MULTAN: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) set the huge collection target of almost Rs 50 billion for Model of Customs Collectorate Multan, said Collector of Customs Sarfraz Ahmed Waraich while talking to a delegation of local traders, importers, exporters and industrialists headed by President of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Mian Fareed Mughees A Sheikh.
Collector MCC Multan asked traders to utilize the best available facilities of Multan Dry Port properly so that revenue could be generated from this zone.
Collector MCC Multan Sarfraz Ahmed Waraich stressed the need for frequent meetings in order to enhance mutual cooperation between business community and Customs. Both Sheikh and Waraich agreed to draw plan to facilitate the exporters of agricultural produces, mango and other fruits and infra-structure be provided at Multan International Airport to attract them besides encouraging the importers and discourage menace of smuggling.
He said the cold storage and hot water treatment plant be provided at Multan airport to facilitate the exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fareed Sheikh demanded of Chief Collector to ensure complete facilitation for the genuine exporters and importers and give them proper time in case of any genuine importer fails to produce documents at the spot of his consignment before taking any action from Customs. He said that Karachi like facilities be provided to the importers at Multan Dry Port so that it could survive.
He complained that on one hand, the government talks of increasing revenues while on the other hand genuine importers are being harassed and in such circumstances government’s dreams to establish economic stability cannot come true. Meanwhile, he pledged all the co-operation on part of business community to overcome the evil of smuggling.
Collector Sarfraz Ahmed Wariach said that the Federal Board of Revenue has fixed the revenue target of Rs 50 billion for Multan region and local exporters and importers should cooperate with the Collectorate to achieve the target.
He said that a proposal for the exports through train to neighboring countries was submitted to the federal government and sending goods to Karachi through railway from Multan dry port. This facility, he said, would help in saving their carriage expenses. In the conclusion of meeting Collector and business community agreed on a point that an advisory committee be constituted which comprised of Customs and businessman to understand the problems of both sides.
