FBR official assures APTMA of resolving all issues on priority basis

LAHORE: Mukarram Jah Ansari, Member Customs, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has assured the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) of resolving all Customs-related issues on priority.

He was speaking to the APTMA members during his visit to APTMA House on Tuesday. Rabab Sikandar, Chief Collector Customs, Mubashar Baig, Director General IOCO, Ambreen Tarar, Collector Customs Appraisement, Lahore, Saeed Wattoo, Collector Customs Faisalabad, and Nayar Shafiq, Collector Customs Sialkot also accompanied him on the occasion.

Chairman Northern Zone Hamid Zaman along with Senior Vice Chairman Kamran Arshad and Secretary General Raza Baqir received him at APTMA House, Lahore.

Member Customs said that exports are the top priority of the government and keeping this in view APTMA was the very first organisation he was visiting after assuming the office of Member FBR.

He said necessary changes will be incorporated in the relevant rules, regulations and laws whenever required. He added Pakistan Single Window is being upgraded and some 74 departments will be incorporated in it. He added that Port Community System and trade information portal will also be in place to facilitate the industry and necessary awareness sessions will be arranged shortly for information of trade and industry.

He continued to state that in order to develop indirect export module for EFS before mid October, 2022. He also appointed Collector Faisalabad as focal person to resolve issues relating to wastages etc of textile sector.

He asked APTMA to appoint a focal person to resolve issues on the module related to indirect exporters. He also appointed Collector Faisalabad as focal person to resolve audit issues of the industry.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Chairman APTMA North Zone Hamid Zaman highlighted several impediments in the implementation of Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) introduced in July, 2021.

He said the concept of revolving values should be introduced where the amount of exported goods may be automatically restored in approved value. Also, automatic switching from any existing scheme to EFS without audit etc, should be allowed under the scheme.

He said the system should show available face value. Module for zero-rated procurement of local inputs not yet implemented, which requires immediate attention.

He said the renewal of manufacturing bond licenses held up for want of PCA audit was resulting in suspension of whole manufacturing and exports.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022