The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has demanded of the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to bring down the import duty on spare parts of automobiles to 10 percent, so as to curb the increasing smuggling of auto parts. KCCI Customs and Anti-smuggling Sub-committee Chairman, Sultan Mehmood has written letters to CBR chairman Abdullah Yusuf and Member Customs CBR Muhammad Ramzan Bhatti regarding the problems being faced by automobile spare parts importers and dealers.

He has stated that reduction of duty will reduce the smugglers' margin of profit and render the practice unfeasible. Sultan noted that the smuggling had ruined the business of genuine importers, hence the import duty on auto spare parts should be brought down.

Talking to newsmen, here on Friday, Sultan Mehmood pointed out that markets are flooded with smuggled auto spare parts, causing problem for local spare parts manufacturers. This was a sensitive issue and the government should discuss it with all the stakeholders in the best interests of trade and industry, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005