Govt ready to amend customs, tax policies, says Mahara

 Lalitpur, Jan. 25: Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Wednesday that the government was ready to make timely amendment in the customs and tax policies.

"The government is committed to resolving the immediate problems at the earliest while the policy-related issues will be addressed in the upcoming budget," said Mahara while addressing an interaction organised on the occasion of International Customs Day by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).

He maintained that his priority was to develop an export-oriented economy to take the country on the path of growth.

"The country is facing a huge trade deficit, therefore, we need to focus on products that have export potential, and the government is ready to support the businessmen in this endeavour. If there are any hassles we can resolve through dialogue," said Mahara.

The finance minister said that there shouldn't be a distance between the customs and the business community.

The businessmen were highly critical of the government for being revenue-oriented and turning a deaf ear to their troubles in their import-export business.

Chairman of the Industry Committee of the FNCCI Umesh Lal Shrestha said that the government's major focus was on collecting revenue and meet the target, but it has never listened to and tried to address the problems faced by the exporters and producers.

"Exporters are not getting the incentives which they are entitled to as per the law while our neighbours India and China are providing 16-17 per cent incentives in exports," he said.

Businessman and lawmaker Pawan Sarda urged the government to maintain at least a 5 per cent spread in the customs duty of raw materials and finished goods.

"The government has never listened to the grievances and suggestions of the entrepreneurs. Industrialists are looked upon as terrorists," he said.

FNCCI president Pashupati Murarka urged the finance minister to scrap the reference book maintained at the customs.

"The reference book has been promoting under-invoicing. If you doubt the amount of goods, sell it through online auction but remove that book," he said.

Saying that the government was a partner in their business without making an investment, as they pay 25 per cent of their income, he asked the government to behave well with the entrepreneurs.

Director-general of the Department of Customs Shishir Kumar Dhungana expressed his commitment to address the just demands of the business community.

"About 60 per cent of the international trade has been maintained through the online system, which will reach 97 per cent by the end of next fiscal year. We are upgrading 13 customs offices," he said.

He said that an integrated border office was being built at the Rasuwagadhi border with an investment of Rs. 530 million.

The businessmen also asked the minister to open the Tatopani customs, lessen the duty on raw materials and simplify the export process.