August 8, 2003	Friday	Jumadi-us-Sani 9, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: The imports value of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) increased by 22.53 per cent during the fiscal 2002-03 over the corresponding year of last fiscal.

Official figures released by the Central Board of Revenue here on Wednesday showed that total value of imports under the ATT stood at Rs16.436 billion during the fiscal 2002-03 against Rs13.413 billion in the fiscal 2001-02, showing an increase of Rs3.023 billion.

The imports value under ATT increased by 29.11 per cent during the financial year 2002-03 when compared with the imports value of Rs12.730 billion during the year 2000-01.

Officials told Dawn that the increase was due to the active participation of Afghan importers in the reconstruction activities of their country.

They said that another factor for increase in imports was the withdrawal of eight items from the negative list at the request of the Afghan government.

According to the officials, reduction in railway freight charges and other facilitation at the exit points also facilitated the trade under ATT.

The government is also further considering the withdrawal of six more items from the negative list. The officials said the withdrawal of items would be considered following an extensive study to ascertain their impact on the production of local industry and suggest measures for protecting them against smuggled goods.

At present the government has placed 18 items under the negative list of ATT to protect the production of the local industry.