960424

EPB suggests

withdrawal of

duty on export

on bones

KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: The Export Promotion Bureau has demanded withdrawal of 15 percent duty on the export of all kinds of bones with new incentives to Pakistani exporters to improve the sanitary conditions in accordance with requirements of EEC countries and to protect the domestic gelatine industry.

According to an EPB source, the main problem faced by the exporters is the imposition of sanitary conditions by EEC on the import of casing from Third World countries. Pakistan exported animal casings, horns and bones to the tune of 17,994 US dollars during 1988-89 which declined considerably in 1992-93. This declining trends has to be checked in the interest of the country and to save precious foreign exchange and the job opportunities for the bone collectors.

The EPB has demanded incentives for the bone crushing industry and refinance facility to give an edge to the Pakistani exporters.