-cash banking transaction above Rs50,000 by the non-filer. The measure was taken to encourage filing of annual income tax returns and documentation.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in its annual report 201516 on state of Pakistan’s economy, said the use of cash would further increase due to imposition of withholding tax on noncash banking transactions.

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Turkey bans almost entire list of Russian agricultural imports Saturday April 1, 2017

World

ANKARA: Turkey has officially sent the information on duties on Russian goods to the Russian Agriculture Ministry, Vesti.ru reported referring to local media. Thus, Russia was removed from a duty-free import program for agricultural products. Turkish importers and processors could carry out duty-free import of Russian products to Turkey on the basis of issued licenses for import of agricultural products in the “internal processing” mode.

Now, a 130-percent duty is in effect on such Russian exports as wheat and corn, rice – 45 percent, sunflower oil – 36 percent, sunflower meal – 13.5 percent, and more than 9.5 percent – for legumes. The Federal Center for Evaluating the Quality and Security of Grain reported that, from the beginning of the previous season through March 20, Russia exported to Turkey 31.7 million.

turkey freezes plan to sell $10 billion in seized firms

ecommerce in russia was worth €14.85b in 2016 MOSCOW

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

ANKARA

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urkey put on hold a plan to sell almost 600 companies worth about $10 billion that were seized in the aftermath of a failed military coup, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. It’s not clear whether the Istanbul-based Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, known as the TMSF, will ever go ahead with the sales because of concern over legal battles regarding their ownership, the people said, asking not to be identiRied because the plans are private.

The companies form part of the more than 850 Rirms conRiscated by the government last year and which have assets that are estimated to be worth a combined 48 billion liras($13.2 billion). All of the companies were taken over for their alleged support of self-exiled

Sri Lanka raises interest rate to 8.75 percent ri Lanka has raised its standing lending facility rate by 25 basis points to 8.75 per cent in the first rate hike since July. Following its Thursday meeting, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced this morning it opted to raise rates “in order to contain the build-up of adverse inflation expectations and the possible acceleration of demand side inflationary pressures through excessive monetary and credit expansion”. The standing deposit facility rate was also increased by 25 basis points to 7.25 per cent. The bank said headline inflation measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index rose 6.8 per cent year-on-year in February, against a 5.5 per cent increase in January. It put the inflation rise down to drought conditions and changes to the country’s tax structure. –CB Report

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Pennsylvania-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused of plotting the failed coup last July. Gulen has denied any involvement in the botched takeover. Turkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi AS, or TSKB, Vera Varlik Yonetim AS and Garanti Yatirim Menkul Kiymetler AS were picked to advise on the sale in December. The

fund hasn’t held any meetings with the advisers on strategy since nor has it signed a contract on the mandate to advise the sale, the people said. Turkey gave the authority over any transaction regarding the companies seized by TMSF to Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli, according to a government decree published in the OfRicial Gazette on Jan.

uk banks face $6.7 million supervision tab for Brexit costs

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he Bank of England plans to boost fees on UK banks to recover 5.4 million pounds ($6.7 million; Dh24.6 million) of regulatory costs associated with Brexit. The BOE’s Prudential Regulation Authority said on Friday that Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union “will require a significant amount of work” to review rules and respond to industry questions. The bank said the industry might need to pony up more money

in the future if further costs are identified. The BOE included the new fee in its proposed levies on the industry for 2017-2018. Under the plan, the PRA’s annual funding requirement would rise by 4 per cent to 266.5 million pounds, including the Brexit increase and 14.7 million pounds of “transition costs” that were “incurred in preparation for the establishment of the PRA,” and are being recovered over a five-year period. –CB Report

he ecommerce industry in Russia was worth 920 billion rubles, which is about 14.85 billion euros, in 2016. This is an increase of 20 percent when compared to the year before. Estimates are ecommerce in Russia will reach 1 trillion rubles (16.14 billion euros) at the end of this year. These numbers come from a study conducted by the Association of Online Retail Companies (AKIT) and was brought to our attention by Russia Beyond The Headlines. This study also shows that Russian consumers increasingly prefer foreign retailers. Non-Russian sellers now account for almost third of the total ecommerce market in Russia, while the cross-border market grew harder (37 percent) than the local market did (6 percent). Especially, ordering online at Chinese

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web stores is popular among Russian consumers. Data shows that 90 percent of goods purchases at foreign stores comes from China, while in monetary terms the Chinese share is slightly over 50 percent. So, consumers mostly make small orders in Chinese online stores. “Experts say Chinese retailers might soon drive Russian companies out of the market if this trend continues”, RBTH writes.

