The Senate was informed today that Export Facilitation Scheme will be further improved after consultations with the exporters.

Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kayani told the House during the Question Hour that it is an important scheme which allows exporters to import raw materials and inputs on a zero-rated basis, helping ensure that their products remain competitive in international markets.

The Minister of State said that the government is also working on a holistic policy for the construction sector. He highlighted that a substantial amount has already been disbursed under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme which provides loans of up to ten million rupees at an interest rate of five percent.

The Minister of State told the house that faceless customs system has been introduced at the ports to facilitate the businesses and curb corruption. He said there is also a plan to introduce the same faceless system at the airports.

Responding to a question, Bilal Azhar Kayani said that super tax has been abolished for the exporters as well as the businesses whose annual income does not exceed five hundred million rupees.  He said the super tax has been reduced to eight percent from ten percent for the businesses earning over five hundred million rupees, emphasizing that this rate will be further reduced on the availability of fiscal space.

At the outset, the House offered fateha for the security personnel martyred during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Karak.

The House will now meet on Monday at four pm.