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ollector Modal Custom Collectorate(MCC) Qurban Ali said that Pakistan Customs and Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) is using digital technology with latest equipment to facilitate the import and export process at various entry/exit points and airports. He said this while addressing a function in Pe-

shawar. He said that the World Customs Organization put the theme of this year as Data Analysis for Effective Border Management. He said that data analysis means to utilize the latest technology for collection of customs and revenue through internet technology.

He maintained that data analysis has eased the process of customs and through use of information technology customs administration has facilitated the customers with best of their abilities, which has

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improved the overall performance of the department. He added that in last three years FBR has used computer technology through PRAL which is sub-department of the FBR. Similarly WeBoC is another feather in the cape of Pakistan Customs through which it has linked the export and import via internet process. Commenting on border management, Collector Qurban Ali Khan said that for better border management and controlling of smuggling, the customs department.

Customs can prevent threats by using data analysis: Sarwat Tahira

Transit trade opens new era of opportunities: Additional Collector Mona

Debt fears overblown, says Finance Minister Ishaq Dar

PCA detects Rs91.61m taxes evasion on import of tarpaulin

Drive of sending notices to non-filers helps surge taxpayers by 24%:Dr Irshad

Using data analysis as one of the tools for border management, the customs | See pAge 02 |

Add Director of the DG of Transit Trade Mona Mehfooz says this year the theme | See pAge 03 |

In a long and detailed rejoinder to his critics, Dar says that the country’s | See pAge 04 |

Customs Lahore PCA has detected Rs91.61 million duty/taxes on tarpaulin | See pAge 14 |

FBR Chairman Dr Irshad has said that the ongoing campaign to broaden tax net | See pAge 16 |

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Faisalabad Customs reshuffles two superintendents Friday, February 3, 2017

National

FAISALABAD: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Faisalabad, Deputy Director (DD) Riaz Hussain, has transferred two customs superintendents of Pakistan Customs Service officer of BS-17 from Multan to Faisalabad.

According to details, Superintendents Zahid Raza Bukhari has been transferred from Intelligence and Investigation, Multan, to Regional Office, Intelligence, Faisalabad.

Earlier, he was performing his duties at Field Investigation Unit (FIU), Khushab.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Fareed-ud-Din Masood has been reshuffled from Regional Office, Faisalabad, to Range Office, Multan, with immediately effect.

customs can prevent threats by using data analysis: Sarwat tahira

FAISALABAD

ISLAMABAD

IQRA SHeHZADI

tARIQ DeRYA

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ustoms Adjudication Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan has issued Order-in-Original (ONO) against M/s Asma Enterprises and Forwarding Agency and ordered to seize the smuggled goods worth Rs1.082. According to details, Customs authorities intercepted a vehicle and recovered huge quantity of non-duty paid raw material of ladies shoes. The material was being transported through M/s Asma Enterprises Forwarding Agency.

The examination team of Faisalabad Customs along with representative of Faisalabad Dry Port Trust (FDPT) during examination observed that the condition as well as packing of goods was quite shabby and not up to the mark. It was suspected that high tariff goods have been replaced with low tariff goods. Therefore, the officials seized the items and registered FIR against the accused company. It is necessary to mention here that after arrival of the said goods neither importer nor his authorized person approached for clearance of their consignment. Later, the case was sent to the adjudication for further legal action. Superintendent Sardar Mohammad, Inspector Abdul Jabbar, Safdar Ali and Masood Saeed Chohan appeared before the authority.

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sing data analysis as one of the tools for border management, the customs authorities can analyze passenger and cargo data to prevent threats before they land at stations. The analytical screening will help in detecting fraud and facilitating legitimate trade, so the data analysis, if done effectively, will also improve customs processor which, in return, will help in reduction of time and increase of clearance capacity at customs stations.

This was stated by Chief Collector North, Sarwat Tahira Habib, while talking to Customs Today on the Customs International Day at Islamabad. She said the Customs as an organization has substantial clearance data, and web based customs automation has multiplied this data pool manifold which, if analyzed intelligently, can improve border management. She added that coordination with other government agencies and commercially available data can also improve the effectiveness of customs and its border controls. Answering a query, the chief collector north said we at north region do appreciate that as an enforcement agency, the customs, along with the risk management, needs to analyze obstacles which are present in our system. These ob-

Additional collector Beelamur Ramzan issues oNo against Asms enterprises

stacles include lack of coordination among different weak IT infrastructure linkage and skilled workers.

Meanwhile, The Model Customs Collectorate collected Rs 291.95 under the head of Customs Duty (CD) from 1st to 15th January of the financial year 2016-17 against the assigned target of Rs 216.32 million.

According to details, the Cus-

toms Dry Port collected Rs 183.78 million under the head of CD while the Customs Air Freight Unit (AFU) collected Rs 111.51 million during the above said period under head of CD. Sources told Customs Today that during first 15 days of January FY16-17 the C-Bond of MCC collected Rs 0.04 million under head of CD as for as UAB collected revenue Rs 0.14 million under head

of CD, the Customs AB collected revenue Rs1.32 million under head of CD. Sources said that during above said period the Collectorate paid-off Rs5.00 million in head of rebate claims in this way the Collectorate collected total gross collection during above said period remained Rs 296.95 adding that Collectorate is optimistic about achieving its target.

Dg Valuation issues reference values of gum rosin, glass frit D

KARACHI

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irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for gum rosin WW grade and glass frit. The Directorate General has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reQlect values of the items as traded in

the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that gum rosin ww grade, falling under PCT headings 3806.1010 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side.

According to the details, Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the Qindings of the market sur-

veys. Now the customs values of gum rosin ww grade of China origin $2.00/per kilogram and Indonesian origin $1.40/per kilogram, Vietnam origin $1.34/per kilograms. Another valuation database during the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that glass frit, falling under PCT headings 3207.4010 are being assessed at different values and certain transactions are on very low side. This Directorate General, after carefully examining the clearance data, also

conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the Qindings of the market surveys. This ofQice, therefore, has found that the customs values of glass frit are of China origin is US$0.465/per kilogram and Spain and Italy are Euro 0.6225/ per kilogram. These values are, however, for reference/guidance only and Qinal assessment may please be made after considering other factors which have bearing on the customs value. The

clearance Collectorates may like to consider the values given above before Qinalizing the assessment of the subject items. If further Qine-tuning in speciQications and ensuing values are required, Collectorate may forward a reference along with detailed justiQications and worksheets so that requisite adjustments are accordingly issued. In case of any grievances, the importer can Qile a request to the Directorate General along with substantiating evidence/record for reconsideration/review.

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FBR gets info of taxpayers from provincial authorities KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has got data of taxpayers, registered with the provincial government, through Pakistan Revenue Automation Pvt Limited (PRAL) for recovery of advance tax from non-compliant taxpayers.

Sources said that a new section has been introduced for tax collection for FY 2016-17 from such non-filers, who are registered with the provincial sales tax authorities.

However, the source said that the requirement to pay advance tax will not be applicable on a person who was filer of the previous tax year. They said that the provincial revenue authorities are liable to collect the amount at the time of receiving monthly returns.

gawadar customs foils smuggling attempts worth Rs 2.3 million

Friday February 3, 2017

National

transit trade opens new era of progress: Ac mona mehfooz

KARACHI

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odel Customs Collectorate Gawadar foiled smuggling attempts and confiscated fine quality narcotics and huge quantity of Iranian diesel in different operations. Customs arrested three accused in these operations.

According to details, Collector Gawadar Customs Saeed Akram received credible information about transportation of narcotics in a vehicle. He immediately constituted a team of Customs Anti-smuggling Organization to counter the smuggling attempt. The ASO team established a check post on the exit points of the city and started searching vehicles.

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Assistant collector Asfand assumes charge at Sialkot SIALKOT

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ssistant Collector Asfand Yar Khan assumed his new charge on Wednesday. He was transferred from Karachi West Appraisement. As an assistant collector this is his first posting. According to details, Asfand’s predecessor Assistant Collector Choudhary Fahad Bashir has been transferred as Assistant Collector at Karachi East Appraisement. As an Assistant Collector, Asfand Yar Khan will look after import and rebate matters as well as the customs related matters of Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) and Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL).

He is also authorized to arrange workshops, seminars and other customs department related matters.

While talking to Customs Today Assistant Collector Asfand Yar Khan said that, as the products of Sialkot.

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KARACHI

ABtAB cHANNA

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dditional Director of the Directorate General of Transit Trade Mona Mehfooz says this year the theme for international Customs Day is “data analysis” with the slogan of “Data Analysis for Effective Border Management”.

She said that the recent important developments involving transit and economic corridors in the region have opened up opportunities and challenges for Pakistan. Our land border stations and sea ports have immense potential as transit corridor and as regional transit hub.