According to Alexey Fedorov, the president of ecommerce association AKIT, the growth of cross-border trade in the Russian ecommerce market is mostly due to the lower prices. “And that’s because foreign companies don’t have to pay taxes or fees”, he explains. Currently, small parcels entering Russia are exempt from customs duties, while Russian retailers that import their goods need to pay various tariffs. He thinks Russia should introduce fees and taxes for the cross-border ecommerce market, because otherwise the country will become a tax-free market for China.

grain interest high in china

he recent Australian Grains Industry Conference event in Shanghai, China was sold out, which demonstrates strong interest in China for Australian grains, according to Grain Trade Australia.

AGIC Asia returned to China after two successful AGIC conferences last year in Beijing and Guangzhou, and Grain Trade Australia chief executive ofRicer Pat O’Shannassy said the Chinese market was important for Australia. ‘‘The Chinese market is critical for Australia’s grains industry, so this demand for information about the Australian industry is very encouraging for our industry and

importantly for Australian grain growers,’’ Mr O’Shannassy said. ‘‘China is an extremely important and significant market for the Australian grains industry with exports valued at over $2.9billion per year, which represents around 23 per cent of value of Australia’s grain exports.’’ China imports an estimated six to seven million tonnes annually of Australian barley, wheat, sorghum, canola and pulses, while grains and oilseeds are common ingredients in Chinese products. ‘‘The Australian grains and oilseeds are used in a variety of products in China. –CB Report

cannabis stocks soar more than 130pc in Australia

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CANBERRA

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here’s a buzz in Australia’s stock market. Shares of companies involved in the cultivation, production and research of medicinal marijuana have on average soared more than 130 percent in Sydney this year. That’s six times

higher than their peers in the U.S. and Canada. The surge was sparked

by Australia easing restrictions on imports of cannabis to treat illnesses from epilepsy to cancer.

Australia’s nascent cannabis sector is a sliver compared to the U.S., where more than half of states have legalized medical uses of the plant.

While that allows plenty of room for growth, companies with unproven

business models and patchy cash Rlows remain at the mercy of regulators, according to Peak Asset Management LLC. Only Queensland allows specialist medical workers to prescribe pot-related products to people who don’t respond to conventional medicine. “The market is excited by the potential upside it could bring,” said Niv Dagan, Melbourne-based executive director at Peak Asset Man-

agement. Dagan has a very small chunk of his more than A$100 million ($76 million) fund exposed to Australian pot stocks. “The key risk we see is obviously regulatory risk,” he said by phone. Investor enthusiasm isn’t abating. The Hydroponics Co. Ltd., which makes lighting rigs and glasshouses that help grow cannabis plants, is raising money for an initial public offering next month.

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Ireland Bank announces new branch manager DUBLIN: Ireland Bank is happy to announce Florencio Castorena as Branch Manager/Lender for our Inkom and Poleline offices. Florencio was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. He lived in Zacatecas, Mexico until age 7 when his family relocated to Idaho. He graduated from Rigby High School and served a LDS mission in the San Francisco area. Florencio is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has held several positions for the church. He also volunteers at his son’s school, Grace Lutheran, and takes part in various activities and events with the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time Florencio also likes to be with his family in the outdoors and take family vacations.

Dubai police sign Mou with bank for fine collection he Dubai Police have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Commercial International Bank (CIB) to collect the traffic fines from bank’s credit card holders in interest free installments over 3, 6, or 12 months, with a minimum of Dhs500 for the one file. The service is reported to be activated within a maximum of two weeks. Acting Director of the General Department of Finance, Brigadier Humaid Salem Al Suwaidi, representing the Dubai Police, signed the memorandum with the representative of the CIB Anil Kumar, in the presence of Brigadier Naeem Al Khateeb, Director of Revenues & Fund at the General Department of Finance, and a number of officers and individuals from both sides. Brigadier Humaid Al Suwaidi said, “The new initiative falls in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote happiness of residents of Dubai. –CB Report

