KARACHI: Revenue collection at Port Qasim Model Customs Collectorate recorded 3.8 per cent growth to Rs89.667 billion during 2008-09 compared to Rs86.984 billion collected in the corresponding period last year.

Though there had been 20.49 per cent fall in collection of customs duty but other revenues recorded growth during the period under review. Income tax collections at customs stage increased by 11.52 per cent to Rs55.929 billion as against Rs50.152 billion recorded earlier.

However, host of factors accounted for lesser duty collection, which declined by 20.49 per cent to Rs23.957 billion compared to Rs30.131 billion last year.

Official sources disclosed that there had been a steep fall in import of Completely Knockdown (CKD) kits of vehicles and of Completely Built-up Units (CBU).

As a result of this the collectorate suffered a huge revenue loss.The MCC Port Qasim is known for handling commodities like wheat, inedible oils, fertiliser and iron ore, which are exempted from duty and taxes.

According to official sources the revenue ran short to the tune of Rs3.8 billion due to exemptions on customs duty on import of wheat. Similarly the MCCI Port Qasim suffered revenue loss up to Rs3 billion due to fall in import of CKD kits (approx 5,000) compared to last fiscal year.

The CBU vehicles imports declined by 80 per cent during the out-going fiscal, sources said.

However, there was substantial increase in revenue collection on account of sales tax, income tax, federal excise duty etc.

The ST collection at customs stage recorded 11.52 per cent growth to Rs55.929 billion from 50.152 billion.