Finance Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani chairs meeting to simplify EFS procedures, improve access for exporters and strengthen risk-based oversight without compromising revenue safeguards.

ISLAMABAD: The government has reviewed proposed amendments to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) to simplify procedures, reduce compliance costs and improve access for exporters while maintaining safeguards against misuse.

The fifth meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee to Review the EFS was held at the Ministry of Finance under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), along with representatives of leading exporters’ associations, including APTMA, PTEA and Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended the meeting.

The committee examined proposed changes aimed at making the scheme simpler, more predictable and responsive to exporters’ operational requirements.

Discussions focused on simplifying exporter categorisation, rationalising authorisation periods and improving access for new and existing exporters.

The committee also considered streamlining security requirements and introducing transparent procedures to facilitate compliant businesses while retaining appropriate controls against potential misuse.

Bilal Azhar Kayani emphasised that eligibility criteria and prescribed procedures must be applied uniformly, with no exemptions.

He said procedures should be simplified without compromising revenue safeguards, adding that the proposed changes were intended to encourage investment, promote local value addition and strengthen export growth.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to continued consultations with exporters and trade bodies to ensure the scheme addresses industry requirements while linking tax and duty concessions with genuine export performance.