World Customs

2 million narcotic pills seized, smuggler arrested in Makkah

man from Mexico has been arrested after U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers find more than $335,000 in hard drugs in his car, according to a recent CBP release. Officers discovered the drugs in the 32-year-old’s car after he was pulled for further inspection on March 21 at the Port of Nogales’ DeConcini crossing. A drug sniffing canine alerted to the possibility of drugs in a speaker box inside the car, according to the release. When the speaker box was searched further CBP officers discovered more than two pounds of cocaine, nearly 15 pounds of heroin, 17 pounds of methamphetamine, and a package that contained 1,000 oxycodone pills. The vehicle, a Chevrolet sedan, and the drugs were seized by CBP officer, while the suspect was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs. –CB Report

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taiwanese woman alleges Malaysian customs to mistreat her Taiwanese woman claimed that she had been mistreated during a 35-hour detention by Malaysian customs over a “damaged passport” earlier this month.

The woman, identified only by her Facebook name Chiao Mei, said at a press conference that she had been treated inhumanely during her recent visit to Malaysia. The woman said she arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on March 9 but was promptly denied entry by local customs who claimed her passport was damaged.

Customs authorities later confiscated her R.O.C. passport and her cell phone before bringing her to a room for further interrogation. A man who claimed to be a local customs official allegedly asked her for money in exchange for her release. After she refused to pay the bribe, the woman said she had been thrown into a detention center. She was appalled by the poor conditions in the detention center which apparently lacked adequate lighting or privacy.

More local officials also came to her asking for bribes, she added. She was later released and deported back to Taiwan on March 11. The woman has called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to look into the matter with the Malaysian government so that no Taiwanese suffers the same alleged inhumane treatment that she did. –CB Report

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$335k in hard drugs seized by cBp officers

Saturday April 1, 2017

JEDDAH

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nti-narcotic teams in Makkah arrested a resident who received nearly 2 million narcotic pills. Saudi Customs announced through its account on Twitter that the Anti-Narcotic Department arrested a resident of the city who received 1,880,555 narcotic pills previously discovered by customs authorities. Sources told Arab News customs authorities discovered the narcotics and police

were notiRied. After joint coordination, the drugs were allowed to pass through while detective squads followed up on the shipment to arrest the individuals receiving the contraband inside Saudi Arabia. The party receiving the shipment, a foreign resident, was identiRied.

Regulatory procedures were taken to interrogate him pending reference to the appropriate jurisdiction agency. In a separate incident, customs ofRicers at the Durra border crossing at Jordan seized 15,000 Captagon pills in an attempt to smuggle them into the Kingdom. The pills were hidden inside a vehicle entering the customs area. Durra Customs Di-

rector General Mohammad AlAboush said a private vehicle entered the customs area. OfRicers searched the vehicle and discovered the drugs hidden inside the rocker panels of the vehicle after being wrapped in blue carbon paper for camouRlage.

Meanwhile, Saudi Custom will Rinalize the new document that speciRies new regulations to speed up the process of releasing containers from Saudi ports, Ahmad Al-Haqbani, the acting general manager of the agency, said. He told Saudi Gazette that “we have tried emoluments for the speedy release of containers both at Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah City Port.

hong kong customs combats sale of counterfeit shampoos

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HONG KONG

cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

ong Kong Customs conducted an operation between March 17 and 21 to combat the sale of counterfeit shampoos. More than 3 200 bottles of suspected counterfeit shampoos with an estimated market value of about $138,000 were seized.

Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of suspected counterfeit shampoos in the market.

After investigation, Customs ofRicers

took enforcement action in various districts of Hong Kong between March 17 and 21. During the operation, more than 3 200 bottles of suspected counterfeit shampoo were seized from three pharmacies located in Yuen Long and Tuen Mun as well as two storages located in Yuen Long and To Kwa Wan. Seven men and one woman, including Rive shop owners and three salespersons aged between 21 and 46, were arrested.

Investigation is ongoing and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Customs appeals to consumers to procure products at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agencies if authenticity of the product is in doubt. Traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and liable to criminal sanctions. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with forged trademarks commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a Rine of $500,000 and

imprisonment for Rive years. Meanwhile, Hong Kong customs is likely to press charges against the shipping company and the captain of the container ship which transported nine Singapore military vehicles into the city from Taiwan in November without a required licence. Shipping company APL is expected to be issued with a summons while the captain of the container ship is to be charged with importing strategic commodities without a required licence, according to a government source with knowledge of the case.