Pakistan’s accession to TIR convention in 2015 is expected to increase the movement of international cargo using the transit corridor of Pakistan. In view of this, Federal Board of Revenue has notiQied four land custom stations of Taftan, Sost, Chaman, Torkhum and Karachi and Gwadar seaports for TIR operations through SRO 127(I)/2016 dated February 15th 2016.

An important component of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is movement of Chinese cargo destined for various export destinations using the transit trade facilities of Pakistan. Oil and Gas agreements such as TAPI (Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) and IPI (Iran, Pakistan, India) are expected to make Pakistan a transit hub for movement of energy re-

sources in the region. In future, Pakistan has the potential to play avital role in supporting energy supply of the two big neighboring economies of China and India. In 2010 Pakistan joined CAREC.Pakistan’s road network is connected to CAREC Corridor 5, which opens a vital trading link between landlocked Central Asian nations and the country’s warm water ports of Gwadar and Karachi, on the Arabian Sea. The GOP/ADB funded project of Inte-

our land border stations and sea ports have immense potential as transit corridor and as regional transit hub. pakistan’s accession to tIR convention in 2015 is expected to increase the movement of international cargo using the transit corridor of pakistan

Shipping activity at port Qasim

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KARACHI

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www.customsbulletin.com our ships CMA CGM Amazon, MSC Atlanta, Bunga Akasia and Khor Gas carrying containers, palm oil LPG were arranged berthing at Qasim International Container Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal and Engro Vopak Terminal respectively on Tuesday.

Meanwhile another ship Maersk Semarang with Containers also arrived at outer anchorage of Port

Qasim (PQ) during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was observed at the port at 53% on Monday where a total of eight ships namely CMA CGM Amazon, Maersk Atlanta, Da Kang, Ocean Vander, Golden Trader, Khor Gas, Bunga Akasia and Sea Dance are currently occupying berths to load/ofQload Containers, General Cargo, Coal, Soya Bean, LPG, Palm oil and Furnace oil respectively during last 24 hours.

Cargo throughput during last 24 hours stood at 133,733 tonnes, comprising 118,801 tonnes import cargo

and 14,972 tonnes export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 3,426 containers TEUs) 2,638 imports TUEs & 788 TUEs exports) was handled at the port. LPG carrier Khor Gas sailed out to sea Wednesday morning, while Containers ships Maersk Atlanta and oil tanker Sea Dance are expected to sail on same afternoon. Three ships Maersk Semarang, Suez Canal and Shalamar carrying Containers and Furnace oil are expected to take berths at QICT and FOTCO respectively on Wednesday.

grated Transit Trade Management System (ITTMS) has been launched that aims to improve trade facilitation at key border crossing points.

Pakistan’s main transit partner is land locked Afghanistan to whom Pakistan is extending the facility of transit under APTTA 2011. APTTA 2011 also envisages the expansion to South Asia and Central Asia.The Agreement provides Pakistan with access to all countries bordering Afghanistan.

customs Adjudication heard 23 cases eputy Collector Customs Adjudication Asma Hameed adjourned 23 smuggling and tax evasion cases. According to details, Asma Hameed heard the cases of smuggled vehicles, fabric, mobile phones, cloth, tyres and tube, generators, food processors, liquor, and others miscellaneous items. Four cases were filed by ASO Faisalabad, three cases by ASO Mianwali, one case by ASO Sargodha.

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CPEC to bring economic revolution in GB: Haji Abid Friday February 3, 2017

Business

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Haji Abid has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor will bring an economic revolution and change the life standard of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said provincial government is raising voice for the rights of its people at all forums and assured that government would provide best possible facilities to the people.

He also assured that promises made with the GB people would be honoured at all cost.

Debt fears overblown, says Dar KARACHI

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n a long and detailed rejoinder to his critics, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar says that the country’s debt proQile is in fact improving, and “predictions of doomsday scenario for Pakistan” regarding public debt are overblown.

To highlight the point, he provides a comparison in growth of debt between his government and that of his predecessor. “[T]he previous government contracted net debt of around Rs7,833 billion during its term (2008-13),” he says, which averages out to “an annual compounded growth rate of 19.0

NSS’s profit increases after 4 months KARACHI

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per cent.” By contrast, the same Qigure for the three years of his own government is 9.75pc, he says, providing detailed breakdowns of the Qigures for each of the periods.

efforts being made to reduce operation cost on agri loans: NA told

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he government has announced to increase 20 points in National Saving Scheme (NSS) after four months which has led the profit rate of Defence Saving Scheme to 7.54 percent.

Sources said that the profit rate of Bahbood Saving Scheme has been maintained on 9.36 percent and rate of Special Saving Certificate has been fixed on 6 percent.After this decision, the person who invests Rs 100, 000 in Special Saving Certificate will get a profit of Rs 6000 instead of Rs 5800.

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“The Net Debt-to-GDP ratio as at June 2008 was 53.1pc, which had increased to 60.2pc in June 2013 when the present government assumed office. During the period

from July 2013 to June 2016, the Net Debt-to-GDP ratio has remained unchanged at 60.2pc, thus showing no further deterioration, which is a clear sign of improved debt sustainability,” the statement goes on to add.

Pakistan will continue adding to its debt stock, he argues, because as a developing country it must run deQicits in order to support growth.

“Fiscal and current account deQicits are inevitable for a developing country,” he points out. “The challenge of good economic management is to keep these two deQicits within sustainable limits, so that the former would not lead to unbridled growth in public debt while the latter would not lead to external liabilities that cannot be supported by prospective capital Qlows.”

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ISLAMABAD

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arliamentary Secretary for Finance and Revenue Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan Wednesday informed the National Assembly that efforts were being made to reduce operational cost on loans of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL). Responding to a Calling Attention notice moved by Rana Muhammad Hayat and others regarding charging of 16.50 per cent markup by ZTBL from the farmers,

the Parliamentary Secretary that the Qigures were not correct.

He said there were three categories of agriculture sector loans including Kisan Dost Scheme, Production and Development loans. Under Kisan Dost and Production schemes loan was being provided at 12.5 per cent markup while mark up on development loan was 14.8 per cent, he said. Rana Afzal said the non performing loans of ZTBL reached to Rs.80 billion, which was converted into equity by State Bank of Pakistan to save the bank from collapse.

He said ZTBL was only provid-

ing 20 per cent agri loans while other commercial banks share was 80 per cent. To a question, the Secretary said there was no recovery charges on agri loans only mark up was being charged. Rana Afzal said the matter of agriculture loan markup has been referred to the select committee of the House and recommendations of the committee would be considered.

He said the agriculture is backbone of the country’s economy and efforts were being made to bring the markup on agriculture loan to minimum level.

Sindh governor for coordination between Itc, tDAp KARACHI

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indh Acting Governor Agha Siraj Durrani on Tuesday sought close coordination between International Trade Centre (ITC) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) for promotion of exports from Pakistan. In a reception hosted by him in the honour of ITC Executive Director Arancha Gonzalves, the Sindh governor highlighted relevance of technical support and assistance to Pakistan for development at grass root level. The reception was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Pakistan Representative to World Tarde Organisation (WTO) Syed Tauqir Shah, TDAP Chief Executive SM Munir and office bearers of different trade and commerce chambers scattered across the country. Agha Siraj Durrani said the contribution of ITC in economic development of developing countries is appreciable and Pakistanis in general are keen to avail off their support and guidance. He suggested that special care be extended in providing technical assistance to small and mid level entrepreneurs.

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cabinet approves finance policy ISLAMABAD

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n Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting the cabinet approved a summary on Infrastructure Finance Policy 2017 with comprehensive vocabulary having four broad parameters.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had called a single-point meeting of the ECC to ‘consider and approve the

Infrastructure Finance Policy Pakistan 2017,’ said an ofQicial statement. Under the said policy a sound and long-term infrastructure Qinance framework has been provided that caters to both demand and supply side of Qinance and it is designed to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and mobilise private Qinancing for public infrastructure, the statement claimed.

Following is the full text of the summary on Infrastructure Finance

Policy Pakistan 2017 approved by the ECC that also explains the quality of ofQicial summaries to the forum. “Pakistan’s economy is on the rise in the wake of sustained economic reforms agenda implemented since 2013. After having achieved macroeconomic stability in the Qirst three years, the government is now focused on attaining higher sustainable and inclusive growth”.

The GDP growth last year was 4.7 per cent which was the highest in

the last eight years, the summary noted. To carry the growth momentum further and to meet country’s infrastructure needs, the government supports the expansion of infrastructure both directly through public sector investment and indirectly by facilitating private sector investment and Qinance.

