1 (46Th Session) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
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1 (46th Session) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT ———— “QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWERS AND THEIR REPLIES” to be asked at a sitting of the National Assembly to be held on Wednesday, the 20th September, 2017 12. *Mr. Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi: (Deferred on 11-09-2017) Will the Minister for Commerce and Textile be pleased to state: (a) the year-wise funds allocated, released and utilized for the promotion of exports of the country since June, 2013; (b) whether it is a fact that small percentage of above-mentioned funds were used for the promotion of exports during the said period; if so, the reasons alongwith the impacts thereof; and (c) the steps being taken by the Government to increase exports? Minister for Commerce and Textile (Mr. Mohammad Pervaiz Malik): (a) Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is the primary exports promotion department of Pakistan. During the period July 2012 to June 2017 (5 years), TDAP received funds amounting to Rs.5,147,231,000/- from Finance Division Out of these funds TDAP incurred Rs. 2,406,985,500/- on promotion of export during the stated period. (b) The amount i.e. Rs.2,406,985,500/- mentioned above has been fully utilized for promotion of export. The detailed break-up of the activities, year-wise, is attached at Annex-I. (c) The following steps being taken by the Government to increase exports: 2 i. Prime Minister of Pakistan has announced the export package of PKR 180 billion for exporting business community, which is applicable for nearly 18 months for the period from 16th January, 2017 to 30th June, 2018. The incentive for 2017-18 would be available to those who would achieve an increase of 10% in annual exports. Out of the total annual allocation, an amount of PKR 107.5 billion has been allocated to textiles sector (PKR 87.5 billion for Draw Backs and PKR 20 billion for withdrawal of duties/taxes on import of cotton and machinery), whereas an amount of PKR 12.5 billion is the annual allocation for Draw Backs on export of non-textiles (other value added sectors). ii. Under Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF), 2015-18, a total of Rs. 6 billion is allocated for current year spent on the development. The initiatives inter-alia include: a. Technology Up-gradation: An incentive for technology up-gradation in the shape of investment support of 20% and mark-up support of 50% upto a maximum of Rs. 1 (one) Million per annum per company for import of new plant and machinery. b. Product Development: Matching grant upto a maximum of Rs. 5 (five) Million for specified plant and machinery or specified items to improve product design and encourage innovation in SMEs and export sectors of leather, pharmaceutical and fisheries. c. Branding & Certification Development Support: Matching grant to facilitate the branding and certification for faster growth of the SME and export sector in Pakistan’s economy through Intellectual Property Registration (including trade and service marks), Certification and Accreditation. d. Draw-back for local taxes and levies (DLTL): DLTL is being given to exporters on free on board (FOB) values of their enhanced exports if increased by 10% and beyond (over last year’s exports) at the rate of 4% on the increased exports. iii. Short-term export enhancement measures:—Under short-term export enhancement measures, the four product categories i.e. 3 Basmati rice, horticulture, meat and meat products, and jewellery, are being focused with the parallel focus on the following markets: (i) Iran, (ii) Afghanistan, (iii) China, and (iv) European Union. iv. Under Textile Policy 2014-2019, Rs. 6 billion was allocated in the fiscal year FY2016-17 to facilitate exporters. v. The sales tax zero-rating regime for five export oriented sectors, i.e., textile, leather, carpets, surgical and sports goods has been introduced with effect from July 1, 2016. vi. In order to counter the import surge through unfair trade and strengthen trade defence mechanisms, National Tariff Commission Act has been revamped and approved by the Parliament in 2015. vii. In order to promote exports to new markets, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is undertaking various export promotional activities through trade exhibitions and delegations. viii. The State Bank of Pakistan has further reduced the discount rate to 5.75%. Similarly, the Export Finance Rate is currently at 3%, which is the lowest in a decade. ix. Exim Bank is being established to facilitate export credit and for reducing the cost of borrowing for exporting sectors on a long term basis. This will also reduce their risks through export credit guarantees and insurance facilities. The Board of Directors of the Bank has been appointed and it will be functional soon after completing the technical formalities. x. The Ministry is undertaking consistent efforts for getting additional market access for Pakistani products in the potential markets. In this regard, FTA negotiations with Turkey and Thailand are at an advanced stage, negotiations with Iran on FTA are being initiated, and joint research