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Man arrested for selling stolen mobile phones Saturday April 1, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: A team of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday conducted a raid at Katchehri bazaar Faisalabad and arrested a persons involved in selling of snatched /stolen mobiles phones after changing IMEI numbers and changing unique identifications.

According to FIA spokesman on Wednesday, these mobiles are being used in criminal activities.

The team recovered six mobile phones with fake IMEI number from the accused Naeem Akhtar besides 23X device, used for changing IMEI number and one laptop with installed 23X software.

A case has been registered against the accused.

Duty, tax evasion of rs 230,874 by M/S trust enterprise detected LAHORE

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irectorate of Customs Post Clarence has summoned M/s Saleem Silk Centre in duty and tax evasion of Rs230,874 on the import of tarpaulin.

According to the details, the PCA Lahore observed that the import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years. 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible concession of sales tax and value added sales tax under the SRO (1125)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, wrongfully availed on the import of tarpaulin i.e. sun shedding which is specifically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence

ASF seizes cache of weapon, ammunition at Lahore Airport

he Airport Security Force (ASF) foiled a terror bid at the Allama Iqbal International Airport and confiscated a cache of weapons and ammunition. During a routine inspection, the ASF personnel stopped a vehicle at the airport check post on Wednesday morning, and recovered a weapon and a large cache of ammunition during search of the vehicle, the ASF officials said. The ASF confiscated a 223 bore rifle, seven magazines, and dozens of bullets from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was identified as a resident of Lahore and was handed over to the police, along with his car. –CB Report

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was not entitled for such benefit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importer had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and got it cleared under PCT heading 6306.1210 with inadmissible concession under SRO 1125(I/201 1, dated 31.12.2011. Hence, it was said that the importers have short paid an amount Rs 230,874 sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011.

The importer was asked to pay above mentioned short paid amount of duty/ taxes within 10 days of receipt of this letter positively.

The importer was told in case they do not agree with the audit observation; they may provide the written clariRication along with supporting documents as well as import documents.

customs central region collects rs6483m sales tax

LAHORE

M hAYAt

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ustoms Central Region has collected Rs6483 million sales tax during the month

of current Rinancial year 2016-17.

As per details the Customs Appraisment Lahore collected Rs2879 million during the period under review.

Similarly, Customs Preventive collected Rs1265 million total sales tax during the period under review. The Collectorate of Multan collected Rs1964 million sales tax during the

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period under review.

The Collectorate of Customs Faisalabad has collected Rs495 sales tax while during the same period last Rinancial year it has collected Rs719 million.

Overall the Central Region collected total sales tax from all the four Collectrates worth Rs6483 million revenue during November Rinancial year 20161-17. The Central Region assigned Rs 6483 million sales tax collection target while the target of Rs 7088 million was assigned during the same period last Rinancial year. Meanwhile, Customs Central Region has collected Rs27612 million customs duty (CD) during the eight month of current Rinancial year 2016-17 (July-February) by registering 1 percent growth against proposed collection target of Rs27414 during the period. As per details the Customs Appraisement Lahore collected Rs15680 million during the Rirst eight months against assigned target Rs15661 million during the period under review.

customs Adjudication summons court adjourns hearing against St evader Federal Court of Cus- enue presented him before the court respondents in vehicle smuggling case hetomsSpecial Taxation and Anti-Smug- after the completion of the physical

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ollectorate of Customs Adjudication Customs House, Nabha Road, Lahore has summoned party in illegally imported car Mark X seizure. It has been reported by the Assistant Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Range OfRice in pursuance of information, the staff of Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR intercepted one Toyota Mark-X near Regional Tax ofRice, G.T. Road, Gujranwala on information of smuggled/tampered one.

On demand, the occupants could not

produce any documentary evidence regarding legal import or lawful possession in respect of the recovered vehicle. Therefore, the said vehicle was detained. It was reported, during the course of investigations, Directorate of Intelligence & InvestigationFBR, Range OfRice, Gujranwala requested the Excise and Taxation OfRicer, Motor Registration Authority, Islamabad to supply the documents of the vehicle on the basis of which the same was registered against number ACE.166-ICT. –M Imran Mehar

gling has adjourned the hearing of an accused arrested on the charge of Sales Tax evasion.