It said the available public Qinances are not sufQicient for funding such infrastructure projects which need to be augmented by mobilising

Qinances and attracting investment from the private sector.

In this regard, development of a sound, long-term infrastructure finance policy that caters to both the demand and supply sides, and that is designed to attract FDI and mobilise private financing for public infrastructure, is a critical piece of the overall strategy and will be crucial to sustain the current investment level, the summary explained to the ECC.

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ISLAMABAD

tARIQ DeRYA

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he Customs Dry Po only achieved the ta passed the customs 56.441 million as it enue of Rs 326.441 head of customs dut uary, Financial Year According to details Collector Amanat Kh surplus collection fi dry port collected during January 201 Islamabad Dry Port revenue collection t lion under the head ary FY16-17.

He said the dry port of Rs307.965million CD during Decembe ther said the dry p Rs260million CD tar

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ort, Islamabad, not arget but also surs duty target of Rs had collected revmillion under the ty (CD) during JanFY2016-17. s told by Assistant han that above said igures showed that excellent revenue 16-17. He said the t was assigned the arget of Rs270milof CD during Janu-

t collected revenue n under the head of er FY16-17. He furport was assigned rget for above said

period, the dry port was collected revenue of Rs285.858million against the assigned target of Rs245million for November FY2016-17 under the head of CD. The assistant collector dry port told Customs Today that the dry port Islamabad collected revenue of Rs261.737million against the assigned target of Rs225million under the head of CD for October FY16-17 while the dry port collected revenue of Rs289.208million against the assigned target of Rs290million under the head of CD during September FY16-17.

Amanat Khan said the dry port collected revenue of Rs275.659million against the assigned target of Rs276million under the head of CD during August FY16-17 saying the dry port collected revenue of Rs158.624million against the assigned target of

Friday, February 3, 2017

Rs119million under the head of CD during July FY16-17.

t an tha h K t a s man figure ctor A e n l l o i o t c c ant colle ted Assist rplus u s collec d i t a r s 6o e p v y 201 dry r abo t a a u h n t d Ja as showe nue during ort w p y r e D v t abad ent re targe n Islam o excell i e t h c t said e colle ad of cD 17. He the revenu e he ed der th n u n assign o -17 li y fY16 70mil r 2 a s u R n f o g Ja durin

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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

Journey towards emerging market

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he economy of Pakistan is likely to turn around this year due to various positive indicators in business, trade and industrial sectors. The Chinese investment is pouring in, the Export and Import Bank has been set up to arrest the falling exports and incentives for the industrial sector are expected to augur well for overall performance of the economy. However, one should not forget the inherent faults in policies and the government will have to launch crash programmes for capacity building of the government officials. The country has so far been regarded as the frontier economy and prudent policies are required to break this barrier to enter the emerging economy.

Keeping in view the government’s lack of interest in introducing the structural reforms in its taxation system, business and trade policies as well as creating a conductive investment climate, the achievement of the cherished goal of emerging market seems to be years away.

The economy of Pakistan is resilient and is able to absorb internal and external shocks. But policies are the driving force not only to increase foreign investment, but also make the country as the best destination for business and trade.The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and various other world agencies have predicted that the economy of Pakistan will grow fast this year. They project the GDP growth to around $300 billion this year to push Pakistan into the group of emerging markets.

However, it will be up to the country’s policymakers how to deal with the emerging situation. Experience show they are very bad in doing homework and are always caught in the middle of crisis. According to reports, the foreign direct investment this year will cross $1 billion mark and remittances, sent by expatriate Pakistanis will reach $20 billion a year. However, dark side of the situation is that the volume of foreign loans has crossed $73 billion mark and debt-to-GDP ratio has reached nearly 65 percent. The only panacea for the situation is to stimulate industrial growth and push the exports of value added goods.

Attracting the foreign direct investment is the need of the hour as foreign investors can be invited to reap the benefits of industrial zones along the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Chinese investment in the Pakistan Stock Exchange is a good omen, but the government will have to ensure that it should not have negative impact on the economy.

pace of economic development A

LAHORE

DR AftAB AfZAL

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ccording to newspaper reports, a World Bank ofQicial has predicted that the economy of Pakistan will further improve this year as conditions here are conducive for investment. Visiting the Tarbela hydropower extension project, Kristalina I. Georgieva, a senior bank ofQicial, said that the country has made progress in energy and infrastructure sectors and conditions are conducive for foreign investment. As a matter of fact, this government has sincerely worked for the improvement of economic conditions in the country, but political instability is increasingly

becoming an area of concern for common man. Since the government took over the ofQice, it has been facing tough time from certain opposition parties for one reason or the other. However, during its three and half years’ tenure, the government also could not made any visible improvement in the lives of the people.

Corruption, though has been lowered on the World Perception Index, is actually touching the new heights in the country. The security situation has improved to some extent but it is still far from a satisfactory level and the government has still been reluctant to adopt modern techniques to enhance tax net and overhaul the industrial sector.

Pakistan is facing water threats

from India which is the lifeline of Pakistan. Most of the hydropower projects are in the implementation stage and others are likely to be constructed in near future. On another hand, the new Indian government is bent upon cancelling the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960. The World Bank is signatory and guarantor of the pact and it will have to play its role in stopping India from water aggression. Pakistan has so far obtained of $31 billion from the bank since 1952 when it took the Qirst loan. It is also important to note that the country’s economy survived its initial Qive years after the independence without taking any foreign loan. However, once it took the loan, it became habit of every successive government to

seek foreign loans without improving the country’s economy.

The process of taking loans has been speeded for the last one decade and it seems the ploy will lead the country to nowhere. It is, therefore, hoped that the government will generate its own Qinancial resources by boosting trade, business and investment. Pakistan still has to go a long way to introduce structural reforms in growth and energy sectors, but sooner this process should start the better.

Though the government is focusing on economic revival and seeks investments in energy, infrastructure and social sectors, but in practical terms, it is fully depending on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

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Russian economy to emerge from contraction MOSCOW: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are to speak on Saturday, sources from both countries have confirmed. Putin called Trump after the November election win but the two leaders have yet to have a discussion about global affairs and mutual ties. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local news media that Putin will congratulate Trump on the inauguration during their phone call on Saturday, and likely discuss a meeting between the two to be held in a few months time. Ties between Moscow and Washington have for the past two years been strained due to the Syria and Ukraine crises. Putin has said he looks forward to working with Trump, while the US president has laid out conditions to remove Obama-era sanctions. At press time, Trump was to meet with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, the first world leader to meet with the new US President.

govt to introduce tough laws against tax evaders, says Ishaq Dar KARACHI

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ax evaders can no longer hide as the government is going to introduce stricter laws, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar warned the business community. He was speaking at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) where a large number of industrialists and business leaders were present. Dar snubbed a request made by FPCCI Pres-

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ident Zubair Tufail for launching a tax amnesty scheme before the next budget, and said the government was preparing stringent laws to hunt for those funds against which tax had been evaded. When the present government came to power in 2013, it initiated talks with the Swiss government and reached an understanding for the exchange of information on funds parked in Swiss banks, he said. Similarly in January 2014, the government located another Paris-based forum having more than 100 members and it was agreed that the two sides would exchange information related to taxevaded and hidden funds. He reminded the business community that the government in July 2016 through the Finance Bill had already made necessary changes wherein such cases could be handled and concealed wealth could be traced. Under the fourth Global Summit against corruption, Pakistan has already met 15 requirements out of a total number of 16 clauses. After this, audit parameters have totally changed even in Pakistan.

Dar touched on how the government has increased power generation to limit load-shedding.

Friday February 3, 2017

Chambers

IccI lauds Islamabad police’s efforts to improve security situation I

ISLAMABAD

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slamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Khalid Iqbal Malik has lauded the initiatives of Islamabad Police to improve the security situation as it would facilitate in promoting business activities and improving the local economy. He said online complaint system of Islamabad Police would help in urgent redress of complaints and enhance confidence of citizens on police. He said this while handing over information boards to SP City Zubair Ahmed Sheikh.

These boards carry information about sending complaints to police through SMS, call, fax, email, website, Facebook and twitter and would be displayed in local police stations for the information of people. Khalid Iqbal Malik said that police of many countries has improved its performance by using information technology which has also improved conQidence of people on police and reduced crimes.

He was optimistic that online complaint system of Islamabad Po-

lice would be helpful in prompt redress of peoples’ complaints and promote better relations between citizens and police.

He assured that ICCI would continue to cooperate with Islamabad Police in endeavours aimed at improving law & order situation and facilitating better growth of business activities.

Speaking at the occasion, Zubair

Ahmed Sheikh thanked ICCI for providing information boards for police stations and added that cooperation of Chamber would help people in getting urgent redress of their issues. He said under the leadership of IG Police Tariq Masood Yasin, Islamabad Police was taking many initiatives for the facilitation of people.

