KARACHI, Jan 4: The Collectorate of Customs (Exports) during July-December period paid Rs9.750 billion as duty drawback that is 51 per cent more as compared to Rs6.443 billion paid during the corresponding period last year.

Similarly, the amount of rebate and duty drawback paid during November-December 2001, stood at Rs4.507 billion, showing an increase of Rs2.992 billion or 197 per cent higher against Rs1.515 billion paid during the same period last year.

In order to meet difficult conditions arising during post-Sept 11 incident, the collectorate took extraordinary measures to facilitate export trade.

Taking stock of the situation, the collectorate ensured quick and timely disbursement of duty drawback claims, making record payments during first two quarters of the current fiscal 2001-2002.

This was only possible when the offices of the collectorate kept working round-the-clock even during Ramazan and Eid holidays, which came during the last two weeks of December and only 15 days before the closing of quota year.

Consequently, country’s exports also registered a rise of 14 per cent (in terms of rupee value) during July-December, 2001 as compared to the corresponding period of last fiscal.

In order to resolve the problems faced by exporters and facilitate exports the Collectorate of Customs (Exports) has also constituted an ‘export facilitation committee’ which comprises members of trade bodies, EPB, FPCCI, KCCI and officers of collectorate. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on Monday, Jan 7, at Customs House.

The Collector of Customs (Exports), Aftab Baloch has asked exporters to directly approach him if they have any pending rebate claim or any other problem confronted by them with regard to processing and examination of export documents.