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Category: Trade & Industry

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  • Value-added textile demands allowing cotton yarn import from India

    Value-added textile demands allowing cotton yarn import from India

    KARACHI: Value-added textile sector on Tuesday demanded the government of allowing cotton yarn from India as it was done in case of pharmaceuticals.

    In an online meeting with Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce & Textile, the representatives of value added textile sector said that without discrimination, in order to overcome the scarcity of yarn in the Pakistan, as the government previously allowed for import of pharmaceuticals, “it is also most crucial to allow import of cotton yarn from neighbouring country through Wagah border as the quality yarn is not available and prices are also multiplied to manifolds.”

    Wagah is a union council of Pakistan bordering with India.

    Allowing import of cotton yarn was demanded by Value-Added Textile Associations – Zubair Motiwala, Chairman, Council of All Pakistan Textile Associations (CAPTA), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum, Riaz Ahmed, Central Chairman Pakistan Hosiery & Manufacturers Exporters Association, Tariq Munir, Zonal Chairman (SZ), Farukh Iqbal, Sr Vice Chairman PHMA (NZ), Ijaz Khokhar, Former Chairman, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association, Haroon Shamsi, Former Chairman, Towel Manufacturers Association and Zia Alamdar, Former President, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in an online meeting held with Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce & Textile.

    The council raised: “The government, through Presidential Ordinance, must abolish all duties and taxes and allow duty free import of Cotton yarn which is the raw material of value-added textile sector in order to sustain and achieve milestone in enhancement of exports.

    “The government should also place ban on export of cotton yarn of 30 single or below till June 2021 ensuring availability of quality yarn to facilitate export sector to complete their export orders without hassle and unrest.

    “In view of shortage of wheat and sugar, the Government had allowed to import wheat and sugar and also banned their export to cater the national needs.”

    Likewise, anti-dumping duties on goods imported meant for re-export by Export Oriented Units and Manufacturing Bond should also be abolished. Moreover, to turn vision of the Prime Minister for enhancement of exports into reality and to control the declining trend in exports, the government should freeze the special tariffs of 7.5 cents for electricity and $ 6.5 for gas for at least next three years and provide uninterrupted and quality electricity and gas providing level playing field and competitive environment to enhance their export efficiency and materialize all exports orders.”

    The value-added textile sector has emphasized that the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for industrialization, increasing exports, creating trade surplus, generation of employment opportunities and earning precious foreign exchange shall become possible only when raw material – cotton yarn and uninterrupted supply of utilities is ensured on special tariffs approved for export-oriented industries. The Value-added Textile Exporters are highly worried over the unavailability of cotton yarn – which is basic raw material in the local market despite huge export orders are available with the value added textile.

    On the demand of textile exporters, the government, previously, considered removing the Regulatory Duty only. Sense of severe unrest and uncertainty prevails as exporters feel it “discriminatory” because in the case of cotton, the government had allowed complete duty-free import.

    Removal of Regulatory Duty has supported the value-added textile sector to some extent, whereas, the situation necessitates and demands to also remove the Customs Duty to fully support the value-added textile sector to complete their export orders which they have materialized for the next several months.

    The gravity of situation demands the government to immediately abolish Customs duty on import of cotton yarn by passing through a Presidential Ordinance, in the interest of export and the country.

    The Associations also expressed severe concern on the recent announcement of the Federal Government regarding discontinuation of gas to the industrial captive power plants which depicted a bleak picture in eyes of foreign buyers across the globe, particularly of US & EU who become doubtful as to how the Pakistani exporters will complete export orders?

    The buyers have also communicated that since there will be no gas and orders cannot be completed, therefore, they are thinking to divert the export orders given to Pakistani exporters to other countries.

    The Associations’ representatives lamented that 225 CPPs of Industries in Sindh were closed abruptly. The Government later clarified that the announcement was related to energy efficiency benchmark.

    The Associations reacted that the CPPs of industries were more efficient and productive as compared to CPPs of utility companies. More than a decade back the export industries invested in CPPs on the offer of the then Government when the utility companies were failed to provide required quality electricity and there were load-shedding problems.

    Now the sitting Government is asking to close the CPPs and take electricity from utility companies which is totally contradictory.

    The Associations stated that the utility companies neither have the required quantum of electricity to supply to industries nor have the adequate infrastructure available for the purpose, thus, the Government must refrain from such unwise move which will bring disastrous effects on industries and exports.

    Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce & Textile gave patient hearing to the issues and problems confronting to the Value-Added Textile Industry and assured that he will take up the matter with the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Government will consider and resolve some of the issued highlighted in the meeting.

    Value Added Textile Export Industry contributes around 62 percent in total exports, provide highest urban employment particularly to female workforce and supports approx. 40 allied industries.

    In view of its significant importance in the economy and free market mechanism, the Government must consider the appeal of value-added textile sector for duty-free import of cotton yarn to ensure availability of cotton yarn of good quality.

    Such state of affairs demands the Government to remove 5 percent custom duty on import of 30 single yarn and below count and the exporters, manufacturers and importers, shall be given full liberty to import yarn from any country till the scarcity of cotton yarn is controlled and required quantity of yarn is available in abundance in all Pakistani markets to complete the export order smoothly.

  • FPCCI laments FBR’s non-serious behavior in taxpayers’ facilitation

    FPCCI laments FBR’s non-serious behavior in taxpayers’ facilitation

    KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has strongly criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its lack of responsiveness in addressing taxpayers’ concerns.

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  • KCCI expresses concerns over sudden stoppage of National Saving payments

    KCCI expresses concerns over sudden stoppage of National Saving payments

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday expressed deep concerns over sudden stoppage of payments by National Saving Centers (NSCs) and urged the government take immediate action in this regard.

    KCCI President Shariq Vohra in a statement, while expressing deep concerns over the sudden stoppage of payments by NSCs, urged the government to look into this serious issue as any delay in these payments would intensify the hardships mostly for the senior citizens including retired individuals and widows whose lives depend on timely payments.

    The President KCCI pointed out that KCCI has received numerous complaints as the returns of many individuals against their investments in NSC certificates have been put on hold without a valid reason and they all were extremely worried about it.

    “It is a well-known fact that these payments belong mostly to senior citizens and widows whose lifetime savings are invested in certificates so that they could utilize the monthly returns on their daily bread and butter. Hence, it is really unfair to stop such critically and economically important payment,” he added.

    He said that on one hand, the Federal Ombudsman has directed the Pakistan Post to digitize all Post Offices by February 2021 to avoid delay in payment of profits against saving certificates issued to senior citizens and widows but on the other hand, this important segment remains deprived as their request for release of outstanding payment has been turned down.

    He stressed that in order to facilitate the senior citizens, the National Saving Center has to be completely digitalized and its operations should be improved as per banking standards while the profits payable should instantly be transferred into the personal accounts of its account holders, which would be widely welcomed as the senior citizens will not be required to visit saving centers every month to claim their dues and they will be able to access their profits online.

    President KCCI requested the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan to issue directives for immediate release of payments to the masses so that their lives were not disturbed.

  • Customs reluctant to give WeBOC access to ANF

    Customs reluctant to give WeBOC access to ANF

    KARACHI: Brigadier Syed Waqar Haider Rizvi, Force Commander Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) said that the force has not direct access to export related documents on Customs online system i.e. WeBOC, according to a statement issued on Saturday.

    He said that ANF does not require any sort of undertaking or affidavit from a clearing agent or exporter. “If somebody from the terminal operators demands such a document then it is not under the instruction of ANF,” he said while talking to office bearers of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

    While responding to the issues raised by participants of the meeting, said that it is high time to put combined efforts into the development of the economy in Pakistan.

    He further informed that drug smuggling is a transnational crime. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Customs, Coast Guards, ANF and other departments are working under their authorities. “We do not receive BL, invoice, or other documents, and Customs are reluctant to permit us access to the WeBOC system,” he added.

    Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President of FPCCI while welcoming Brigadier Syed Waqar Haider Rizvi, Force Commander Anti Narcotic Force Karachi stated that repacking of the exported goods after examination caused delays, cost and confidence of the buyers.

    The President FPCCI also appreciated the working of the force especially during the lockdown due to COVID-19. He added that the problems of the trade to the extent of 70 – 80 percent have been solved due to cooperation of the force officials.

    However there are still some problems being faced by the trade and industry such as repacking of the export cargo after examination by ANF.

    The export cargo after examination is usually stuffed and the worthy factory packing is disturbed due to which there are complaints from the buyers that the packing of the goods is not satisfactory.

    There is a need of updating the information of precursor chemicals within the ANF staff working at ports. This may be achieved with joint sessions of ANF and stakeholders.