He said police was taking meas-

LccI holds seminar on ‘Impact of globalization on public & private sectors’

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LAHORE

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here is a need to give deeper look into existing economic policies to get real beneQit of globalization that actually is a pack of opportunities. Pakistan is a resource-rich country but unfortunately previous governments did not tap this unmatched potential.

This was upshot of the speeches delivered at a seminar on “Impacts of Globalization on Public & Private sectors of Pakistan” here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The LCCI President Abdul Basit, Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan, Convener Standing Committee on Public/Private Linkage & Entrepreneurship

Development Uzma Manzar, the LCCI EC Member Awais Saeed Piracha, Former Chairman National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) Pakistan Khawaja Khalid Farooq, President Association of China Enterprise Wang Zihai, Chairman Turkey Tumsaid, Pakistan Chaudhry Anees Iqbal, Head of Digital Banking, Finca Bank Global Sohail Malik, Ali Khan, President South Asia Triple Heliex Abid Sherwani, Hassan Amjad, Ahmed Qureshi, Atiq Ahmed, Ahmed Saeed and Imran Khawaja were the key speakers.

The speakers said that world has become a global village and created immense economic opportunities.

Not only developed but the developing countries have beneQited hugely but Pakistan is still lagging behind and is in a dire need of

measures to avail the beneQits and to meet the challenges of the economical globalization. The speakers said that globalization is engaged in greater free trade, capital Qlow, integration of global trade cycle. Unfortunately, Pakistan cannot reap the opportunities and still struggling for economic stability and facing some serious economic problems like decreasing exports and swelling trade deQicit. Those reasons should be focused that are affecting the Pakistan’s ability to compete in the global market. The LCCI President Abdul Basit said that globalization process is getting the momentum with every passing day and would continue whether any country likes it or not. Therefore, instead of fearing it, we should enhance our competitiveness.

ures to inculcate a friendly police culture in order to enhance the conQidence of citizens on police. He said such initiatives were part of PolicePublic Relation and Cooperation Development program. He said policed needed close cooperation of general public in controlling crimes and hoped that positive initiatives of Islamabad Police would help in realizing these goals.

uK manufacturing activity continues to expand K manufacturing activity grew strongly in January, slowing only slightly from a 2 1/2-year high in December, a survey showed Wednesday, suggesting the sector was likely to continue making positive contribution to economic growth in the first quarter of 2017.

The purchasing managers index for the British manufacturing sector stood at 55.9 in January, financial information firm IHS Markit Ltd. said. The expansion was underpinned by a solid increase in new order intakes, mainly from the domestic market.

The headline PMI has now remained above the 50-point mark indicating expansion for six straight months, IHS Markit said. Improving global market conditions and the weakened sterling also drove a modest increase in new export orders. –CB Report

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ANF foils attempt to smuggle heroin from Lahore airport Friday February 3, 2017

National fBR Intelligence impounds vehicle valued Rs 25 million on tip-off ISLAMABAD

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LAHORE: The Anti-Narcotics Force deputed at Allama Iqbal International Airport arrested a narcotics smuggler. The accused was trying to smuggle 1.5 kilogram fine quality heroin from Lahore to Kuala Lumpur through Malindo Air flight # 132.

Reportedly, when a resident of Faisalabad Tahir Mehmood entered the airport lounge, the ANF staff started searching him.

The ANF staff recovered 1.5 kilogram heroin from his luggage. The accused was handed over to the ANF staff for legal proceeding. A case was registered against the accused on the report of the officials.

customs central Region collects Rs588m withholding tax in 15 days T

LAHORE

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he Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue, Rawalpindi, has impounded a smuggled vehicle Toyta Land Cruiser ZX V8, Model 2015, worth Rs25 million.v According to details, Directorate received a tip-off through an informer that the said vehicle bearing registration No: SJ-470 (ICT-Islamabad) having chassis No: URJ2024002595 (4608) is parked at Phase IV, Civic Center, Bahria Town, Islamabad.

The staff of the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation reached the spot. In spite of hectic efforts, nobody was found claiming the ownership of vehicle. The directorate visited Police Station Lohi Bhair, CBR Town, Islamabad, and informed its incharge. The police registered an FIR No: 38 dated 17-01-2017 and visited the civic center. The vehicle was taken into custody by the police and shifted to the HQs Office at G-10/4 Islamabad.

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SHc moved to seek release of consignment he Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the tax department and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition filed

by Zeshan Akram seeking release order of his consignment of toiletries and general merchandise goods, compressors etc. A two-member bench, headed

by Justice Munib Akhtar heard the petition. During the hearing, Kashif Nazeer advocate filed power and sought time, court granted his request and directed him to ensure file para wise comments on next date of hearing, court also adjourned the hearing for January, 2017.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner imported two containers of toiletries, general merchandise goods. –CB Report

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he Customs, Central Region, has collected Rs588million Withholding Tax during 15 days of January in Financial Year 2016-17.

As per details, the Customs, Lahore Appraisement, collected Rs240million Withholding Tax during 15 day.

Similarly, the Customs, Lahore Preventive, collected Rs335million total Withholding Tax during the period under review.

The collectorate of Multan collected Rs8million Withholding Tax during the period under review. The collectorate of Customs, Faisalabad, has collected Rs3.74million Withholding Tax during the period of Financial Year 2016-17.

Overall, the Central Region collected total duty and taxes from all

the four collectrates worth Rs588million Sales Tax revenue

during the Qirst 15 days of January of Financial Year 20161-17.

Sialkot customs earns Rs17.82m cD in 7 months

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SIALKOT

SALeem AwAN SHeIKHu www.customsbulletin.com

he Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Sialkot has collected revenue of Rs17.82million under head of customs duty in seven months starting from July 2016 till January 2017. According to detail, the MCC Sialkot has surpassed the revenue collection under the head of customs duty made by it during the corresponding period of last year to the tune of Rs14.96million. OfQicial sources said the Sialkot region had collected Rs7.63million as customs duty during June 2015.

The ofQicial of MCC Sialkot said the department is striving to achieve the revenue collection target under all heads for the running Fiscal Year FY2016-17. The ofQicial also denied the impression that customs ofQicials receive customs duty in advance from the importers to meet the targets. Responding to a query, the ofQicial said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has to revise the revenue

collection targets sometimes keeping in view the unfavourable circumstances. He added that the tax collection is increasing every year due to effective policies of the department. He said the MCC Sialkot has got the best reputation and

good name in the books of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He said MCC Sialkot Customs Collector Ahmed Reza Khan is taking keen interest in achieving the target. He said the ofQicers and ofQicials will get awards and cash prizes if they

get success to achieve target.

Deputy Collector Waheed Anwar Abro told Customs Today that the MCC Sialkot will not only achieve the target assigned by the FBR but it will surpass the target during Fiscal Year FY2016-17.

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Customs promotes four Lahore appraisers to principal appraisers LAHORE: At least four appraisers, Customs, Lahore Appraisement, have been promoted to the posts of Principal Appraisers with immediate effect.

As per details, Ch. Moazzam Ali Virk, MCC, Appraisement, Lahore, Amjad Akhtar, MCC Appraisement, Lahore, Talib Hussain Rana, MCC, Appraisement, Lahore, and Amir Haider Amir, MCC, Appraisement, Lahore, were promoted to the posts of Principal Appraisers.

They will be on probation for a period of one year, extendable for further period not exceeding a year, provided no order is issued by the day following the termination of probationary period. The appointment shall deem to be held until further orders.

Dg Valuation issues reference values of basket, glassine paper in sheet KARACHI

wAQAR AHmeD ANSARI www.customsbulletin.com

irectorate General of Customs Valuation has issued the reference values for basket made of cane and glassine paper in sheet.

The Directorate General has initiated an exercise to develop database values for different items wherein it has been observed that declarations are of wide range and do not correctly reflect values of the items as traded in the international market. During the scrutiny of previous clearance data, it has been observed that baskets made of cane falling under PCT headings 4602.9000 are being assessed at different values

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and certain transactions are on very low side. Meanwhile, Directorate General Valuation, after carefully examining the clearance data, also conducted market inquiries to verify the authenticity of declarations. Online prices were also obtained to corroborate the findings of the market surveys..This office, therefore, has found that the customs values of glassine paper in sheet of China origin is $0.85/per kilogram.

These values are, however, for reference/guidance only and final assessment may please be made after considering other factors which have bearing on the customs value. The clearance Collectorates may like to consider the values given above before finalizing the assessment of the subject items. If further fine-tuning in specifications and ensuing values are required, Collectorate may forward a reference along with detailed justifications and worksheets so that requisite adjustments’ are accordingly issued. In case of any grievance, the importer can file a request to the Directorate General along with substantiating ‘evidences/record for reconsideration/review.

