Sialkot MCC collector says yearly export earnings of Sialkot stand at $1.6 billion due to untiring efforts of Sialkot exporters
SIALKOT: Sialkot Model Customs Collectorate Collector Qurban Ali Khan has assured the Sialkot-based exporters to resolve their customs-related issues.
The collector said that the rebate claims worth Rs 910 million have been paid to Sialkot exporters so far. He added that the Sialkot Model Customs Collectorate was striving to ensure the early clearance of all the pending rebate and refund claims of Sialkot exporters. He also said the collectorate was leaving no stone unturned to pay the dues of the rebate and refund claims.
He said this while addressing a meeting of the Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PGMEA). PGMEA Chairman Muhammad Younas, Senior Vice Chairman Sheikh Ejaz Ahmed Jammu, former SCCI president Sheikh Abdul Waheed Sandal and Sialkot International Airport Limited Chairman Sheikh Muhammad Yaqub were also present on the occasion.
The collector said that the collectorate was providing advanced facilities to Sialkot exporters and importers besides ensuring rapid clearance of the export consignments at the Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) and Sialkot International Airport.
He revealed that single-window system and establishment of single examination assessment office at the shade yard of the dry port was earning confidence of the Sialkot exporters.
He said that the Sialkot exporters also took a keen interest in enhancing their exports from Sialkot, as the collectorate was successfully motivating them to export their goods via the Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) and Sialkot International Airport. He added that the Sialkot exporters have been playing their role to boost Pakistan’s economy by earning foreign exchange.
To a question, Collector Qurban Ali Khan said that the collectorate has started paying pending rebate claims to the Sialkot exporters, adding that this would help them enable them to improve their business activities. The collector said the MCC was honouring its commitments, besides winning the hearts of Sialkot exporters in this regard. He said that this has greatly relieved the pressure on the finances of the Sialkot-based exporters and manufacturers and they have warmly welcomed the payments of their arrears.
He said that collectorate was rapidly becoming a centre of excellence with the active cooperation of the Sialkot-based industrialists, exporters and importers.
Collector Qurban said that an advanced 24/7 duty system has successfully been introduced at the dry port, as efficient officials of customs, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and dry port have been performing round-the-clock duties there to lure the Sialkot exporters, importers, clearing agents into using the dry port for their business.
He pledged to leave no stone unturned for promoting the exports and imports through the Sialkot Dry Port, saying that the dry port was now offering international standard service.
He said that there was a huge potential of exports from Sialkot through the dry port and Sialkot International Airport.
Collector Qurban said that the exporters of Sialkot were the roaming ambassadors of Pakistan, who travel across the globe to fetch business and with their personal efforts, the export earnings of Sialkot stand at $1.6 billion annually, which is 6% percent of the total exports of Pakistan.
He hailed the Sialkot exporters for establishing Asia’s first-ever private sector airport. He said that the airport has a huge potential of cargo exports.
He added that the Sialkot exporters had been earning $1.8 billion foreign exchange annually, besides playing a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy and boosting the exports as well.
He added the collectorate in collaboration with the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry is trying to bring betterment in checking system of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).
PGMEA Chairman Muhammad Younas and SVC Sheikh Ejaz said that the ‘ruthless’ checking of the export consignments by the ANF in Karachi was badly damaging the export products. They added that this ‘nasty’ practice was causing severe financial losses to them, adding that it was also putting a drastic effect on Pakistan’s exports.
