ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce has said that all the refunds falling in the category of duty drawbacks had been paid to the claimants. In this regard, all the claims for the payment of refunds had been cleared which had been filed in last six months.
Both the Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik and Secretary Commerce Younas Dagha, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, observed that the ministry had been taking measures for the improvement of performance of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) in the promotion of Pakistani exports.
“In this regard, completion of TDAP Board is the first priority of the ministry; however, board has not been completed due to the fact that people from private sector had been reluctant in joining the TDAP,” said the Minister for Commerce.
The secretary said that Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2015-18 was coming to an end in the current fiscal year; however the ministry had been carrying out extensive consultative process for the formulation of SFPF 2018-21. “The tune of consultation being carried out for new trade policy framework is far more than almost all the policy frameworks in the past” Dagha said.
While briefing the committee on the pending recommendations by the different departments of Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industries, Dagha said that ministry had implemented almost fourteen recommendations of the committee while rest four were being implemented.
Directorate General of Trade Organization (DGTO) briefed the committee that amendment in the rules relating to membership of trade organizations would be included in its consolidated proposals for Trade Organizations Act, 2013 and rules.
The committee appreciated the overall working of Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) and its shifting of its head office from Lahore to Islamabad. Committee emphasized on its marketing and public awareness programs and directed to make it more convenient for the general public.
Three recommendations were given to National Tariff Commission (NTC) and was told the committee that its working has increased as compare to last years. Chairman of the committee asked about the mechanism of pension of their retired employees. It was informed that there was no such mechanism so law division was consulted and necessary steps have been taken in this regard as the matter is sub judice.