National

NAB committed to eradicating corruption, says chairman Qamar Zaman Q LAHORE

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amar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB, chaired a meeting to review the latest progress on NAB Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) at the NAB Headquarters. In line with the initiatives of the chairman NAB, Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) was introduced in the NAB headquarters and NAB regional bureaus to evaluate the performance of the NAB in quantitative and qualitative manners.

During the meeting, Advisor to Chairman on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) gave a presentation regarding the latest progress on the MES in line with the decisions taken in the previous meeting held on December 01, 2016 about its efQicacy in future. He informed Customs Today that on the directions of Chairman, NAB, an effective Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) has been developed, including complaint entry, complaint veriQication, inquiry, investigation, prosecution stage and record proceedings of the regional board and executive board’s meetings. The chairman NAB said that an effective accounta-

bility mechanism is quintessential for economic growth, investment and stability of social order. He said the Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) is very important management tool to monitor progress and it facilitates decisionmaking as well as establishes links between the past, present and future actions.

The chairman reiterated that the NAB is committed to eradicating

Friday February 3, 2017

corruption by adopting ‘zero tolerance policy’. He appreciated the work done by the MES team under the supervision of Advisor to Chairman on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). The chairman asked the senior Member, Chairman Inspection and Monitoring Team, (CI&MT) to start annual inspection of all the regional bureaus of the NAB from the Qirst week of January 2017.

punjab Revenue Authority issues notices to tax evaders LAHORE

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he Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has started a crackdown against all sales tax evaders, including beauty parlors, shopping malls and housing societies. The PRA has issued notice to the management of Zamin Plaza and Shopping Mall directing them to clear the outstanding sales tax amount at the earliest. The Punjab Revenue Authority took the action against housing societies which are already involved in tax evasion. The PRA team sealed various housing societies and blocked all the financial transactions of these housing societies. The sealed housing societies include Green Villas, Silk City, Palm City, Happy Valley, Model Housing Society and Nishtar Garden Housing Society. Sources said that Prime Valley is involved in tax evasion of Rs 5.9 million, Allama Iqbal Town evaded Rs 4.9 million tax, Al-Raza Garden is involved in tax evasion of Rs 8.6 million, New Raza Garden evaded Rs 12.8 million tax, Usman Block is involved in Rs 4.9 million tax evasion, Shalimar Garden is involved in Rs 4.4 million tax evasion and Green Valley is involved in Rs 5.8 million tax evasion.

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Dc Asma issues notices to owner of smuggled black tea

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FAISALABAD

IQRA SHeHZADI

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he Customs Adjudication Deputy Collector Asma Hameed has issued a show cause notice to owner of smuggled black Tea. OfQicial sources told Customs Today that Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) intercepted a vehicle and recovered huge quantity of black Tea .The ASO team asked the owners of the goods who was identiQied as Shams-Ul – Haq second person named as Hamid third person named as Shahid Habib and last person named as Nadeem to show doc-

uments regarding legal import of black tea but they failed to produce any legal documents regarding possession of the above said black tea.

Therefore, the ASO team impounded the black tea under Customs laws and forwarded the case to Customs Adjudication for further legal action.

Now, Deputy Collector Asma Hameed issued notices to the accused persons on the violation of Section 10-A. 89(1) and 156(1) of the Customs Act, 1969 punishable under Section 156(1)89 of the Customs Act, 1969 and served him a show cause notice as to why the seized item should not be conQiscated under aforementioned provisions of the law.

However, the adjudication has directed the accused person to Qile reply on next date of hearing. The seizing agency has also been directed to Qile reply in the respective case.

The adjudication authority also directed Deputy Collector Muhammad Rizwan to attend the hearing on schedule date along with relevant record. It is necessary to mention here that Customs Adjudication authorities expedited their efforts to conclude hearing of pending cases on priority basis.

Meanwhile, Customs Adjudication Additional Collector Beelamur Ramzan has issued Order-inOriginal (ONO) against M/s Asma Enterprises and Forwarding Agency

and ordered to seize the smuggled goods worth Rs1.082.

According to details, Customs authorities intercepted a vehicle and recovered huge quantity of nonduty paid raw material of ladies shoes. The material was being transported through M/s Asma Enterprises Forwarding Agency.

The examination team of Faisalabad Customs along with representative of Faisalabad Dry Port Trust (FDPT) during examination observed that the condition as well as packing of goods was quite shabby and not up to the mark. It was suspected that high tariff goods have been replaced with low tariff goods.

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Bangladesh finalize action plan to increase mango exports Friday February 3, 2017

World

DHAKA: The government of Bangladesh finalized an action plan for boosting mango production and exports in which they see huge potential, officials said.

Reportedly, the main objective of the action plan is to ensure safe mango production, free from pest attack, proper preservation, and packaging, marketing and bringing farmers under contract farming. The country exported about 800 tonnes of mangoes mainly to the European markets in 2015. But the amount fell to 300 tonnes in 2016 for non-compliance issues. The department of agriculture extension (DAE) will go for contract farming with farmers in 15 districts during the upcoming mango season.

Afghan envoy discusses investment with uSAID team

KABUL

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fghanistan’s Ambassador to US met a delegation of US Agency for International De-

BD see 10 to 15pc false import declaration: NBR alse declaration of products takes place in 10-15 per cent of the total consignments at import stage, tackling which remained a major challenge in the recent times, said a senior official of National Board of Revenue (NBR). According to details, it is difficult to ascertain which portion of the total import consignments accounts for false declaration, said Farid Uddin, Senior Member of NBR Customs Policy Wing. “Institutional capacity is yet to be developed to check these irregularities,” he mentioned in the keynote paper at a seminar. NBR organized the program at its under-construction building at Agargaon in the capital on the occasion of International Customs Day 2017. Finance Minister A M A Muhith was present in the program as the chief guest. –CB Report

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velopment (USAID) and discussed better coordination in the execution of agencies’ economic projects in Afghanistan, the envoy said.

The two sides also discussed post-Brussels conference projects in the war-torn country and talked about better coordination in the implementation of USAID programs.

Reforms process, facilities for the US investors in Afghanistan and other issues came under discussion between the two sides.

The Afghan envoy talked during the meeting about the exploration of markets for Afghan products, investment in demining, promotion of the Afghan handicraft and products and repatriation of refugees. Ambassador Mohib thanked the USAID for its development projects in Afghanistan over the years and assured the delegation and the USAID future assistance would be executed in the more effective manner. It is pertinent to mention that Mohib on Wednesday visited the Indiana State of the US to observe the manufacture of Humvees

by AM General LLC. He asked the US to establish a military and armored vehicles’ maintenance facility in his country. A statement from the Afghan embassy said John Campbell, ex-US commander in Afghanistan, and other ofQicials including Lawrence Platt, James Thomas and Will Goodman accompanied Mohib.

A $7 billion bet on the uS could lift taiwan’s foxconn

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oxconn’s $7 billion bet on the United States goes beyond politics. Building a huge TV screen factory in America would Qit neatly with President Trump’s push to create domestic jobs. Grabbing a share of the American market could also help the Taiwanese iPhone maker revive Sharp, its recently acquired subsidiary.

Foxconn’s founder Terry Gou sketched out a project to make display panels in America, building on

details revealed accidentally last month by his friend Masayoshi Son, the chairman of SoftBank, the Japanese technology and telecommunications giant. Foxconn stands to score political points. President Trump has lashed out against foreign and domestic companies alike for sacriQicing American manufacturing jobs, and he has threatened to increase tariffs on imports from countries like China.

Foxconn, known formally as Hon Hai Precision Industry. –CB Report

Iraq reduces oil production by 180000bpd BAGHDAD

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raq reduced its oil production by around 180,000 barrels per day and plans to cut a further 30,000 bpd before the end of the month, the OPEC member’s oil minister said. The cut came from a 4.75 million bpd level, Jabar Ali al-Luaibi told reporters at an industry event at Chatham House in London.

“We are abiding by OPEC policy and the OPEC agreement,” Luaibi said. Iraq agreed to lower its production by 210,000 bpd under a deal struck in December between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers led by Russia.

The Middle Eastern country, OPEC’s second-largest producer, had originally sought to be exempt from any cuts, saying it needed the revenue to Qight an Islamic State in-

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surgency. “We are cutting from all Iraq,” Luaibi said, although he added that cuts to production started at Qields operated by national oil companies. He said the ministry had contacted international oil companies operating in the country about the cuts and so far received a “good response” from most of them.

He said Russia’s Lukoil, which operates the West Qurna-2 oilQield, told him recently that the company was prepared to lower output by 20,000 bpd without compensation.

