RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Chairman of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA), Tanvir Ahmad Sufi emphasized the need to boost exports through value-addition, product and market diversification, etc rather than the imposition of regulatory duties to curtail trade deficit.

Appreciating the efforts of Prime Minister Shahid Khakan Abbasi he said that he is taking prompt action for amending the list of RD items and rate of duties on industrial raw materials. He further said that the prime minister is fully aware the hardships of local industry.

PSMA Chairman pointed out that duty of industrial raw materials should not be withdrawn partially, it must be totally withdrawn. It is worth mentioning that some of the items are included in the list of industrial raw materials which are already bearing extra burden on it in the form of exclusive ITP value fixed on import.

Tanvir Sufi especially drew attention towards one of the basic raw materials of soap industry “Sulphonic acid” used for the manufacturing of detergents, commonly used in every house.

This material was unknowingly included in the list on which RD was imposed. This material is not used in manufacturing of luxury items, but it is used in manufacturing of detergents for dish washing and laundry purposes and increase of cost on such products due to imposition of RD duty 20 per cent on it is very hurting for the common man. He demanded to abolish 20 per cent RD imposed on its import. He further said that the other negative impact which already bearing by the common man is that the local manufacturers of this material have increased their sale prices under the effect that the price of imported material after imposition of RD shall increase. Hoping the prime minister shall take notice of this unjust increase of price by the manufacturers of this raw material and shall take immediate action for the correction of this situation and will remove 20 per cent duty on this item.