ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan here on Monday said that National Tariff Commission (NTC) had been fully revamped to address trade and tariff matters and for protecting national interest in international markets.
Addressing a press conference here at NTC headquarters, he said that Qasim M Niaz has been appointed the Chairman of the NTC, which has tasked to promote the exports and safeguard the local industry, besides resolving the anti-dumping issues.
He said a committee was formed for selection of members of the commission which after due diligence had appointed five members.
The minister said that two female members were included in the commission whereas senior officers from NTC were also appointed the members.
The commission was also assigned the task to play its role and defend the local trade, exporters, importers and to determine the antidumping laws.
He said that the NTC was also directed to invite representatives from industry to get their suggestions and inputs for national tariff policy as well as to make it more pro-active.
Khurram Dastgir said that sufficient resources had been provided to the NTC for improving its research on tariff and for enhancing capacity of the Commission.
Ministry of Commerce was provided complete financial and legislative supports to the NTC and all possible resources would be made available for its further research and development activities, he added.
Replying to a question, Khurran Dastgir said that Ministry of Commerce was facing shortage of officers and efforts were being made to address the shortfall.
He said that he had full confidence in the integrity of the new appointed members of the commission and expressed the hope that they would fully defend the anti dumping cases and protect the national interest.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman NTC, Qasim M. Niaz said that existing laws were overhauled and the number of the members was enhanced to address the quorum.
He said the NTC had started its operations from October 24, and two decisions had already been announced, adding the NTC was striving to resolve cases on priority basis in time.
He said that currently anti dumping cases against 32 countries involving 16 products were and sun set cases against 19 countries and 15 products were pending for the last one and half years.
The chairman said that after revamping of the NTC it was expected that confidence of the local traders and industry would be restored and it would help in increasing exports from the country
