PESHAWAR: The Customs Department in consultation with the political administration of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas has abolished taxes on 38 items.
The customs sources informed Customs Today on Tuesday that the step was taken in view of the economic interests of the people living in FATA. The tax has been exempted on the food items along with other goods of daily use. The customs sources said the tax exemption will encourage the local importers of food items, construction material, wood and limestone.
The customs sources further said the trade through Mohmand Agency will soon be started for which a plan has been formulated to increase more flow of import and export through other routes than the Torkham Border. The Mohmand Customs Station was closed in 2004 which posed a marginal loss to the customs exchequer each Financial Year.
The Customs Station at Bajaour Agency also remained closed due to which customs exchequer has to bear marginal losses each month but no fruitful steps have been taken yet by the customs high-ups.
The Additional Director at the Directorate of Trade and Transit at the Customs House Peshawar informed Customs Today that serious steps have been taken in order to provide trade friendly environment for the economic uplift of the region.