Meanwhile, Iraq signed a major deal with US Qirm General Electric for the construction of two power plants aimed at easing the country’s long-running electricity woes, the premier’s ofQice said. Reportedly, under the deal, the power plants, each with a capacity of 750 megawatts, will be built in the provinces of Dhi Qar and Muthannah at a total cost of $1.05 billion, a statement from Haider Al-Abadi’s ofQice said. General Electric announced the deal earlier this month.

Bf to attend AIme/mRo trade shows

or the sixth year in a row, Business France, the national agency for the international development of the French economy, will be running the French Pavilion at Aircraft Interiors & MRO Middle East, which will take place in Dubai on February 8-9, 2017.

As the only national booth at these shows, the French Pavilion should once again attract the attention of key players in the region, thanks to the diversity and know-how of its exhibitors. Increasing demand from the Middle East, as a result of the expansion of local airline Qleets and the entry into service of new-generation air-

crafts, can undoubtedly be satisQied by the expertise of the French companies represented. The French aerospace industry is particularly active on the international markets, accounting for 13% of France’s exports.

Its strength lies in its ability to take advantage of the growth in air transport; by placing continued emphasis on research and innovation (approximately 14% of the sector’s turnover goes into R&D). Up to 20 French companies will be attending AIME/MRO. Among these Qirms, 12 are based in the Occitanie region of France and will be supported by the Madeeli development agency. –CB Report

Switzerland and china to build stronger economic ties

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GENEVA

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he Swiss community has reached a consensus that thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit, it’s economic and trade cooperation with China will be upgraded to a new high on the basis of the previous abundant fruits.

Switzerland has been a pioneer in conducting economic and trade cooperation with China. After it recognized China’s market economy status in 2007, the nation inked a free trade agreement (FTA) with China in July 2013, which were the first FTA pact inked between China and a developed European country and also one of the most fruitful and most comprehen-

sive free trade pacts that China has signed in recent years. So far, Switzerland has grown into China’s important partner in Europe, while China is Switzerland’s biggest trade partner in Asia. Despite the sluggish global economy and trade in recent years, the bilateral trade has secured a stable growth.

Data released by the Swiss customs indicated that the bilateral im-

port and export amounted to $25.42 billion from January to September in 2016, up 9.4 percent year on year.

“The rise of bilateral trade benefits from the dividend of the FTA,” Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Geng Wenbing told the People’s Daily, adding that the FTA has significantly bolstered bilateral trade and investment since it came into effect in 2014.

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Bank Negara Malaysia moves forward, following 1990s losses KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) says it has moved forward, becoming stronger, more transparent and accountable, after bouncing back from suffering major foreign exchange (forex) losses more than two decades ago.

BNM said on massive foreign exchange losses which occurred in the early 1990s.

“Under the current challenging and uncertain global environment, it is important that we focus on ensuring our financial system and the economy remain resilient and stable,” it added. Former Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid said that the central bank had suffered forex losses of US$10 billion (RM44 billion) in the early 1990s.

QIIB records QR1.7b total revenue in 2016 eading Islamic lender QIIB has recorded a total revenue of QR1.7bn for the full-year 2016.

The bank’s net profit increased to QR785m during the year, compared to QR784m recorded in the previous year.

QIIB board of directors made a recommendation to the ordinary general assembly of the bank’s shareholders for distribution of profits equivalent to QR4 per Share, subject to the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) approval. Announcing QIIB’s financial performance for the year 2016, Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, chairman and managing director, QIIB said: “The results confirm the bank’s competence and ability to contribute to the growth of Qatari economy, which is advancing and booming in different fields thanks to the support and care of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.”

During the year 2016, QIIB witnessed many achievements despite a series of challenges. The bank over came these challenges with the strong support and efforts of the employees. –CB Report

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Jordan’s trade balance deficit declined: DoS ordan’s trade balance deficit declined by 8.6 percent during the January-November period of 2016, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS). The DoS reported that the value of national export during that period amounted to JD9.3 billion, down by 6.9 percent compared with the same period in 2015. It added that imports for the same period decreased by 7 percent to reach JD12.44 billion. As for the main exported commodities, the report said the value of national exports of clothes and related accessories increased by 2.6 percent; pharmaceutical products (16.9 percent); while fruits and vegetables exports went down by 22 percent and raw phosphate by 14 percent, crude potash by 33 percent and fertilizers by 33 percent. –CB Report

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World Customs

Singapore customs seizes non-duty paid cigarettes

SINGAPORE

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ustoms ofQicers made the largest haul of contraband cigarettes in two different operations. According to details, more than 25,000 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes were seized in the two operations, Singapore Customs said. A raid at a logistics company at Jurong Port Road found 4,900 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in brown boxes. Two Singaporeans, a 59-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, were arrested.

A 37-year-old Malaysian man was

also arrested.

Further investigations into the case led the ofQicers to two containers parked in a vehicle yard at Pioneer Sector on January.

There, 20,600 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found.

The total amount of unpaid import duty on the cigarettes amounted to more than US$2.3 million (RM10.2 million), while the total amount of Goods and Services Tax (GST) amounted to S$219,330, according to Singapore Customs. Investigations are in progress.

Repeat offenders caught with more than 2kg of tobacco products will also face mandatory imprisonment, while vehicles used in the commission of such offences are

also liable to be forfeited.

Meanwhile, A magician was charged in court with multiple counts of helping others to fraudulently obtain Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) cash payouts and bonuses amounting to $1.1 million.

Reportedly, this is the biggest case involving an alleged PIC promoter to date. S. Chandran, 35, owner of Paradize Consultancy, faces 58 charges under the Income Tax Act. He will return to court on February 3. He is accused of intentionally assisting 49 claimants to obtain cash payouts under the PIC scheme. The alleged offences occurred between June 2013 and November 2014.

Friday February 3, 2017

Irish economy vulnerable to uS tax changes, Brexit lower corporate tax rate and additional trade disputes in the US and the UK leaving the European Union will impact Irish economic growth in 2017, according to a report from financial services provider Merrion Capital. In its latest Irish Quarterly Economic Outlook, Merrion said that US President Donald Trump’s planned tax cuts and public spending measures could “fire up the American economy, which in turn should be positive for the Irish economy.” However, Merrion did warn that “the possibility of lower US corporate tax rates and talk of trade tariffs being imposed by the Trump Administration could potentially outweigh any positives.” Merrion added that it is possible to only speculate as to how the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will impact Ireland in the coming months and years. It noted that 30 percent of all Irish employment is from sectors that are heavily reliant on UK exports. It expects SMEs, particularly in the agri-food and tourism sectors, to be harder hit than larger companies by the introduction of any tariffs or barriers to trade. According to Merrion, the Irish economy “appears to be holding up very well, even though export growth has slowed.” It does nevertheless expect Brexit worries to intensify in 2017, leading to lower overall GDP growth this year. It anticipates GDP growth to fall below four percent in 2017. –CB Report

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malaysia to open regional palm oil office in tehran

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KUALA LUMPUR

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alaysia is set to open a regional palm oil ofQice in Tehran, Iran to push the commodity’s growth in the Middle East, following the breakdown of the Trans PaciQic Partnership (TPP) Agreement. Since the trade embargo on Iran was lifted in January last year, Malaysia exports about RM1 billion of palm oil to the country.

Plantation Industries and Com-

modities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong want to double that number by 2019. Mah said he will spend a Qive-day visit to Tehran next week where he will meet Iran’s Health, Finance, Trade Industry and Agriculture Ministers to discuss more trade for palm oil.

“Iran is strategically located and it has a big potential to be a buyer of our palm oil and be a centre for the region,” he said during a press conference in Menara PGRM on Thursday. He expects the ofQice to be up and running by mid-2017 but said

Malaysia still faced challenges in getting the Middle Eastern country to fully be on board with palm oil.

Malaysia, the second biggest palm oil exporter in the world, when the United States under President Donald Trump pulled out of the TPP, which could have slashed taxes and import duties for 95% of palm oil products to the US. Mah was conQident Malaysia could still grow its palm oil exports by Qive to eight percent this year, with expectations of crude palm oil (CPO) trading better this year, as an average price of RM2,700 to RM2,800 per ton

has been forecast for 2017 compared with about RM2,600 per ton last year.

Meanwhile, The Malaysian Health Ministry said that no fake rice imported into the country as shared in a recent social media report that went viral. According to details, Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah from the ministry said the conQirmation was veriQied

by Bernas, a national agency for the local paddy and rice industry. Noor noted three brands of rice – Kokeshi, Kohinoor Basmati and NICR said to be produced from plastic are not sold in Malaysia.

