KARACHI: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan has said that the government will soon install scanners at all ports, airports and dry ports for checking export cargo without opening containers and carrying out physical examination.

After installing the scanning machines at all exit points, complaints about damages to export goods by physical examination carried out by the Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) would come to an end, he said.

Speaking to exporters at the PHMA House, the minister assured that by next month all outstanding sales tax refund dues would be cleared, and thereafter, the government would introduce zero-rating for all categories of exports.

The minister, however, questioned the performance of commercial counsellors at Pakistan’s foreign missions appointed by the previous government.

He hoped the new batch that would assume office next year would be selected on merit and serve the cause better.

Scanners to be installed at ports, airports

The commerce minister dispelled the impression that the GSP+ status given by the European Union (EU) is threatened by 27 conventions of the UN to which Pakistan is a signatory.

He further said that performance under GSP+ is encouraging and according to EU figures, there is a growth of 18pc or $770

mill­ion in exports from Pakistan compared to 8pc recorded in 2013. The textile exports are having major growth in overall exports to EU, he added.

The minister hoped that during the first year of GSP+ facility Pakistan would manage to achieve additional growth of $1 billion in exports.

He clarified that the facility is valid for 10 years. He further said if we manage to control and improve our internal matters, growth in exports to EU could be even better.

Khurram Dastagir Khan informed that the human resource and finance issues of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have been addressed under which all temporary employees are being regularised.

He said this would help improve TDAP’s performance and contribute to achieving a target of $50bn in the next few years.

The minister said that the only way to get rid of IMF is to increase exports. He dispelled the impression that the IMF conditionalities are hindering economic gro­wth.

In response to a complaint on rising cost of doing business and power and gas shortages and non-payment of outstanding sales tax refunds, the minister said all these issues are related to other ministries.

He, however, suggested that all these ministries should work in tandem to increase exports of value-added items.

Published in Dawn December 3rd , 2014