Accused Wamiq Zaka was arrested by the Federal Board of Revenue, Inland Revenue, for a huge Sales Tax evasion. Sources told Customs Today that the accused was arrested after intelligence information that he is evading Sales Tax in millions of rupees.

After conRirming the evasion of tax, Inland Revenue got arrest warrant for the accused from the Customs Court and booked him under the Pakistan Sales Tax Act-1992. The Inland Rev-

remand from where the customs court had sent him to jail on judicial remand. And then the court had approved his bail. Meanwhile, The Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has ordered a suspected smuggler, Mashooq Ali, to appear before the court within the given time period otherwise he will be declared as proclaimed offender. According to the details, Mashooq Ali son of Wahid is a resident of mohallah Khwaja Ghreeb Nawaz grid station road Vehari and has been involved in alleged smuggling. –CB Report

customs Appellate tribunal upheld ruling of Adjudication

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LAHORE

SAJID NAwAZ

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ustoms Appellate Tribunal upheld the order passed by the Adjudication authority in case of Jan Muhammad versus collector customs (Appeals) Lahore, deputy collector Adjudication, Customs Faisalabad and Intelligence OfRicer-

FBR Sadiqabad.

Tribunal Member Judicial Omer Arshed Hakeem also dismissed the appeal Riled by the Jan Muhammad and declared that the instant appeal being devoid of merit.

According the precise fact of the case the staff of customs Intelligence and Investigation-FBR, intercepted a Jimmy wide jeep, on demand the driver failed to produce

documents showing legel import of the vehicle. The jeep was detained under the section 2 (kk) & 17 of the Customs Act 1969.

After issuing show cause notice and adjudicating proceeding the Order-in-Original (ONO) passed with the comments that, on the basis of available record provided by the recipient, the recipient failed to satisfy about the legal import of ve-

hicle so, officer passed the order to confiscate vehicle under the Customs Act 1969.

Being aggrieved from the order passed by the adjudicating authority the appellant Riled the appeal before the collector of customs Appeal Lahore, on the said forum the appellant also failed to produce legal documents regarding lawful import and the appeal was dismissed.

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Nagoya, Yokkaichi ports reorganize, aim at Busan WASHINGTON: The Japanese ports of Nagoya and Yokkaichi are establishing a company to operate the port’s container terminals and improve their competitiveness against the major transshipment hub of Busan. Nagoya is Japan’s third-largest container port for foreign trade and Yokkaichi is ninth, according to the Japanese transport ministry. The tie-up is the third such deal among Japanese container ports since 2014. The new company will be set up around May and initially capitalized at 30 million yen ($265,000), the Nagoya Port Authority and the Yokkaichi Port Authority announced in a joint statement. The new company has yet to be named. The Nagoya Port Authority and the Yokkaichi Port Authority will hold equity stakes in the new container terminal operator of 65 percent and 35 percent, respectively.

two ships take berth at port Qasim wo ships C.V Maersk Semarng and C.V Suez Canal carrying containers were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal berth # 5 & 7 respectively on Thursday. Meanwhile three more ships CCNI Arauco, Industrial Charger and Bunga Alamanda with Containers, Project Cargo and Palm oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim (PQ) during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was reported at the port at forty seven percent on Thursday where a total of seven ships namely, Maersk Semarng, Suez Canal, ER Tianping, Spectum-5, Baltic Winter, Chance and Harmony-1 were occupied PQA berth to load/offload Containers, Sand, Project Cargo, Soya Bean Seeds and Furnace oil respectively during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 135,173 tonnes, comprising 120,261 tonnes import cargo nd 14,912 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo

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carried in 4,661 containers (TUEs) 4,000 imports TUEs & 661 TUEs exports) was handled at the port during last 24 hours.

