Tobacco products: Steps being taken to curb smuggling, says Dar

Directs FBR to remain engaged with industry in this regard

ISLAMABAD: The government was facilitating the private sector to the maximum extent to enable it to play its due role in increasing economic opportunities for people of the country, said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

Talking to an eight-member global team of British American Tobacco (BAT), Dar said the government believed no economy could grow without participation of the business community.

“After achieving macro-economic stability, the government is more focused on economic growth,” he said, adding it had taken steps to curb the production and smuggling of illicit tobacco products and would continue to take these measures.

He directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to keep close liaison with the industry in that regard.

BAT Asia-Pacific Region Director Jach Bowles, who was leading the delegation, briefed the finance minister about his company’s business in Pakistan and around the globe.

The delegation praised the measures taken to control the illicit trade of tobacco products in the country. It would facilitate legal and quality tobacco business as well as ensure proper taxation of such businesses, they said.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan, FBR chairman and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and FBR.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2017.

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