Briefs

LCCI asks to defer Electronic I-Form 

By our correspondent

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Tuesday urged the Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra to defer the implementation of Electronic I-Form till January 2017, so stakeholders can familiarise themselves with the initiative.

In a statement, LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad and Vice President Nasir Saeed said that many LCCI members, who were engaged in the business of imports, complained about the Electronic I-Form.

The LCCI office-bearers said it was important to disseminate information to importers, bankers, clearing agents, and customs personnel about the working of the form. “Otherwise, it will raise a hue and cry among the importers and also create huge backlog of containers at the ports,” they said.

The LCCI office-bearers also said that the current limit of $10,000 for advance payment created a lot of problems for the genuine importers. This limit should be extended to $20,000 or more.

They hoped that the finance minister and SBP governor would defer the implementation of the Electronic I-Form till January 2017.

Oman Air offers coach service

News Desk

KARACHI: Oman Air has launched a new free bus service between Al Ain and airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a statement said Tuesday. The service would enable customers to easily access the airline’s international network by simply selecting Al Ain as their origin or destination whilst booking their tickets.

Mahfood Ali Saleem Al Harthy, Senior Vice President - Sales (GCC and MENA) at Oman Air said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of a brand new bus service connecting Al Ain with airports at Abu Dhabi and Dubai. From there, customers can easily connect with flights to Muscat and onward destinations throughout Oman Air’s growing international network.”

For Pakistani travellers this addition by Oman Air would offer a new avenue in the UAE as well as a one stop solution to match their travelling needs.

‘LPG crisis may occur in winter’

ISLAMABAD: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributors Association Pakistan (LPGDAP) Chairman Irfan Khokhar Tuesday expressed fears about an LPG crisis in the upcoming winter after the imposition of 5.5 percent advance tax on import of the commodity.

“LPG demand will increase in the coming winter and we are afraid of LPG shortfall, which can lead to the worst crisis in the country’s history,” he said while talking to APP.

Approximately, the need would be 300,000 metric tons to meet the demand of the commodity from September to February. “We need approximately 50,000 to 60,000 metric tons of gas per month to maintain the supply chain,” he said.

In the last three years, he said overall supply and availability of LPG remained smooth across the country due to effective policies of the PML-N government.