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LAHORE: The Central Board of Revenue, an apex state body of tax collection in Pakistan, has extended the facility of "Goods Examination at importers premises" across the country to facilitate the traders.

Member Customs, CBR Muhammad Ramzan Bhatti, unfolding the salient features of reformed CBR with totally changed outlook at an official Iftar-cum-dinner hosted for leading tax payers, said that CBR has introduced revolutionary schemes that would ultimately benefit the industry immensely.

He said that Iftar dinner marks a major shift in the policy of CBR as it is the first time that tax collectors have invited taxpayers. He said that this might be seen a little thing but it entails a paradigm shift on the part of tax collectors. He said that it is the sole motto of the government to make CBR a modern, efficient and tax payer friendly organisation with a spirit to facilitating people.

He said that the most important step in this regard is the comprehensive automation of all processes and functions of the CBR. Qouting an instance, he said CBR has allowed customs  clearance to more than 60 per cent of the bill of entry filed on the same day. "our target is to take it up to 95 per cent  soon", he added.

The Member customs said that besides efficiency, the automation will also bring transparency in CBR's working which, in turn, would lead to minimization of corruption in the department. He said that in past, the trading community always supported CBR in implementing its policies of fairness, competence and impartiality. He said that once again the trade community should shoulder its responsibility and be with CBR during the process of change.

Muhammad Ramzan Bhatti said that CBR has introduced a new policy of single customs document for goods clearance while the old system of bill of entry/export has altogether been abolished. He said new document will rid the trade community from erstwhile system of separate documents for different purposes.

The Member customs appreciated the performance of customs anti-smuggling organisation and said the drive against smuggling would continue across the country. He said smuggling caused loss to the national exchequer besides adversely affecting the local industry.

Briefly speaking on the occasion, Collector Customs, Lahore Muhammad Raza Baqir said that Lahore Collectorate of Customs has established a special "Customer Service Centre" at Lahore Airport for round the clock service which marks the beginning of new era in trade facilitation.He said that trade-friendly policies of CBR attracted 50 per cent more revenue to this collectorate alone.

Disclosing that export consignments are being cleared rapidly at Mughalpura Dryport even after office hours to facilitate and encourage the exporters, he invited suggestions from the community especially exporters to further improve the existing system.

Heavy tax payers and top business leaders including LCCI Chief, Mian Anjam Nisar, LSE Chief Gr. Capt (Retd) Naeem, Founder Pak-US Business Council Iftikhar Ali Malik and Vice President LCCI Shahzad Ali Malik were present at the dinner.