SIALKOT: Exporters have urged the federal government to ensure the implementation of payments and clearance of all sales tax refund claims by August as announced in the budget 2017-18.

Talking to media on Saturday, presidents of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufac­turers and Exporters Asso­ciation (Prgmea) appreciated the government for continuing the zero-rated status for five export sectors.

Commenting over the budget speech, they said “zero rated sales tax policy would help the export sectors to boom.”

The leaders said that continuity of zero rated sales tax policy would give a boost to Sialkot’s export oriented sports goods, surgical, leather and garments industries. However, early clearance of all pending sales tax refund claims of exporters would inject fresh blood into these industries.

They said the government has won the heart of exporters by announcing the zero rating policy, adding that this policy will also help to control corruption.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2017