SIALKOT: Chairman Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) Muhammad Ishaq Butt has claimed that SDPT has been handling exports to the tune of billions of rupees annually, saying that future of Sialkot Dry Port was very bright, as the exports from here would further be increased in near future.
Talking to Customs Today at his office here, he said that SDPT was declared winner of Award of Excellence by procuring most number of votes from the freight forwarders across the country as most efficient dry port in Pakistan. Being Chairman of SDPT, he received award from Chairman Port Qasim Authority Karachi on behalf of Ministry of Ports and Shipping.
Muhammad Ishaq Butt said that the Sialkot Dry Port Trust has the unique honour of being the first ever dry port established in private sector in Asia in 1985, saying that its establishment was a result of sincere collective efforts of progressive exporters of Sialkot, the officials of Pakistan Customs and allied departments as well.
He said that main aim of this dry port was to provide customs clearance facilities to exporters and importers of this region at their door steps. He said that due to exemplary mutual cooperation and understanding amongst the exporters, importers, management and staff, this institution has achieved unprecedented success.
Chairman SDPT committed to provide excellence and efficient services, saying that with the latest equipments, the Sialkot Dry Port Trust was progressing by leaps and bounds.
SDPT has contributed in enhancement of exports to help strengthen the economy of Pakistan, saying that now this dry port has developed its own fleet of 100 customs bonded vehicles which is the first largest bonded carriers in private sector. The One Window Operation has facilitated the exporters by ensuring clearance and dispatch of export consignments on the same day, he revealed.
“Its strategic location is such that it has benefited main industrial cities of Sialkot, Gujranwala, Wazirabad and Gujrat, in providing export-related facilities at their door steps. It is almost central to Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Daska, Gujrat, Sialkot and Narowal”, he added.
Sialkot Dry Port is keeping pace with technological advancement in information technology and is providing online tracking facility to its valued customers, who can access information of cargo in transit through the internet. The One Window Operation has facilitated the exporters by ensuring clearance and dispatch of export consignments on the same day.
He said that the Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) is providing customs clearing facilities round the clock to the exporters and importers at their door steps and is striving to provide the best possible services to boost the industry in the Sialkot region.
He added that the management of SDPT always wanted to create competitiveness with market to acquire more import and export business of the region and regular meetings are arranged with the clients and agents to provide services to their complete satisfaction, as the state-of-the-art arrangements are available at SDPT for safe and sound transportation of cargo.
Muhammad Ishaq Butt, who is also the Chairman of All Pakistan Dry Ports Association, disclosed that the management of SDPT is seriously considering providing package-related facilities to the exporters and importers whereas the SDPT will take full responsibility to deliver the export consignments to their shipping lines. The process of handling of export and import from the arrival to dispatch is now entirely computerized as well as billing of all exports and imports to avoid manual errors. For the secrecy of documents we have security codes on our computers. All the information of our clients is keep secret.
“Intraregional exports and imports are increasing throughout Asia. Asia’s share of world containerized exports and imports are expected to rise significantly by 2015”, he added.
He revealed that the total number of containers handled in Asian ports is estimated to reach 492 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) by 2015, and the transshipment volume will comprise 109 million TEU of this total. The growth of intraregional trade and the expected growth of containerized transport in Asia clearly demonstrate the need for improved intermodal freight transport in the region.
Ishaq Butt also hailed the present government for taking steps in infrastructure development, especially the Lahore-Karachi Motorway, saying improvement of infrastructure was must to unlock growth in Pakistan.
He termed it commendable that government has taken steps to reduce the budget deficit and widening the tax base to improve tax-to GDP ratio. He suggested that principal focus of the tax proposals for fiscal year 2014-15 should have been on the development of a direct tax regime for making federal taxation more buoyant and progressive.
During his recently held meeting with the President Mamnoon Hussain at Presidency in Islamabad, Muhammad Ishaq Butt, Chairman Sialkot Dry Port Trust and Chairman All Pakistan Dry Ports Association, lauded the vision and vigour of the President for boosting national economy.
President Mamnoon Hussain was very positive in resolution of the issues of the up-country dry ports and formed a joint committee to resolve the issue, he narrated.