The Anti dumping duty on 2-Methyl (5) Nitro Imidazole, commonly known as 2-MNI originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China was imposed by Notification No. 79/2001–Customs, dated the 18th July, 2001 and would have lost validity on the 18^th of July 2006. The government has extended it by another year – Just In Time! – a day before the expiry date – a really close one that!

NOTIFICATION NO. 74/2006-CUSTOMS,Dated : July 17, 2006

Carpet cities and expo parks to promote exports – Pak Trade Policy

Pakistan has announced its new Trade Policy for 2006-07 hoping for an export target of $ 18B, while imports are projected at $ 28 B.

++ The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), a state-of-the-art trade promotion organization, replacing the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), will be effective in ensuring a quantum jump in the country's exports.

++ setting of Carpet Cities in Lahore and Karachi;

++ Dazzle Park in Karachi; (for gems and jewellery)

++ three more Expo Centers in Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar;

++ Cool Chains for Horticulture Exports,

++ Freight Subsidy Scheme

++ reduction of customs duty on some marble and granite machinery and on horticulture and floriculture machinery to zero percent and reduced duty on horticulture raw material from 25% to 5%, on complete rice par boiling plant from 25% to zero percent, on pharmaceutical heat ventilation air-conditioning units from 25% to 5%, and on imported raw material for footwear from 10% to 5%.

++ Resorting to trade diplomacy to increase market access;

++ regional diversification of export markets;

++ strengthening of trade promotion infrastructure; skill development; and early provision of modern infrastructure.

++ 25% freight subsidy scheme on exports of new products and to new markets,

++ on official visits of VVIPs (President and the Prime Minister) to countries that are good potential markets, a single country exhibition show casing Pakistani products will be organized.

++ with a view to strengthen and promote Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector the government has decided to establish a specialized SME Export House as a corporate entity with public private partnership and run by professional management.

++ the government has decided to explore the setting up a modern warehouse city in Karachi by a corporate entity with public-private partnership and run by professional management.

++ as the cement industry is undergoing major expansion, with an expected exportable surplus of 10 million tons by end 2007, the government is planning a specialized coal, clinker and cement terminal at Port Qasim Karachi to facilitate the export of cement.

++ halal meat export zones will be established in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta with state of the art infrastructure to facilitate exporters and realize the potential of meat exports from Pakistan to Islamic World.

Announcing the policy, the Commerce minister said, “when economies grow rapidly like ours has grown, certain challenges are faced and ours has been inflation. Future challenges lie in striking the right balance between economic policies to achieve exports growth, control inflation and narrow the trade gap.¶

Nathu la - trade comes to halt – procedure is the problem

India-China trade resumed after 44 years with much fanfare at the high Nathu La pass has come to a grinding halt, thanks to the diligence of Customs officers. They refused transit of goods unless traders furnished their import-export code number issued against their Permanent Account Number. Fine, what is the problem? The problem is there is no PAN in SikkimSikkimhas its own Income Tax Manual and there is no PAN.

How did the Customs allow clearance without code number for the first few weeks and why did they suddenly start demanding it? Why didn’t somebody think of this earlier when the pass was opened with great hype as the highest customs station? What is going to be our image abroad when we tell traders outside that we are not able to export because there is some code number missing and how do we explain the exports for a few days? We made rules for our convenience and now the rules rule us.

Lift the spirits the Kalam way

Dheeraj Rathod, is a Central Excise employee in Mumbai who suffered total hearing loss in the right ear while his right arm had to be amputated, in the Mumbai blast. He had an un usual visitor. His ultimate employer - the President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. Rathod says Kalam's visit helped him lift his spirits. We don’t know whether any body from the Board visited him or not and will the Board consider giving handsome aid from the Customs welfare fund?

As an Inspector I wrote a (personal) letter to the then Finance Minister. I got a reply signed by Dr. Man Mohan Singh. I wrote a similar letter to the Commissioner. I got a reply from the AO informing me that “the Commissioner was pleased to inform you that your suggestions are not considered”

Until Tomorrow with more DDT

Have a nice day.

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