FBR vows to solve exporters' blacklisting issues

KARACHI:

KARACHI. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has assured exporters that their problems relating to blacklisting will be resolved. He gave this assurance during a meeting with a delegation of the Towel Manufacturers and Exporters Association (TMA) at the Governor House, in the presence of Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi.

The FBR chairman assigned the member Inland Revenue the responsibility of maintaining direct contact and coordination with TMA. The designated official will assist the association's members in resolving complaints regarding suspension of sales tax registration, blacklisting, pending sales tax refunds and other related issues. The delegation, led by TMA Chairman Rehan Mehtab Chawla, apprised the FBR chairman of the tax and regulatory challenges facing the export industry. On the occasion, Chawla highlighted the difficulties confronting the textile and towel manufacturing export sectors and stressed the need for business-friendly and transparent tax policies.

He called for restoration of the zero-rating regime under SRO 1125(1)/2011 for the five major export-oriented sectors. Restoring the regime will help ease exporters' liquidity problems, the accumulation of sales tax refunds and rising financial and administrative costs. TMA appreciated the positive response of the FBR chairman and the cooperation extended by the Sindh governor. The association expressed hope that the commitments made during the meeting would be translated into practical measures. According to the association, timely payment of exporters' legitimate refunds and prompt resolution of tax-related issues will not only help stabilise the export industry but also support foreign exchange earnings, create employment opportunities and contribute to the growth of the national economy.