SIALKOT: The advanced export-related facilities and rapid clearance of consignments have helped the city’s exports increase by record 17.1 per cent during FY14, said Collector Customs Sialkot Qurban Ali Khan.

Talking to newsmen on Friday, he said the establishment of single examination assessment office at the shade yard of Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) by Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) was earning great confidence of exporters.

The exports of leather from MCC Sialkot increased by 16.3pc, sports goods by 7.1pc, surgical instruments by 17.9pc, textile by 28.8pc, cutlery by 7.8pc and other goods by 5.5pc, he said claiming that the exports during this FY15 would further rise.

Qurban Ali said the MCC Sialkot had started paying the pending rebate claims to exporters on priority as Rs330 million was distributed among them to boost their business activities.

He further revealed that a 24/7 duty system had been successfully introduced at the SDPT to lure exporters, importers and customs clearing agents.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd , 2014