Exporter dues: Industry calls for settling R&D and refund claims
Asks govt to adjust these claims in utility bills and taxes.
Pakistan’s competitors had established one window operations to facilitate exporters whereas Pakistani exporters had to deal with multiple agencies. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Chairman Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (KCCI) Trade Development of Exports and Halal Food Sub-Committee, Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, has suggested to the government to clear the research and development and tax refund claims of exporters in an attempt to boost economic activities in the country.
Keeping in view the liquidity crunch being faced by the government, Khan said these claims could be settled with the help of utility bills, duties and taxes on imports.
Khan also proposed the purchase of land in industrial estates or raw material for exporters to settle these claims, which would certainly ensure substantial economic growth in the country.
He gave these suggestions while presiding over the first meeting of the KCCI’s Trade Development of Exports and Halal Food Sub-Committee.
Commenting on the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2012-15, Khan stressed that the STPF focused on promoting regional trade and regulatory changes, besides facilitating agro-based exports, revamping export promotion agencies, increasing green exports, enhancing role of women in exports and product and market development and diversification.
He underlined the need for periodical reviews and changes in the trade policy in order to keep pace with the increasing interdependence of world economies and flow of goods and services across borders.
He expressed concern over Pakistan’s shrinking share in the international market which was mainly due to the lengthy and complicated procedures in running businesses across the country.
“We have to change many policies to match the change and pace of the global economy, as sticking to the same old ways of doing business is unrealistic. We have to change our way of thinking and plan according to the varying export patterns of the current market environment,” he suggested.
Khan said Pakistan’s competitors had established one window operations to facilitate exporters whereas Pakistani exporters had to deal with multiple agencies.
“Different agencies are involved in implementing the trade policy, which creates ownership problem. It takes too long for the FBR to implement decisions relating to increase or decrease in tariffs or other measures pertaining to export promotion,” he pointed out.
“There is a need to evolve a mechanism that ensures timely implementation of the decisions,” he stressed.
Speaking on the occasion, KCCI President Abdullah Zaki stressed the need for making extraordinary efforts to enhance exports of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2013.
Chairman Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (KCCI) Trade Development of Exports and Halal Food Sub-Committee, Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, has suggested to the government to clear the research and development and tax refund claims of exporters in an attempt to boost economic activities in the country.
Keeping in view the liquidity crunch being faced by the government, Khan said these claims could be settled with the help of utility bills, duties and taxes on imports.
Khan also proposed the purchase of land in industrial estates or raw material for exporters to settle these claims, which would certainly ensure substantial economic growth in the country.
He gave these suggestions while presiding over the first meeting of the KCCI’s Trade Development of Exports and Halal Food Sub-Committee.
Commenting on the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2012-15, Khan stressed that the STPF focused on promoting regional trade and regulatory changes, besides facilitating agro-based exports, revamping export promotion agencies, increasing green exports, enhancing role of women in exports and product and market development and diversification.
He underlined the need for periodical reviews and changes in the trade policy in order to keep pace with the increasing interdependence of world economies and flow of goods and services across borders.
He expressed concern over Pakistan’s shrinking share in the international market which was mainly due to the lengthy and complicated procedures in running businesses across the country.
“We have to change many policies to match the change and pace of the global economy, as sticking to the same old ways of doing business is unrealistic. We have to change our way of thinking and plan according to the varying export patterns of the current market environment,” he suggested.
Khan said Pakistan’s competitors had established one window operations to facilitate exporters whereas Pakistani exporters had to deal with multiple agencies.
“Different agencies are involved in implementing the trade policy, which creates ownership problem. It takes too long for the FBR to implement decisions relating to increase or decrease in tariffs or other measures pertaining to export promotion,” he pointed out.
“There is a need to evolve a mechanism that ensures timely implementation of the decisions,” he stressed.
Speaking on the occasion, KCCI President Abdullah Zaki stressed the need for making extraordinary efforts to enhance exports of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2013.