PESHAWAR, Aug 04 (APP): Director Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), Zia ul Haq Sarhadi has hailed the issuance of notification by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for introducing new Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo Rule 2023.
In a press statement issued here on Friday, Zia Sarhadi said that the decision was a long demand of the business community of the country aimed at ending the monopoly of one company providing tracking service to vehicles carrying cargo goods.
It merits to mention here that FBR has issued SRO996(I)/2023 to notify new Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo Rules, 2023 on August 2.
The FBR has allowed companies having a minimum annual turnover of Rs175 million or financial worth of Rs100 million to obtain the licence for tracking and monitoring of vehicles and containers carrying transit/imported cargo.
Under the new rules, the annual turnover has been reduced from Rs350 million to Rs175 million and financial health from Rs200 million to Rs100 million for the companies intended to apply for the licenses for tracking and monitoring of vehicles and containers carrying transit cargo.
“Relaxation in annual turnover and financial health for intending companies will provide an opportunity for more firms to come in the arena and provide quality service,” Zia opined.
Presently, he said, the lone company is charging containers exorbitantly due to the lack of any other option for businessmen for switching over to another tracking company.
Director PAJCCI expressed the hope that FBR will undertake the bidding process on its scheduled time in September 2023 and fulfill other official requirements expediently for engaging new companies in the tracking process.
He thanked the Chairman FBR for taking this decision which after implementation, will provide relaxation to the business community and introduce the provision of state-of-the-art and competitive tracking and monitoring service to importers and exporters.
The decision will also expedite the passage and clearance of goods-laden containers at ports which usually get delay due to different reasons and businessmen have to bear the brunt of paying extra payments under the heads of detention charges and demurrages, he expressed.
