ISLAMABAD
The exporters of horticultural products have expressed serious concern over the investigation of their past five-year exports record by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on a fake/fabricated complaint filed with FBR.
A group of exporters led by Pakistan Fruit And Vegetable Exporters, Importers And Merchant Association (PFVA) patron-in-chief, who called on Trade Development Authority Of Pakistan (TDAP) secretary on Wednesday has complained that the regional post clearance audit departments are seeking a five-year old record of several exporters of fruits, pertaining to the Duties and Tax Remission for Export (DTRE) purchases, sales and exports etc.
They claimed that this has resulted in a panic-like situation among DTRE registered exporters. Exporters have accused the department of alleged harassment to them.
It has also been reported that a department of FBR in Punjab has started an investigation against the exporters merely on a fake and fabricated complaint of All Pakistan Paper Merchant Association (APPMA).
This would not only hurt exports but discourage business activities in the country. Instead of dropping the fake complaint, the FBR assigned the director post clearance audit department Lahore to investigate the complaint.
Moreover, the delegation comprising of PFVA Chairman Abdul Malik, and other members Zulfiqar, Aslam Pakhali and Muhammad Ilyas Khan informed TDAP Secretary Inam Ullah Khan Dharejo, that the high cost of products had caused huge financial losses to the exporters during last season of Kinnow.
“The stiff competition in international market poses serious threats to the enhancement of exports of this sector while high farm cost of Kinnow is further multiplying the problem of stiff competition. For each export consignment of Kinnow the exporters are required to pay Rs 49,000 as the fee for MRL test while for conducting MRL tests of mango orchards, the expenses are borne by the exporters, which leads to multiplication in the cost of export shipments,” the exporters said.
The secretary TDAP assured that financial assistance to the exporters would be included in the trade policy frame work. It was further stressed by the secretary that the PFVA must include comprehensive proposals for next three years in the trade policy framework to minimise issues of the horticulture industry.
The secretary was also apprised of the progress of complaint lodged by the PFVA to the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) regarding high freight rate and discriminatory attitude being displayed toward Pakistani exporters of this sector by the foreign carriers operating in Pakistan.
On the occasion, Waheed Ahmed said that PFVA, in collaboration with FPCCI, has planned to organise a National Conference (NC) on horticulture, first of its kind in the history of Pakistan.
It was also assured to the secretary that the TDAP in collaboration with the PFVA would conduct workshops on important horticulture products so that the people associated with this specific sector can be made aware of the latest trends in the sector and demands of the international markets.
