The Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, Sialkot (Simap), appreciating the revolutionary vision of President General Pervez Musharraf with regard to national development, has termed the overall outlook of the 2007-08 Federal budget as industry-friendly, and has assured full support to the government from surgical instruments industry.
Talking to Business Recorder here on Thursday, Simap Chairman Aamir Riaz Bhinder expressed satisfaction on zero-rating of duties on import of the raw material and machinery used in surgical instruments manufacturing and also applauded the government for rationalising withholding tax on surgical instruments sector.
He said that under the leadership of President Musharraf, the country was moving on to the path of progress. However, he said, there were some proposals in the budget, "which are not in accordance with the needs" of the industry and business community.
The Simap Chairman said that Sialkot was a 100 percent export-oriented city and the industries here were second largest after the textile sector, and it had a separate working culture. Therefore, the government should give special treatment to Sialkot before formulation and finalisation of exports related policies, he added. Aamir Riaz demanded of the government to declare Sialkot an 'Export Processing Zone', keeping in view its unique export culture.
He said that since the government had zero-rated the sales tax on surgical instruments industry; there was no need of long documentation and it should be avoided. He said that some proposals in the budget might create mistrust and confusion between the industry and the government and such situation should be avoided.
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