Govt waives of sales tax, excise duty on import of white sugar by private sector

ISLAMABAD, Jan 20 : The Federal Government has allowed Private Sector to import 0.75 million tons of white sugar on first cum first serve basis with the incentives i.e. by waiving of Sales Tax and Excise Duty provided the sugar reaches the country before 1st of June 2010 positively. The government has taken this decision to overcome the present sugar crisis in the country by maintaining regular supply and availability of sugar in open market and to contain sugar prices to the maximum.

To implement on the National Sugar Policy 2009-10, the Ministry of Industries and Production had basically prepared a summary of this proposal with the consensus of all other relevant Ministries for allowing Private Sector to import white sugar with the incentives mentioned above. Ministry of Industries and Production placed this summary before the Economic Coordination Committee of Cabinet for approval which the ECC approved it in its meeting held on 12-01-2010. The Cabinet Division today has issued Corrigendum of its earlier letter issued on 16-01-2010, says a press release received by the Ministry of Industries and Production today.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has reaffirmed his government’s firm resolve to promote the politics of reconciliation and hoped that this would help in further strengthening the democratic institutions and improving the governance at all levels.

The Prime Minister was talking to a group of Parliamentarians who called on him at his Parliament House Chamber this evening.

The Prime Minister said tolerance which is the basic essence of democracy could greatly facilitate in improving the political atmosphere paving way towards developing consensus on issues of national importance.

The Prime Minister said the government accords high priority to the welfare and betterment of the people and the government would welcome the proposals and suggestions of all in this context.

The group of Parliamentarians included Minister of State for Interior Mr. Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Mr. Shahid Bhutto, MNs,Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Mr. Nawab Ali Talpur, Mr. Bahadur Khan Sihar, Mr. Justice (R) Fakharunisa Khokar, Mr. Riaz Fatyana, Mehar Zafar Ahmed hiraj and Raja Shaukat Hayat.

Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Social Sector, Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali was also present during the meeting.INP