LAHORE: Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMEA) has submitted a set of 12-point proposals for the upcoming budget 2024-25 to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and other concerned authorities.
In the budget proposals sent by PCMEA Senior Vice-Chairman Usman Ashraf, the association identified various SROs and customs duties as a hindrance to promote exports of handwoven carpets, according to a PCMEA spokesperson here on Sunday.
It was demanded that customs tariffs and international shipping charges be reduced to be competitive in global markets. Usman Ashraf also demanded that the credit period be extended to 270 days in addition to 120 days in case of export of handwoven carpets as a luxury item. It is also proposed to resume customs freight by rail from Lahore to Karachi keeping in view the perspective of low tariffs and security and besides, support should be provided in the area of e-commerce and digital marketing awareness.
Usman Ashraf said that FBR Circular 545 should be in line with Circular 492 which clearly states the time frame of 18 months and in order to provide relief to carpet industry under 5th schedule of sales tax commercial importers should be given relief in SR 146 para 3 own tariff.
He further suggested that a special budget should be allocated for research and development and exploration of new global markets to increase the export of handmade carpets. The existing circular of nine percent penalty imposed by the State Bank of Pakistan for delay of more than 60 days in recovery of export products should be withdrawn. It is also proposed that a representative of PCMEA be appointed as a contact person for effective communication regarding the budget and apart from this, a reduction in gas and electricity bills for export industries and a duty drawback scheme of 6% is also demanded. should be restarted.
The draft budget and requirements for the next financial year have also been sent to other organizations including FPCCI.
