- Home
- Business
- News
- Special taxation measures to support textile sector's competitiveness amid Covid19: Experts
Special Taxation Measures To Support Textile Sector's Competitiveness Amid Covid19: Experts
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 12, 2020 | 12:42 AM
The facilitation and appropriate taxation measures could play instrumental role in enhancing the competitiveness of textile business and to boost exports in this crucial sector of the economy
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2020 ) :The facilitation and appropriate taxation measures could play instrumental role in enhancing the competitiveness of textile business and to boost exports in this crucial sector of the economy.
The experts from public and private sectors said this while sharing their views with the participants at consultative dialogue 'Textile sector's competitiveness amid COVID-19' organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Tuesday.
The World Banks's Program Leader for Growth, Finance, and Institutions Ms Clelia Rontoyanni highlighted various aspects of support competitiveness in textile businesses and said that FBR has potential to support exporters in these difficult times.
During recent past, she said, several new measures have been introduced by FBR including reduction in GST rates, customs duties and ease in filing tax returns that may help in improved cash flows of exporters.
"Tax authorities need to realize that two-third of imports are inputs for the manufacturing sector, and therefore tariffs on inputs should be lowered" Ms Rontoyanni said and added further that tax system should be predictable and responsive to the needs of the private sector.
Former Member Federal board of Revenue (FBR) Muhammed Raza Baqir said that the textile sector is transitioning towards value added items. He said that COVID-19 has adversely impacted textile sector, hence, measures should be taken to facilitate the sector to overcome this unprecedented situation. Likewise, he said, the utilization period of export schemes could be extended until June 2021 in view of Covid19. He said that rules of FBR export schemes such as DTRE were introduced almost two decades back.
And hence, these are a need for complete revision, he added. Former Member FBR, Ms Raana Ahmed on the occasion suggested that in view of Covid19, FBR could consider relaxing burden of direct taxes on the textile sector.
She said that the current tax policy formulation process is weak and capacity for in-depth research in FBR seems lacking.
The fiscal policy unit at Finance Division needs to be well capacitated and empowered. This unit should collaborate with policy think tanks. Joint Executive Director, SDPI, Dr Vaqar Ahmed, while moderating the consultative meeting, argued that the data regarding request for refunds should be made public and online as it would allow everyone to get a clear picture on the exporter's refunds and in case there are delays. He said that FBR could beef up advocacy and outreach to help the private sector to become aware to avail export exemption schemes allowed for imports. "The pre-conditions to be eligible for such schemes at times, seem too harsh", Dr Ahmad said and noted that such pre-conditions often prevent small exporters to access this facility.
He said that modern and efficient tax systems require improved data and analytical capabilities and FBR needs to strengthen internal research capabilities. He said, frequent change in FBR's leadership has hampered the process of public-private dialogue. Such unanticipated changes are a hindrance in sustainability of already initiated reforms by Government.
Director General Customs Risk Management at FBR, Sanaullah Abro, said that several FBR schemes are there that allow textile exporter to conduct tax free operations. Besides, several imported items have been allowed exemption from additional customs duty and FBR's planned National Single Window programme will lead to reduction in regulatory burden, he added. Executive Director and AMP; Secretary General of APTMA, Shahid Sattar, was of view that the automation measures at FBR is yet to provide any ease to exporters.
Moreover, the issues pertaining to irrational pre-conditions to claim refunds should be resolved.
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Business
-
Finance minister reviews progress on FBR digitalization
3 hours ago -
US stocks rebound on tech earnings, London hits new record
3 hours ago -
US approves gene therapy treatment for hemophilia
3 hours ago -
KATI president for inclusion of agri sector in tax net
3 hours ago -
Ahsan chairs 13th CPEC-JCC preparatory meeting, reviews arrangements for high-level delegation’s v ..
5 hours ago -
Police to take every step for security of business community: IGP
5 hours ago
-
WB director, Planning minister discuss reforms in development projects
5 hours ago -
IP rights crucial in achieving SDG : Jam Kamal
6 hours ago -
FBR’s data protection efforts commended by OECD assessment team
6 hours ago -
US stocks rebound on tech earnings, London hits new record
7 hours ago -
SECP-IFSB workshop highlights Pakistan's progress in Islamic Finance Development
7 hours ago -
SBP to announce monetary policy on April 29
7 hours ago