    There should be a fixed time period by the ANF for breaking the seal of the container so that the clearing agent may line himself up for examination accordingly. This will also save the exporter from shutting out of his containers by the shipping agents and could be exported in time.

    The meeting was attended by Athar Sultan Chawla, Arif Jeeva Vice Presidents, Muhammad Ayub in charge of the port control unit Anti-Narcotics Force Khurram Ijaz, Waseem Vohra former Vice Presidents and Shabbir Mansha,

    Convener FPCCI Committee on Customs. Meeting was concluded with the presentation of FPCCI crest to the Brigadier Syed Waqar Haider Rizvi, Force Commander Anti Narcotic Force Karachi.

  • Foreign investors elect Irfan Siddiqui as body chief

    Foreign investors elect Irfan Siddiqui as body chief

    KARACHI: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has elected Irfan Siddiqui as its president for the 2021 term at its annual general meeting held on Monday. Siddiqui, who currently serves as the President and CEO of Meezan Bank Limited, will lead the chamber, which represents foreign investors in Pakistan.

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  • Turkish envoy holds meetings with FPCCI, KCCI members to boost bilateral trade

    Turkish envoy holds meetings with FPCCI, KCCI members to boost bilateral trade

    KARACHI: Consul General of Turkey Tolga UCAK on Tuesday held meetings with members of leading trade bodies of Pakistan to discuss possibilities of enhancing trade and commercial ties between the two countries.

    During his visit to Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) commenting on the proposals of FPCCI President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, the Consul General informed that there will be an inauguration of the services of Cargo Train between Istanbul and Islamabad with transit time of 9-10 days. This initiative will go a long way in promotion of bilateral trade.

    He also offered to organize road show in Pakistan with attracting Turkish Products. He was optimistic that in the post coronavirus the volume of bilateral trade will be further enhanced for which we have to prepare ourselves and make plans of future activities.

    He assured his full support to the initiative undertaken by FPCCI and its JBC for the joint activities between both countries.

    During his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Tolga UCAK stressed the need to encourage joint ventures in different sectors of the economy whereas Turkey can also assist in setting up a tram service system in Karachi, particularly at the coastal line of sea view, which would change the face of Karachi and become a tourists’ attraction.

    While expressing keenness to strengthen trade and investment ties between the business communities of the two countries, Turkish CG assured that the commercial section of Turkish Consulate in Karachi was ready to fully assist Karachi’s business & industrial community intending to improve trade and investment ties with their Turkish counterparts.

    To deal with trade-related conflicts and protect the interest of customers, he suggested to form a private-to-private sector committee between the two countries

  • Industry rejects shutting down gas supply decision

    Industry rejects shutting down gas supply decision

    KARACHI: Trade and industry on Monday strongly rejected the government decision of discontinuing gas supply for export and manufacturing sectors.

    The industry will face the ever severe situation in the wake of discontinuation of gas supply to captive power generation for general industry from February 01 and the export-oriented sectors from March 01, 2021 leaving severe impact on the economy and exports of Pakistan.

    This was stated by Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) addressing a Press Conference.

    The President FPCCI also accompanied by President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shariq Vohra and other business leaders.

    All the business leaders vehemently rejected the cabinet decision and appealed Prime Minister to revisit this decision in the best interest of the survival of industry and for enhancement of Pakistan’s export and creating employment in the country.

    He further went on saying that industry is already confronted with many challenges particularly with respect to procurement of long term orders for the exports.

    However, the Pakistan’s exports when witnessing a growth this decision has badly affected confidence of foreign buyers and asking for completion of their orders and it is apprehended the export orders are likely to shift elsewhere to the other competing countries.

    He also quoted that Pakistan utility tariff is comparatively very high than the other regional countries.

    He further said that transferring electricity from captive power to grid will take time and costly not feasible as the cost of electricity generated by our captive powers is lower than the cost involved in shifting to grid.

    Most of the industries were running on natural gas using boilers and regeneration system so it was impossible to be converted on the grid and change the whole appliances within one month.

    Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo stated that the decision of Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) appears to have been taken on non-professional advice and without consultation of main stakeholders that is businessmen and apex bodies. He further said that this decision will not only harm the economy of Pakistan but will also damage our image with international buyers which seem a conspiracy against the progress made by Pakistan in the last two years by the present government.

