ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has directed all customs collectorates for immediate disposal of pending duty drawback claims to facilitate exporters.

Official announcement issued on Wednesday said that in this connection instructions has been issued to all collectorates to remain functional during public holidays and work overtime to keep up the current momentum for promotion of exports.

To minimize the pendency of the duty drawback claims, the board paid out Rs5.4 billion to exporters during the first quarter (July-September) of the current financial year.

The CBR paid Rs26.4 billion under the head of duty drawback during 2001-02 against Rs16.4 billion it paid in 2000-01, showing an increase of 60.97 per cent.

In order to facilitate exporters and mitigate their hardships, the board had launched an intensive drive for expeditious disposal of duty drawback claims in all customs collectorates, added the announcement.