KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday issued instructions to banks regarding import of sugar by private importers.
The central bank said that the ministry of commerce had issued a public notice stating that the government had allowed import of 200,000 tons of white sugar by private importers as per the terms and conditions mentioned therein.
The SBP said that to facilitate the import of sugar under the subject Public Notice, the banks may process the requests for import of white sugar as per following terms and conditions:
Import may be allowed on behalf of those importers who have been issued permit(s) by the Ministry of Commerce under the above-mentioned Public Notice;
Import may be allowed on CFR Free out basis, as an exception to the instructions given under Para 5 Chapter 13 of the FE Manual;
Advance payment up to 100 percent of the value of letter of credit/contract/proforma invoice may be allowed, subject to compliance with other terms & conditions given under Para 30 of Chapter 13 of the FE Manual;
The commercial banks have been asked to submit consolidated data of LCs issued and advance payments made, against issued permits, to Foreign Exchange Operations Department, SBP BSC, Head Office, Karachi on daily basis.
The banks should also ensure compliance with all other terms & conditions of permit(s) issued by Ministry of Commerce.