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ANF seizes 3-kg heroin, 5-kg hashish in two different raids Friday February 3, 2017

Lahore

LAHORE: The Anti Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Lahore airport team detained a suspect identified as Muhammad Asif resident of Gujranwala at Allma Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.

During the investigation of the accused the team recovered 3-Kg heroin in his luggage.

The accused was to board for Netherland via Doha by Qatar A irline Flight No QR-821.

In another operation, ANF Lahore during routine checking near Kot Abdul Malik Motorway Interchange, intercepted a car and arrested Raheel Abbasi resident of Rawalpindi and Waqar Ali resident of Karachi on recovery of 5Kg hashish seized from their car.

28.50 percent sales tax on petroleum products challenged in LHc

pcA detects Rs91.61m taxes evasion on import of tarpaulin

LAHORE

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muHAmmAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

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n application has been Qiled in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to stop sales tax from more than 17 percent. According to appellant, the government can collect up to 17 percent sales tax on petroleum products.

The application has been Qiled by the Judicial Activism Panel, Civil Society Network and Pakistan Justice Party. The appellant mentioned in the application that common interest counsel allowed the government of Pakistan to maintain the petroleum products prices in one time in the month but government of Pakistan has started to set prices after 15 days, which is violation of the constitution and laws and exploita-

fIA nab man for extorting money n FIA team has arrested a man, accused of extorting money from a person.

According to FIA spokesman, accused Hussain, son of Muhammad Sarwar of Faisalabad, extorted Rs 300,000 from the complainant on the pretext of getting him a job in Malaysia.

A case has been registered.

Meanwhile, The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Gujranwala on Friday conducted raids in different areas and arrested two agents involved in human-trafficking business. According to FIA spokesman, the team arrested Nazir, a resident of Sialkot, Ghulam Qamer of Mandi Bahauddin, and another accused Abdul Ghaffar of Hafizabad.

FIA team has detained the accused and filed case against them.

Further investigation is under way.

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–M Imran Mehar

tion of the public.

Added more according to the law government cannot collect more than 17 percent but it collecting 28.50 percent sales tax on petroleum that implemented from 16 January.

Government already collecting 25 percent sales tax from January 1, 2017 that is violation of article 9, 14 and 38 of Pakistan constitution Appellant mentioned. Appellants appeal before the court to suspend the notiQication of more than 17 percent sales tax on petroleum products and order to maintain the prices of petroleum products without extra sales tax. The appeal Qiled in the registrar ofQice. Meanwhile, Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) president.Farhan Shehzad has challenged amendment of tax return form 2016 in Lahore High Court (LHC). In the case, LHC seeks reply from ministry of Qinance and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on two February 2017.

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ustoms Lahore Post Clearance Audit (PCA) has detected Rs91.61 million duty/taxes on tarpaulin (Sun Shedding) import. The PCA observed that import clearances data against HS Code 6306.1210 effected from various Model Customs Collectorate during the calendar years. 2012 and 2013 revealed that inadmissible.

The 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 which is speciQically excluded from that ambit of said SRO and hence was not entitled for such beneQit under the said SRO. It has been observed that importers had imported various consignments consisting of tarpaulin and

pcA detects Rs1m tax evasion by Abdullah Haseeb Agro chemical

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he Post Clarence Audit (PCA) has detected Rs1.02 million tax evasion by M/s Abdullah Haseeb Agro Chemical, Karachi on account of inadmissible exemption of SRO 567 ()I 2006 and SRO 1007 (1)/ 2005. The Directorate of PCA observed that certain importers having their principal activity of manufacturer of pesticide and other agrochemicals are involved in the evasion of duties and tax.

During customs clearance of Zinc Sulphate 33 percent which are clas-

sified under PCT heading 2833, 2940 by availing irregular exemption of customs-duty under S.No.4 of SRO567 (1)/2006 and exemption of sales tax S NO 5 of table -II of SRO 1007 (I) 2005.The PCA observed that the said SROs were meant for poultry ingredients only.

It was observed that M/s Essa Agro, Karachi has imported two consignment of the aforesaid impugned goods which were prima facie are fertilizers and as such not entitled for the exemption. –M Hayat

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 sales tax, additional sales tax and income tax due to wrongful, concession under the SRO I 125(D/2011 dated 31.12.2011. The importers were asked to pay above mentioned short paid amount of duty/ taxes within 10

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days of receipt of this letter positively.

They were told in case they do not agree with the audit observation; they may provide the written clariQication along with supporting documents as well as import documents i.e. copies of Goods Declaration, Commercial Performa Invoice, LC, Invoice, packing list, contract, purchase order, catalogue literature etc. on or before the stipulated time.

customs court hears 15 cases

pecial Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling heard has 15 different cases which were scheduled for hearing, including pre-arrest bail pleas and recording of statements of the witnesses.

The special court has adjourned many cases until the next hearing.

The Customs Court adjourned pre arrest bail pleas of M Sadiq in tax evasion cases. He was wanted in tax evasion cases of Gujranwala.

The cases scheduled for hearing on Saturday were related to tax evasion, customs, smuggling and narcotics. A case of narcotics against Wasif Ali was also adjourned. The

court also proceeded on statements of witnesses on three different cases on the day. Meanwhile, Special Court of Customs Taxation and AntiSmuggling heard has 15 different cases which were scheduled for hearing, including pre-arrest bail pleas and recording of statements of the witnesses. The special court has adjourned many cases until the next hearing. The Customs Court adjourned pre arrest bail pleas of M Sadiq in tax evasion cases. He was wanted in tax evasion cases of Gujranwala. The cases scheduled for hearing on were related to tax evasion, customs. –M Imran Mehar

fto hears case of m/s Khan filling station against Rto-II

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LAHORE

muHAmmAD NAwAZ www.customsbulletin.com

he Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Khan Filling Station Lahore against Regional Tax Office-II (RTO-II) until the next date.

According to the details, FTO Ad-

visor Tariq Yousaf heard the case of M/s Khan Filling station Lahore in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the sales tax refund of the last two years claimed by the company.

He said that the RTO-II collected excessive tax from the company during the last two years. They approached the commissioner concerned many times for issuance of

the refunds but the RTO-II ofQicials did not pay the refunds after the passage of reasonable time.

At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear the refund claims. The counsel further said that the RTO should refund the excess collection in wake of taxes by the end of Qinancial

year but the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on the taxpayers, he said, adding that the RTO should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayers. On the other hand, counsel for RTO argued that the appellant M/s Khan Filling station Lahore has not submitted all record in the ofQice on which basis it is claiming for refunds.

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China’s COSCO to boost stake in Qingdao port operator BEIJING: COSCO Shipping Ports will acquire a 16.82% stake in Qingdao Port International (QPI), operator of China’s sixth busiest port, the company said on Sunday, expanding its network.

Under the agreement, Shanghai China Shipping Terminal Development, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Ports, will pay 5.8 billion yuan (US$844 million) for the shares in QPI. The deal, to be settled through a combination of equity and cash, will boost COSCO’s share in the Qingdao firm to 18.41%, added the company in a statement. COSCO has been extending its port network with several large deals around the world in recent years. The companies also agreed to cooperate to develop Qingdao port into an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia and to co-invest in overseas terminal projects including the Khalifa Port Container Terminal II project in Abu Dhabi.

fg moves to tackle graft at Nigerian ports he Federal Government plans to instal anti-corruption mechanisms at Nigerian ports to tackle fraudulent and criminal activities. The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, said at the weekend that the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption would soon open an office in the NPA in line with a report submitted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on the corruption index in ports administration.

Usman, who is also a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, affirmed that the Authority would embark on strong anti-corruption measures in 2017.