study to assess the potential for a preferential arrangement with Korea is underway. xi. To further improve the existing regulatory regime and incentivize export oriented sectors, the following measures are underway in the Ministry of Commerce to enhance exports of the country: 4 Mid Course Review of STPF 2015-18. Review of Export and Import Policy Order to streamline the regulatory regime for trade facilitation. Extension of Prime Minister’s Trade Enhancement Package. (Annexure has been placed in the National Assembly Library) 16. *Dr. Fouzia Hameed: (Deferred on 11-09-2017) Will the Minister for States and Frontier Regions be pleased to state the targets fixed and achieved by the Ministry and its attached/ sub-ordinate departments during the last four years for improvement of service structure and public service delivery? Minister for States and Frontier Regions [Lt. General (Retd.) Abdul Qadir Baloch]: At present SAFRON Division is Administrative Division for FATA at Federal Lever and has only one Attached Department i.e Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees(CCAR), Islamabad. FATA SECRETARIAT: Public Service delivery imparted by Health and Education Sectors i.e. target fixed and achieved during the last four years and improvement of service structure is given below I. Health Sector at Annex-I. II. Education Sector at Annex-II. CCAR, ISLAMABAD. The mandate of the Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees Islamabad being an attached department of SAFRON is to assist the Ministry of SAFRON in policy formulation and its implementation on all matters relating to Afghan refugees. The CCAR office is also responsible for monitoring and evaluation of programs being carried out by CARs, International Organizations and NGOs. 5 Target fixed and achieved by CCAR during the last four years and improvement of service structure are at Annex-III. (Annexures have been placed in the National Assembly Library) @17. *Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak: Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the total number of Pakistani students presently involved in labourer/employments by Pakistani businessmen in UK; (b) whether it is a fact that the Pakistani businessmen in the said country are exploiting the above said students and giving them low salaries as compared to market rates; and (c) the mechanism adopted by the Ministry to protect the rights of those students? Minister for Foreign Affairs (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) According to UK statistics, a total of 58,512 study visas have been granted from 2011 to first quarter of 2015 to Pakistani students. However, total number of Pakistani students presently involved in labor/employment by Pakistani businessmen in UK is not available in any official document. (b) Pakistani students like all international students are generally allowed to do part time job (for limited working hours) with a fixed minimum wage rate. Employers are required to report all such contractual agreements to HMRC — Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs. This reporting mechanism ensures that nobody is employed on less than minimum wage rate. HMRC also deducts taxes from employers. These sponsors pay salaries to their employers according to local laws. (c) Community Welfare Attaché’s office at Consulate General of Pakistan is operative and any such incidents can be reported to this Wing in order to take up the issue with concerned quarters. ____________________________________________________________ @Transferred from Overseas Pakistani’s and Human Resource Development Division: 6 @96. *Ms. Belum Hasnain: Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs be pleased to state: (a) the location-wise names of the educational institutions established by the Government of Pakistan abroad; and (b) whether there is any proposal under consideration of the Government to establish more such institutions abroad; if so, the proposed locations thereof? Minister for Foreign Affairs (Khawaja Muhammad Asif): (a) Pakistan Embassy/community Schools are present in fifteen Pakistan Missions abroad i.e. Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Bahrain, Beijing, Cairo, Damascus, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Tripoli, Riyadh, and Tehran. (b) There is no such proposal under consideration of Government to establish more such institutions abroad. 2. *Ms. Shagufta Jumani: (Deferred on 11-09-2017) Will the Minister for Overseas Pakistani’s and Human Resource Development be pleased to state: (a) the year-wise funds allocated for Overseas Pakistanis Foundation since 01-01-2014; (b) the performance of the said Foundation during the said period? Minister for Overseas Pakistani’s and Human Resource Development (Pir Syed Saddaruddin Shah Rashidi): (a) The OPF does not receive any financial allocation under the Govt of Pakistan Public Sector Development Program (PSDP). The source of funding of the Foundation is Welfare Fund collected from the emigrants who proceed abroad under the Emigration Ordinace,1979 for employment. Years wise Receipts are as fallowing: ____________________________________________________________ @Transferred from Federal Education and Professional Tranning Division: 7 Rs.