Business community is playing a key role in promoting trade and economic activities and all possible measures would be taken to address their customs related issues. This was said by Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand, Chief Collector (Customs North), Islamabad while addressing the business community during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI).

Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand said that an improved Export Facilitation Scheme would be rolled out soon to facilitate the exporters. He said that the business community should take advantage of the Trade Information Portal of Pakistan to improve their knowledge about import and export matters. He said that the We-BOC system is also facilitating the traders in customs clearance and they should take advantage of it. He said that the business community should cooperate with the customs department in identifying those who misuse the green channel to make it more effective for clearance of containers. He assured that the customs department would consider the issues highlighted by the business community to address them.

Speaking at the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that the best option to resolve the current economic crisis is to boost exports and foreign reserves. He stressed that short, medium and long term measures should be taken to improve exports. He further said that the customs should arrange seminars in chambers of commerce across the country to educate the business community about improving exports. He said that a subject on exports should be included in the syllabus of schools and colleges to educate the students about the importance of exports for the country. He said that further automation of Customs operations is important to facilitate the business community in import and export matters. He said that HS Codes should be revised to ensure accurate assessment of the imported goods and customs duties should be rationalized on the imported items used in the production activities.

  Mian Akram Farid former President ICCI said that industry in FATA/PATA is tax exempted, but its products are reaching the settled areas due to which industry of settled areas including Islamabad is suffering and urged that customs should look into this situation.

Zafar Bakhtawari and Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi, former Presidents ICCI said that customs should cooperate with the private sector in promoting exports in order to steer Pakistan out of current economic crisis.

Azhar ul Islam Zafar, Vice President ICCI thanked the Chief Collector Customs North, Islamabad and his team for visiting ICCI and said that ICCI would like to work closely with Customs House, Islamabad to facilitate the business community in customs matters. The members of the business community highlighted various customs related issues and requested that the Chief Collector Customs North Islamabad should play a role to address them.