The NPA boss, who visited major

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customs agents and freight forwarders at the weekend, assured that the authority would interact more with stakeholders in 2017, to keep abreast with happenings at the various ports. To this end, she said the NPA would introduce quarterly stakeholders’ meetings to know what is on ground at the ports, and be better informed on the plight of operators. Usman also acknowledged the need to block revenue leakages. The National President of ANLCA, Olayiwola Shittu charged the NPA MD to address some of the problems at the ports, which include: corruption, bad roads and high port charges at the port leading to un-competitiveness of Nigerian ports, compared to neighbouring West African ports. “We want to appeal to you to use your God-given approach to battle corruption at the ports,” he said. –CB Report

Ports & Shipping

mormugao port surpasses target of 15.35m tonnes

tasmania shipper’s forum to discuss port of Burnie development P World Australia supported this year’s Tasmanian Shippers Forum, which is being held at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, the company said in its press release. The Tasmanian Shippers Forum is presented by the Tasmanian Logistics Committee, the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) / Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), the Australian Maritime College and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The Forum is to be held at the Australian Maritime College Launceston Newnham Campus on February 15 from 9am until 4pm. DP World Australia is Australia’s integral port supply chain partner and part of the DP World network of 70 international container terminals. Dedicated and professional team of 2,000 people operating marine ports in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle cultivate long-standing relationships with governments, shipping lines, importers and exporters, communities, and many other important constituents of the global supply chain. –CB Report

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PANAJI

cuStomS BuLLetIN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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n the trafQic performance proQile for the month of December 2016, the Mormugao Port Trust has surpassed the target of 15.35 million tonnes set by the Ministry of Shipping, registering an increase of 35%. According to the statement from the MPT, during the month of December, 2016, port handled a trafQic of 3.94 million tonnes compared to 2.41 million tonnes handled during the month of December, 2015. An increase of 63.49 trafQic during the month mainly consisted of 0.88 million tonnes of coal/coke, 0.09 million tonnes of petroleum products and other liquid cargo, 2.46 million tonnes Iron Ore. The remaining trafQic consisted of cargoes like Containerized cargo, H. R. Steel Coils, Granite, Lime Stone, wood chips etc. The general cargo trafQic was 1.40 million tonnes. Gross tonnage of 43917 tonnes (in 3351 TEUs) of containerized cargo was also handled at the port during the month.

Friday February 3, 2017

During the Qinancial year 2015-16 the port handled trafQic of 20.78 million tonnes thereby registering remarkable 41% growth. In the process MPT has recorded the highest growth rate on a year to year basis, among all the 12 Major Ports in India. The Port has also surpassed the target of 15.35 million tonnes set by the Ministry of Shipping, registering an increase of 35%. The trafQic during the year consisted of 3.57 million tonnes of iron ore exports, 12.27 million tonnes of

coal/coke and 1.06 million tonnes of petroleum products and other liquid cargo. The remaining trafQic consisted of cargo like Fertilizer, Bauxite, Alumina, Containerized cargo, H. R. Steel Coils, Steel slabs, Sugar, Granite, wood chips, pig iron, Nickel, Lime stone, bentonite etc. The general cargo trafQic was 15.75 million tonnes. Gross tonnage of 3,45,426 tonnes (in 25539 TEUs) of containerized cargo was also handled at the port during the period.

Dar es Salaam port clears record containers I

DARES SALAAM

cuStomS BuLLetIN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

n the last one year Tanzania through its program “Big Result Now” (BRN) has recorded an impressive performance of the minimum average of Qive days in the clearing of containers at the Dar es Salaam Port as Central Corridor Transport Observatory (CCTTFA) Annual Report latest report shows.

Its annual report reveals that the indicators of effectiveness and productivity are generated to determine how productive the port can be; for instance how does the container stay at the port (dwell time), not only that but also that the indicator category helps to measure the efQiciency of the port as well. According to the report, the average release time from Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) calculated from a time difference, from when a declaration custom

agent to when a release order is issued by customs, keeps decreasing for the year 2015 from 51.6 average hours in May to 49.6 hours to December which is an improvement of the customs processing unit.

On the ship turnaround time it refers to the total time spent by a ship in the port and it is measured by the average of the time in days per ship from time a ship enters the port area to the time it exits the port area. The report further explained that normally, it comprises the ship waiting time (time when the vessel is being ofQloaded or loaded with cargo), however, the ship waiting time is normally a small proportion of the turnaround time. Therefore to reduce the ship turnaround time, they need to reduce the ship working time and the working time depends on the quantity of cargo a vessel has to load or discharge, the type and characteristics of a vessel,

the type of equipment and other resources used at berth. It is indicated in the report that the average of 2.25 days per ship has been recorded as the ship turnaround time at Dar port in containerized terminal unit and a decrease was recorded from September to December 2.31 days due to port efQiciency and productivity. The report added that internationally, lower port dwell time has become a major commercial indicator in attracting more cargo to the ports. Dar es Salaam port has been major hub for the transportation of good and containers for the neighboring countries such as DRC Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi and Rwanda and the port has also been signiQicantly with Tanzania sources of revenues.

The Port of Dar es Salaam is the principal port serving Tanzania; the port is one of three ocean ports in the country and handles over 90%

of the country’s cargo trafQic. According to the International Association of Ports and Harbors, it is the fourth largest port on the African continent’s Indian Ocean coastline after Durban, Mombasa and Maputo. The port acts as a gateway for commerce and trade for Tanzania and numerous bordering landlocked states. For years the inefQiciencies at the port has cost the regional economy millions of dollars; in 2012 the total global welfare loss caused by the inefQiciencies of the port stood at $1.8 billion for the Tanzanian economy and $830 million for the neighboring countries.

With the continually growing economies in the region the reliance of Dar port increased drastically; the port saw an average of 10% annual growth of cargo trafQic from 2003 onwards which complemented the rapid growth of the city of Dar es Salaam.

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Hazara Customs collects Rs 7.07m during first 15 days of Jan 2017 ISLAMABAD: The Customs Station Hazara collected Rs 7.07 million under the head of all duty and taxes during the first 15 days of January of the financial year 2016-17.

According to details, Customs Hazara station showed satisfactory performance and collected Rs 2.29 million under the head of Customs Duty (CD), Rs 0.17 million under the head of miscellaneous surcharges as for as Rs 0.01 million under the head of Redemption Duty on imports during the above said period.

Friday, February 3, 2017

CUSTOMS BULLETIN

Drive of sending notices to non-filers helps surge taxpayers by 24pc: Dr Irshad ISLAMABAD cuStomS BuLLetIN RepoRt www.customsbulletin.com

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ederal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad has said that the ongoing campaign to broaden tax net through sending notices to non-Qilers has helped increase number of taxpayers by 24 per cent last year.

The FBR chairman has warned the non-taxpayers to Qile returns or pay penalties, adding, “Relaxation was given only to those taxpayers who were willing to Qile returns and requested for extension in deadline.”

Dr Irshad said that due to efforts of the tax departments, Qilings for the tax year 2016 so far has surpassed 900,000, which are 24 percent higher than the returns Qiled for the tax year 2015. He said that the enforcement drive helped the FBR increase the number of return Qilers in January. The government imposed 0.6 percent withholding tax on banking transactions other than through cash from July 1, 2015, payable by non-Qilers. However, after the business and trade community protest, the rate was cut to 0.3 percent from July 11, 2015, but it was increased to 0.4 percent from March 2016.

Dg custom Valuation rejects petition of m/s forte pakistan KARACHI

muBeeN HuSSAIN

www.customsbulletin.com

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irector General Customs Valuation Syed Tanveer Ahmed issues Order in Revision No.294 /2017 under section 25-D of the Customs Act, 1969 against Valuation Ruling No.936/2016 dated 23-092016; the revision petition was filed by M/s Forte Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. According to details, the

applicant stated that impugned valuation ruling has been framed in clear disregard to the legal dictates on various customs laws and dis-obedience to the sequential methods as provided under the law. No documentary evidences have been provided to the stakeholder manufacturer in support of the contention raised therein-, neither any calculation of methods.

Director General Customs Valuation in his order stated that hearing in the case was fixed on 22-11-2016. M/s Forte Pakistan

(Pvt) Ltd., the manufacturer of Rubber Foam Insulation in Pakistan filed revision petition against the Valuation Ruling No.936/2016, dated 23-09-2016 and stated that the impugned Valuation Ruling was issued in their absence and issued undervalued arbitrarily in absence of lawful justification for undue benefit to the commercial importers. suggested that values of Rubber Foam Pipe should be determined around US$ 7.00/kg to US$8.00/kg instead of US$ 3.15/kg to US$ 4.15/kg notified in the impugned Valuation Rul-

ing No.936/2016, dated 23-092016. M/s Qaiser Mukhtar Brothers also submitted a letter dated 07-11-2016 for inclusion of Turkey by name in the impugned Valuation Ruling.

However, he has also not filed review petition under Section 25-D of the Customs Act, 1969.

The aforesaid letter was also submitted on 07-11-2016 i.e. after 46 days even if treated a review petition.

I have gone through the record of the case, written and verbal submissions by the petitioners and respondent depart-

Published by M S Raza Off# 42, 3rd Flr Gull Plaza M.A Road Karachi, Printed by Dhoom Printing Building No RY/A, 11/6,11/7, Mashoor Mahal,off I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi

ment. I have inferred that customs values have been determined in proper manner after conducting market enquiry and analyzing the import data and all other relevant information. As regards the inclusion of Turkey by name in the impugned Valuation Ruling, the Director of Customs Valuation is directed to consider this while issuing fresh Valuation Ruling after expiry of 90 days period.

Therefore, Valuation Ruling No.936/2016, dated 2309-2016 is, hereby, maintained and revision petition is rejected.