    While addressing the press conference, Shariq Vohra, President KCCI showed surprise on the decision and stated that they would not allowed K-electric sabotage Karachi’s progress and development and both representative from Karachi Chamber strongly emphasized that government should not take such decisions that create labor unrest due to closures of factories.

  • Business demands to withdraw power tariff hike, shutting down captive power plants

    Business demands to withdraw power tariff hike, shutting down captive power plants

    KARACHI: Business community has demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to withdraw the decision to increase in power tariff hike and shutting down the captive power plants because such decision would sabotage efforts of the government to enhance the exports.

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  • KCCI, Jazz sign deal for 35 percent to businessmen

    KCCI, Jazz sign deal for 35 percent to businessmen

    In a significant move to benefit the local business community, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and Jazz, Pakistan’s leading 4G operator and top internet and broadband service provider, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, formalized on Saturday, aims to provide substantial discounts on Jazz’s services to KCCI members.

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  • FPCCI resents electricity tariff hike, gas supply shortage

    FPCCI resents electricity tariff hike, gas supply shortage

    KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has resented increase in electricity tariff and supply shortage of gas to industry.

    Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President FPCCI in a statement on Friday expressed concerns over electricity tariff hike and disconnection of gas for the industry.

    He said that instead of reforming the energy sector, the adhoc and painful decisions are being made detriment to domestic industry.

    He said that the much awaited outcome of negotiations between IPPs and government which was considered to be directed towards reduction in base tariff do not assures any decrease in the base tariff, which again is shocking outcome questionable as the private sector was of the view that the report published on IPPs which was required to be further expanded towards the eventual objectives of resulting in the reduced cost of energy for increasing the competitiveness of economy and mitigating the inflationary trapped and consumption requirement of the poor segment of the economy.

    He said that the spokesman on the energy has attributed the need of tariff hike due to bad and corrupt agreements made with IPPs in the past. He said that if so, such situation requires to be corrected through invoking all the civil and criminal remedies to correct the agreements by excluding the pay or take, reducing O&M cost, converting the repatriation cost from dollar indexation to rupee and relevant recommended measures in the report.

    He said that while appreciating the present government in ordering the inquiry in respect of agreement with IPPs, the outcome does not appear to be reciprocating for base tariff reduction and availability of electricity sale at reduced cost.

    He further said that the announcement of Rs40 billion per year off-take of financial burden on Government is marginal even against the present announced tariff base hike wherein one rupee hike is over charging consumers of Rs 100 billion on consumption of electricity.

    President FPCCI also said that such on & off increase in tariff is coming in the way of economic development, in specific loaded by the carried forward adverse effect of COVID-19.

    The hike if is linked to any part of the memorandum of understanding with IMF can be fairly convinced for freezing such tariff hike when IMF itself projected low economic growth. Such duplicity cannot be justified.

    On the other side the predictable outward and inward oriented trade has become hostage of keep on increasing gas prices and intending to disconnect the gas supply of captive power plants.

    He said that mismanaged RLNG cargoes by the Petroleum Division are also answerable to such abrupt and non-justified late decisions. He said that during last November the spokesman on energy and petroleum had promised that increasing demand of gas in the winter season will be met through increase in RLNG imports.

    It appears that this non-living promise has forced Government to take decision of disconnecting the gas for captive power of industry. The setting of the deadline for disconnection of gas from February 1, 2021and 1st March 2021 is too short time to adjust.

    He said that some industry is running on captive powers with some emergency required grid loads need more time to arrange all the equipment’s and settle all the requirements of Discos which would take considerable time.

    He said that even CPP’s of industry with equivalent power arrangement from Grid also requires back-up adjustments of power by the Discos which is again time consuming.

    Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President FPCCI proposed that the time period provided be extended reasonably in order to shift to Grid power. He said that the penalty of bad agreements with IPPs on capacity and take or pay clauses is being shifted to industry with their self-generation through captive power plants which basically is assurance for reliability and un-interrupted supply.

    Discos have yet to claim such performance to supply un-interrupted electricity without load shedding. He said that government spokesman has claimed saving of 150 MMCFD gas by disconnecting CPPs of industry, while the gas leakages in the systems are four times of this saving of 150 MMCD.

    He wondered that if there is any efficiency in the management over sighting the political economy of the gas affairs.

    He further suggested that even if the government reduces gas loss by one-fourth, the abrupt imposition of such decision may not have been required to adversely affect the industrial economy.