PESHAWAR: The Collector Customs at Customs House Peshawar visited the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday to give hearing to the problems of the industrialists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The Collector Customs was received by President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his office. Collector Customs Gul Rahman was also accompanied by high-ups of the Customs Department.
A number of industrialists were present at the meeting in order to inform the Collector of the problems faced by the businessmen for the growth of trade and industry in the KP province.
The traders informed the Collector that increase in Regulatory Duty will further decrease the exports of the KP province to Afghanistan which is a moment to think for the Federal Board of Revenue.
The President of the SCCI welcomed the Customs officials and said it has been a auspicious occasion for the growth of the industry as a large economic development is going to come to Pakistan. The Collector was informed by the SCCI President about the situation of importers/exporters and transporters.
The traders told Collector that the border trade with Afghanistan is completely closed due to which they are facing losses of millions each day since Afghan authorities don’t allow Pakistani trucks to cross the border.
The Collector Customs was informed that 90 percent of exports are done with Afghanistan which will fall due to strict policies of the Federal Board of Revenue.
Collector Gul Rahman said the Customs House Peshawar has nothing to do with the increase of Regulatory Duty and it is the work of the FBR. He added that the FBR has said it will reconsider the option of increase in the RD.
Replying to a question that smuggling of NDP goods in Peshawar is more rampant than other cities of the country which not only causes the treasury a big loss but also defames the trading community.
The collector was also informed that unlike other provinces, the Anti-Narcotics Force in KP province disturbs the transporters during travel from Karachi to Khyber for which the Customs Department needs to inquire from the ANF about the state of affairs.
Collector Gul Rahman assured the business community of addressing the problems of the importers/exporters and industrialists of the KP province.