Two ships, oil tanker Harmony-1 and General cargo carrier Baltic Winter sailed out to sea on Friday morning, while two more Container vessels Maersk Semarng, Suez Canal are expected to sail on same day. A total of six ships, C.V CCNI Arauco, C.V Hugo Schulte, M.V Industrial Charger, M.V Fu Ming, M.T Argent Bloom and M.T Torm Valborg carrying Containers, Coal Project Cargo, Palm oil and Furnace oil are expected to take berths at QICT, MW-1, MW-2, LCT and FOTCO respectively on Friday, while a Container vessels Quardriga is due to arrive at PQ on same day and C.V Nicoline Maersk is due to arrive on Saturday and three more ships MSC Asya, Express Black Sea and Al-Soor-II are due to arrive on Sunday. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

Stakeholders agree on 24-hour services in Nigerian ports

ports project progresses; import-exports at record high ork is continuing on the dredging of the Port of Savannah as the port reports record growth. The ongoing dredging project is aimed at enabling Savannah – and the related port in Brunswick – to handle larger ships coming because of expansion of the Panama Canal. The Panama expansion was completed last year. While Brunswick and Savannah are hours away from Coweta’s borders, they play a major role in the local economy. Industries in Coweta get raw materials that come through the ports, and many items on local retailers shelves arrive at the ports by ship and are trucked from the coast. In addition, local manufacturers use the ports to send their wares around the world. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is overseeing the ports expansion. There are 10 separate phases to the project. Four are in the design phase, and the final phase – marsh restoration – has not yet been posted for bidders.

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ABUJA

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takeholders have agreed that the maritime industry should operate for 24 hours to facilitate efRicient cargo handling and delivery services to consignees.

The stakeholders reached the consensus in a communique issued at the end of a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Cargo Handling and Port Charges organised by Publishers of Business and Maritime West Africa magazine. The communiqué said: “Pending the establishment of the proposed National Transport Commission or an appropriate regulatory authority, the Federal Government should set up an ad-hoc committee to verify and Rine tune the current cargo handling practices and charges by terminal operators.

“The Federal Government must urgently evaluate the beneRits or otherwise of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, as well as the level of implementation of the Com-

Saturday April 1, 2017

mon External Tariffs by ECOWAS member-states. “The Federal Government must have a rethink on the underlying philosophy of Nigeria’s trade relations with her neighbours.

“There is need for regular stakeholders’ meetings where issues affecting the industry will be discussed.” The stakeholders said hostilities between port operators and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council should cease. They also suggested that extortion by Rield staff of government agencies must be check-

mated. They said: “As done in Ghana in August 2016, Nigeria must immediately stop the practice of shipping companies and terminal operators invoicing consignees for Terminal Handling Charges. “Nigeria must review its application of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff.

“Nigeria must enthrone a system of effecting refund of container deposits within Rive days of submission of application, even as any limitation period for refund submission must be eliminated.”

port of Amsterdam set to be coal-free by 2030 T

WASHINGTON

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he Port of Amsterdam aims to stop handling coal by 2030, under a sustainability strategy unveiled on Wednesday. Western Europe’s fourth largest port saw coal volumes fall 7.5% to 16 million tonnes last year and expects a further 29% decrease over the next Rive years. The Netherlands shipping hub is seeking to accelerate a low carbon transition by encouraging innovative start-ups and investing in clean energy. Chief executive Koen Overtoom said in a statement: “In pursuing this strategy, we are deliberately and literally making room for the development of new activities and innovations. This is sensible from an economic point of view and more sustainable, as well as promoting employment.” New industries at the port include a factory

that converts water-softening granules into chemical products and a project to extract valuable materials from used disposable nappies.

The port exports waste heat to Amsterdam city, co-owns a wind farm and is building a 100,000 square metre solar array for completion by 2020. Trade in oil products like petrol and kerosene is set to continue expanding in the short term, according to the five-year plan. It will remain a key activity “as long as no adequate alternatives are available in our society”.

Several European countries have stopped burning coal or announced phase-out plans over the next 15 years, touting it as one of the cheapest ways to slash greenhouse gas emissions. Others, notably Germany and Poland, foresee decades of coal power generation, fuelled by domestic mines. The Netherlands itself is home to three

of the newest coal plants in Western Europe, but these are losing value and threatened with early closure as climate policies bite.

Think-tank Climate Analytics says the EU must end coal burning by 2030 under the internationally agreed goal to hold global warming “well below 2C”. The seaborne coal trade is pivoting to Asia, where the polluting fuel is still seen as the cheapest way to meet growing electricity demand. It remains uncertain how many of those power plants will be built, however. China, the biggest market, is cracking down on excess power capacity, while India’s network infrastructure is playing catch-up with a growth in generation. Air pollution and climate concerns are driving take-up of renewables.

