The business community is playing a key role in promoting trade and economic activities in the country 
and its customs-related issues will be addressed, Chief Collector (Customs North), Islamabad Muhammad
Imran Khan Mohmand has said. Talking to the business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber 
of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), he said an improved Export Facilitation Scheme would be introduced soon to facilitate exporters. 

The business community should take advantage of the Trade Information Portal of Pakistan to improve their knowledge
of import and export matters, he added. 

Imran Mohmand said the Web Based One Customs system is also facilitating the traders in customs clearance and they should take 
advantage of it. He urged the business community to cooperate with the customs department in identifying those who misuse the green 
channel system. This will make it more effective for the clearance of containers.  ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said the best 
option to resolve the current economic crisis is to boost exports and foreign exchange reserves. Exports can be improved by short, medium
and long-term measures, he suggested. He also asked the customs department to arrange seminars at chambers of commerce across the 
country to educate the business community about improving exports. 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 added. 

"Further automation of customs operations is important to facilitate the business community in import and export matters," he said.

He expressed the need for revising the Harmonised System tariff codes to ensure accurate assessment of the imported goods and
rationalizing customs duties on the imported items used in the production activities. 

Former ICCI president Mian Akram Farid asked the customs department to look into the matter that industry in settled areas such as 
Islamabad is getting no benefit from the tax-exempt industry in Federally Administered Tribal Areas/Provincially Administered Tribal
Areas, as its products are not reaching the settled areas. Speaking on the occasion, members of the business community highlighted 
various customs-related issues and requested the chief collector of customs to address them on priority.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk