ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved electronic data exchange with China which would help overcome massive under-invoicing.
Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan said while addressing a news conference. He said that Pakistan allowed transit facility to China under Quadrilateral agreement signed in 1996 for promoting CPEC and if need arises fresh transit agreement could be signed with Beijing.
“We have made National Tariff Commission (NTC) operational by appointing five members including new Chairman Qasim Niaz in order to establish defense for Pakistan’s trade. We have strengthened institutions like NTC but admitted that the shortage of right kind of officer is hampering work in our ministry,” Federal Minister said
Regarding trade relations with India, the minister said that there was no change in trade regime with India as New Delhi leadership had threatened to cut off trade ties but the meeting meant for this purpose could not be held and finally cancelled. “In existing circumstances, there is no basis of optimism for boosting trade ties with India,” the minister added.
The NTC chairman said that there were currently pending anti dumping cases against 32 countries including China, India, Korea, Thailand and others related to 10 products including 6 steel related products, 3 paper related products and 2 yarn related products. There are 19 cases of sunset review where the anti dumping duty will be considered for review to extend the period or not against different countries. He said that the NTC witnessed many ups and downs but hoped that now the NTC would undertake all assigned tasks in effective manner.
The minister said that the government made new law for NTC and now revived it by making it fully operational. He said that the government was ready to provide all out financial resources for helping the NTC to undertake research work.
To another query regarding any proposal under consideration for duty free import of cotton from India, the minister said that the cotton produced domestically was available and this decision would be taken by the government at appropriate level as it was “premature” to take decision on this subject.
The minister posed full confidence on newly appointed five members of NTC and said that their integrity was beyond any doubt so he did not expect that he would ever heard complaints of getting any money for raising any case at the forum of the NTC.
He said that Pakistan would continue pursuing its cases related to dumping duty before the European Union (EU) as it would set precedent for future endeavors.
Regarding filing of cases against Pakistan’s cement makers into African and US markets, the minister said that the government first of all ascertained whether the ministry should assist individual company or association and now finally concluded that individual company could also be assisted by extending all out support.
The minister also defended appointment of Dr Tauqir Shah as Pakistan’s Ambassador into WTO and said that Mr Shah’s appointment proved correct decision as he had defended Pakistan’s trade interest very well at international forum. (Ends)