Meanwhile, When Michael von Harten started loading cars onto ships in the German port of Bre-

merhaven 27 years ago, the facility handled some 700,000 vehicles a year. That number has since surged to 2.1 million, fueled by a dramatic increase in trade that has created thousands of jobs and shored up the local economy. In a town with few options, Von Harten is concerned President Trump could threaten Bremerhaven’s main source of prosperity.

The new U.S. president has called on Germany to rein in its 253 billion euro ($272 billion) trade surplus, saying he may impose stiff tariffs on imported goods. As Angela Merkel prepares for a meeting Friday at the White House the chancellor’s first encounter with Trump after months of verbal sparring over trade issues Germans want her to push back against any restrictions that would hurt their livelihood and threaten their country’s economy.

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Collector Adjudication Shazia imposes Rs1m fine on M/s Dawlance KARACHI: Customs Adjudication has accused M/s Dawlance (Pvt) Ltd of conducting mis-declaration worth about Rs15 million and imposed fine of Rs1 million on the company.

Collector Adjudication Dr Shazia Ikram also imposed penalty of Rs0.2 million each on clearing agents M/s Omal Sons Corporation, M/s North International, M/s HI International. As per the case, Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation got information that several importers were involved in mis-declaration of chemicals.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Soap manufacturers’ issues to be resolved amicably: Zahid khokhar ISLAMABAD cuStoMS BuLLetIN report www.customsbulletin.com

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ember Customs Zahid Khokhar has met soap manufacturers and assured them of resolving all their genuine problems amicably.

Zahid Khokhar, addressing a meeting of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association held in Islamabad, hoping that the business of soap manufacturers will be further boosted. Abdullah Zaki, the Chairman of the Association, said the local industry is facing very tough times and serious efforts are needed to encourage the private sector to play an effective role in reviving the economy. He said that most of the raw materials for the soap industry are imported from Malaysia or Indonesia. There is a big volume of bilateral trade between the two countries Pakistan- Malaysia/Indonesia under FTA & PTA. He also pointed out that there is a large amount of smuggling through the Afghan border and these goods are then freely sold in the local market all across the country at prices less than the cost of productions of local industries which undermines production capacities. It should be checked sternly to en-

hance the GDP of the country. He also added that no facility is being given to the soap industry in the

shape of duty reduction on soap raw materials while our association is continuously trying to convince the

policy makers that there are high tariffs for soap raw materials, that’s why smuggling of Rinished soap is

choking the local industry. PSMA Chairman Abdullah Zaki presented a memento to Zahid Khokhar.

Shc issues notices on petition filed by Sun Metal Industries KARACHI

M B rANA

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indh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Secretary Industries and Production and Engineering Development Board for April 04 while hearing a constitution petition Riled by Sun Metal Industries. A division bench comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed. The

petitioner submitted that it imports aluminum ignots which was supplied to the manufacturers of auto parts/components. The petitioner said that SRO 655 (1) 2006 dated 22-6-2006 provides exemption from custom duty subject to certain conditions.

The petitioner fulRilled all conditions and sought a certiRicate which was issued but was later recalled without asinging any reason. The bench was prayed to restrain the respondents from unilateral withdrawal of the certiRicate. The bench after hearing the counsel for petitioner ordered

issuance of notices to the respondents as well as Deputy Attorney General Pakistan for April 04.

Meanwhile, The Sindh High Court (SHC) restrained the tax authorities from taking any adverse action against the petitioner and act in accordance with the law on a constitutional Riled by M/s English Biscuit Manufacture Private Limited seeking quashment of an FIR registered against it.

While hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, also issued notices to the tax department and deputy attorney general of Pak-

istan directing them to submit their para-wise comments on the next date of hearing. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued before the court and after his arguments, the court adjourned the matter for March, 2017 and observed in its order that “respondents are redirected to conduct themselves quite in accordance with the law and ensure that petitioner may not be harassed whereas in case of any material available with the respondents against the petitioner, petitioner shall be provided an opportunity to explain his position”.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner

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stated that the ofRicials of the tax department lodged an FIR against a number of companies/persons and in the interim challan on the basis of complaint from deputy director of intelligence & investigation-FBR, whereby the investigation of the matter is underway and that as per supplementary interim challan, the petitioner has been listed as one of the beneRiciaries who utilized the sales tax invoices and adjusted inadmissible input tax. According to the petitioner, it has neither been nominated in the FIR and nor has the company beneRited for any of the fake invoices.