Lahore Customs collects Rs70bln in May

LAHORE: The Collectorate of Customs (Appraisement) has successfully achieved its monthly revenue target by collecting Rs70 billion in the month of May, 2017, a statement said on Wednesday. 

“We collected Rs29 billion as customs duty, which is 40 percent higher compared to the collection in May 2016,” Jamil Nasir, collector customs said. 

“The collectorate had also met its revenue target in the previous months and this consistent increase in revenue was made possible only because of the initiatives taken by the department to optimise revenue collection.” 

Nasir added that collection also increases with a decrease in the cost of doing business at the dry ports of Lahore. “The cost was reduced through streamlining of clearance procedures and restructuring of various Sections and branches of the collectorate,” said he. 

Moving ahead, he observed that a quantum jump in customs duty collection during May, 2017 was a clear indication of the fact that the business-friendly measures aimed at trade facilitation are delivering. 

“I am confident that the collectorate will not only achieve its target in the month of June but also reduce the cost of doing business further,” Nasir said and added the facilitation measures taken by his team will hopefully attract the leading manufacturers and importers for customs clearance from the dry ports of Lahore.