ISLAMABAD, June 30: The government on Thursday revised downward the marking fee to 0.1 per cent from existing 0.25 per cent levied by Pakistan Standards and Quality control Authority (PSQCA) on two and three wheelers.
The new rate would now be applicable on the basis for computation on ex-factory price instead of the current position on the cost of production to be effective from July 1, 2005.
An official announcement said that the decision was taken at meeting headed by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Ch Nauraiz Shakoor with the representatives of Pakistan Automotive Manufactures Association (PAMA) here on Thursday.
The Act VI of 1996 has mandated the PSQCA to levy Marking Fee for the products falling under Compulsory Certification Marks Scheme, that presently covers 46 items only out of some 20,000 adopted by the PSQCA.
The 2/3 wheelers auto vehicles were brought under this category since January 31, 2002 and required to pay marking fee at the rate of 0.25 per cent on the cost of production, however, PAMA and other organization continuously sought revision in these rates as also the basis for computation on ex-factory price.
The ministry also agreed to support PAMA’s proposals and decided to enforce Pakistan quality standards on imported auto vehicles. Director General PSQCA has already initiated the necessary follow-ups in this regard with ministry of Commerce.
“This agreement clearly demonstrates the resolve of the government to lend an all out support to the industrialist for better environment in the WTO regime towards quality oriented productivity,” the minister told the meeting.
He appreciated the role played by industrialist to boost the economy with record growth rate of 8.4 per cent.
The representative of five major companies later presented the cheques worth Rs17 million as the first instalment of the arrears; additional payments of Rs35 million would be settled by December 2005.
