ISLAMABAD, Sept 17: The government has banned the import of raw sugar and polyester staple fibre (PSF) under the Duty and Tax Remission for Export (DTRE) scheme.

The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) issued a notification here on Tuesday in this connection making amendments in the revised DTRE Rules 2001.

The decision was taken following the complaints of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and manufacturers of PSF that the import of the two products under DTRE scheme might harm the local productions.

An official source told Dawn that the Ministry of Commerce, in consultation with other stakeholders, is also considering a comprehensive list of goods to be banned under the DTRE scheme for Afghanistan and Centreal Asian Republics (CARs).

The proposal was already sent to the relevant stakeholders to work out the items to be placed under the proposed negative list for DTRE scheme.

According to the official the decision was taken following the demand of some local industries who were of the opinion that under DTRE scheme most of the exporters would import goods duty-free for its subsequent exports to Afghanistan and CARs, which they believed would affect their productions.